3 Red Sox players most likely to have a breakout season in 2023

Expectations for the Boston Red Sox this season aren’t substantial, but the team does have a good group of players capable of making some noise. A couple of breakout seasons from certain players can make a huge difference.

A newcomer to MLB, Masakata Yoshida, is certainly in contention to have what we’d consider a “breakout year” in North America. Those who watched him in Japan know what to expect. Even he may blow past those projections.

Three other Red Sox are more fitting to have true breakout years. Who are they and what should we expect from them?

1) Why Red Sox pitcher Garrett Whitlock will have a breakout season

Garrett Whitlock hasn’t quite “broken out” despite two strong seasons in the big leagues. He was electric as a rookie out of the bullpen in 2021. He followed it up with a strong 2022 campaign where he participated as a starter and reliever. Now in the rotation for a more permanent role, Whitlock is all set to have a fantastic 2023 season.

Whitlock does have just 9 MLB starts. In those opportunities last year, Whitlock was 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA. He has been a much better pitcher in relief. But that’s not anything unusual for a young pitcher. Many start off pitching well in the bullpen only to face some adversity as a starter. Two years into his major league career, the 2023 season is his chance to officially arrive as a no-doubter starter for Boston.

Whitlock will have a leash on him. He can lengthen it with a strong start to the year. Expected to miss maybe only one start, getting back into the rotation as quickly as possible and performing well is his goal.