Opening Day! 5 Players With a Great Start, But Will It Continue?

Opening Day has come! One of the best days of the year, and we saw Trout’s, Kings, and Panda’s take the stage, but who was able to take home their first win? There were some pitching duels in the NL Central, but over 24 runs were scored in a clash between the Phillies and Rangers. Who knows what today will predict!

But who dominated on Opening Day? Let’s look at five players who played well, but can they continue like this for the rest of the year?

1.   Salvador Perez

Yesterday: 4-for-4, 2 doubles, RBI

Perez is a catcher that needs to be watched for the next few years. At only 23 years old (will be 24 in May), he will make his second full season at catcher. He is strong, has decent power, and a great arm behind the plate. Looking at him yesterday, you can see how strong he is.

So we ask: Can he keep it up? I can see him batting .300 this year, which is amazing for a 24-year old catcher. Last year his WAR was 4.3, and it has been increasing ever since he joined the big leagues. I think you can put him in that category of catchers with Yadier Molina and Buster Posey after this year.

2.   Alejandro de Aza

Yesterday: 2-for-4, 2 home runs, 3 RBI’s

Alejandro de Aza does has a great name, but it was a little surprising to see him hit two home runs. As a leadoff man, he hit 17 home runs last year and went 20/28 on steal attempts. Not bad. Will he project to hit 324 home runs? Oh, if only.

It is nice to see a good start for a guy who has played a little but underwhelming to his potential. It might just be his best year this year as he turns 30. However, his numbers dropped 20 points from 2012 to 2013, will that continue? I still see him batting .260. Sorry Sox fans, de Aza might have the best year of his career, but it won’t be all-star worthy.

3.   Grady Sizemore

Yesterday: 2-for-4, home run, RBI

Grady Sizemore is back. It was his first two at-bats since 2011, and hit his first home run in over 900 games. Can he put up his numbers from when he was healthy? Just to let you know, those numbers were unbelievable (think Mike Trout, but not that good).

Sizemore will be one of the most interesting stories in baseball this year. He got the nod to start for the Red Sox after some struggles by prospect Jackie Bradley Jr. and when Shane Victorino was placed on the DL. He looked good, too. I just hope he can win Comeback Player of the Year, that’s all. He doesn’t have to be the best hitter or defender on the Red Sox, but he can really help them clinch the division yet again.

More on the Sizemore story later, so stay tuned!

4.   Francisco Liriano

Yesterday: 6 IP, 4 hits, 0 ER, 10 K’s

Speaking of comeback players, here’s a guy who has won the award twice, including last year. Liriano has always been so inconsistent year-to-year, and this is the year where he has to prove that he is still a very good pitcher. He is the guy that will be the x-factor in getting the Pirates back in to the playoffs or not.

To be fair, he shut out a very weak Cubs offense, and still allowed a runner during every inning he pitched. But his slider looked good, and he was merciless to the left handed batters. Ten strikeouts in only six innings? Jeez!

5.   Emilio Bonifacio

The only person who could hit Liriano was the Cubs new lead-off man, Emilio Bonifacio, who was able to hit everywhere from the plate. He’s the new acquisition for the Cubs this offseason after playing for the Marlins and Blue Jays, and was a late snag this Spring Training. He can play infield or outfield, and is a switch hitter.

This is exactly what the Cubs needed on offense. Plus he adds speed to a team that has none whatsoever. I don’t think he’ll be the Cubs lone all-star, but he is a good all around player that the team needs.

Shoutouts to Wil Myers, Jose Fernandez, and Adam Wainwright for their opening day starts as well. Which one of these players will end up having the best season? We just will have to wait and see.

Email me at statsbuddy42@gmail.com for any questions/comments/concerns.

-Evan Boyd