Ohtani headlines potential postseason first-timers in 2024

There’s nothing quite like the experience of playoff baseball.

After grueling 162-game seasons, teams and players alike battle it out in the playoffs for a shot at baseball glory. While plenty of active players are already postseason heroes -- such as Adolis García and Corey Seager last season or Jeremy Pe?a in 2022 -- many are still awaiting their first playoff appearance.

That will change in a big way this October, when some of baseball’s most notable stars will be making their playoff debuts. Here are some postseason first-timers to watch out for.

Note: This exercise did not include rookies like Jackson Chourio, Jackson Merrill and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. All numbers are entering Monday.

• Postseason Watch: Bracket, tiebreakers and more

A category of his own: Shohei Ohtani (LAD)

Ohtani has done things deemed impossible on a baseball field since debuting in 2018. The two-way star won multiple MVPs with the Angels in 2021 and ‘23 thanks to his dominance at the plate and on the mound. Despite not pitching in his first season with the Dodgers due to elbow surgery, Ohtani has rewritten the record books and entered his own categories this season. Most notably, Ohtani became the first 50-50 club member last week with an all-time great performance, going 6-for-6 with three home runs, 10 batted in and two steals.

Yet, 2024 will represent the first time that Ohtani has reached the playoffs in the Majors. That’s no fault of his own, as Ohtani’s dominant two-way performance with the Angels wasn’t enough for a team that finished below .500 in each season he spent there. That will change in the coming weeks when the Ohtani-led Dodgers will embark on their quest for a World Series title.

Other notable stars: Bobby Witt Jr. (KC), Tarik Skubal (DET), Cole Ragans (KC), Riley Greene (DET)

There’s an AL Central division theme in this category and it’s an exciting group of players. Witt is firmly in the conversation for one of the best players in baseball and is enjoying one of the best seasons ever for a shortstop. Witt became the first shortstop with multiple 30-30 seasons and has reached 10 Wins Above Replacement (FanGraphs), something only four other shortstops have done: Honus Wagner (twice), Cal Ripken Jr., Alex Rodriguez and Lou Boudreau. Now, the Royals’ electric shortstop has a chance to put his all-around excellence on display in October.

Skubal and Chris Sale are vying to become the first pair of pitchers to win a Triple Crown in the same year since Clayton Kershaw and Justin Verlander in 2011. Since returning from flexor tendon surgery last July, Skubal has been nothing short of incredible and has an argument for one of the top starters. Skubal’s 2.48 ERA, 5.6 WAR and 221 strikeouts are a key reason why the Tigers have surged into the playoff picture with a week to go.

Like Skubal, Ragans started to make a name for himself during the summer of ‘23. After getting traded from the Rangers to the Royals for Aroldis Chapman, Ragans tapped into his long-viewed potential and is firmly entrenched as one of the best young starters in the Majors. Ragans is running a career-best 3.24 ERA and has set career highs in WAR (4.7) and strikeouts (217).

Greene is another reason why the Tigers find themselves vying for a playoff spot with a week to go. The youngster had a mini breakout season in 2023 (2.3 WAR and 120 wRC+ in 99 games) and has taken an even bigger step in ‘24 with 3.9 WAR, 24 home runs and a 137 wRC+.

Players on the rise: Mark Vientos (NYM), Anthony Volpe (NYY), Bryce Miller (SEA), Bryan Woo (SEA), Ronel Blanco (HOU), Tanner Bibee (CLE), Kerry Carpenter (DET)

Each of these players has played a significant role in where their current teams stand. The two New York youngsters are probably the most notable of the bunch. Vientos has blossomed in his age-24 season and is hitting in the middle of the Mets lineup thanks to his 135 wRC+ and 25 home runs. Volpe’s production has taken a different route, as he’s produced a below-average 89 wRC+ but is one of baseball’s top defensive shortstops (15 Outs Above Average).

Miller and Woo are just the latest excellent starters to take hold in the Mariners rotation. Following in the footsteps of homegrown frontline starters like Logan Gilbert and George Kirby, Miller and Woo have helped form a dominant rotation along with Luis Castillo. Miller has a 3.06 ERA and 166 strikeouts in 30 starts, while Woo -- who’s had multiple IL stints this season -- has a 3.02 ERA and 2.82 expected ERA in 21 starts. The Mariners, however, have slim playoff margins and have work to do to advance to the postseason.

It’s hard to overstate Blanco’s importance for an Astros rotation that has been ravaged by injuries all year long. Blanco threw a no-hitter in his first start this season and has a 2.88 ERA in 29 games. Bibee, meanwhile, has posted his second straight strong season (3.56 ERA in 30 starts) after finishing second in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2023.

Carpenter nearly missed three months due to a lumbar spine stress fracture but has been excellent in 82 games, posting a 164 wRC+, 2.4 WAR and 17 home runs. He’s been a key power threat in the middle of the lineup for a surging Tigers team.

Veterans of note: Brady Singer (KC), Lane Thomas (CLE), Albert Suárez (BAL), Luke Weaver (NYY), Reed Garrett (NYM), Nick Ahmed (SD), Elias Díaz (SD)

Each of these veterans has enjoyed varying levels of success this year and has undergone different paths in their careers. Singer and Thomas have both developed into solid contributors, with the latter making his way to the Guardians in a Deadline trade.

Suárez might be one of baseball’s most unexpected success stories this season. The right-hander was with the Giants from 2016-17 but spent the next six years in the Minors or overseas in Japan or Korea. Suárez returned to the Majors in 2024 and has impressively filled the void for injured Orioles starters, posting a 3.74 ERA in 127 2/3 innings.

Weaver and Garrett have perfectly encapsulated the unpredictable nature of relief pitching. All three pitchers struggled to firmly establish themselves in the Majors before breaking out this season and becoming integral relievers for contending teams.

The Padres signed Ahmed and Díaz to Minor League deals just before September, therefore making them eligible for postseason rosters. The two veterans began the season with other NL West clubs -- Ahmed was with both the Giants and Dodgers while Díaz was released by the Rockies last month. Now, Ahmed and Díaz have a chance to play in the postseason for the first time, snapping some of the longest playoff-less stretches for any active players, according to Elias.

Most regular season games played – no postseason games (active players)
Nick Ahmed, 957
Shohei Ohtani, 869
Bryan Reynolds, 788
Elias Díaz, 722
Kevin Newman, 613