Top 10 Breakout Players of 2021

1) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - 1B

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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was one of the top prospects in baseball for years until the 2019 season. He was a little disappointing in 2019 and 2020. In 2021, he broke out and has been one of the best hitters this year. Vlad has emerged as one of the best hitters in baseball and will be a star player for many years.

Stats:
.318/.407/.615/1.022; 46 HR; 104 RBI; 4 SB; 172 wRC+; .426 wOBA; 0.77 BB/K; .297 ISO; .318 BABIP; 6.6 fWAR;

2) Corbin Burnes - SP

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Corbin Burnes was also a prospect though he was never a top prospect in the game. In 2020, Burnes had a terrific season and was a Cy Young candidate. In 2021, Burnes took this to another level and is the front runner to win the Cy Young in the National League. Burnes has emerged as one of the best Starting Pitchers in baseball.

Stats:
10-4 W-L; 152.0 IP; 2.25 ERA; 1.50 FIP; 188 ERA+; 0.91 WHIP; 7.24 BB/K; .196 AVG; 2.60 SIERA; 7.1 fWAR

3) Cedric Mullins - CF

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Cedric Mullins has been a medicore up to this point. However, this has changed drastically in 2021. Mullins has had an amazing season on a terrible Orioles team. He has been their best player and was the starting Center Fielder for victorius American League in the All Star Game.

Stats:
.300/.366/.533/.900; 29 HR; 56 RBI; 28 SB; 143 wRC+; .380 wOBA; 0.46 BB/K; .233 ISO; .332 BABIP; 5.4 fWAR

4) Brandon Crawford - SS

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Brandon Crawford has never been a star player though he was good on a Giants team that won 3 World Series in the beginning of the 2010s. Crawford was not very good towards the end of the decade but this year came back and has been terrific. Crawford has carried the Giants to the playoffs and a possible division title over the Dodgers.

Stats:
.299/.373/.523/.896; 21 HR; 81 RBI; 10 SB; 139 wRC+; .376 wOBA; 0.54 BB/K; .225 ISO; .336 BABIP; 4.8 fWAR

5) Carlos Rodon - SP

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Carlos Rodon has never been a good player, despite being a top prospect for years. However, in 2021, this all changed. Rodon had a terrific start to the season which included a no hitter and many great performances. Rodon in 2021 has emerged as a very good pitcher and a Cy Young candidate.

Stats:
12-5 W-L; 124.2 IP; 2.38 ERA; 2.68 FIP; 181 ERA+; 0.96 WHIP; 5.47 BB/K; .190 AVG; 2.89 SIERA; 4.6 fWAR

6) Kevin Gausman - SS

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Kevin Gausman had a few good seasons with the Orioles but was never anything more. Gausman was traded to the Braves and then the Reds to provide some help in the rotation, but never it never panned out. However, then he signed with the Giants in 2020 and was solid. In 2021, he has been even better and is the ace of a terrific San Francisco Giants team.

Stats:
14-6 W-L; 175.0 IP; 2.78 ERA; 2.89 FIP; 149 ERA+; 1.03 WHIP; 4.24 BB/K; .202 AVG; 3.46 SIERA; 4.6 fWAR

7) Kyle Tucker - RF

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Kyle Tucker was a top prospect with the Astros and his potential seemed as high as any player in the game. Tucker looked good last year but did not break out as a star player. This season in 2021, Tucker has had an unreal season and has carried the Astros, who still have a lot of controversy from the cheating scandal.

Stats:
.295/.353/.552/.905; 26 HR; 83 RBI; 13 SB; 146 wRC+; .378 wOBA; 0.54 BB/K; .257 ISO; .305 BABIP; 4.4 fWAR

8) Zack Wheeler - SP

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Zack Wheeler is another former top prospects who took awhile to break out. Wheeler was traded to the Mets in 2011 and showed his potential in 2013 and 2014. Wheeler didn't play in either 2015 or 2016, and came back in 2017 and was not good. In 2018 and 2019, Wheeler was good but wasn't dominant. However, then Wheeler signed with the Phillies and was terrific in 2020. In 2021, Wheeler was even better and is a Cy Young contender.

Stats:
14-9 W-L; 200.1 IP; 2.83 ERA; 2.66 FIP; 145 ERA+; 1.02 WHIP; 5.37 BB/K; .215 AVG; 3.20 SIERA; 6.6 fWAR

9) Austin Riley - 3B

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Austin Riley was a top prospect for the Atlanta Braves going into the 2019 season. Riley was slated to play third base until the Braves signed Josh Donaldson and Riley moved to Left Field. He did not have a good start to his career and this continued into his sophomore season in 2020. However, this year Austin Riley has broke out and has been a huge part of the Braves' success.

Stats:
.298/.369/.516/.885; 29 HR; 89 RBI; 0 SB; 134 wRC+; .375 wOBA; 0.36 BB/K; .218 ISO; .354 BABIP; 3.4 fWAR

10) Tyler O'Neill - LF

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Tyler O'Neill has been a top prospect for a long time, though he never was a consistent player. In 2021, O'Neill has had a really good year and is a large part of the reason for why the Cardinals are currently in the playoff race.

Stats:
.281/.351/.532/.883; 27 HR; 63 RBI; 12 SB; 138 wRC+; .374 wOBA; 0.23 BB/K; .251 ISO; .372 BABIP; 4.2 fWAR