Major League Baseball is home to some of the most electrifying players in sports, with talents ranging from powerful sluggers to pitchers throwing triple-digit heat. In the 2024 MLB season, these stars have been bringing excitement to fans on a daily basis. But who stands out as the most exciting player in baseball this year? To answer this question, ESPN put together a 32-player bracket and asked MLB experts to vote for a champion.
### The Bracket Begins
The process was simple: ESPN chose the most exciting player from each of the 30 teams, with the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers each receiving two entries due to their standings. The players were then seeded based on their team standings, and voters decided the winner of each matchup. The result? One superstar who could proudly wear the crown as MLB’s Mr. Excitement.
### First Round
The first round of matchups saw some intense battles between exciting players from different teams. Aaron Judge faced off against Garrett Crochet, with Judge’s staggering numbers and immense power ultimately securing him the win. Jarren Duran and Tarik Skubal went head-to-head, with Skubal’s transition from reliever to All-Star starter proving to be an exciting development for the White Sox in 2024.
Jose Ramirez and Corey Seager showcased their respective talents, with Ramirez’s consistent quality and energy edging out Seager’s excellence. Royce Lewis and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. battled it out, with Guerrero’s line-drive hitting and power earning him the victory. Juan Soto and Ben Joyce brought their unique styles to the matchup, with Soto’s showmanship and home run prowess clinching the win.
Bobby Witt Jr. and George Kirby demonstrated their explosive abilities, with Witt’s transcendent talent and emergent skill securing the victory. Gunnar Henderson and Mason Miller showcased their power and speed, with Henderson’s versatility and All-Star performance earning him the win. Yordan Alvarez and Junior Caminero faced off, with Alvarez’s ability to hit for power and average proving too much for the game’s top prospect.
Shohei Ohtani and Brenton Doyle highlighted their diverse skill sets, with Ohtani’s unmatched power and evolving hitting game securing him the win. Francisco Lindor and Pete Crow-Armstrong showcased their dynamic abilities, with Lindor’s impact on games in every way earning him the victory. Jackson Chourio and Paul Skenes brought their A-game to the matchup, with Skenes’ strikeout prowess and buzz-worthy starts getting him the win.
Jackson Merrill and Elly De La Cruz displayed their clutch abilities, with De La Cruz’s power and arm strength securing the win. Mookie Betts and Xavier Edwards showed off their versatility, with Betts’ all-around skills and cool demeanor earning him the victory. Chris Sale and Masyn Winn demonstrated their prowess on the mound and in the field, with Sale’s resurgence as a top starter securing him the win. Bryce Harper and James Wood showcased their power potential, with Harper’s home run heroics and fan-favorite status clinching the victory.
Corbin Carroll and Blake Snell highlighted their all-around abilities, with Carroll’s impressive rookie season earning him the win.
### Second Round
In the second round of matchups, the competition heated up as players vied for a spot in the next round. Aaron Judge faced off against Tarik Skubal, with Judge’s dominance at the plate securing him a spot in the next round. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Jose Ramirez showcased their talents, with Guerrero’s power-packed swing earning him the win.
Juan Soto and Bobby Witt Jr. brought their A-game to the matchup, with Witt’s explosive play and skill set securing him a spot in the next round. Gunnar Henderson and Yordan Alvarez showcased their power and speed, with Alvarez’s clutch hitting and home run prowess earning him the win.
Shohei Ohtani and Francisco Lindor highlighted their dynamic abilities, with Ohtani’s raw power and speed securing him a spot in the next round. Paul Skenes and Elly De La Cruz demonstrated their dominance on the field, with De La Cruz’s exciting play earning him a spot in the next round.
Mookie Betts and Bryce Harper showcased their talents on the field, with Betts’ versatility and cool demeanor earning him a spot in the next round. Corbin Carroll and Blake Snell brought their A-game to the matchup, with Carroll’s all-around abilities securing him a spot in the next round.
### Third Round
The third round of matchups saw some intense battles as players fought for a spot in the final four. Aaron Judge and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went head-to-head, with Judge’s unmatched power securing him a spot in the final four. Bobby Witt Jr. and Yordan Alvarez showcased their explosive play, with Witt’s dynamic skill set earning him a spot in the final four.
Shohei Ohtani and Elly De La Cruz highlighted their exciting abilities, with De La Cruz’s all-around play securing him a spot in the final four. Mookie Betts and Bryce Harper showcased their versatility on the field, with Betts’ cool demeanor and all-around skills earning him a spot in the final four.
### Final Four
In the final four matchups, the competition was fierce as players battled for a spot in the championship round. Aaron Judge faced off against Bobby Witt Jr., with Witt’s transcendent talent and explosive play securing him a spot in the championship round. Mookie Betts and Elly De La Cruz brought their A-game to the matchup, with De La Cruz’s exciting play earning him a spot in the championship round.
### Championship
The championship round saw Bobby Witt Jr. and Elly De La Cruz go head-to-head in a battle of exciting talents. While both players showcased their dynamic abilities, Witt’s ability to do it all while hitting .333 ultimately secured him the title of 2024 MLB Mr. Excitement.
In a season filled with electrifying performances and thrilling moments, Bobby Witt Jr. emerged as the standout player, captivating fans with his transcendent talent and explosive play. As the 2024 MLB Mr. Excitement, Witt’s impact on the game is undeniable, solidifying his place among the league’s most exciting players.