Players with most to prove down the stretch

With the final month underway, playoff races are becoming clear and individual players are making their cases for taking home awards this season.

While not every team remains in contention, there are still plenty of teams that have players whose final months could prove pivotal before the season ends. Whether they are players returning from injury, those trying to position themselves for a starting job in 2025 or even those in the midst of great seasons, there's no shortage of key players across the game.

With this in mind, here is each team's player with the most to prove down the stretch.

All numbers are entering Wednesday's games.

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST

Blue Jays: SS Bo Bichette
Sure, Bo Bichette has proven himself to the rest of the league over his first six seasons… but it’s time for him to remind everyone. Bichette has hit .222 with a .595 OPS over 80 games this season, poor numbers by any standards but especially his. Multiple calf injuries have hampered Bichette’s 2024 season, but he’s nearing a return from the latest one and the final weeks of the season will be his opportunity to set the tone for ‘25. The Blue Jays need star power if next season is going to be any different, and Bichette is the one man on this roster capable of providing that alongside Vladimir Guerrero Jr. -- Keegan Matheson

Orioles: RHP Corbin Burnes
In the first half, Burnes was exactly as advertised -- an All-Star ace who recorded a 2.43 ERA over his first 19 starts for Baltimore, putting himself in the American League Cy Young Award conversation. The second half has not gone nearly as smoothly for the 29-year-old right-hander, who has a 4.97 ERA in nine starts since the All-Star break. With how banged up the Orioles’ rotation has been this season, they need to be able to count on Burnes to lead the staff down the stretch and into the postseason. They hope that his most recent start vs. the White Sox on Monday (five innings with two runs allowed, only one earned) was a step in the right direction. -- Jake Rill

Rays: SS Taylor Walls
The way they’ve underperformed, most of the Rays’ roster has something to prove before they hope to bounce back in a big way next year. After missing the first two months of the season, Walls was given a lane to be Tampa Bay’s everyday shortstop. He has unsurprisingly thrived on defense, handling shortstop as well as anyone and frequently making highlight-reel plays in big situations. The Rays would feel great with his glove in the infield every day, and he doesn’t need to be a middle-of-the-order force to be an extremely valuable player. But he’s got to prove at some point that he can hit enough to be in the lineup every day for a contending team. He finished Labor Day batting just .167/.279/.200 this season, good for a 47 OPS+, and .185/.287/.290 in 359 career games. -- Adam Berry

Red Sox: C Connor Wong
A .231 hitter entering the 2024 season, Wong was a pleasant surprise with the stick, hitting .307 with eight home runs and 32 RBIs during the first half of the season. But he came back to reality after the All-Star break, going 31-for 133 [.233] with four runs and 14 RBIs entering Wednesday’s action. If Wong ends the season on a sour note, the Sox could have a decision to make about their catching situation as early as next season. Kyle Teel, the third-best prospect in the organization according to MLB Pipeline, is waiting in the wings. He is having a solid season and has a combined slash line of .279/.372/.428 while playing for Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester. -- Bill Ladson

Yankees: RHP Clay Holmes
The Yanks’ confidence in Holmes has been shaken by a rough campaign that has featured a Major League-leading 11 blown saves, the latest of which came on Tuesday against the Rangers. Manager Aaron Boone has indicated that the club will consider alternative ninth-inning options instead of Holmes, while stopping short of announcing that Holmes has lost his assignment as the closer. The Yanks did not move at the Trade Deadline with a new closer in mind and do not have a clear-cut option to replace Holmes, which could lead to the sinkerballer continuing to receive late-inning reps down the stretch. -- Bryan Hoch

AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL

Guardians: RHP Gavin Williams
If we could name a specific portion of a roster for this answer, we would’ve simply said “the rotation,” but let’s just hone in on Williams. Despite missing the first half of the season with elbow trouble, the Guardians fully anticipated the hard-throwing righty to be Tanner Bibee’s No. 2 guy, but since he’s returned from the IL, his starts have been inconsistent. The Guardians need to figure out who their most reliable starters are before the postseason begins. Right now, Bibee would get the ball in Game 1. From there, it’s all question marks. The rotation has started to settle in and Williams has started to look sharper each time he’s taken the ball. But that has to continue through September to prove he can be the guy in Game 2. -- Mandy Bell

Royals: OF Hunter Renfroe
It’s no secret the Royals’ offense is struggling right now, and it’s not hard to point to the exact turning point, back to a week ago when the Royals lost first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino to a right broken thumb. Pasquantino’s going to do everything he can to return if the Royals can make a run in October, but until then? They need some other hitters to step up. That includes Renfroe, who’s due back from the injured list (right hamstring strain) soon. Renfroe has had an up-and-down season in terms of performance, but Royals signed him this past offseason to be a right-handed power threat in the middle of their lineup. Now is the time to be exactly that and more to help the Royals score some runs and push into the playoffs. -- Anne Rogers

Tigers: 1B Spencer Torkelson
The home stretch is Torkelson’s chance to show he remains a part of the Tigers’ long-term plan. He was optioned to Triple-A Toledo in June batting .201 with four home runs, 18 RBIs and a .597 OPS, and instructed to make adjustments at the plate. He entered Wednesday with four homers in 16 games since his return to the Tigers last month, along with a .288 average and .920 OPS. The Tigers are loaded with position prospects, but nobody else at first base. That can be corrected by moving another infielder to first or by swinging a trade, but Detroit’s path to contention looks a lot simpler with a productive Torkelson in the middle of the order. -- Jason Beck

Twins: SS Carlos Correa
It’s pretty simple, really: If and when Correa returns from the right heel plantar fasciitis that he and the Twins initially thought would be a very short-term issue that has instead spiraled into another seemingly endless saga, what will he even look like? He was in the midst of a resurgent offensive season after being held back by plantar fasciitis in the other foot last season, and even when hurt, he played an important role in the Twins’ playoff run. But this is trickier because it’s in the right foot, the same side where his history of ankle issues scrubbed free agent deals with the Giants and Mets two offseasons ago. When will he finally return? -- Do-Hyoung Park

White Sox: 3B Yoan Moncada
The switch-hitting third baseman still has to return healthy to the White Sox to prove anything after being out since April 9 with a left adductor strain and putting together only 44 plate appearances in 11 big-league games this season. But Moncada has 15 at-bats over five games during a current injury rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte, including a home run Tuesday, with 21 White Sox games remaining. At 29, Moncada still has an abundance of talent but has not been able to stay healthy consistently during his time in Chicago. The White Sox almost certainly will use their $5 million buyout instead of picking up his $25 million club option for ‘25, so Moncada will be playing for his future while suiting up for the White Sox in the present. -- Scott Merkin

AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST

Angels: LHP Reid Detmers
Detmers was supposed to be the club’s emerging ace this season but instead struggled and was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake in early June. He made his return to the rotation against the Dodgers on Tuesday and it was a resounding success. He struck 10 over six strong innings and is looking to build on it the rest of the way. The former first-rounder in 2020 still has elite stuff and a big September would give him some momentum going into next year. It’s been a tough year for Detmers but now is his time to prove he belongs and can reach his massive potential. -- Rhett Bollinger

Astros: RHP Justin Verlander
In three starts since coming off the injured list, Verlander is 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA and 1.70 WHIP. He admitted after allowing five runs, eight hits and four walks in 4 2/3 innings Monday in Cincinnati that he needs to get better. The rest of the Astros rotation has been outstanding lately, led by Framber Valdez (1.59 ERA since Aug. 1), Hunter Brown (1.45), Spencer Arrighetti (1.95) and Yusei Kikuchi (2.57 ERA), but the Astros need a strong Verlander for the postseason. -- Brian McTaggart

Athletics: 2B Zack Gelof
While he is on pace to post the first 20-20 season by an A’s player since Coco Crisp in 2013 as he entered Wednesday with 16 home runs and 20 stolen bases, Gelof has struggled to match the overall offensive success he demonstrated in his breakout rookie campaign last season, leading the American League with 158 strikeouts and hovering around the Mendoza line for most of the season. Gelof has shown flashes of what the A’s believe is his full potential, and he will look to harness that with a strong final month. -- Martín Gallegos

Mariners: SS J.P. Crawford
Coming off a career year in 2023, in which he was easily the Mariners’ most consistent offensive player, Seattle’s unofficial team captain has been anything but in ‘24, a season that’s been marred by two IL stints that each spanned over a month. Since his return from his most recent injury, a fractured right pinkie, he’s just 1-for-18, which has dropped his season slash line to .196/.300/.330 (.630 OPS). Crawford is still under contract for two more years at a combined $23 million. But he’ll also be on the other side of age-30 by Opening Day in ‘25, making him plenty motivated to finish this season strong. -- Daniel Kramer

Rangers: RHP Jacob deGrom
Maybe this is dramatic, because deGrom is already one of the best pitchers of this generation. But the Rangers ace hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since May 2023 due to Tommy John surgery and had three injury-riddled seasons leading up to his first with the Rangers anyway. He’s set to make one more rehab start before rejoining the rotation in the coming week or so. One month isn’t going to make or break deGrom’s career, or his legacy, but getting through his return to the mound without any speed bumps for his own peace of mind and the Rangers’ confidence in him heading into 2025. -- Kennedi Landry

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST

Braves: LHP Max Fried
Fried has posted a 4.96 ERA in the six starts he has made since returning from the injured list. A strong finish would strengthen the Braves’ postseason bid and aid the veteran hurler before he hits the free-agent market. Fried made some big starts for the Braves down the stretch of the 2021 season, which concluded with Atlanta winning the World Series. Another similar finish would provide a fitting conclusion to what might be his final season with the Braves. -- Mark Bowman

Marlins: RHP Edward Cabrera
The 26-year-old Cabrera has front-of-the-rotation stuff, but injuries and lack of command (5.3 BB/9 career rate) have prevented him from realizing his potential through his first 59 MLB outings. He put together a promising August, compiling a 3.58 ERA in six starts and pitching into the sixth inning four times. Arbitration-eligible for the first time as a Super 2 this offseason, he could be either a trade piece or part of the club's future. -- Christina De Nicola

Mets: SS Francisco Lindor
Much of the narrative surrounding the Mets since the All-Star break has centered on Lindor, who has recovered from a deep early-season slump to become a bona fide National League MVP candidate. To have a real shot at upending Shohei Ohtani, however, Lindor must give the Mets the September of his life. One final MVP-caliber month would do wonders not just for Lindor’s award candidacy, but for the Mets’ chances at making the playoffs. He’s the engine that makes this team go. Now’s the time to prove just how powerful that engine can be. -- Anthony DiComo

Nationals: 3B José Tena
The Nationals acquired Tena from the Guardians in the Lane Thomas trade, and they have been impressed by what they have seen since the 23-year-old was called up on Aug. 10. While Nats' No. 2 prospect Brady House is expected to debut next season at third base, Tena is making a strong case for playing time. He is batting .313 with 21 hits, two doubles, two home runs, nine RBIs and a stolen base in his first 18 starts with Washington. -- Jessica Camerato

Phillies: LF Austin Hays
The Phillies acquired Hays from the Orioles before the Trade Deadline, believing he could be their everyday left fielder. It would allow the Phillies to platoon Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas in center field. But that plan would only work if Hays hit right-handed pitching. Hays has struggled to this point to hit right-handers. It has opened the door to Weston Wilson in left field, or possibly even Marsh in left. The Phillies plan to play Hays every day for the time being, but better at-bats would go a long way heading into the final week of the season. -- Todd Zolecki

NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL

Brewers: RHP Freddy Peralta
With Brandon Woodruff injured and Corbin Burnes traded away, Peralta went into this season as the unquestioned ace of a team fueled in recent years by pitching and defense. He’s done just fine, delivering a 3.75 ERA and most importantly, making all of his starts. But if there’s a knock on Peralta, it’s his efficiency; he’s pitched past the sixth inning only twice in 28 starts. A handful of sharp outings in September could prove a big confidence boost going into a Game 1 start in the postseason. -- Adam McCalvy

Cardinals: 1B Paul Goldschmidt
It might be difficult to fathom a former MVP and a future Hall of Famer having something to prove, but that’s very much the case with Goldschmidt, who is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. Goldschmidt, who turns 37 next week, has endured a season’s worth of frustrations in his sixth year in St. Louis. His whiff, strikeout and chase rates have spiked, while he’s walking nowhere near as much as he did during his NL MVP season of 2022. Incredibly, Goldschmidt has just four hits and no sacrifice flies with runners in scoring position this season. Do the Cardinals bring him back – likely at a reduced rate – or do they go with younger and cheaper options in Alec Burleson and Luken Baker at first base? How Goldschmidt, a strong leader off the field and in the clubhouse, finishes the season could play into that enormous decision. -- John Denton

Cubs: C Miguel Amaya
The Cubs were experiencing some of the worst offensive output from the catching position through the first three months of the season. The 25-year-old Amaya was handed the keys to the No. 1 job, but was sporting a .186/.249/.256 slash line through July 3. Amaya worked with the Cubs hitting staff on a change to his setup (eliminating his leg kick) and the catcher saw immediate returns. Over his next 35 games (through Tuesday), Amaya posted a .318/.360/.533 slash line with a 149 wRC+ in 117 plate appearances. If he can keep his offensive progress going, it could influence how Chicago approaches the catcher’s spot for the 2025 season. -- Jordan Bastian

Pirates: C Henry Davis
Davis entered 2024 with a golden chance to establish him as the catcher of the future, but struggled at the plate in the Majors and has spent most of the season in Triple-A. He crushed Minor League pitching and has made some tangible changes, like some new mechanics and using a lighter bat. It needs to translate to hits, because the catcher spot is a lot more crowded next year with Joey Bart now in the mix and Endy Rodríguez returning. -- Alex Stumpf

Reds: 3B Noelvi Marte
After he slashed .316/.366/.456 over 123 plate appearances and 35 games during his first callup in 2023, the Reds had high hopes and expectations for Marte. But 2024 has been a complete disappointment. It started with Marte suspended 80 games for violating MLB's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment program. Since his return in late June, the 22-year-old has struggled to hit, has made basic baserunning miscues and — most surprising — been poor on defense, especially with his throws. The final month is an opportunity for Marte to end on a good note and take some optimism into 2025 as he will likely have to earn his roster spot at Spring Training. -- Mark Sheldon

NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST

D-backs: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez
Arizona signed Rodriguez to a four-year, $80 million contract last offseason. The plan was to pair him with Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly atop the rotation to form a formidable trio that could help lead another deep postseason run. It hasn’t worked out as planned so far -- Rodriguez opened the season in the injured list with a lat strain that he aggravated during the rehab process, delaying his D-backs debut until Aug. 7. In five starts so far, he has a 5.33 ERA. If the left-hander can get on track, it could be a huge lift for Arizona down the stretch. -- Manny Randhawa

Dodgers: RHP Walker Buehler
The Dodgers have battled injuries to their starting rotation all season long, creating some uncertainty but opportunity heading into the last four weeks of the regular season. Buehler’s season has been a disappointment up to this point, but the right-hander has a chance to change his fortunes around with a couple of good starts to end the year. If Buehler performs better — and his last two outings have been solid — he’ll have a role on the postseason staff. If he doesn’t, the Dodgers will have to carry on without him. -- Juan Toribio

Giants: INF Marco Luciano
Once viewed as the Giants’ shortstop of the future, Luciano is now expected to get an extended look at second base in September and try to show that he’s capable of learning the position on the fly in the Majors. If he continues to look shaky on defense, the Giants may need to reevaluate where the 22-year-old rookie fits best into their long-term plans and whether they’d be better served seeking out more middle infield help in free agency this offseason. -- Maria Guardado

Padres: 2B Xander Bogaerts
Nearly two seasons into his 11-year deal with the Padres, Bogaerts hasn’t lived up to the lofty expectations that come with a $280 million contract. But after missing a chunk of the first half due to injury, he’s hitting .308 in the second half and has become a plus defender at second base. The Padres signed Bogaerts because of his track record with Boston -- and part of that track record was as a big-game player. He’ll get to play in his share of those down the stretch. -- AJ Cassavell

Rockies: OF Nolan Jones
Jones had a very productive 2023 campaign, posting a .931 OPS (141 OPS+) with 20 home runs, 20 steals and 19 outfield assists, demonstrating his five-tool ability and future All-Star potential. But this season has been starkly different -- back and knee issues have limited him to 61 games entering Wednesday, over which he has a .216/.314/.324 slash line with three homers. If he can get things going at the plate over the final month of the season, it will inspire confidence that he can return to his ’23 form next year. -- Manny Randhawa