MLB
Three Latin rookies who could make an impact this year in MLB
Marco Luciano, Wilyer Abreu and Jackson Chourio are three of the Latin rookies hoping to establish themselves in the Majors in 2024.
Latino players add flavor to the Major Leagues year after year and 2024 will be no exception. Venezuelan Ronald Acuña Jr and Dominican Juan Soto took their place among the Top 5 of the 100 best MLB players right now.
A few seasons ago, they were promising young players who stood out in the Minor Leagues before making the jump to the Majors. So, with the new campaign just days away, let’s take a closer look at the new Latinos with the greatest projection for 2024.
Marco Luciano, shortstop, San Francisco Giants
The Giants’ infield looks threatening with LaMonte Wade Jr at first base, Thairo Estrada at second base and Matt Chapman at third base. The shortstop vacancy aims to be filled by rookie Marco Luciano. The Dominican infielder has shown good things defensively during spring training and is expected to be part of the 40-man roster for Opening Day. Born in San Francisco de Macoris, he made his debut last year and participated in 14 games, 13 of them as a SS and one as a designated hitter. According to Baseball Reference’s protections, he is expected to appear in the batter’s box 223 times and have 51 hits for a .258 average.
Wilyer Abreu, outfielder, Boston Red Sox
Venezuelan Wilyer Abreu is designated as the Red Sox’s starting right fielder a few days before Spring Training ends due to the departure of Alex Verdugo to the New York Yankees. Born in Maracaibo 24 years ago, he maintains his rookie status despite debuting in the Major Leagues last year. Abreu played 28 games in 2023 and recorded a .316/.388/.474 average after connecting 24 hits in 76 at bats and drive in 14 runs. The outfielder struck out 23 times, but walked nine at first. One of his advantages is that he can play any of the three positions in the outfield.
Jackson Chourio, outfielder, Milwaukee Brewers
Another Venezuelan is one of the most promising Latin rookies in the 2024 Major League season. All eyes will be on Jackson Chourio, one of the youngest players in the MLB - at 20 years old, he aims to keep the position of center fielder of the Milwaukee Brewers. Chourio, another player born in Maracaibo, has spent the last three seasons in the Brewers affiliate teams while in the winter he played with the Águilas de Zulia in the Venezuelan Baseball League.
The Dodgers and the Padres get the 2024 MLB season up and running with Seoul Series from 20-21 March. A week later, the tournament gets into full stride on Opening Day, starting Thursday 28 March. For the second consecutive year, all 30 teams in the league will be playing their first games of the season on the same day. Prior to last season, that hadn’t happened since 1968.
The two games between the Dodgers and the Padres will be played on Wednesday 20 March and Thursday 21 March with the first pitch for both games at 6 a.m. ET / 3 a.m. PT. Although these games will take place right in the middle of Spring Training, they will count as regular season games, which means that their Opening Day games (San Francisco Giants @ San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals @ Los Angeles Dodgers) will actually be these two teams’ third game of the season.