Just in time for spring training, here are 5 players who could have major impact this season

5 Players who could have a major impact on the 2023 Major League Baseball season:

Fernando Tatis, Jr.:  The 2021 NL MVP runnerup missed all of 2022 and now he’ll join an already powerful San Diego Padres lineup.

Justin Verlander:  He’ll bring his Hall of Fame resume to New York where he’ll join Max Scherzer as a dynamic, but aging, duo for the Mets.

Anthony Rendon:  He’s been a bust his first three seasons in Anaheim with health issues, but if he’s back in form and can join Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani in the Angels lineup, good things should happen.

Julio Rodriguez:  At 21 last year, he hit 28 home runs, stole 25 bases and was the American League Rookie of the Year.  The Mariners center fielder is 6-foot-3, 228 pounds and ready to become a major star in the great Northwest.

Jose Abreu:  He joins the World Champion Houston Astros after hitting 243 home runs for the White Sox over the last nine years.

5 Players who were on Hall of Fame trajectory before injuries (or other issues) derailed their careers:

Pete Reiser: Dodger outfielder led National League in batting (.343), doubles (39) and triples (17) in 1941.  Three years in the military and numerous crashes into outfield fences shortened his career.

Herb Score:  At 23, he was 20-9 for the Indians in 1956. He was hit in the head by a line drive and was never the same.

Tony Conigliaro:  At 20 he hit 32 homers for the Red Sox in 1965. Like Score, he was hit in the head and never fully recovered.

Bo Jackson:  The multi-sport star had a breakout season with the Royals in 1989 with 32 homers, 105 RBIs and 26 stolen bases. Unable to stay healthy, his baseball career was sadly shortened.

Denny McLain: In 1968 and 1969, McLain was the best pitcher on the planet, going 41-5 and 24-9 for the Tigers.  He won back-to-back Cy Young awards and was only 25 years old. But his career and his life spiraled out of control.  A series of suspensions and significant weight gain ended his once brilliant career at 29.

Honorable mention: Mark Fidrych.  Went 19-9 for the Tigers when he was 21 in 1976.  Only won 10 more games the rest of his career.

5 Hall of Fame pitchers who had career losing records:

*Rollie Fingers (114-118)

*Trevor Hoffman (61-75)

*Satchel Paige (28-31)

*Lee Smith (71-92)

*Bruce Sutter (68-71)

Of course, all five were relief pitchers.  Satchel Paige did, however, make 25 starts in his brief major league career.

5 Debates: Who was better?

*Vladimir Guerrero or Reggie Jackson

*Gary Carter or Carlton Fisk?

*Steve Carlton or Randy Johnson?

*Cal Ripken Jr. or Derek Jeter?

*Rod Carew or Ichiro Suzuki?

5 MLB players or managers who would make great announcers when they retire:

*Justin Turner, Red Sox third baseman

*Mookie Betts, Dodgers outfielder

*Salvador Perez, Royals catcher

*Terry Francona, Guardians manager

*Dusty Baker, Astros manager

Pete Donovan is a Palm Desert resident and former Los Angeles Times sports reporter. He can be reached at pwdonovan22@yahoo.com

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Fernando Tatis, Julio Rodriguez could be impact MLB players in 2023