Let’s look at Exit Velocity and Hard Hit% ratings from Baseball Savant along with XBA and XSLG from 2018 to see which hitters could break out, and which will likely be busts.

1. 3B ALEX BREGMAN, 3B HOU

EXIT VELOCITY RATING: Above Average

HARD HIT% RATING: Above Average

XBA: .268

XSLG: .463

VERDICT: Last season was an outlier and not the norm for him. He will likely decline this season.

2. RF MITCH HANIGER, SEA

EXIT VELOCITY RATING: Above Average

HARD HIT% RATING: Above Average

XBA: .266

XSLG: .469

VERDICT: He’s probably going to regress.

3. 1B MATT OLSON, OAK

EXIT VELOCITY RATING: Great

HARD HIT% RATING: Great

XBA: .250

XSLG: .503

VERDICT: I expect a breakout year where he hits close to 40 home runs.

4. 3B MATT CHAPMAN, OAK

EXIT VELOCITY RATING: Great

HARD HIT% RATING: Great

XBA: .246

XSLG: .435

VERDICT: I expect him to be one of the best power hitting third basemen this season.

5. LF DAVID PERALTA, ARI

EXIT VELOCITY RATING: Great

HARD HIT% RATING: Great

XBA: .270

XSLG: .429

VERDICT: His average might decline but his power is legitimate.

6. LF EDDIE ROSARIO, MIN

EXIT VELOCITY RATING: Below Average

HARD HIT% RATING: Below Average

XBA: .241

XSLG: .420

VERDICT: He’s been overachieving and a collapse might actually happen.

7. 2B YOAN MONCADA, CWS

EXIT VELOCITY RATING: Above Average

HARD HIT% RATING: Good

XBA: .214

XSLG: .382

VERDICT: He’s been overachieving and a collapse might actually happen.

8. LF DANIEL PALKA, CWS

EXIT VELOCITY RATING: Great

HARD HIT% RATING: Great

XBA: .227

XSLG: .442

VERDICT: He’s likely to hit over 30 home runs and if he gets his plate discipline under control, he can become a star.

9. 3B JOSE RAMIREZ, CLE

EXIT VELOCITY RATING: Average

HARD HIT% RATING: Below Average

XBA: .262

XSLG: .467

VERDICT: His power breakout is not sustainable and he’s set to be one of the biggest busts of this season.

10. LF JUAN SOTO, WAS

EXIT VELOCITY RATING: Above Average

HARD HIT% RATING: Good

XBA: .261

XSLG: .476

VERDICT: Expect a “sophomore slump”.