MLB’s Top 10 Hitters Who Bounced Back From Early Season Slumps in 2024

A game of redemption and resilience, baseball has once again delivered its fair share of dramatic turnarounds in 2024. MLB stars who stumbled out of the gate, collecting massive moments full of boos from their fans, have now reignited their seasons, reminding us that even the mightiest sluggers can find themselves in a slump. But it’s the fight back, the resurgence, and the return to glory that make baseball the captivating sport that it is.

These are the stories of players who refused to let early struggles define their season. From Yankee Stadium to Petco Park, from Toronto to San Francisco, these athletes have rekindled their fire, rewritten their narratives, and reclaimed their place among the elite. So now, get ready to witness the rebirth of 10 major league hitters who turned early-season slumps into scorching hot streaks.

MLB’s Comeback Kings: 10 sluggers who reignited their 2024 season from the steps of failure

Aaron Judge, New York Yankees’ Center Fielder:
Remember the boos raining down on Yankee Stadium? Judge, the team captain, was batting a dismal .179 on April 20th. His response? “I’d probably be doing the same thing in their situation.” Talk about turning lemons into lemonade!

Judge has since unleashed a historic tear, slashing .384/.516/.945 with 10 homers in the 22 May games played. His 27 barrels alone are the most in a calendar month during the Statcast Era. The All-Rise isn’t just hot; he’s scorching.

Luis Arráez, San Diego Padres’ 2nd Baseman:
Traded from the Miami Marlins to the Padres on May 3rd, Arráez wasn’t exactly struggling, but he wasn’t setting the world on fire either. San Diego, however, has been the perfect backdrop for his resurgence.

Arráez has been unstoppable, picking up 31 hits in 18 games, including eight consecutive multi-hit performances in between. Do you think he could become the first player in MLB to win a batting title with three different teams in a single season?

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays’ 1st Baseman:
A team meeting on May 7th seemed to be the turning point for Vlad Jr. Prior to that, he was batting a mere .235. Since then? A monstrous .426 average, a .500 OBP, and a 69% hard-hit rate. His two-run homer to the deepest part of Comerica Park was a stark reminder of his prodigious power-hitting abilities.

Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies’ 1st Baseman:
Harper started the season 0-for-11 and struggled to find his groove until mid-April. But May has been a revelation. His .347/.448/.653 slash line, 10 extra-base hits, and 19 RBIs have been crucial for the Phillies’ success. Don’t even think about throwing him a fastball; he’s been batting 112.5 mph against them this month.

Bryson Stott, Philadelphia Phillies’ 2nd Baseman:
The Phillies are on fire, boasting the best record in the Majors—and Stott is a big reason why. After a sluggish start, he has elevated his game with a .680 slugging percentage and a 1.195 OPS since April 28th. His plate discipline has been exceptional, with seven walks and just five strikeouts in his last 33 plate appearances.

Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox’s 3rd Baseman:
Devers battled a knee injury early in the season, but since his return on April 24th, he has turned into a hitting machine. He’s batting .300 with a .980 OPS in his last 29 games and recently set a Red Sox record by bagging homers in six consecutive games.

Corey Seager, Texas Rangers’ Shortstop:
Manager Bruce Bochy said he had “no concerns” about Seager’s early slump, and his faith has been justly rewarded. Seager has raised his OPS by 157 points in his last 14 games entering Friday, fueled by a .314/.444/.686 slash line and a 26.2% barrel rate. His six home runs in this stretch are a testament to his regained power.

Matt Chapman, San Francisco Giants’ 3rd Baseman:
After a quiet first month with the Giants, Chapman exploded in MLB. Since May 11th, he’s been batting .378 with a 1.259 OPS. He’s been especially dominant in his last six games until Thursday, going 13-for-23 with five doubles, three homers, and an otherworldly 1.829 OPS.

Brent Rooker, Oakland Athletics’ Designated Hitter:
Rooker’s turnaround is a simple story of improved plate discipline. By cutting down on chasing bad pitches, he’s lowered his chase rate and strikeout rate while raising his batting average to .349 and slugging percentage to .639 against fastballs this month.

Max Kepler, Minnesota Twins’ Right Fielder:
Kepler has been a model of consistency since his return after a rough start and a stint on the injured list. He boasts a 208 wRC+ and a.356/.415/.678 slash line in May, with hits in 23 of 26 games played until Thursday. His career-best 14-game hitting streak clearly stands testament to his resurgence.

Baseball is a sport that requires adaptation, persistence, and confidence. The tales of these ten batters are proof of what humans can do when they never give up. They also happen to be thrilling comebacks that remind us why we love the game. With every passing game in this season, we will be waiting and watching: will they keep it up? Will any of them end up leading their team all the way through the playoffs?