New York Yankees: Scott Effross
Effross has endured a bumpy recovery from surgery to his UCL in 2022. The right-handed sidearmer spent most of the season recovering in the minor leagues, excluding three innings in the majors. His minor league results impressed with a 2.55 Earned Run Average, but a two-run outing against the St. Louis Cardinals ultimately sunk his major league comeback. When last healthy, Effross broke out to a 2.54 Earned Run Average in 56 ⅔ innings with 62 strikeouts. His release point, the fifth lowest among all pitchers, offers a unique skill set to neutralize hitters. The Yankees’ bullpen has been in flux all season, highlighted by the 30 unique pitchers utilized in relief this year. A recent pectoral injury to set-up man Jake Cousins could open the door for Effross to receive October opportunities.
Cleveland Guardians: Eli Morgan
While he does not identify as Jewish, Morgan’s Jewish ancestry, from his father’s side of the family, still earns a place on this list. Morgan, a lock to make the Guardians postseason roster, has contributed to the best bullpen in baseball. His minuscule 1.93 Earned Run Average in 42 innings is part of the reason Cleveland relievers lead MLB in Earned Run Average, Fielding Independent Pitching and Wins Above Replacement. He hit his stride in September, throwing nine shutout appearances out of 10. Cleveland has previously trusted the right-hander with meaningful postseason moments, and the veteran delivered. His 45% strikeout rate in the playoffs even ranks higher than the Guardians’ flamethrowing closer Emmanuel Clase. Morgan should be in the middle relief mix for the 6th and 7th innings.
Houston Astros: Alex Bregman
Bregman is the Jewish player with the most eyes on him. The impending free agent has rebounded from a slow start to 2024 and will now shift to cement his resume with another strong playoff performance. Since June 1, Bregman ranks fourth in Weighted Runs Created, an all-encompassing offensive statistic, and Wins Above Replacement. The two-time World Series champion intimately understands the rigor of the playoffs after playing 97 games in the past seven years. His 7.67 Win Advancement total, a statistic measuring a player’s positive value in-game, is the 11th highest in the history of postseason baseball. Bregman is auditioning for a multi-year contract on the grandest baseball stage. That added pressure could unlock an unforgettable performance.
Baltimore Orioles: Dean Kremer
The only Israeli in MLB will be third in line to start the Baltimore Orioles’ Wild Card series against the Kansas City Royals. Kremer mostly repeated his mediocre performance in 2023. The 28-year-old stepped up to anchor the Orioles’ rotation, making the second most starts with 24. Kremer rides into his second postseason on the heels of posting his best numbers of the year in September. The Team Israel ace increased his fastball usage from 27.5% to 35.3% and the pitch limited hitters to a paltry .179 batting average. That adjustment could help Kremer secure the Orioles a trip to the American League Division Series against the Yankees.
Philadelphia Phillies: Garrett Stubbs and Max Lazar
The Phillies lead the way with the potential of two Jewish players making their playoff roster. The Atlanta Braves were the most recent team to accomplish this feat last season. Garrett Stubbs will continue as the Phillies’ backup catcher and pinch-hitting option. The light-hitting catcher possesses one of the quickest pop times at the plate and catches three more runners than the average catcher, leading to a valuable late-game defensive skillset.
Max Lazar is on the outside looking in as the Phillies ready their roster for the National League Division Series. Lazar debuted on Aug. 10 and made 11 appearances before returning to the minor leagues. He has little to prove there following a dominant season, featuring a sparkling 1.87 Earned Run Average and a 33.33% strikeout rate. Lazar should be first in line to rejoin the Phillies in the event of an injury.
San Diego Padres: Dylan Cease
Similarly to Eli Morgan, Cease has a Jewish background without personally identifying. His father’s side of the family are Jewish and he considered joining Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic. The Padres’ flamethrower significantly impressed in his first season since the Chicago White Sox traded him on Mar. 13. Cease authored the first no-hitter of his career and dominated on the mound all season long. Opposing hitters only made contact 69.3% of the time on their swings against him, placing first among all pitchers. Padres manager Mike Shildt informed reporters that Cease would pitch in game three against the Atlanta Braves if necessary. Otherwise, he would be slated to open the National League Division Series against the Padres’ archrival, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Atlanta Braves: Max Fried
Max Fried returns to his native California to face the San Diego Padres. He lines up to start a critical game two in the wild card series as the Braves look to overcome the loss of their ace, Chris Sale. Fried holds the dual interest of performing for his team and priming his market in free agency. His up-and-down campaign has looked the part of a star pitcher and some of the worst stretches in Fried’s career. The left-hander righted the ship in September with a 2.14 Earned Run Average, following an ugly July and August comprised of a 4.84 Earned Run Average and a 1-5 record. Adding to the drama of playoff baseball, Fried will face the team that originally drafted him back in 2013 and prove they made a mistake trading him away.
New York Mets: Harrison Bader
Bader returns to the playoffs for the fourth time in his seven-year career. The speedy center fielder fulfilled the Mets’ vision when they signed him by stealing 17 bases and posting elite defensive metrics. His Outs Above Average, a defensive summary that evaluates speed, routes to the ball and throwing ability, finished in a tie for sixth among all center fielders. Bader is projected to share the position with Tyrone Taylor as the Mets seek to upset the Milwaukee Brewers in Milwaukee. He already established himself as a postseason threat, following a torrid run in 2022, where he hit five home runs in nine games. The Mets hope Bader can recapture that lightning in a bottle.
