The 2024 MLB season has left fantasy baseball players with a sense of disappointment, particularly regarding starting pitchers who were expected to perform at a high level. This article examines some of the most notable 'busts' of the season, highlighting their struggles and injuries that contributed to their underwhelming performances. Notably, Kevin Gausman of the Toronto Blue Jays, despite a decent ERA and wins, saw a dramatic drop in his strikeout rate, raising concerns about his future.

Bobby Miller of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Jordan Montgomery of the Arizona Diamondbacks also failed to meet expectations. Miller's rookie promise dissolved amid injuries and poor statistics, while Montgomery's struggles made him a liability for his team. Chris Bassitt, another Blue Jays player, continued to underperform, marking a significant decline in his career metrics. As the season wraps up, fantasy players are left to ponder the future of these pitchers in their drafts.

This article highlights several Major League Baseball players who underperformed relative to their draft expectations in the 2023 season, impacting fantasy baseball teams significantly.

Julio Rodriguez and Randy Arozarena, both from the Seattle Mariners, struggled despite high draft positions, while Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt from the Toronto Blue Jays faced injuries and performance issues. Other notable mentions include Paul Goldschmidt, Gleyber Torres, Alexis Diaz, and Spencer Torkelson, each demonstrating disappointing results that left fantasy managers frustrated.

The Toronto Blue Jays finished the 2023 season with a disappointing 74-88 record, landing fifth in the NL East. Despite high hopes for a World Series run, the team struggled significantly, especially by Memorial Day.

However, standout performances from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and a solid rotation featuring José Berríos and Chris Bassitt provided some silver linings. Guerrero Jr. rebounded with a .323 batting average, while Bowden Francis emerged as a promising pitcher.

On the downside, Kevin Gausman and Bo Bichette faced significant struggles, with Gausman’s ERA rising and Bichette posting a dismal .598 OPS due to injuries. The bullpen was also a major concern, finishing with one of the worst ERAs in the league.

Heading into the offseason, the Blue Jays need to address their bullpen issues and consider roster upgrades to remain competitive.

The Toronto Blue Jays are undergoing a significant roster retooling after a disappointing season. With eight trades before the deadline, they acquired 14 prospects to enhance their minor-league system.

Key positions like left field and third base remain areas of concern. Joey Loperfido's struggles in left field indicate the need for an external upgrade, while third base options are limited unless Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is moved.

The starting rotation looks promising with Bowden Francis emerging as a standout, but the bullpen may see substantial changes as the team evaluates its closer situation.

The 2023 MLB season saw a significant decrease in pitch clock violations, dropping from 1,048 in its inaugural year to 602. Houston led the league with 35 violations, while Kyle Finnegan of Washington topped individual counts with 11.

Other teams with high violations included Washington, Arizona, and the Los Angeles Angels. Notably, the number of defensive shift violations also fell dramatically, with only two recorded this year.