Is Jonathan Aranda ready for a breakout 2024?

The Tampa Bay Rays are in the midst of spring training practices and games in Port Charlotte, Florida. They have had many of players take time to make a name for themselves. This includes second baseman Jonathan Aranda.

Aranda has been in and out of the minor leagues within Tampa Bay's farm system. He had standout season with Montgomery and Durham at the Double-A and Triple-A levels with .315+ averages, .390+ OBPs, and at least a .875 OPS from 2021 through 2023. He also had 53 home runs and 224 RBI over that same stretch of time.

With the Rays, Aranda has a career average of .265 in 49 total at-bats. He also has an OBP of .356 in his career in a Rays' uniform, with seven walks showing that a great walk rate can come with more time at the plate.

During the spring training days of 2024 for the Tampa Bay Rays, Aranda has been one of a handful of players to really come alive. In the 12 at-bats given to Aranda in spring training, he has put together a .417 batting average. His OPS is over 1.000 and he has a .462 OBP as well.

It is a small sample size, but the progress Aranda has made and continues to make throughout his career becomes more noticeable as time goes on. He embodies how the Tampa Bay organization stays ahead of the curve to stay at the top of the MLB.

Now the Rays' infield is already stacked with returning starters and new incoming free agents who are expected to play a lot. However, Aranda's performance in spring training thus far and previous success in the minors with the little opportunity he got in the major leagues shows he has a chance to make something happen if he gets the call in a starting role at some point this upcoming season.