With the MLB playoffs beginning this week, another season of MLB Pack Pros has come to an end. From two players who tried to live up to their offseason paydays and two catchers who had very different seasons, let’s take a look at how the league’s four MLB Pack Pros performed this season.

Trea Turner: Philadelphia Phillies, Shortstop

The Philadelphia Phillies signed Turner to an 11-year, $300 million contract in hopes he’d be the missing piece on a team that lost in the World Series in 2022. The former Wolfpack shortstop came off a season where he recorded a career-high 100 RBIs, making him the most sought-after free agent in the league. His performance at the World Baseball Classic, where he hit five home runs in six games, also gave Phillies’ fans a lot of hope heading into the season.

The hope was short-lived as Turner had a rough start to the season, slashing just .247/.299./389 before the all-star game. As usual, Philly fans did not have much patience and started to boo Turner because he was not living up to his contract in their eyes. But everything changed Aug. 4 when Philadelphia decided to support Turner and give him a standing ovation.

Since that ovation, Turner flipped the script on his season and hit 16 home runs while driving in 42 runs. The Philadelphia shortstop has given a lot of credit to the fans for turning his season around.

Turner is the only Pack Pro to make the postseason in 2023, and the Phillies will heavily rely on him if they hope to win it all.

Carlos Rodón: New York Yankees, LHP

Just like Turner, Rodón was coming off one of the best seasons of his career and cashed in, signing a six-year, $162 million deal with the New York Yankees. The former Wolfpack lefty was also viewed by the Yankees as a player who would help them get to the promised land. Many thought the addition of Rodón would solidify the Yankees as the best pitching team in baseball.

Unfortunately for Rodón, his debut in the pinstripes was put on hold — he didn’t make his first start until July 7 due to a left forearm strain. Injuries continued to nag Rodón throughout the season, not allowing him to get into a rhythm, leading to a career-worst 6.85 ERA.

The Rodón of old showed flashes throughout the season, with his best game occurring Sept. 12 against the Boston Red Sox. Across five innings, he recorded nine strikeouts with just one earned run. With a healthy off-season approaching, expect Rodón to have a comeback year in 2024.

Patrick Bailey: San Francisco Giants, Catcher

Ever since the retirement of legendary catcher Buster Posey, the Giants have been looking for the catcher of the future, and they found it with Bailey. The former 13th overall pick was called up May 19 and quickly rose up the ranks of catchers.

Since his call-up, Bailey has been recognized for his elite defensive ability. He has the second-fastest pop time in the league at 1.87 seconds, making it hard for baserunners to steal against him. The former Wolfpack star is also already considered one of the best framing catchers in baseball, giving his pitchers a bigger strike zone to work with.

While Bailey has cemented himself as a defensive stalwart behind the plate, he still has some work to do in the batter’s box. He is slashing a below-average .235/.285/.359 but has had some clutch at-bats in his first season. His most memorable hit of the season was an extra-inning walk-off home run against the Texas Rangers.

The first year pro is just getting started and is already one of the best young catchers in the MLB.

Andrew Knizner: St. Louis Cardinals, Catcher

With the retirement of Cardinals legend, catcher Yadier Molina, at the end of the 2022 season, there was hope for Knizner that he would be the starting catcher in 2023. He didn’t prove enough to the Cardinals, leading them to sign veteran catcher Wilson Contreras in the offseason.

Knizner ended up as the backup catcher in St. Louis for another season.It wasn’t all doom and gloom for the Pack Pro, however, as he enjoyed the best-hitting season of his career, even with limited action. Knizer launched a career-high 10 home runs along with a career-high 31 RBIs.

Although these aren’t eye-popping numbers, Knizner has shown improvement, and that could go a long way in extending his professional career.