Every year, analysts, fans and media tend to view a teams’ offseason improvement based on trades, free agent signings and potential impact rookies. However, there is also another significant factor that can lead to a player having a breakout season: When a position player suddenly performs well above his previous major league track record. That can vastly change a team’s run production and the overall dynamic of its lineup.



Here are my top candidates for breakout seasons in 2018:



1. Xander Bogaerts, SS, Boston Red Sox



Bogaerts, 25, is coming off a down year where he slashed .273/.343/.403 with only 10 home runs, 62 runs batted in and 15 stolen bases. New Red Sox manager Alex Cora has already connected and motivated him to step up his game. In addition, the signing of free agent J.D. Martinez will not only take pressure off of Bogaerts, but he’ll be able to learn from one of the game’s best hitters in adjusting swings. I’m...