MLB OPENING DAY: 10 Players to Watch & Fun Futures

First Pitch is finally tonight! The return of baseball is here with the MLB season starting with a standalone game before the majority of the league gets going Thursday. Now, many people are still fully in March Madness or impatiently awaiting The Masters only a few weeks away, but among those two premier events is another: Opening Day.

It’s a new year for players to continue their success or break out on the scene. To help out with all we have going on, I have put together a "10 players to watch" list and a fun little futures bet for each of them to keep us dialed in all summer.

Before I release my 10 players to watch, I do have a disclaimer: there is no Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani, as to me those feel like they belong in the "goes without saying" category of can't-miss players. Of course, I will still have major names on my list, but they are the two that all sports fans know whether they're locked into MLB or not.

Now that we have the list, let's go backwards from 10 on who, why, and a fun future for the season.

10. Minnesota Twins 2B Luke Keaschall

The now second-year player is most likely the only unknown on this list to more casual baseball fans, but not for long. After an injury sliced into his rookie year, he is fully healthy this spring and already putting on a complete show again. In limited action last year, he hit over .300 with 14 SBs in just 49 games. He is a five-tool player with tons of upside; a full season of action ahead for him feels like breakout potential. The bet that feels very likely is 30 SBs at a plus-money take.

9. Toronto Blue Jays 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

After leading the Blue Jays to an AL pennant last season, he feels primed to run it back again. He is the type of player who is just entering his prime years. With the loss of Bo Bichette, his partner in crime, the RBI chances look to be even greater. This is why I have his fun future set at 100+ RBIs again for plus money.

8. Philadelphia Phillies 1B Bryce Harper

How can you not have Harper on a must-see players list? While yes, he is beginning to get older, he still looks to be in his prime. Also, look out for a more vengeful Bryce after his game-tying WBC final home run went from being historic to an afterthought. With that being said, it's time he hits 30 bombs again; it isn't plus money, but it feels right.

7. Boston Red Sox OF Roman Anthony

We have another guy who, similar to Keaschall, still doesn't have a full season under his belt but has the tools to be a top 10 player in the league. His name, of course, is a little more known now because of his WBC heroics. That type of tournament has the ability to send you into an elite season. His swing already looks good, so we are going with the batting average for the youngster: OVER .266.

6. Arizona Diamondbacks 2B Ketel Marte

The first of two D-backs on this list, so go ahead and call me a homer but... check the facts: both names deserve to be here. Marte is considered by MANY to be the best 2B in baseball, though he does always seem to find a way to miss about 20-25 games a year, which makes his futures a tough draw. I felt it was time to go safe for once, sticking with batting average yet again: OVER .273. That is something he has done six out of his last seven seasons.

5. Baltimore Orioles SS Gunnar Henderson

Gunnar is the first of two elite shortstops on this list. While last year was not up to his standards, you have to think injuries and the team's disappointing record contributed to this. Now, with lower expectations team-wise, this could be a more free-flowing Henderson at the plate again. The Orioles will need runs to compete, so we are going with 90 or more RBIs from Gunnar for just inside the plus-money range. He did hit that mark the season before last.

4. Pittsburgh Pirates SP Paul Skenes

Okay, yes, he is the only pitcher on this list. No, I don't have anything against pitchers; it's just that you don't get to see them every day, so what's the fun in that! Anyways, Skenes has all the makings of being the "ace of aces" for his Pirates, who look primed to make a playoff run for the first time in years. Since he looks to have the team around him, and with the arm he has, you have to go for 16 wins or more and sweat it out every five days! Also, it's plus money!

3. Arizona Diamondbacks OF Corbin Carroll

Alright, I told you it was coming, but I also said I am completely justified. Carroll, for the last three-plus seasons, hands down has been one of the most exciting players in baseball. He also was on the original WBC USA roster before an injury forced him to back out. Well, he is back to being healthy and ready to lead his team for another year. Now, being that he is one of,if not the, fastest players in the league, how can we not bet him to lead the league in triples for a fourth straight year... at +235!!! COME ON!

2. Kansas City Royals SS Bobby Witt Jr.

The man who finally got to show the world what he was all about. Of course, the Midwest has known since he has been a stud for the Royals for a few years now, but on the world stage in the WBC, he showed his skill set off. He has a smooth swing that finds holes more often than not; two seasons ago he had 211 hits, and last season he had 187. So, it's time to sweat it out this summer in the Kansas City heat for 190 hits from Witt Jr.

1. Atlanta Braves OF Ronald Acuña Jr.

Acuña is all the way back, people!!! I say again, he is all the way back! Go ahead and tell me otherwise, but I'm always going to be on the Acuña train. After rushing back last year from the ACL, he still found a way to hit 21 HRs and .290 in just under 100 games. Now fully healthy, 35 HRs feels ripe for the taking, not to mention it's plus money. Yes, I get the injury history, but if he can play 140+ games, it’s right there!

Baseball is back! For those with or without a team, the 10 players above will make your summer worth a watch. The nice thing is they are all players across different time zones, so you can get a look at all 10 in one day or night if you are feeling the baseball itch. The futures are also just a little fun to get you to feel some juice this summer. Opening Day is here; the 162-day countdown to October begins now.