Some players come out of the gate swinging, making All-Star teams before they can legally rent a car. But others take a little longer to find their groove, needing a few seasons—or even a full decade—before they hit their stride.
This list is for the slow starters —the under-the-radar individuals who eventually turned heads and proved that greatness isn’t always instant. From overlooked prospects to mid-career revivals, these 19 MLB stars bloomed on their timeline—and it was worth the wait.
19. Daniel Murphy
Murphy bounced around as a decent utility guy before suddenly becoming a playoff monster. His postseason heroics in 2015 made everyone wonder where that version had been hiding.
18. Edwin Encarnación
Early in his career, Encarnación was more of a journeyman than a slugger. But once he found his power stroke, he became one of the most feared batters in the league.
17. José Bautista
Bautista was traded around like spare change before his bat exploded in Toronto. That iconic bat flip didn’t come from nowhere—it was years in the making.
16. Kyle Schwarber
Known early for big homers and big strikeouts, Schwarber didn’t fully settle into his role until later in his career. Now he’s one of the best power leadoff hitters in baseball, a feat that no one predicted.
15. Nelson Cruz
Cruz didn’t become a full-time MLB regular until he was nearly 30 years old. Then he casually turned into one of the most consistent power hitters of his generation.
14. Brandon Moss
Moss had stints with several teams before finally coming together in Oakland. His lefty bat suddenly became a force, and fans couldn’t get enough of the late bloom.
13. Raul Ibañez
Ibañez didn’t hit 20 home runs in a season until age 30. After that, he just kept on raking, defying age and expectations for years.
12. Chris Carpenter
Injuries and inconsistency plagued Carpenter’s early years. But once healthy, he anchored a Cardinals staff and became a postseason legend.
11. Mike Morse
It took Morse a while to get a real opportunity, but when he did, he brought both power and personality. His breakout with the Nationals made him a fan favorite overnight.
10. Jake Arrieta
Baltimore gave up on him, but Chicago gave him a second chance. He responded by turning into a Cy Young winner and postseason ace.
9. J.D. Martinez
Let go by the Astros, Martinez rebuilt his swing and his career in Detroit. Now he’s known as one of the best hitting minds in the game.
8. Rich Hill
Hill spent years bouncing between teams and roles before turning into a late-career curveball artist. His comeback story is almost as wild as his delivery.
7. Justin Turner
Once a bench bat for the Mets, Turner transformed into an All-Star and clutch hitter in L.A. That beard aged like fine wine—just like his game.
6. Nelson Figueroa
Figueroa bounced between the major leagues, minor leagues, and international ball for years. Then he put together a surprisingly effective run that made everyone root for him.
5. Jorge Soler
Soler showed flashes early but struggled with consistency and injuries. Then he exploded in the postseason and reminded everyone why the hype was real.
4. Brian Dozier
Dozier wasn’t highly touted coming up, but he developed sneaky power over time. His 40+ homer season came out of nowhere and was a blast to watch.
3. Tim Wakefield
A failed position player turned knuckleballer, Wakefield took the scenic route to success. But once he found his niche, he became a Boston mainstay.
2. Zack Greinke
Yes, he was a top prospect, but his early struggles almost derailed his career. Then he came back with a vengeance and turned into one of the most fascinating pitchers of his era.
Read More: 10 MLB Players Who Revived Their Careers After Being Released
1. Randy Johnson
The Big Unit wasn’t exactly dominant out of the gate, struggling with control early on. But once he figured it out, he became a towering force of nature and a Hall of Famer.
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