Adley Rutschman should prove his nightmare second half was an aberration

The 2024 season was poised to be the one where Adley Rutschman cemented himself as the unquestioned top catcher in baseball. The former first overall pick had been on a linear path since his days at Oregon State, graduating from elite prospect to outstanding rookie, and then bonafide star. Another all-star season is all it would take for his reputation to be secured.

Everything was going to plan early on. Through June, Rutschman owned a .294/.350/.471 slash line with 15 home runs. He was on a path to set career highs in most offensive numbers, and even earned the starting nod for the AL in the upcoming Midsummer Classic.

But something changed from July through the end of the season. All of…