10 MLB Prospects Who Will Make 2015 Opening Day Rosters

With pitchers and catchers reporting in just over a month, many MLB pundits, fans and message boards have begun to debate the fate of some of the game's most exciting young prospects. Opening Day is a mere 89 days away, so it's an appropriate time to focus on which farm hands will likely find themselves enjoying the festivities. 

There are many different factors that affect an organization's decision to promote an emerging prospect: talent, position needs, team expectations, etc. However, the main point of emphasis when making my selections became positional needs. If a team has an opening in its starting nine, a prospect who can fill that void is obviously more likely to begin the season with the big club.

The following 10 players figure to be important cogs for their respective clubs in 2015. Some will benefit from a free path to The Show (like Micah Johnson, Dalton Pompey and Rob Refsnyder), while others will take advantage of their club's youth movement (such as Manny Banuelos and Maikel Franco).

So strap in and discover more about the next wave of MLB youngsters who will be coming your way this April. 

Manny Banuelos, LHP, Atlanta Braves

Key Stats

• Held opponents to a .223 average in his return from Tommy John in 2014
• Struck out over eight per nine innings in his breakout year in 2011
• Ranked the No. 13 overall prospect by MLB.com (h/t Baseball-Reference.com) before the 2012 season

Background

The Atlanta Braves have been quite busy this offseason, already unloading stars Jason Heyward and Justin Upton earlier this winter.

New general manager John Hart has begun the reclamation project in Atlanta, focusing on acquiring young starting pitching. Hart's latest trade for the left-handed Manny Banuelos is even more evidence of that fact.

Banuelos was once the shining star of the New York Yankees farm system, rising as high as 13th overall before the 2012 season. So how did the southpaw become so expendable in such a short amount of time? 

Injuries and inconsistencies. Banuelos missed most of 2012 and all of 2013 with elbow injuries, and he was shipped to the ATL for relievers David Carpenter and Chasen Shreve.

True to the "Yankee Way," New York saw an opportunity to flip a talented yet inconsistent arm for pieces who will pay more immediate dividends. The Braves, meanwhile, find themselves in position to provide the 23-year-old starter with the chance to achieve big league glory.

At his best, Banuelos was electric from the left side. His fastball consistently reached 94 mph, while both his curve and changeup profiled as plus pitches. Back in 2011, Reed MacPhail at FanGraphs described him as having "the arm strength, command and secondary stuff to profile at the front of a rotation." 

Yeah, I know. That was four years ago. But with a return in velocity and a K/9 rate of over eight to close 2014, Banuelos may still be able to reach his once-astronomical potential. 

The Braves likely acquired Banuelos with that same hopeful attitude, with the intention of allowing the lefty to legitimately compete for a spot at the back end of the rotation. If healthy, there's no reason to believe that the rebuilding Braves won't break camp with Banuelos in a starting role.

Major League Comparison

B/R's own Stephen Meyer wrote a piece on Banuelos in 2011. Meyer documented Banuelos' comparisons at the time as "a young Ron Guidry, the next Johan Santana and a more advanced Clayton Kershaw." 

Jorge Soler, OF, Chicago Cubs

Key Stats

• Hit .340 with 15 homers and 57 RBI in the minors in 2014
• Posted a .292 average with five dingers in 24 games with Chicago Cubs to end the season
• Recorded a .281 isolated power mark in his first 89 MLB at-bats

Background 

The Chicago Cubs are loaded in the developmental ranks, with the likes of Kris Bryant, Addison Russell and Albert Almora on the cusp of arriving in the Windy City. Yet it's Jorge Soler who remains the most likely to start the season with the Cubbies. 

The Cuban outfielder enjoyed his cup of coffee in the big leagues this past season, impressing with a .292 average and .903 OPS in 24 games. Soler flashed his raw power (seen in the clip above), solid plate discipline, electric arm strength and above-average athleticism while in Chicago. 

A knock on the 22-year-old has been an over-reliance on his elite raw talent, something he seemed to improve upon in 2014. Here's how Kiley McDaniel at FanGraphs explained the outfielder's progression this season:

"

He's an explosive quick-twitch power hitter with easy plus bat speed and raw power along with just enough huge cuts and erratic stuff to his game that you never know what you might see. The erratic aspects of his game slowly melted away this year as he matured mentally and had his first full year in the system with a full set of reps and without major injuries.

"

Soler profiles as a right fielder, which leads some to believe he will get his chance in the majors before some of the other talents in the Chicago system. Positional overlap by those other youngsters leads Scott Spratt at FanGraphs to believe that Soler will be "the one that is least impacted by that logjam."

With Joe Maddon now captaining the ship in Chicago and a young, talented roster at his disposal, the Cubs will likely contend in 2015. Expect Soler to be the starting right fielder at the start of 2015 and play a vital role in the potential success of a club desperate for postseason glory. 

Major League Comparison

Soler is often compared to his Cuban counterparts in Yasiel Puig and Yoenis Cespedes, as well as Baltimore's Delmon Young. 

Micah Johnson, 2B, Chicago White Sox

Key Stats

• Hit .294 with 22 steals in the minors in 2014
• Struck out just 13.9 percent of the time in over 300 at-bats while at Triple-A
• Recorded a .351 OBP this past season

Background

The Chicago White Sox are undergoing a similar renaissance as the Cubs. The White Sox expect to contend in the AL Central in 2015 after being active this offseason.

One of the few positions still in limbo for the club is second base. Youngsters Micah Johnson and Carlos Sanchez are expected to compete for that opening in spring training, according to Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago. 

Johnson missed the end of 2014 with a hamstring injury, opening the door for Sanchez to get some valuable major league experience to end the season. Yet he managed only a modest .250 average in 104 at-bats, striking out 24 percent of the time. 

Both players have flaws in their games, but Johnson's game is predicated on the most consistent attribute in sports: speed. MLB.com describes the 24-year-old's speed as "his best tool" and states that it "grades out at the top of the scale." 

A game reliant on running needs to be accompanied by a polished approach at the plate, and Johnson has shown that thus far in his career. Hitters naturally begin to fan more as they rise through the minor league ranks, but Johnson posted an outstanding 13.9 percent strikeout percentage at Triple-A this season. 

The infielder still has work to do defensively, but he has flashed glimpses of competent defending. His speed provides him with elite range, as you can see by the spectacular diving play in the clip above.

Although Johnson's isn't perfect, he's the best option for the White Sox. His speed and high contact rate will give Chicago more variety in its lineup. 

Major League Comparison

Although he has a slightly bigger frame, Johnson reminds many of fellow speedsters Dee Gordon and Billy Hamilton. 

Anthony DeSclafani, RHP, Cincinnati Reds

Key Stats

• Posted a 3.78 ERA in the minors in 2014
• Walked just 31 hitters last season
• Held opposing hitters to a .243 average

Background

Heading into the offseason, the Cincinnati Reds needed to renovate their starting rotation, with four returning starters hitting free agency after 2015. The Reds swapped Mat Latos for a young hurler in Anthony DeSclafani, who figures to compete for a starting gig in the Cincinnati rotation in 2015. 

The right-hander began his pro career as a reliever, but he quickly earned an opportunity to prove himself as a starter. DeSclafani doesn't break radar guns (his fastball ranges from 89-94), but he does keep the ball on the ground and in the ballpark. 

His slider remains his best pitch, with MLB.com referring to it as "a future out pitch." He threw it 138 times in four major league starts to close the season, inducing a 56 percent ground-ball rate.

Aaron Michael of Red Reporter describes the 24-year-old as "more of a workhorse pitcher," and I agree with that assessment. His biggest strengths are his control and durability. Michael notes that DeSclafani is capable of striking out hitters but "uses his fastball and slider to generate ground balls."

A big indicator of DeSclafani's future in the big leagues will be the continued development of his changeup, which MLB.com believes he can be "too firm with." He rarely displayed it during his brief stint with the Miami Marlins to close the season, but its average velocity of 85 mph needs to dip for it to become a truly reliable major league pitch.

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty recently stated on the MLB Network that the club believes that "DeSclafani will fit into our rotation this year." 

It's obvious that Cincinnati has big plans for him in 2015 and beyond. If he can continue to develop his secondary pitches, he could become a mainstay in the Reds rotation for many years to come. 

Major League Comparison

DeSclafani's ability to throw strikes and keep the ball on the ground is similar to Arizona's Patrick Corbin and Washington's Tanner Roark. 

Andrew Heaney, LHP, Los Angeles Angels

Key Stats

• Posted a 3.28 ERA in 23 starts in the minors in 2014
• Held hitters to a mere .229 average
• Fanned nearly 10 per nine innings in 15 Triple-A starts 

Background

A year ago at this time, MLB.com ranked Andrew Heaney as the highest-rated left handed pitching prospect in all of baseball. He lived up to that billing with another successful campaign in 2014, culminating in a major league debut in September with the Marlins. 

However, Miami chose to ship the southpaw to the Los Angeles Dodgers for the services of Dee Gordon. Not done moving yet, Heaney was then traded to the Los Angeles Angels for Howie Kendrick. 

So, what exactly are the Angels receiving in the 23-year-old hurler? Here's what MLB.com had to say about the lefty:

"

Heaney's fastball sits in the low 90s, and it reaches 95 mph regularly. He mixes it with a wipeout slider and a changeup that has developed into a good third pitch. The improvement of Heaney's changeup has given him a weapon to combat right-handed hitters. 

"

That changeup was quite effective in his seven appearances with the Marlins, albeit in a small sample size. Heaney used it 57 times, yielding opposing hitters to a .167 average. He used his changeup multiple times against the New York Mets, with great success in the above clip.

Jeff Zimmerman at FanGraphs believes that Heaney's delivery will give left-handed hitters fits. He throws across his body, allowing him to better disguise his pitches to lefties. Zimmerman does add that right-handers may enjoy more success against Heaney for that very reason. 

Heaney will likely compete for a spot in the Angels rotation during spring training, with only Jered Weaver returning as a reliable option. Talented left-handed pitchers will always get a shot in the MLB, so expect Heaney to show his stuff for the Halos this April. 

Major League Comparison

Fellow lefty Derek Holland of the Texas Rangers is an appropriate comparison for Heaney. 

Joc Pederson, Outfielder, Los Angeles Dodgers

Key Stats

• Hit .303 with 33 homers at Triple-A in 2014
• Strikes out at a tad much, but balances it out with a quality walk percentage
• Recorded a .279 isolated power mark and 164 wRC+ this season

Background

At 15th overall, Joc Pederson is the highest-rated prospect on this list according to MLB.com. The outfielder mashed in the Pacific Coast League in 2014, winning the league's MVP after an outstanding year. He led all Triple-A hitters in homers, on-base percentage, walks and runs scored. 

The Dodgers were able to part ways with the injury-prone Matt Kemp this winter in large part because of Pederson's emergence. After dominating the final frontier of minor league ball, the 22-year-old deserves a chance to prove he belongs in the big leagues. 

Pederson doesn't do anything great, but he does everything well.

He hits for average and power (as seen above), runs well and can play all three outfield spots at a high level. With Kemp gone, L.A. will likely shift Puig to his preferred position of right field, paving the way for Pederson to patrol center field at Chavez Ravine. 

One of the more promising signs of Pederson's development is his improvement against left-handed pitching. Young lefties often struggle against same-sided pitchers, and Pederson endured his fair share of struggles to begin his career. He hit just .200 against southpaws at Double-A, raising questions about his future.

But as Scott Strandberg of FanGraphs notes, Pederson's complete 180 against lefties this season is the key reason for his rapidly increasing prospect status. He hit .302 against left-handers in 2014 with a 1.029 OPS to boot. 

The Dodgers still have a logjam in the outfield, but Pederson will have every opportunity to win the center field job this spring. 

Major League Comparison

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly has compared Pederson's swing to those of Robinson Cano and Carlos Gonzalez. 

Pretty high praise. 

Rob Refsnyder, 2B, New York Yankees

Key Stats

• Hit .318 with 14 home runs and 63 RBI
• Recorded a 12 percent walk percentage in 333 Triple-A at-bats
• Won Most Outstanding Player at the 2012 College World Series, hitting .476 with two homers

Background

It's no secret the New York Yankees often choose to fill roster voids via free agency, but that doesn't seem to be the case for the vacancy at second base. John Harper at the New York Daily News has reported that both Rob Refsnyder and Jose Pirela will be given an opportunity to claim the job this spring.

Refsnyder represents significant upside over his counterpart. The 23-year-old enjoyed a standout collegiate career at Arizona, leading the Wildcats to a championship in 2012. After being drafted in the fifth round of the 2012 draft, Refsnyder has established himself as one of the better hitters in the organization. 

The middle infielder slashed .318/.387/.497 between Double-A and Triple-A this season, finishing with a .884 OPS. He also provided a solid power stroke, going deep 14 times to go along with 63 RBI.

Marc Hulet at FanGraphs explained Refsnyder's success in an article this summer:

"

The 23-year-old Refsnyder utilizes a short stroke that helps him get to the ball quickly. A contact I spoke to noted the prospect's high contact rate against all types of pitches as a key reason why he's been so successful with the bat. He has a strong eye and doesn't chase bad offerings very often. 

"

The numbers line up with that assessment, as Refsnyder has posted above-average strikeout and walk percentages during his minor league career. He's notched a high BABIP at every stop in the minors, proving he's getting good pitches to hit and hitting them hard.  

Refsnyder began his career as an outfielder, so he's learning on the go at second base. Yet Hulet's contact described Refsynder's defensive improvements over the past few seasons as "extraordinary" and said that his "natural athleticism and hard work" have aided him in his pursuit of mastering middle infield play. 

Sure, Refsnyder will have to go and win the job, but he's a more complete player than Pirela. He's hit everywhere he's gone, so expect him to don those prestigious pinstripes at the beginning of the upcoming season. 

Major League Comparison

Refsnyder's use of the whole field and advanced approach at the plate reminds me of San Francisco's Joe Panik. 

Maikel Franco, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies

Key Stats

• Hit 16 homers and drove in 78 runs in the minors in 2014
• Led all Phillies minor leaguers in average, home runs and RBI in 2013
• Struck out only 81 times in 521 at-bats this past season

Background

Much like Johnson and Refsnyder, Maikel Franco will find himself in a position battle this spring for the Philadelphia Phillies. Either Franco or Cody Asche will begin the season as the starting third baseman for the Fighting Phils.

Franco's a bit of a tweener at the plate. He possesses the power to hit 25-30 homers in the big leagues, yet has shown an effective, contact-driven approach at the plate. As he matures and the competition improves, Franco will likely need to commit to a specific strategy at the dish. 

The 22-year-old's biggest detriment is his lack of speed, but Franco still manages to play a decent enough corner infield. His strong arm and soft hands allow him to make the necessary routine chances. Plays like the one seen in the clip above prove that the Dominican has defensive chops.

Cody Asche is what I like to call a "meh player." He's likely not an everyday talent, but he does enough for a club to warrant some type of role. He hit .252 last year with 10 homers and 46 RBI this season for the Phillies. 

He's a better athlete than Franco, maybe paving the way for a move to the outfield in order to play both young players. Although both will likely directly compete for the opening at third, the pair could each wind up in the Philadelphia lineup next season. 

It's time for the Phillies to commit to its youth. Franco may not be quite ready for MLB pitching, but he's close. Look for him to win the job in spring training and begin the season in Philadelphia. 

Major League Comparison 

Franco doesn't quite look the part, but he gets the job done defensively. It's also not crazy to believe that he will one day develop into a jack-of-all-trades-type offensive player, a la Pablo Sandoval.  

Steven Souza, Outfielder, Tampa Bay Rays

Key Stats

• Hit .345 with 18 homers and 77 RBI in the minors in 2014
• Recorded a ridiculous 180 wRC+ while at Triple-A 
• Walked nearly 13 percent of the time this past season

Background

Steven Souza made arguably the play of the year last season, diving for the final out to preserve Jordan Zimmerman's no-hitter.

If you haven't seen it, check the link above. If you have, well, it can't hurt to see it one more time.

Anyway, Souza has since moved on. The outfielder was involved in the Wil Myers extravaganza this winter, ending up in Tampa Bay with the Rays. He is expected to break camp starting at one of the three outfield spots. 

Souza's career got off to a slow start due to a litany of injuries and other issues, but at 25, he is starting to figure it out. He hit .300 at Double-A in 2013, followed by a .350 mark at Triple-A a year later. At both stops, he's continued to showcase raw power and run-producing potential. 

As you might guess, the 6'4", 225-pound outfielder's swing plane can become too long through the zone, leading to high strikeout totals. However, Souza reduced that mark to under 20 percent for the first time in his career while at Triple-A. When you couple that with a 12.8 percent walk percentage, there's plenty of reason to be optimistic that Souza become a competent major league hitter. 

Kiley McDaniel at FanGraphs believes that Souza will turn into a player who records "more walks and strikeouts than average with power a bit above average as well." McDaniel also states that since Souza "has at least average speed, defense and arm strength," he will likely make an above-average everyday player.  

Tampa Bay's president of baseball operations, Tim Silverman, was recently quoted in the Bradenton Herald as saying that the Rays believe Souza will "be a mainstay in our lineup for years to come."

One thing is for sure: Souza will finally get his chance to make his mark on the league in Tampa. 

Major League Comparison 

McDaniel figures that Souza's most likely outcome is a more offensively talented Matt Joyce. 

Dalton Pompey, Outfielder, Toronto Blue Jays

Key Stats

• Hit .317 with nine homers and 51 RBI in the minors in 2014
• Stole 43 bases and recorded a .392 OBP
• Walked 9.3 percent of the time in limited major league action at the end of the season

Background

Dalton Pompey rose four levels last season, showcasing his rare blend of power and speed along the way. 

The 22-year-old began the season at High-A ball before finishing 2014 with the Toronto Blue Jays. Pompey hit .317 along the way, but more importantly, he found himself on base in bunches. His .392 OBP is a fantastic sign for a young player who profiles as a top-of-the-order bat. 

When the outfielder did reach base, he applied relentless pressure on the opposing defense. Pompey swiped 43 bags this season, bettering his 2013 total of 38. Speed is a beautiful gift, and he is able to combine a grounded approach at the plate with his base-stealing acumen. 

You can see Pompey's ability to make things happen on the basepaths in the clip above, in which he scored from second on an infield hit while with Toronto.

B/R's own Mike Rosenbaum recently ranked Pompey as the third-best prospect in the Blue Jays organization. In that article, Rosenbaum praises Pompey's plate discipline: 

"

Though he's young and relatively inexperienced, Pompey already has a good feel for the strike zone and demonstrates pitch recognition, tracking pitches deep into the zone and working deep counts. 

"

Toronto dealt away Pompey's main competition for the center field job this offseason in Anthony Gose, so it's clear that the Jays view the speedster in high regard. Like most young players, he will likely endure his share of growing pains at the dish in 2015. 

But if he's able to get on base at a decent enough clip, Pompey's speed will add another dimension to the Toronto offense. The speedy switch-hitter could put together a season worthy of AL Rookie of the Year for the Blue Jays in 2015. 

Major League Comparison

If Pompey continues to develop, he could evolve into a Jacoby Ellsbury-type player, one who's capable of driving pitches into the gaps and stealing plenty of bases. 

Advanced stats courtesy of FanGraphs.