Highlighting 10 Must-See Debuts in Early MLB Spring Training Games
From high-priced imports like Yasmany Tomas to rising super-prospects like Carlos Rodon, MLB spring training is the time of year when can't-miss debuts abound. Simply put, it's the season of first impressions.
Nearly all of the players who crack this top 10 are either brand new to the big leagues like Tomas or are on the doorstep of jumping to the majors like Rodon.
However, there is also room on the list for one pitcher who falls into his own category. He's a guy who's likely to produce plenty of double takes when he first takes the mound in Arizona this spring.
Carlos Rodon, RP/SP, Chicago White Sox
1 of 10Age: 22
Highest Level in 2014: Triple-A
MLB ETA: Summer 2015
After the Chicago White Sox tabbed Carlos Rodon with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 MLB draft, the lefty stormed through the minor leagues, ending the year in Triple-A.
As the White Sox begin camp, the 22-year-old is on the verge of making the big league roster. Depending on how the spring plays out, Rodon could begin the season in one of three ways.
Considering that he's pitched only 12 innings in Triple-A, the White Sox could elect to send Rodon back to the minors for a little more work. Or he could follow the Chris Sale plan. Sale, who is now one of the most imposing starters in baseball, began his career with a couple of seasons in relief.
There's also the possibility that Rodon could pitch his way right into the Opening Day starting rotation.
Jung-Ho Kang, INF, Pittsburgh Pirates
2 of 10Age: 27
Highest Level in 2014: Korean Baseball Organization
MLB ETA: Opening Day 2015
Jung-Ho Kang is looking to make history in 2015.
The 27-year-old infielder, whom the Pittsburgh Pirates signed to a four-year, $16 million deal (including a $5 million posting fee), is attempting to become the first position player from the Korean Baseball Organization to move right from that league to the majors. Kang understands the gravity of the situation, as he explained via a translator to Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
"I'm feeling a little bit of pressure, but at the same time I want to do well so that I can open up the market for other KBO position players to come here."
Last year, Kang clubbed 40 home runs for the Nexen Heroes in 117 games. During the Grapefruit League schedule, the right-handed hitter will have his first opportunity to prove that his pop will translate to the big leagues.
Pat Venditte, RP, Oakland Athletics
3 of 10
Age: 29
Highest Level in 2014: Triple-A
MLB ETA: Summer 2015
At 29 years old, Pat Venditte is the oldest player on this list. He's also the only one who can pitch with both of his arms.
Venditte is in camp with the Oakland Athletics as a non-roster player after posting a 2.46 ERA in seven seasons in the minors. As Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle points out, his versatility makes him an ideal fit for the American League West club built on platoons and switch-hitters.
Manager Bob Melvin agrees, saying, "He's a perfect sign for us. I told him he's in the right place."
It won't be easy for Venditte to earn a spot on the 25-man roster at the start of the season, as Oakland has one of the best bullpens in the AL. However, a strong spring could put him in line for a midseason promotion when an extra arm is inevitably required.
Yasmany Tomas, 3B/OF, Arizona Diamondbacks
4 of 10Age: 24
Highest Level in 2014: N/A
MLB ETA: Opening Day 2015
Yasmany Tomas is going to be one of the most scrutinized players in baseball this spring. That's just what happens after a player inks a six-year, $68.5 million deal before ever stepping on a big league diamond.
The Arizona Diamondbacks broke out the checkbook because the Cuban has tremendous power potential. The big question for Tomas during the Cactus League campaign will be figuring out where his glove plays best.
Per Nick Piecoro of AZCentral.com, the D-backs will give the 24-year-old the chance to stick at third base. However, he certainly won't be handed the gig, as manager Chip Hale explained:
"At some point when we start evaluating whether he can play third base in the major leagues, we're just going to have to leave him alone and his game is either going to play or not play. We're trying to give him these different tools. But he is competing for a job and we can't rewire everything about his game.
"
If Tomas can't pick it at third, he'll be ticketed for action in the outfield.
Julio Urias, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers
5 of 10
Age: 18
Highest Level in 2014: High-A
MLB ETA: September 2015
Just 18 years old, Julio Urias isn't quite ready for the big leagues. However, the super-prospect is already a great quote.
"That's how God works," Urias told Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times in Spanish. "He gave me a bad left eye but a good left arm."
As Hernandez explains, Urias was referring to his eye that appears to be almost closed as the result of a condition that he dealt with as a kid. Urias has spent just two seasons in the Los Angeles Dodgers minor league system, and he's already ranked the No. 8 overall prospect in baseball, per MLB.com.
Last year, the starter dismantled the California League, posting a 2.36 ERA in 25 outings. Urias was 6.1 years younger than the average player in the High-A circuit, according to Baseball-Reference.com.
When the lefty takes the mound for Los Angeles this spring, it promises to be can't-miss action. By the end of 2015, Urias could be making his mark at Dodger Stadium.
Yoan Moncada, INF, Boston Red Sox
6 of 10
Age: 19
Highest Level in 2014: N/A (Last played in Cuba's Serie Nacional in 2013)
MLB ETA: September 2016
It's unclear just when exactly Yoan Moncada will play in his first game at JetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida.
According to Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe, the 19-year-old switch-hitter is scheduled to report to the club's minor league camp. Oftentimes, phenoms like Moncada, who aren't part of big league camp, get a chance to play with the major leaguers after the early rounds of cuts have been made and extra bench players are required.
When Moncada does step on the field at JetBlue Park alongside David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia and the rest of the Red Sox stars, there's sure to be an absolute crush of attention, as everyone will want to get a first look at the richest teenager in baseball.
Raisel Iglesias, RP/SP, Cincinnati Reds
7 of 10Age: 25
Highest Level in 2014: Arizona Fall League
MLB ETA: Opening Day 2015
You could be forgiven for missing the headline.
Last summer, the Cincinnati Reds signed Raisel Iglesias to a seven-year, $27 million deal. This spring, the Cuban right-hander will be angling to win a spot either in the Reds rotation or the bullpen, per Hal McCoy of Fox Sports Ohio.
During the exhibition season, the 25-year-old will attempt to replicate his first stateside showing. While pitching for the Surprise Saguaros, the Arizona Fall League affiliate of the Reds, Iglesias ripped off seven one-inning outings without giving up a single run.
Luis Severino, SP, New York Yankees
8 of 10
Age: 21
Highest Level in 2014: Double-A
MLB ETA: Summer 2015
The future is looking extremely bright for Luis Severino.
The 21-year-old right-hander, who ended 2014 in Double-A, is on the fast track to the Bronx. Manager Joe Girardi wouldn't provide a direct reply when asked by Brendan Kuty of NJ.com about the possibility of Severino pitching for the New York Yankees during the upcoming campaign.
"That's not up to me. But I don't think ... if you're in big league camp, there's a reason you're here. Some of it is, you've been put on the 40-man roster for the first time. Some of it really is the ability and we [believe] that you can be part of our club this year."
Back in January, Hal Steinbrenner, the club's owner and general managing partner, told Ken Davidoff of the New York Post that he thinks Severino could be a major league factor in 2015. This spring, Severino will be the Yankees' most intriguing prospect to track in recent memory.
Miguel Sano, 3B, Minnesota Twins
9 of 10Age: 21
Highest Level in 2014: N/A
MLB ETA: Summer 2015
Tommy John surgery wrecked Miguel Sano's 2014 season, but the right-handed hitter is finally back to 100 percent health, per Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press.
Sano, who checks in at the No. 11 spot on MLB.com's top 100 prospects list, hasn't played in an official game since 2013. That year, the Dominican piled up 35 home runs in the minor leagues.
When he steps into the batter's box for the first time this spring, Sano will be aiming to prove he still has that unreal power. If he does, it's only a matter of time before the top prospect ends up at Target Field.
Noah Syndergaard, SP, New York Mets
10 of 10
Age: 22
Highest Level in 2014: Triple-A
MLB ETA: Summer 2015
With six established starters ahead of him, it's going to be awfully difficult for Noah Syndergaard to make the New York Mets' Opening Day rotation.
It's that uncertain immediate future that makes Syndergaard's spring debut so worth watching. As manager Terry Collins explained, via Tim Rohan of The New York Times, the right-hander's ability isn't in question.
"His stuff, we all know, it's off the charts. Now it's, how are you going to get people out with it?"
If Syndergaard can start to answer that question this spring, the Mets will soon be facing a good problem: how to find more room on the roster for yet another high-upside arm.
Note: All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and MLB.com. All videos courtesy of MLB.com and YouTube.com. All salary information courtesy of Cot's Baseball Contracts on BaseballProspectus.com.
If you want to talk baseball, find me on Twitter @KarlBuscheck.
