B/R's MLB 20 for '20: Projecting Top 20 Corner Outfielders in 2020
Baseball is a tough sport to predict on a daily basis, and it becomes exponentially more difficult to do so looking years into the future. But that's exactly what we're doing.
The following is the seventh installment in a series we've dubbed, "B/R'sย MLBย 20 for '20." In this series, we'll attempt to project the top 20 players at each position five years down the road.
We've doneย catchers,ย first basemen,ย second basemen,ย shortstops,ย third basemenย and center fielders so far, so now we'll move on to the corner outfielders. Players will once again be graded according to a 100-point scale:
- Offense (60 points):ย We've opted to use the same grading scale we did at third base for the corner outfielders.ย While defense is certainly still important in left and right field, offense is the main focus there, so we've bumped the offensive points up from 55 for center fielders to 60. Contact rate, batting average, approach, on-base skills and overall power were all taken into account.
- Defense/Speed (35 points):ย Having someone like Alex Gordon or Jason Heyward manning a corner outfield spot is obviously a huge asset, so defense at the corner spots does carry some weightโjust not quite as much as it does in center field. Speed on the bases was also factored heavily into this section.
- Upside Factor (5 points):ย On a scale from 1 to 5, we gave a bonus based on each player's upside moving forward. A three-point bonus indicated a player is expected to essentially be at the same level five years from now, while more or less than that indicated expected progression or regression.
- Tiebreakers:ย On more than one occasion, players graded out with the same overall point total. In that case, the first tiebreaker was who had the higher upside. If that still didn't solve things, the second tiebreaker was overall offensive score.
All basic statistics and WAR numbers come courtesy ofย Baseball-Reference.com, while advanced stats were pulled fromย FanGraphs.ย Stats are current throughย July 20.
Hopefully that paints a clear picture of how players were graded and where the information comes from. So with that out of the way, let's get things started.
Honorable Mentions and Notable Veteran Omissions
1 of 21
Next Five
- Corey Dickerson, COL
- Avisail Garcia, CWS
- Randal Grichuk, STL
- Alex Jackson, SEA (May take longer to develop than expected, could still be in minors at 24)
- Eddie Rosario, MIN
Excluded Due to Age and Expected Regression
- Jose Bautista, TOR
- Ryan Braun, MIL
- Jay Bruce, CIN
- Melky Cabrera, CWS
- Yoenis Cespedes, DET
- Nelson Cruz, SEA
- Brett Gardner, NYY
- Carlos Gonzalez, COL
- Alex Gordon, KC
- Matt Holliday, STL
- Matt Kemp, SD
- Nick Markakis, ATL
- Hunter Pence, SF
- Hanley Ramirez, BOS
- Josh Reddick, OAK
Note: Brock Holt was not included at any one position in these rankings, but he figures to be the heir to Ben Zobrist as the game's most valuable utility guy. He'll be 32 years old in 2020 and should still be a major asset whether he's still in Boston or has moved elsewhere.
20. Jesse Winker, Cincinnati Reds
2 of 21
2020 Age:ย 26
2020 Offensive Outlook
One of the best pure hitters in all of the minors, Jesse Winker announced himself as one of the game's top outfield prospects last season when he hit .287/.399/.518 with 20 doubles and 15 home runs and earned a spot in the Futures Game.
Making the jump to Double-A this season, he's more than held his own, hitting .265/.364/.387 with 23 extra-base hits.
His willingness to take a walk (14.0 percent career rate) and his smooth lefty swing should mean a good batting average and on-base numbers once he reaches the majors. He could develop into a 20-homer threat as well.
2020 Defensive/Speed Outlook
A below-average arm will limit Winker to left field, but he is plenty athletic enough to develop into a solid defender at the position.
He won't steal many bases, with just 19 total during his time in the minors, but he won't be a base-clogger by any means.
2020 Upside Factor
Winker has the highest ceiling in a Reds system full of quality outfield prospects, and the 21-year-old shouldn't need much more time in the minors before he's ready to make an impact at the highest level.
2020 Overall Projection
With Marlon Byrd acquired as a short-term solution in left field and only signed through this season with an option for next year, there's a good chance Winker sees the majors at some point next season with a chance to seize an everyday job.
19. Michael Conforto, New York Mets
3 of 21
2020 Age:ย 27
2020 Offensive Outlook
The No. 10 overall pick in the 2014 draft after starring at Oregon State, Michael Conforto is on the fast track to a place in the New York Mets' outfield.
Sent to Low-A Brooklyn after signing last year, he's already reached Double-A this season with a combined .302/.376/.494 line that includes 24 doubles and 12 home runs.
He has an advanced approach at the plate, is willing to draw a walk (9.3 percent walk rate) and has more power to tap into as his career progresses.
2020 Defensive/Speed Outlook
Conforto has a solid arm, and it was on full display during this year's Futures Game when he nailedย Ketel Marte at home plate. His overall athleticism and range will likely limit him to left field, but he should be a solid defender.
He'll probably never steal more than a handful of bases in a season, but with a power hitter profile, that's not a big deal.
2020 Upside Factor
The Mets selected Conforto as a college bat who was expected to move up quickly, and that's exactly what he's done. All signs point to the 22-year-old earning a late-season call-up this year, and he could break camp next season as the starting left fielder.
2020 Overall Projection
The Mets signed Michael Cuddyer to a two-year, $21 million deal before the start of the season, and he's been the team's primary left fielder so far. All signs point to Confortoย taking over after next season, but injuries could open the door even sooner.
18. Nick Williams, Texas Rangers
4 of 212020 Age:ย 26
2020 Offensive Outlook
The Texas Rangers picked up a first-round talent when they selected Nick Williams in the second round of the 2012 draft, and he's been a consistent producer as a pro.
Now playing at the Double-A level, he's hit .293/.345/.485 over the course of his minor league career and earned a spot in the Futures Game this year with an .825 OPS that includes 17 doubles and 12 home runs.
His walk rate has improved this season from 4.5ย to 7.6 percent, while he's trimmed his strikeout rate from 28.8 to 18.7 percent. That may be the final step in more consistently tapping into his plus raw power and overall offensive game.
2020 Defensive/Speed Outlook
"Williams has solid speed, though he doesn't always get the most out of it on the bases and in the field. He runs and throws well enough to play all three outfield positions but has spent most of his pro career in left field," wrote MLB.com's Prospect Watch.
He has nine steals in 17 attempts so far this season, and at this point, the former three-sport star is still working on getting the most out of his athletic 6'3", 195-pound frame.
2020 Upside Factor
The 21-year-old Williams has taken a notable step forward in his approach at the plate this season, and even when he was swinging at everything he still put up numbers offensively. If he can keep his walk rate around 8 percent, his offensive ceiling is incredibly high.
2020 Overall Projection
Left field has been something of a revolving door for the Texas Rangers this season, with eight different players making at least one start at the position. That should mean a relatively clear path for Williams once he's deemed ready.
17. J.D. Martinez, Detroit Tigers
5 of 21
2020 Age:ย 32
2020 Offensive Outlook
Released by a rebuilding Houston Astros team, J.D. Martinez completely overhauled his swing and turned himself into an All-Star after the Detroit Tigers took a chance on him in free agency in March 2014.
He wrapped up his breakout campaign with a .912 OPS and 23 home runs in 441 at-bats, and he's proved so far this season that it was no fluke with a .286/.344/.560 line that includes 16 doubles and 26 home runs.
Martinez has some of the best opposite-field power in the majors, and he should still be a dangerous slugger in his age-32 season five years from now.
2020 Defensive/Speed Outlook
Martinez has displayed some solid range since moving to right field full time, and he checks in this season with a 16.5 UZR/150 and five defensive runs saved. He also has 10 outfield assists, which is good for third among all outfielders.
He stole a career-high six bases last season, so speed on the bases is not a big part of his game, and overall, he's a below-average baserunner.
2020 Upside Factor
A late-bloomer who has found a home in Detroit, Martinez has shown us what he's capable of the past season-and-a-half. And he's probably reached his peak here in 2015. That being said, he should continue to provide another power threat alongside Miguel Cabrera in the lineup for the foreseeable future.
2020 Overall Projection
Martinez is under team control through the 2017 season, at which time he'll hit free agency ahead of his age-30 campaign. The Tigers could try to extend him in the near future, but he won't come cheap because right-handed power is at a premium these days.
16. Michael Brantley, Cleveland Indians
6 of 21
2020 Age:ย 33
2020 Offensive Outlook
After a breakout season of sorts in 2013, Michael Brantley emerged as a bona fide star for the Cleveland Indians last year.
In his age-27 campaign, he hit .327/.385/.506 with 45 doubles, 20 home runs and 97 RBI while ranking third among AL position players with a 7.0 WAR.
Back issues have sapped him of his power this season, as he's hit just six home runs so far, but he remains a consistent offensive producer, and a return to health could mean a return to his 2014 production.
2020 Defensive/Speed Outlook
Brantley spent more time in center field during the early stages of his career, but his limited range plays much better in left field, and that's where he's seen the bulk of his action in recent years.
He's not a burner, but he's a good base stealer, swiping an impressive 23 bases in 24 attempts last season. In fact, over the past three campaigns, he's been successful on 49 of 55 attempts for an 89.1 percent success rate.
2020 Upside Factor
Add Brantley to the long list of players who have turned a corner in their age-27 seasons, and while his numbers are down by comparison this year, he's capable of returning to his 2014 levels here in the prime of his career.
2020 Overall Projection
The Indians gave Brantley a four-year, $25 million deal ahead of his breakout effort, and it includes an $11 million option for 2018. The franchise has a lot of talented outfield prospects, so it remains to be seen if it will push to re-sign him beyond his current contract.
15. Yasmany Tomas, Arizona Diamondbacks
7 of 21
2020 Age:ย 29
2020 Offensive Outlook
A 24-year-old with plus power from the right side of the plate doesn't hit the free-agent market every day, and the Arizona Diamondbacks jumped at the chance to add Cuban slugger Yasmany Tomas on a six-year, $68.5 million deal this past offseason.
That power has not shown up to this point, as he has just five home runs through his first 263 at-bats, but there is legitimate 30-homer potential in his bat.
For the time being, he's hit for a solid average with decent gap power with a .304/.341/.433 line that includes 15 doubles. Tomas still profiles as a middle-of-the-order run producer long term, as he'll join Paul Goldschmidt and A.J. Pollock as key cogs in the Arizona lineup.
2020 Defensive/Speed Outlook
The consensus among scouts was that Tomas would be limited to a corner outfield spot defensively, but the Diamondbacks decided to try him at third base to open the season.
It didn't take long for them to realize that was a mistake (minus-seven DRS, minus-32.6 UZR/150), and he's not been much better from a metrics standpoint since moving to right field (minus-two DRS, minus-19.1 UZR/150).
He has managed to steal five bases but isn't much of a speed threat, either.
2020 Upside Factor
Tomas already had five professional seasons under his belt in Cuba, so he's a bit more experienced and developed than most players his age. That said, he still has a lot of raw power to tap into as he gets comfortable in the majors.
2020 Overall Projection
The Diamondbacks made a significant investment in Tomas, banking on his plus raw power translating to the big league game. He's been better than expected from an average standpoint and has a chance to be a star if his power evolves down the road.
14. Justin Upton, San Diego Padres
8 of 21
2020 Age:ย 32
2020 Offensive Outlook
The No. 1 pick in the 2005 draft, Justin Upton was an everyday big leaguer by the age of 20, and he's developed into one of the game's better power threats in recent years.
Acquired by the San Diego Padres in the offseason, Upton has hit .252/.331/.426 with 15 home runs and 49 RBI in a contract year, and even with his numbers down a bit across the board, he figures to be in for a huge payday.
He's more than capable of an .800 OPS with 30 home runs and 100 RBI, depending on the lineup support he has around him, and it will be interesting to see where he winds up playing next season.
2020 Defensive/Speed Outlook
After breaking into the league as a right fielder, Upton has played primarily left field during his time with the Atlanta Braves and now San Diego Padres. And for his career, he has a 1.5 UZR/150 and 19 DRSย at the position.
He averaged 19 steals per year from 2009 to 2012 but had just 16 total the past two seasons. He's well on his way to a new career high this year, though, with 17 steals in 18 attempts.
2020 Upside Factor
It's hard to believe Upton is still only 27 years old, considering this is now his ninth big league campaign. The 2011 season was probably his peak, when he posted an .898 OPS with 31 home runs, but there's no reason he can't duplicate that production or come close to it.
2020 Overall Projection
Upton is playing for his next contract, and chances are it won't come from the Padres. Whoever signs him (or deals for him at the trade deadline) will be getting a 30-homer threat in his prime, and he should have plenty of solid seasons in the tank.
13. Steven Souza Jr., Tampa Bay Rays
9 of 21
2020 Age:ย 31
2020 Offensive Outlook
The key return in the trade that sent Wil Myers to the San Diego Padres, outfielder Steven Souza currently ranks second among rookies with 15 home runs (behind Joc Pederson's 20), but his overall offensive game needs work, as he's hitting just .210/.301/.417 on the season.
His overall approach needs work, as he has a 35.2 percent strikeout rate but has done a good job taking walks with a 10.4 percent walk rate, so it's all about making consistent contact.
He'll never contend for a batting title, but Souza should be able to settle in as a .250-.270 hitter with 25-plus home run potential and strong on-base numbers.
2020 Defensive/Speed Outlook
Souza made his mark defensively last season when he saved Jordan Zimmermann's no-hitter on the final day of the campaign with a diving catch in left field. He's capable of playing all three outfield spots but is best suited in right field where his strong arm can be put to best use.
As for speed, he stole 28 bases last season and is the only rookie with double-digit home runs and steals so far this year, as he has 10 thefts in 15 attempts.
2020 Upside Factor
A deep roster blocked Souza in Washington, but the 26-year-old is getting a shot at everyday playing time with the move to Tampa Bay, he's flashed his plus power-speed combination. Even with his age, he still has some upside and is just now getting his feet wet.
2020 Overall Projection
The Rays gave up a good deal to acquire Souza, and it looks like he'll be their right fielder for the foreseeable future since he's under team control through the 2020 season.
12. Hunter Renfroe, San Diego Padres
10 of 21
2020 Age:ย 28
2020 Offensive Outlook
Hunter Renfroe stood out in the 2013 draft as a college bat with plus-plus raw power, and he shined during his junior season at Mississippi State when he hit .345/.431/.620 with 16 doubles, 16 home runs and 65 RBI in 66 games.
He's currently the top prospect in a San Diego Padres system that was weakened significantly by their offseason wheeling and dealing, and he figures to be a big part of their future offensive plans.
There's a good amount of swing-and-miss to his game (24.1 percent career strikeout rate), but he upped his walk rate to 10.0 percentย lastย season, so that helps. A good on-base percentage and 30-plus home runs are well within reach.
2020 Defensive/Speed Outlook
Renfroe is the prototypical right fielder with a cannon for an arm and the power hitter profile. He also showed some good speed with 11 steals in 15 attempts last season.
"Renfroe's throws stand out both for their carry and their accuracy, and he registered 13 assists in his first full pro season. He moves very well for his size, with solid speed on the bases and range in the outfield," wrote MLB.com's Prospect Watch.
2020 Upside Factor
The 23-year-old Renfroe has some of the best raw power in all of minor league baseball, and as he makes more consistent contact, he should be able to tap into that power in a big way. Look for him to be a staple in the middle of the Padres lineup.
2020 Overall Projection
With Justin Upton headed for free agency at the end of the season, and Renfroe currently playing at the Double-A level, there's a good chance he gets a crack at an everyday job as soon as next season.
11. Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
11 of 21
2020 Age:ย 28
2020 Offensive Outlook
An imposing physical specimen at 6'7", 275 pounds, Aaron Judge has some serious powerโas one would expect out of a Giancarlo Stanton-esque frame.
He had 24 doubles and 17 home runs in 467 at-bats in his pro debut last season, and he's continued to rake while moving up a level with 19 doubles and 14 home runs in 330 at-bats so far this year while reaching Triple-A.
"He has huge raw power, though he's content for now to use a shorter stroke and the entire field, working counts and producing line drives. A more advanced hitter than expected, he currently projects to bat .275 with 20-25 homers per season but could produce more power if he becomes more aggressive and turns on more pitches," wrote MLB.com's Prospect Watch.
2020 Defensive/Speed Outlook
Judge has a terrific arm in right field and moves fairly well for his size. He also has average speed, so he has no below-average tool.
He won't run much, though, as he has just three stolen bases in five attempts during his time in the minors to this point.
2020 Upside Factor
He may currently project for 20-25 home runs, but Judge has the potential to consistently hit 30-plus if he can find a way to balance his all-fields approach with a more power-focused one. Either way, the 23-year-old should be a weapon for the Yankees.
2020 Overall Projection
Judge could see a call-up as early as this season, but over the long term, he looks like the obvious replacement for Carlos Beltran in right field when the veteran's contract is up after the 2016 season.
10. Gregory Polanco, Pittsburgh Pirates
12 of 21
2020 Age:ย 28
2020 Offensive Outlook
Gregory Polanco broke out in a big way in 2012, hitting .325/.388/.522 with 26 doubles, 16 home runs and 85 RBI in a full season at the Single-A level.
He solidified his place as a top prospect with a strong 2013 season that he capped off with Dominican Winter League MVP honors, and now he's working to establish himself as a big league star.
In 593 at-bats so far in Pittsburgh, he's hit just .239/.314/.346, but he's capable of being a .280-300 hitter with 15 home runs once he reaches his full potential.
2020 Defensive/Speed Outlook
Primarily a center fielder during his time in the minors, Polanco is quicker and more athletic than most right fielders, and he has a good enough throwing arm to get away with playing the position.
He's also a major threat on the bases, topping out at 40 steals in the minors and swiping 31 in roughly a season's worth of games so far during his time in Pittsburgh.
2020 Upside Factor
While he's been something of a disappointment, Polanco is still just 23 years old and more than capable of turning things around in the years to come.
2020 Overall Projection
He may not have the same ceiling as teammates Starling Marte or Andrew McCutchen, but Polanco is a solid prospect in his own right, and the team showed its commitment to him when it shifted Josh Bell to first base.
9. Christian Yelich, Miami Marlins
13 of 21
2020 Age:ย 28
2020 Offensive Outlook
After a strong debut in 2013, Christian Yelich broke out with a terrific all-around season last year in what was his first full campaign in the majors.
All told, he finished 2014 hitting .284/.362/.402 with 30 doubles, six triples and nine home runs while scoring a team-high 94 runs and posting a 3.7 WAR.
He'll probably always provide more gap power than over-the-fence pop, but with good on-base skills (10.7 percent career walk rate) and plus speed, he's a great table setter.
2020 Defensive/Speed Outlook
Yelich began his career as a center fielder, but he has settled into left field where he won a Gold Glove Award last season thanks to a 14.1 UZR/150 and 13 DRSย and should continue to be an elite-level defender.
His overall athleticism also bodes well on the bases, where he stole 21 in 28 attempts last season and should be a perennial 15-20 steal threat.
2020 Upside Factor
From a tools standpoint, Yelich doesn't have much room left between his 2014 performance and his ceiling. That said, consistent offensive production like that with his plus defense would be enough to make the 23-year-old a top-10 guy five years from now.
2020 Overall Projection
The Marlins rewarded Yelich's breakout season with a seven-year, $49.57 million deal that includes a $15 million team option for 2022, so all signs point to him still manning left field in Miami in 2020 and beyond.
8. Nomar Mazara, Texas Rangers
14 of 21
2020 Age:ย 25
2020 Offensive Outlook
Signed to a then-record international bonus of $4.95 million in 2011, Nomar Mazara has quickly showed the Texas Rangers why he was such a highly regarded prospect out of the Dominican Republic.
After a 22-homer season in the low minors last year, he kicked off 2015 as a 20-year-old playing in Double-A, and he's thrived with a .793 OPS, 10 doubles and 15 home runs in 267 at-bats.
As he continues to tap into his 30-plus home run potential, he's also improved his walk (9.3 to 9.7 percent) and strikeout (22.7 to 21.7 percent) rates over where they were last season. He has all the tools to be a .280, 30-homer, 100-RBI hitter.
2020 Defensive/Speed Outlook
Mazara is a below-average runner with average tools across the board in right field, including an arm that should be good enough to play in the majors.
He's stolen 10 bases in 17 attempts during his time in the minors, so don't expect him to be much of a factor in the running game.
2020 Upside Factor
One of the fastest-rising minor leaguers of 2015, Mazara has as high an offensive ceiling as any outfield prospect in the game, particularly from a power standpoint. He could be an anchor in the middle of the Rangers lineup five years from now.
2020 Overall Projection
The Rangers have a number of high-profile outfield prospects in their system, and Mazara is the best of the bunch. With Shin-Soo Choo signed through 2020, things are a bit complicated, but they'll find a way to get his bat into the lineup as soon as he's ready.
7. Jason Heyward, St. Louis Cardinals
15 of 21
2020 Age:ย 30
2020 Offensive Outlook
It's fair to say that Jason Heyward has been something of a disappointment offensively after bursting onto the scene in 2010 with an .849 OPS that included 29 doubles, 18 home runs and 72 RBI.
Struggles against left-handed pitching (.227 BA, .661 OPS) and a pull-happy approach have kept Heyward from reaching his full potential offensively, but there is still room for him to grow.
As it stands, he's posted middling power numbers but managed to get on base at a good clip thanks to a 10.7 percent career walk rate. He's alsoย been a good table setter thanks to his speed. There is still 20-plus home run potential here, though.
2020 Defensive/Speed Outlook
Heyward has been an absolute stud on the defensive side of things, racking up 107 DRS and a 17.4 UZR/150 in right field during his time in the majors. That has won him a pair of Gold Gloves, and while he's also capable of being a plus defender in center field, he should continue to thrive in right.
He stole 20 bases for the second time in his career last year, and somewhere in the 20-25 range is probably his peak. He runs better than you'd think, looking at his 6'5", 245-pound frame.
2020 Upside Factor
He may still have room to improve offensively, but it will probably be a minimal uptick in power production if anything. At this point, the 25-year-old is a plus defender with good on-base skills and solid wheels, and that should all still be true five years from now.
2020 Overall Projection
Heyward is headed for free agency at the end of this season. And after giving up Shelby Miller to acquire him, Cardinals will likely do everything in their power to bring him back on a long-term deal.
6. Jorge Soler, Chicago Cubs
16 of 21
2020 Age:ย 28
2020 Offensive Outlook
With a lean 6'4", 215-pound frame that bears a striking resemblance to a young Vladimir Guerrero, Cuban-born slugger Jorge Soler figures to hit for plenty of power as his career progresses.
He had 23 doubles and 15 home runs in just 200 at-bats in the minors last season before being promoted, and he added another eight doubles and five home runs in just 24 games after receiving the call.
Soler has struck out at an alarming 31.9 percent clip so far this season, but he displayed much better plate discipline (11.0 percent walk rate) and contact skills (17.6 percent strikeout rate) during his time in the minors and should eventually develop into a high-on-base power hitter.
2020 Defensive/Speed Outlook
Like fellow Cuban defectors Yoenis Cespedes and Yasiel Puig, Soler also has a cannon for an arm in right field. He's still raw as far as his instincts in the field are concerned, but he should turn into a solid defender who picks up plenty of outfield assists.
He runs really well for his size and could develop into a 10-steal guy as his overall feel for the game improves. However, at this point, he's not much of a factor in the running game.
2020 Upside Factor
Once the 23-year-old Soler gets more comfortable at the big league level and starts showing the same approach he did in the minors, he should provide premium production in the middle of a talented Chicago Cubs lineup.
2020 Overall Projection
The Cubs could wind up moving both Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber to the outfield at some point, but for now, Soler looks like the clear long-term answer in right field. He has a nine-year, $30 million deal with the Cubs that runs through the 2020 season.
5. Starling Marte, Pittsburgh Pirates
17 of 21
2020 Age:ย 31
2020 Offensive Outlook
He's not always gotten the attention he deserves, but Starling Marte has quietly been one of the best all-around offensive players in the game the past two seasons.
During that time, he's hit .286/.349/.447 and averaged 28 doubles, eight triples and 13 home runs while posting a combined 10.5 WAR.
Marte showed what he's capable of with a brilliant second half last year (.348/.408/.567), and while he takes a backseat to Andrew McCutchen in Pittsburgh right now, that may not be the case five years down the line.
2020 Defensive/Speed Outlook
Like the aforementioned Gregory Polanco, Marte would be a center fielder on a lot of other teams, but with McCutchen around, he instead lines up in left field. He's been one of the best defenders in the league there throughout his time in the majors, posting a 15.6 UZR/150 and 43 DRS.
Marte also puts his plus wheels to use on the bases, where he's stolen 41 and 30 bases the past two seasons and already has 17 so far this year.
2020 Upside Factor
What we've seen out of Marte the past two-plus campaigns is probably what we can expect going forward, but the 26-year-old should still be in the prime of his career five years from now.
2020 Overall Projection
Marte signed a team-friendly six-year, $31 million deal prior to the 2014 season that includes club-option years for 2019 and 2020 that Pittsburgh will almost certainly exercise if he keeps producing like he has.
4. Yasiel Puig, Los Angeles Dodgers
18 of 21
2020 Age:ย 29
2020 Offensive Outlook
Yasiel Puig remains something of an enigma offensively, as he has some of the most dynamic tools in the game but has been prone to lengthy power outages and general slumps throughout his career.
After a 27-double, 12-homer performance during the first half last season, he managed just 10 doubles and four home runs in the second half before going ice cold during the team's National League Division Series loss.
That said, this is still a guy with a .300/.381/.491 career line who is more than capable of 30 home runs if he puts it all together. His on-base skills and overall power/speed profile make him as dangerous as any hitter in the game when he's hot.
2020 Defensive/Speed Outlook
Puig has an absolute rocket for an arm, and he's started to cut down on the mental mistakes that plagued him when he first broke into the league. He spent some time in center field last year but is best suited for right.
He stole 11 bases in each of his first two seasons and is capable of 20 as his instincts on the basepaths improve and he gets more opportunities with a full slate of at-bats.
2020 Upside Factor
Puig has a decent amount of big league experience under his belt, but one can't help but think there is still a good amount of room for the polarizing 24-year-old to improve before he reaches his ceiling. Whether that ever happens remains to be seen, but the potential is there nonetheless.
2020 Overall Projection
Puig signed a seven-year, $42 million deal in 2012 that runs through the 2018 season. At that point, he'll reach free agency as a 28-year-old and could be in line for a huge payday from the Dodgers or any other team looking to add an impact player.
3. George Springer, Houston Astros
19 of 21
2020 Age:ย 30
2020 Offensive Outlook
After hitting 20 home runs in 295 at-bats during an injury-shortened rookie season, George Springer looked to be on the cusp of breaking out in a big way when injury struck again this year.
Fresh off a huge month of June in which he hit .321/.387/.518 with six home runs, 12 RBI and 19 runs scored, he suffered a fractured right wrist after being hit by a pitch July 1.
Springer showed what he's capable of during his final full minor league season, hitting .303/.411/.600 with 27 doubles, 37 home runs and 108 RBI. Alongside Jose Altuve, he's the catalyst for a rapidly improving Astros team and is capable of legitimate superstar-level production.ย
2020 Defensive/Speed Outlook
A center fielder in college and in the minor leagues, Springer has played primarily right field in the majors, and that's likely where he'll stay. He has a plus arm and center fielder's range at the position, making him a plus option with the glove.
Springer had 14 steals in 17 attempts when he hit the disabled list, and he's capable of making a serious impact in the running game. He topped out in the minors with a 45-steal season in 2013.
2020 Upside Factor
For the 25-year-old Springer, it's a matter of getting healthy and staying healthy at this point. What we saw out of him in June was probably the best he has to offer, but that sort of production over a full season would put him in the elite category.
2020 Overall Projection
Springer won't be arbitration eligible until after next year, putting him under team control through the 2020 season. That being said, he's a cornerstone piece and figures to get an extension long before he reaches the open market.
2. Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins
20 of 21
2020 Age:ย 30
2020 Offensive Outlook
In terms of power, no one in the game today matches Giancarlo Stanton, as the ball just seems to come off his bat a little differently than it does for other players.
At 6'6" and 240 pounds, he's an absolute monster in the batter's box. And while his current career high is 37 home runs, he's capable of hitting 50-plus.
He walks at a healthy rate (11.9 percent career) and doesn't strike out as much as the average slugger (28.3 percent career), leaving him with good triple-slash numbers to back his impressive power output.
2020 Defensive/Speed Outlook
Stanton has a hose in right field, and he also moves well for his size with a career 4.7 UZR/150. He was grading out particularly well this year (nine DRS, 15.0 UZR/150) before landing on the disabled list in late June.
He's also capable of stealing a base, despite his average speed. He swiped 13 in 14 attempts last season to set a new career best.
2020 Upside Factor
Stanton has been in the league since his age-20 season, and he's still just 25 years old. If he's going to reach the level of offensive production he's capable of, it will be about staying healthy for a full campaignโnot about further development.
2020 Overall Projection
The Marlins went all-in on Stanton during the offseason with a massive 13-year, $325 million extension that will keep him in Miami through at least the 2020 season. That's a borderline ridiculous commitment, but Stanton is one of the few players worth it.
1. Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
21 of 21
2020 Age:ย 27
2020 Offensive Outlook
It seems the days of Bryce Harper being overrated are a thing of the past, as he was the best all-around player in baseball during the first half of this season.
His .334/.465/.697 line includes 21 doubles, 27 home runs and 64 RBI and is good for a 217 OPS+.
Just how good is a 217 OPS+?
It would be the 20th-best single-season total of all time, with Barry Bonds and Babe Ruth authoring 11 of the campaigns that would rank ahead of him.
The power was always there, but an improved approach has made all the difference in the world. He's increased his walk rate dramatically (9.6 to 19.2 percent) and also trimmed his strikeout rate considerably (26.3 to 21.2 percent) to put him in line for one of the best individual offensive seasons we've seen in a long time.
2020 Defensive/Speed Outlook
Harper bounced around the Nationals outfield to begin his career, but he figures to settle into right field. His plus arm and solid range should make him a very good defender there for years to come.
After stealing 29 bases his first two seasons in the league combined, Harper bulked up considerably, and he doesn't run as much as a result. He's still capable of double-digit steals, but 10 will probably be about his peak going forward.
2020 Upside Factor
We're finally seeing Harper turn his tremendous potential into elite production this year, and while it's tempting to say the 22-year-old could be even better in the years to come, a full season's worth of the numbers he's put up so far in 2015 is all anyone can ask for.
That said, that level of production for the next decade is not out of the question.
2020 Overall Projection
There's no way the Nationals are going to let Harper get away, and it will be interesting to see just how much money he's worth when they finally sit down to negotiate an extension. As it stands, he'd reach free agency for the first time following his age-25 seasonโnot something we see every day.
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