Top Prospects Who Showed MLB Superstar Potential in 2016 AFL Fall Stars Game

Only the Chicago Cubs deserve to look back onto the 2016 Major League Baseball season. For every other organization, it is now time to look forward.

That made the timing of Saturday's Fall Stars Game, the showcase of the Arizona Fall League's best players, perfect.

And no, the Cubs' Kyle Schwarber did not play in the game, though he played two Arizona Fall League games in order to get ready for the World Series.

But a host of top prospects did play and shine in the game, giving reason for a handful of organizations to be excited about the future. Who among them stood out the most?

Note: All prospect rankings are courtesy of MLB.com.

Pitcher Brent Honeywell (39th Overall), Tampa Bay Rays

Brent Honeywell, a right-handed screwball pitcher, was dominant in a two-inning start for the West Fall Stars. Honeywell retired all six batters he faced, striking out five. He struck out the side in the first inning.

Expect to see him pitching for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2017. His fastball hovers around the low 90s. But at only 6'2", 180 pounds, he could easily add more weight, which could help increase velocity on his fastball.

The Rays selected Honeywell in the second round of the 2014 draft. Despite not being considered among the elite players in his class, Honeywell has torn through the competition in the minor leagues, posting a 2.58 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in 53 appearances (52 starts) over four levels.

He spent most of the 2016 season in Double-A.

With the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox both boasting a haul of talented position players, Honeywell's development will be critical in helping Tampa Bay compete in the AL East.

Pitcher Michael Kopech (67th Overall), Boston Red Sox

Michael Kopech relieved Honeywell in the game for the West Fall Stars and pitched a pair of no-hit innings himself, striking out three.

The right-hander is less advanced in his development than the aforementioned Honeywell and will likely spend another full season in the minors before making his MLB debut.

Kopech may have the higher ceiling, though.

His fastball generally hovers around 97 mph, but during spring training this past year, it hit as high as 105 mph. The 20-year-old has proved to have somewhat of a volatile personality, though.

The 2014 first-round pick was suspended 50 games in July 2015 for testing positive for a banned substance, derailing a season that saw him post a 2.63 ERA in full-season Single-A ball. Last spring, he broke his pitching hand in a fight with a teammate that kept him out for three months.

This upcoming season, it will be important for Kopech to prove he can handle himself off the field because there's no questioning his talent on it.

First Baseman Cody Bellinger (31st Overall), Los Angeles Dodgers

Cody Bellinger, who can also play the outfield, figures to have a much longer baseball career than his dad, Clay, who played parts of four MLB seasons, including being a member of the New York Yankees when the team won the World Series in 1999 and 2000.

Bellinger homered to right field in the bottom of the sixth inning of Saturday's Fall Stars Game.

The 2013 fourth-round pick doesn't figure to make his MLB debut until 2018. But that's perfect timing for both Bellinger and the Los Angeles Dodgers. That is the final year in the contract of current Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts.

He brings high-end power to the left side of the plate. Bellinger spent the entirety of the 2015 season in high Single-A ball and posted 30 homers, 33 doubles and 103 RBI. His has a career .349 on-base percentage over four minor league seasons with five teams.

This past year, he spent time in Double- and Triple-A, totaling 26 homers and 71 RBI.

Second Baseman Willie Calhoun (87th Overall), Los Angeles Dodgers

A left-handed-hitting second baseman, Willie Calhoun earned the game's MVP honors after a 3-for-3 night that included a homer, three RBI and two runs scored.

He appears on a similar track as Bellinger, set to make his MLB debut for the Dodgers in 2018.

Calhoun was first drafted by Tampa Bay in the 17th round of the 2013 draft but elected to attend Yavapai College in Arizona. Yavapai is a junior college well-known for producing professional baseball talent.

He is only 5'8" but has tremendous potential as a power hitter. In 2016, Calhoun played 132 games in Double-A and hit 27 homers with 88 RBI.

Calhoun has the ability to play the outfield, which may ultimately be where he plays when he gets to the major league level. He committed 21 errors this season.

Outfielder Harrison Bader (82nd Overall), St. Louis Cardinals

Harrison Bader could be the next top prospect to debut for this decade's draft-and-develop king, the St. Louis Cardinals.

Bader had two hits and scored two runs Saturday. But what was most impressive is that he played all three outfield positions in the Fall Stars Game. There has been more of an emphasis on that kind of versatility as MLB managers look to work their best bats into a lineup.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon moved several of his players around—namely Ben Zobrist, Javy Baez and Kris Bryant—en route to winning the World Series.

The Cardinals picked Bader in the third round of the 2015 draft. In his first full minor league season, he made it all the way to Triple-A, though he did struggle.

He has the ability to consistently get on base. In 192 minor league games, he has hit .281/.346/.476.