Projecting Every MLB Team's Next Big Thing
Regardless of whether a team is a perennial World Series contender, a fringe playoff team or a cellar-dweller, there is always at least some reason for excitement looking ahead to the future.
Whether it is a single player destined to be a superstar or a deep minor league system overflowing with talent, the "next big thing" is always waiting just around the corner to change the outlook of a franchise.
Granted, the next big thing doesn't always pan out as hoped, but it gives fans a reason for optimism nonetheless.
So, with that in mind, what follows is a look at the next big thing for all 30 MLB teams.
For the most part, it's a list made up of top prospects on the cusp of big league contribution, though there are a few young players with big league experience ready to take a big step forward included here as well.
Arizona Diamondbacks: 3B/OF Yasmany Tomas
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2014 Stats
Played in Cuba
Overview
As the Arizona Diamondbacks continue to wait on the arrival of front-line pitching prospect Archie Bradley, their next young talent expected to make a significant impact has to be Cuban slugger Yasmany Tomas.
Signed to a six-year, $68.5 million, the 24-year-old Tomas will be looking to follow in the footsteps of fellow countrymen Yoenis Cespedes and Jose Abreu by making an immediate impact in the middle of an MLB lineup.
With Tomas, Paul Goldschmidt and Mark Trumbo, the Diamondbacks could have one of the most potent power-hitting trios in the game if Tomas lives up to his reputation. Either way, he figures to be a big piece of the future for new general manager Dave Stewart.
Atlanta Braves: 2B Jose Peraza
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2014 Stats
| A+/AA | 110 | .339/.364/.441 | 159 | 20 | 2 | 44 | 79 | 60 |
Overview
It could be a long season for the Atlanta Braves offensively, after the team traded Justin Upton, Jason Heyward and Evan Gattis in a drastic roster retooling following a disappointing finish to the 2014 season.
Their farm system is loaded with pitching but fairly thin on high-end position player talent—that is, except for the speedy Jose Peraza, who appears set to take over as the everyday second baseman at some point in the upcoming season.
The 20-year-old reached Double-A for the first time last year, turning in his best all-around offensive season in the process. He's swiped 60 bases each of the past two seasons, and it's that blazing speed that figures to drive the Braves offense from the leadoff spot once he finally arrives.
Baltimore Orioles: SP Dylan Bundy
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2014 Stats
| A-/A+ | 9/9 | 1-3 | 3.27 | 1.306 | 16 | 37 | 41.1 |
Overview
After making his MLB debut as a 19-year-old down the stretch during the 2012 season, Dylan Bundy has seen his career sidetracked by injury, but he finally appears healthy and poised to make a serious impact heading into 2015.
The No. 4 pick in the 2011 draft, Bundy underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2013, and he has spent much of the past two seasons recovering. He closed out 2014 at the High-A level, as the team was cautious upon his return, but he began to show flashes of the same potentially dominant stuff he possessed pre-surgery.
The Orioles are somewhat thin on starting pitching depth beyond their projected rotation and Ubaldo Jimenez, so if injuries or ineffectiveness strike, it could be Bundy who gets the call in the second half. If not, look for him to make an impact out of the bullpen, much like Kevin Gausman did before joining the rotation.
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Boston Red Sox: C Blake Swihart
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2014 Stats
| AA/AAA | 110 | .293/.341/.469 | 122 | 26 | 13 | 64 | 53 | 8 |
Overview
It remains to be seen when and how exactly the Boston Red Sox will start to incorporate their wealth of young pitching talent, led by Henry Owens, into the mix at the big league level. However, it's fairly clear that the catcher position will belong to Blake Swihart as soon as he proves ready.
The top catching prospect in baseball, according to MLB.com's Prospect Watch, Swihart has moved quicker than most at his position after reaching Triple-A at the age of 22 last season.
It's his athleticism both behind the plate and with a bat in his hands that sets Swihart apart, and he is the kind of do-it-all signal-caller who could be a perennial All-Star once he establishes himself in the majors.
Chicago Cubs: 3B Kris Bryant
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2014 Stats
| AA/AAA | 138 | .325/.438/.661 | 160 | 34 | 43 | 110 | 118 | 15 |
Overview
There are no shortage of potential "next big things" for the Chicago Cubs right now, as they have as much young, superstar-caliber offensive talent as any team in recent memory, but the man everyone around baseball is waiting to see is Kris Bryant.
The No. 2 pick in the 2013 draft has done nothing but hit since his days at the University of San Diego, and in 697 pro at-bats, he has piled up 231 hits, 56 doubles and 58 home runs while shooting up the minor league ranks.
He'll open the 2015 season in the minors, but only to provide the Cubs with another season of team control, and he'll likely take over at the hot corner by May. From there, he has a chance to immediately become one of the top offensive third basemen in the league and a staple alongside Anthony Rizzo in the middle of the Cubs lineup.
Chicago White Sox: SP Carlos Rodon
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2014 Stats
| RK/A+/AAA | 9/6 | 0-0 | 2.96 | 1.356 | 13 | 38 | 24.1 |
Overview
For a short time, it looked as though Carlos Rodon would follow in the footsteps of his new teammate, Chris Sale, by making his major league debut in the same year he was drafted. But instead, he wound up closing out the year with three starts in Triple-A.
With a fastball that can reach the high-90s and an absolutely devastating slider, Rodon already possess two plus-plus pitches. It's simply a matter of how well he develops his changeup that will determine just how soon he joins the big league rotation.
"You’re talking about lefty who, his pure stuff is going to be right up there with Chris Sale," said Jim Callis of MLB.com (via CSN Chicago). "He maybe needs to tweak the command a little bit, but I think Carlos Rodon will be ready to help the White Sox pretty much whenever they need him to this season."
The big left-hander could be a weapon out of the bullpen from the onset in 2015, but chances are the team will send him to the minors to work on his command and his third offering. That being said, don't expect someone like Hector Noesi to stand in his way once the team deems him ready.
Cincinnati Reds: LF Jesse Winker
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2014 Stats
| A+/AA | 74 | .287/.399/.518 | 81 | 20 | 15 | 57 | 57 | 5 |
Overview
All due respect to pitching prospect Robert Stephenson, but the hard-throwing right-hander still has a good deal of work to do refining his command, and at this point, outfielder Jesse Winker looks like a safer bet to be the next prospect to make an impact.
The 21-year-old has one of the smoothest swings in the minor leagues from the left side of the plate, and he already possess an advanced hit tool and plus plate discipline, striking out just 193 times in 1,102 career plate appearances and posting a .401 on-base percentage.
It remains to be seen just how much power he'll develop, but if nothing else, he figures to be a line-drive and doubles machine. Marlon Byrd was acquired to bridge the gap in left field, but don't be surprised if Winker makes a serious push for the everyday job in 2016.
Cleveland Indians: SS Francisco Lindor
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2014 Stats
| AA/AAA | 126 | .276/.338/.389 | 140 | 16 | 11 | 62 | 75 | 28 |
Overview
Francisco Lindor has been viewed as the shortstop of the future for the Cleveland Indians since the team selected him with the No. 8 pick in the 2011 draft, and all signs point to that future arriving at some point in 2015.
Pegged as the No. 4 prospect in all of baseball by MLB.com's Prospect Watch, Lindor has always been viewed as a Gold Glove-caliber defender, but the tools are also there for him to be an above-average producer offensively.
He's stolen at least 25 bases in each of the past three seasons, and speed figures to be his biggest weapon at the plate. That being said, he also saw a nice spike in his power numbers last year, hitting 11 home runs after entering the season with just eight total for his career.
Colorado Rockies: SP Jon Gray
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2014 Stats
| AA | 24/24 | 10-5 | 3.91 | 1.190 | 41 | 113 | 124.1 |
Overview
Chances are Eddie Butler will arrive for good on the big league scene before fellow pitching prospect Jon Gray, but it's still the hard-throwing Gray who looks like the better bet to front the rotation long term.
The burly right-hander has the prototypical power pitcher profile with a 6'4", 235-pound frame and a fastball that can touch triple digits. He also has quality secondary stuff with a plus slider and a solid changeup, though his command of both pitches is still a work in progress.
The Colorado Rockies are perennial favorites to be the worst pitching team in baseball, and they certainly look to be in the running for that title once again in 2015. Their long-term hopes are still pinned heavily on Gray and Butler, and both guys figure to arrive for good during the upcoming season.
Detroit Tigers: RF Steven Moya
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2014 Stats
| AA | 133 | .276/.306/.555 | 142 | 33 | 35 | 105 | 81 | 16 |
| MLB | 11 | .275/.375/.375 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Overview
In a Detroit Tigers farm system that is fairly thin on high-end talent, slugger Steven Moya is the one player who looks as though he could make his mark at the big league level in the near future.
Injuries limited the 23-year-old to just 153 games between 2012 and 2013, but he finally stayed healthy this past season, and the result was a breakout campaign and Eastern League MVP honors.
His approach still needs a lot of work, evidenced by his .306 on-base percentage and 23/161 BB/K ratio, but his raw power rates up there with any prospect in the game right now, and his overall set of tools is hard to ignore.
Houston Astros: SP Mark Appel
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2014 Stats
| A+/AA | 19/18 | 3-7 | 6.91 | 1.596 | 24 | 78 | 83.1 |
Overview
Mark Appel was expected to be on the fast track when the Houston Astros made him the No. 1 pick in the 2013 draft, but the right-hander struggled mightily at the High-A level to begin his first full professional season.
Appel pitched to a 10.80 ERA over his first 11 starts, but he finished the year strong with a 3.60 ERA in his final eight appearances. That included eight shutout innings of two-hit, 10-strikeout ball in his second-to-last start of the season.
The stuff and the polish are still there for him to be a front-line starter in the very near future, and as long as he avoids similar struggles out of the gates, he could be challenging for a rotation spot in Houston by the All-Star break.
Kansas City Royals: SP/RP Brandon Finnegan
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2014 Stats
| A+/AA | 13/5 | 0-4 | 1.33 | 0.889 | 4 | 26 | 27.0 |
| MLB | 7/0 | 0-1 | 1.29 | 1.000 | 1 | 10 | 7.0 |
Overview
The No. 17 pick in last year's draft, Brandon Finnegan became the first player from the class to arrive in the majors when he made his debut Sept. 6.
After just seven appearances, he earned a spot on the Kansas City Royals postseason roster, and he went on to pitch some big innings out of the bullpen during the team's surprise run to the World Series. There is a chance he again finds himself in the bullpen in 2015, but Finnegan is still viewed as a starter long term.
The Royals are fairly thin on starting pitching depth beyond their projected rotation, and Finnegan could conceivably be next in line for a spot should injury strike, so stretching him out in Triple-A might make more sense.
Los Angeles Angels: SP Andrew Heaney
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2014 Stats
| AA/AAA | 24/23 | 9-6 | 3.28 | 1.136 | 36 | 143 | 137.1 |
| MLB | 7/5 | 0-3 | 5.83 | 1.330 | 7 | 20 | 29.1 |
Overview
When we look back on what was an exciting MLB offseason five years from now, the Los Angeles Angels' decision to flip second baseman Howie Kendrick in the final year of his contract for left-hander Andrew Heaney may very well stand out as one of the best moves of the winter.
A polished arm coming out of Oklahoma State, Heaney was the No. 9 pick in the 2012 draft, and he moved quickly, as expected, to make his big league debut this past season.
Heaney looks like the front-runner for the fifth spot in the Angels rotation heading into camp, as the team looks to bridge the gap to Garrett Richards while he recovers from knee surgery. That being said, don't be surprised if it's someone else who gets bumped from the rotation once Richards returns, as Heaney now looks to be a big piece of the puzzle moving forward.
Los Angeles Dodgers: CF Joc Pederson
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2014 Stats
| AAA | 121 | .303/.435/.582 | 135 | 17 | 33 | 78 | 106 | 30 |
| MLB | 18 | .143/.351/.143 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Overview
Blocked by an outfield logjam at the big league level, Joc Pederson absolutely dominated Triple-A pitching last season, launching 33 home runs in just 445 at-bats and posting a 1.017 OPS.
With Matt Kemp shipped to the San Diego Padres this offseason, the 22-year-old now looks to have a clear path at an everyday job, and he has to be considered among the NL Rookie of the Year favorites to open the season.
Chances are he won't be a 30/30 guy at the big league level, but Pederson has legitimate five-tool talent, and his advanced plate discipline (100 BB, .435 OBP in 2014) should help him make a smooth transition to life as an everyday starter in the big leagues.
Miami Marlins: C J.T. Realmuto
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2014 Stats
| AA | 97 | .299/.369/.461 | 112 | 25 | 8 | 62 | 66 | 18 |
| MLB | 11 | .241/.267/.345 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 0 |
Overview
The Miami Marlins have a terrific young core at the big league level, with Jose Fernandez, Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna all climbing out of the minor league system and into key roles with the MLB club over the past few seasons.
Catcher J.T. Realmuto could be the next name to join that group, as the 2010 third-round selection is coming off of a breakout offensive season that saw him raise his OPS from .663 to .830 in what was his second go-round at the Double-A level.
Realmuto probably won't make a serious push for the everyday catcher job until 2016, especially considering Jarrod Saltalamacchia is still owed $15 million over the next two seasons. Once he's ready, though, Salty could quickly become a trade chip.
Milwaukee Brewers: SP Jimmy Nelson
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2014 Stats
| AAA | 17/16 | 10-2 | 1.46 | 0.919 | 32 | 114 | 111.0 |
| MLB | 14/12 | 2-9 | 4.93 | 1.457 | 19 | 57 | 69.1 |
Overview
The Milwaukee Brewers' decision to trade Yovani Gallardo was no doubt made easier by the presence of Jimmy Nelson, as the right-hander showed last season that he has little left to prove at the minor league level.
The expectation is that Nelson will join Wily Peralta in leading the rotation long term, and after absolutely dominating Triple-A hitters last year, the 25-year-old looks like a potential breakout candidate heading into 2015.
His 4.93 ERA in 69.1 innings for the Brewers last season was not great, but a 3.78 FIP speaks to some positive regression, and simply not bouncing between the minors and majors should also help him settle into life in the majors.
Minnesota Twins: SP Alex Meyer
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2014 Stats
| AAA | 27/27 | 7-7 | 3.52 | 1.381 | 64 | 153 | 130.1 |
Overview
There are a lot of "big things" on the way in Minnesota, but as far as the next big thing, right-hander Alex Meyer will be the one to watch heading into spring training.
An intimidating presence on the mound at 6'9" and 220 pounds, Meyer was a first-round pick in 2011 out of the University of Kentucky more on his potential and projectability than on his production at the college level.
Now, after a successful and, more importantly, healthy season at the Triple-A level, he looks poised to contend for a rotation spot this spring. His terrific fastball/slider combination gives him front-line upside, and at this point, he looks to be as important as anyone to the Twins' chances of long-term success.
New York Mets: SP Noah Syndergaard
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2014 Stats
| AAA | 26/26 | 9-7 | 4.60 | 1.481 | 43 | 145 | 133.0 |
Overview
On the surface, the 2014 season may appear to have been a step backward for Noah Syndergaard, after the big right-hander went 9-6 with a 3.06 ERA, 1.147 WHIP and 10.2 K/9 between High-A and Double-A the previous season.
However, it has to be taken into account that he spent 2014 pitching in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League while calling extremely hitter-friendly Las Vegas home.
The subpar numbers have done little to remove any shine from his prospect star. While he still looks to be ticketed for the minors given the New York Mets' crowded rotation, it won't be long before he joins Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler and Jacob deGrom to form perhaps the best young rotation in all of baseball.
New York Yankees: SP Luis Severino
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2014 Stats
| A/A+/AA | 24/24 | 6-5 | 2.47 | 1.062 | 27 | 127 | 113.0 |
Overview
After years of gutting the farm system via trade, the New York Yankees have finally built up a respectable crop of minor league talent, and right-hander Luis Severino looks to be the best of the bunch heading into 2015.
One of the breakout prospects of 2014, Severino opened the season in Single-A and finished up by posting a 2.52 ERA in six starts for Double-A Trenton.
Still just 20 years old, Severino has shown terrific command throughout his time in the minors, walking just 54 hitters in 221.1 innings (2.2 BB/9). Developing his slider into a viable third offering will be the last hurdle in him cracking the big league rotation, and given the Yankees' lack of starting pitching depth, a 2015 debut is not out of the question.
Oakland Athletics: SS Marcus Semien
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2014 Stats
| AAA | 83 | .267/.380/.502 | 81 | 20 | 15 | 52 | 57 | 7 |
| MLB | 64 | .234/.300/.372 | 54 | 10 | 6 | 28 | 30 | 3 |
Overview
Much of the Oakland Athletics' minor league talent is still a ways off, highlighted by Matt Olson and Franklin Barreto, but they have an interesting young infielder in Marcus Semien who will have every chance to win a starting role this spring.
The 24-year-old was one of four players acquired from the Chicago White Sox in the Jeff Samardzija trade, and all signs point to him joining fellow newcomer Ben Zobrist up the middle to form the team's new double play combination.
Semien showed terrific plate discipline during his time in the minors with a .368 on-base percentage and 238/322 BB/K ratio. He also flashed some surprising pop with 21 home runs in each of the past two seasons, and his overall offensive game could make him one of the more pleasant surprises of 2015.
Philadelphia Phillies: 3B Maikel Franco
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2014 Stats
| AAA | 133 | .257/.299/.428 | 134 | 33 | 16 | 78 | 64 | 3 |
| MLB | 16 | .179/.190/.214 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Overview
Maikel Franco burst onto the top prospect scene in 2013, hitting .320 with 31 home runs and driving in 103 runs between High-A and Double-A, but he ran into some problems in his first taste of Triple-A action last year.
The 22-year-old hit just .230/.285/.364 with six home runs in 343 at-bats during the first half of the season, but he rebounded nicely to bat .309/.326/.551 with 10 home runs in 178 at-bats after the break, earning a late-season call-up as a result.
Whether he unseats Cody Asche at third base or takes over for Ryan Howard across the diamond at first, Franco figures to be a key piece of the future for the rebuilding Philadelphia Phillies.
Pittsburgh Pirates: SP Nick Kingham
22 of 302014 Stats
| AA/AAA | 26/26 | 6-11 | 3.34 | 1.214 | 52 | 119 | 159.0 |
Overview
He may not have the same ceiling as fellow Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospects Tyler Glasnow and Jameson Taillon, but Nick Kingham will likely be the first to arrive on the big league scene, and he has some intriguing upside in his own right.
A fourth-round pick in 2010, the same year the team took Taillon No. 2 overall, Kingham enjoyed a breakout season in 2013, and he built off of that with another strong showing in the upper levels of the minors this past year.
The Pirates rotation looks to be set heading into camp, and someone will actually need to be bumped for Charlie Morton once he comes back from hip surgery. However, it's not out of the question to think Kingham could find his way into a rotation spot before the year is over for one reason or another.
San Diego Padres: C Austin Hedges
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2014 Stats
| AA | 113 | .225/.268/.321 | 96 | 19 | 6 | 44 | 31 | 1 |
Overview
Despite an offseason of wheeling and dealing, the San Diego Padres have managed to hold onto their top prospects. Austin Hedges is one player they have made it clear is all but untouchable.
Viewed as an elite defender since being taken in the second round of the 2011 draft, Hedges may very well follow Yadier Molina as the perennial Gold Glove winner in the National League once he arrives.
It's his offense that is the question after a poor showing at the plate in 2014, but he has the tools to be a .270 hitter with double-digit home runs if he can improve his patience at the dish. He'll probably spend at least one more season in the minors, but don't expect newly acquired Derek Norris to block Hedges once he proves ready for a big league job.
San Francisco Giants: SP Kyle Crick
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2014 Stats
| AA | 23/22 | 6-7 | 3.80 | 1.544 | 61 | 111 | 90.0 |
Overview
The San Francisco Giants farm system is still somewhat lacking in high-end talent, but it does have a pair of high-ceiling pitching prospects in Kyle Crick and 2014 first-round pick Tyler Beede.
Crick was incredibly raw when the team took him with the No. 49 pick in the 2011 draft, and the same can be said here four years into his pro career. The stuff is impossible to ignore, though, and his 11.3 K/9 mark in 292.2 career innings speaks for itself.
However, he also carries a 5.7 BB/9 mark into the 2015 season, as he continues to have problems repeating his mechanics. With a plus-plus fastball and three capable secondary pitches, the pieces are all there for him to be a front-line starter, it's just a matter of reining in his control.
Seattle Mariners: 1B/3B D.J. Peterson
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2014 Stats
| A+/AA | 123 | .297/.360/.552 | 147 | 31 | 31 | 111 | 83 | 7 |
Overview
The No. 12 pick in the 2013 draft as one of the top college bats in the class, D.J. Peterson continued on the fast track during his first full season in the minors last year, reaching Double-A after demolishing High-A pitching.
A .261/.335/.473 line in 222 at-bats with Double-A Jackson shows that he still has some work to do in the minors, but his advanced approach should allow him to continue to make the necessary adjustments to be in Seattle sooner rather than later.
With Kyle Seager locked up long term, his days at third base are probably over, but the first base job should be his with another year of development in the minors. The Mariners have improved their offense significantly with the additions of Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz, and Peterson will be just another piece of that puzzle.
St. Louis Cardinals: SP Marco Gonzales
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2014 Stats
| A+/AA/AAA | 21/21 | 9-5 | 2.43 | 1.123 | 27 | 117 | 122.0 |
| MLB | 10/5 | 4-2 | 4.15 | 1.529 | 21 | 31 | 34.2 |
Overview
Aside from outfielder Stephen Piscotty, who looks to have a solid future but maybe not "next big thing" type upside, the St. Louis Cardinals' top prospect list is mostly made up of low-level pitchers like Rob Kaminsky, Alex Reyes, Jack Flaherty and Luke Weaver.
One player who has already seen big league action and has a chance to step into a bigger role in 2015 is left-hander Marco Gonzales, the team's first-round pick in 2013.
Gonzales made a handful of solid starts in the second half last year, then pitched in some big spots out of the bullpen during the postseason. Carlos Martinez will get every chance to win the No. 5 starter job this spring, but if he falters and winds up back in the bullpen, it could be Gonzales who breaks through at the back of the rotation this coming season.
Tampa Bay Rays: SP Alex Colome
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2014 Stats
| A+/AAA | 18/18 | 7-7 | 3.53 | 1.299 | 35 | 83 | 97.0 |
| MLB | 5/3 | 2-0 | 2.66 | 1.225 | 10 | 13 | 23.2 |
Overview
Without a clear path to a big league job, Alex Colome has spent the past two-plus seasons pitching at the Triple-A level, but with David Price traded and Matt Moore opening the season on the disabled list, the No. 5 starter job is now his to lose.
The 26-year-old has gone 48-49 with a 3.49 ERA, 1.284 WHIP and 8.9 K/9 in eight minor league seasons, and he trimmed his walk rate to a career-best 3.2 BB/9 last year, as it's clear at this point he has nothing left to prove in the minors.
Even with Price gone, the Rays still look to have one of the better rotations in all of baseball, earning the No. 6 spot in my recent rotation rankings. A breakout season from Colome could legitimately give them the best staff in the American League.
Texas Rangers: 3B Joey Gallo
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2014 Stats
| A+/AA | 126 | .271/.394/.615 | 119 | 19 | 42 | 106 | 97 | 7 |
Overview
Despite their struggles last season, the future looks bright for the Texas Rangers, as they boast one of the deepest minor league systems in all of baseball and one with plenty of front-line talent.
Joey Gallo, Jorge Alfaro, Nick Williams and Nomar Mazara are all likely at least a year away, but if anyone is going to force the issue, it will likely be Gallo thanks to his legitimate 80-grade power.
Adrian Beltre is signed through the upcoming season with an option for 2016 that will vest if he makes 586 plate appearances in 2015, so for the time being, the hot corner is occupied in Arlington.
Ideally, Gallo would be able to step in as the everyday third baseman and centerpiece of the offense once Beltre is gone. However, he could break through sooner in place of current DH Mitch Moreland if he continues his assault on minor league pitching.
Toronto Blue Jays: SP Daniel Norris
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2014 Stats
| A+/AA/AAA | 26/25 | 12-2 | 2.53 | 1.118 | 43 | 163 | 124.1 |
| MLB | 5/1 | 0-0 | 5.40 | 1.500 | 5 | 4 | 6.2 |
Overview
Despite trading a number of high-end pitching prospects, most notably Noah Syndergaard, the Toronto Blue Jays still have some terrific young arms. Marcus Stroman broke through last season and made an impact as a rookie, and now it looks like both Aaron Sanchez and Daniel Norris will play a significant role in 2015.
Most viewed Sanchez as the better prospect heading into 2014, but Norris appears to have passed him after a breakout season that saw him climb three minor league levels and then make his big league debut.
One of those two is likely to fill the No. 5 starter spot this coming season, and with Sanchez also in the mix to close games, Norris looks like the front-runner at this point. If he does break camp with a rotation spot, he'll have to be counted among the favorites for AL Rookie of the Year honors.
Washington Nationals: CF Michael Taylor
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2014 Stats
| AA/AAA | 110 | .304/.390/.526 | 130 | 20 | 23 | 64 | 81 | 37 |
| MLB | 17 | .205/.279/.359 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Overview
The Washington Nationals have drafted a handful of toolsy outfielders with upside over the past few seasons, and all signs point to Michael Taylor being the best of the bunch after a huge 2014 season between Double-A and Triple-A.
With incumbent center fielder Denard Span entering the final season of his current contract, Taylor appears to have a clear path to an everyday job in 2016, meaning he'll likely beat top prospect Lucas Giolito to making an impact in the majors.
There is a chance Jayson Werth won't be ready to go for Opening Day after undergoing shoulder surgery on Jan. 9, and if that's the case, Taylor could break camp with the team. Either way, he figures to be a big piece of the puzzle in 2016 and beyond.
All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference, unless otherwise noted.
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