The Biggest Emerging MLB Star at Every Position Entering 2015

Karl BuscheckMar 1, 2015

Imagine a team consisting exclusively of MLB's rising stars. It would be the kind of lineup that nobody would ever want to face.

To land a spot on this squad, players have to meet a couple of crucial requirements. All the players who made the cut for the MLB emerging stars team have actually appeared in the big leagues. At the same time, the standouts can't be too established, either. As a result, players are only eligible if they have yet to earn an All-Star nod.

Even with those criteria in place, there was still an array of high-upside big leaguers taken into consideration during the team-building process. The competition was so fierce that a bit of creativity was required to fit all the top names into the lineup.

Catcher

1 of 12

In the Running: J.T. Realmuto and Mike Zunino

The Emerging Star: Yan Gomes

Yan Gomes made his mark in 2014 during his first full season as the Cleveland Indians backstop.

The catcher hit .278 and cracked 21 home runs, which was the third-highest total among all players at that position in the American League. The 27-year-old's defense also improved significantly as the season wore on. After racking up nine errors in his first 28 contests, Gomes rebounded to become an AL Gold Glove finalist.

1st Base

2 of 12

In the Running: C.J. Cron and Matt Adams

The Emerging Star: Eric Hosmer

It's easy to forget that Eric Hosmer, who has already played four big league seasons, is still just 25 years old.

While the two-time AL Gold Glove winner has cemented his status as an elite defender, Hosmer has yet to enjoy a breakthrough season at the plate. In October, Hosmer demonstrated that it's only a matter of time before that happens. In 15 postseason appearances, the left-handed hitter posted a .351 average and connected on six extra-base hits, including a couple of home runs.

2nd Base

3 of 12

Michael Dwyer/Associated Press

In the Running: Javier Baez, Joe Panik and Cory Spangenberg

The Emerging Star: Mookie Betts

With Dustin Pedroia entrenched at second base at Fenway Park, Mookie Betts doesn't figure to see much time at that spot for the Boston Red Sox in 2015. However, on this squad, that's exactly where the 22-year-old lines up.

Second base was Betts' defensive home as he stormed through the minor leagues, and he played 14 games at the position for the Red Sox in 2014. This season, the 22-year-old will be angling for playing time in the outfield. According to Judy Cohen of WEEI, Betts told the Dennis & Callahan show he isn't stressing about winning a job.

“Whatever [manager John] Farrell and [general manager Ben] Cherington, whatever they do is what’s going to be best for the Red Sox. And if that’s me sitting and watching, that’s perfectly fine and I’ll just fill into my role,” Betts said.

If he hits the way he did in 2014, the Red Sox will have no choice but to find a job for him. In a 52-game stint last season, the right-handed hitter checked in with a .291 average and an .812 OPS.

TOP NEWS

Washington Nationals v Los Angeles Angels

Bleacher Report1w

Bleacher Report1w

Shortstop

4 of 12

Jim Mone/Associated Press

In the Running: Chris Owings, Adeiny Hechavarria and Chris Taylor

The Emerging Star: Danny Santana

It's not easy to find rising stars at shortstop. The position is one of the most athletically demanding on the diamond, and it's rare to see a player who has the glove and the bat to excel at the spot. So far, Danny Santana has checked both of those boxes.

Since Santana has played only 101 games for the Minnesota Twins, small sample size concerns certainly apply. Still, the 24-year-old enjoyed an excellent rookie season in 2014. While splitting time between center field and shortstop, the switch-hitter batted .319 while collecting 27 doubles and swiping 20 bases.

3rd Base

5 of 12

In the Running: Nolan Arenado and Nick Castellanos

The Emerging Star: Anthony Rendon

Anthony Rendon had a monster season for the Washington Nationals in 2014.

In his first full campaign, the 24-year-old led the National League with 111 runs, posted an .824 OPS and totaled 66 extra-base hits, including 21 home runs. That showing resulted in Rendon ranking fifth in NL MVP award voting. This year, the third baseman should end up even higher on the ballot.

Left Field

6 of 12

In the Running: Starling Marte, Oswaldo Arcia and Christian Yelich

The Emerging Star: Jorge Soler

With a cannon of a right arm, Jorge Soler is slightly out of position in left field. For the Chicago Cubs, the Cuban patrols right, but based on the composition of this team, he's stationed in the opposite corner.

At the plate, Soler has tremendous power. Last season, he went yard five times and added eight doubles and a triple in 24 games for the Cubs. As manager Joe Maddon explained, via Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago, the 23-year-old has a game plan every time he enters the batter's box.

“He’s a big dude. Here’s a big guy with some pop that could make good decisions at the plate. He’s just not up there hacking or swinging, which is kind of unusual."

Soler's advanced approach at the plate suggests that he has the potential to become an offensive force in his first full season at Wrigley Field.

Center Field

7 of 12

In the Running: Rusney Castillo and Joc Pederson

The Emerging Star: Marcell Ozuna

Marcell Ozuna doesn't generate a ton of buzz.

However, in 2014, the Dominican quietly had a standout season for the Miami Marlins. The 24-year-old covered plenty of ground in center field, as he saved the Fish 10 runs on defense, per the calculations of Baseball Info Solutions on Baseball-Reference.com.

Ozuna also offers the kind of pop that is rarely found in center field. With 23 home runs, he was tied for the fourth-most among all players at that position. In 2015, another big season from the right-handed hitter would help spark the Marlins to a dark-horse October run.

Right Field

8 of 12

In the Running: Kevin Kiermaier and Gregory Polanco

The Emerging Star: George Springer

Even though George Springer played in only 78 games, he connected on 20 home runs for the Houston Astros in his rookie season.

As the 25-year-old looks to secure his star status, the most glaring weakness the outfielder will have to improve upon is his tendency to swing and miss. In 2014, Springer punched out 114 times in just 295 at-bats. That won't be an easy task for the right-handed hitter to accomplish, as Springer piled up at least 131 strikeouts in each of his full seasons in the minors.

Designated Hitter

9 of 12

Mike Stobe/Getty Images

In the Running: Kennys Vargas

The Emerging Star: Chris Carter

Chris Carter torched the AL in the final three months of 2014.

From July 1 to the end of the season, the 28-year-old went yard 24 times, ending the season with 37 home runs. That was tied for the second-highest total in baseball. While his power is remarkable, it's always been all or nothing for the Houston Astros designated hitter and part-time first baseman. Last season, Carter struck out 182 times and checked in with a .227 average.

Starting Pitcher

10 of 12

LM Otero/Associated Press

In the Running: Marcus Stroman, Kevin Gausman, Alex Cobb, Michael Pineda and Jacob deGrom

The Emerging Star: Sonny Gray

Sonny Gray has impressed with the Oakland Athletics ever since arriving in the big leagues in the summer of 2013. In 45 career outings, the right-hander has reeled off a 2.99 ERA.

In the upcoming campaign, Gray will be the ace of the staff in Oakland, and ESPN's Buster Olney views the right-hander as one of the premier arms in baseball. Olney included Gray as an honorable mention in his top 10 list of starters and added that Gray will break into the ranking "someday soon."

Closer

11 of 12

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

In the Running: Cody Allen, Hector Rondon and Jenrry Mejia

The Emerging Star: Zach Britton

There are lots of choices when it comes to picking the closer for this squad, but none of them matches the dominance that Zach Britton displayed for the Baltimore Orioles in 2014.

In his first season as the O's ninth-inning stopper, Britton was 37-of-41 in save opportunities, posting a 1.65 ERA and limiting the opposition to a .178 average. If Britton can keep that up, there will be plenty of All-Star appearances in the lefty's future.