Each MLB Division's 'Next Big Thing' Entering 2015

Just because the next Mike Trout or Bryce Harper might not show up for another 10-20 years doesn't mean that Major League Baseball is devoid of young players with superstar potential ready to take the stage as the "next big thing."

But what is it that qualifies a player for this list? It's quite simple, actually, but I still implore you to read through it:

1. The player cannot have completed a "full season" in MLB (400 or more at-bats or 150 innings for starting pitchers).

2. Each player must be under the age of 25 as of Opening Day 2015.

3. He must be expected to play at the MLB level during the 2015 season (whether all year long or as an in-season call-up).

Other than that, it comes down to my own projections and expectations for each player—based on minor league performance, early MLB returns and roster depth/needs at the MLB level.

Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon, Miami Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich and New York Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom were among those who took the step into MLB stardom in 2014.

Here are six players, one from each division, who could do the same in 2015. 

NL East: Noah Syndergaard, RHP, New York Mets

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Noah Syndergaard’s inflated 4.60 ERA and .293 opponents’ batting average (.378 BABIP) in 2014 were products of pitching in the hitter friendly Pacific Coast League, as he otherwise posted a 3.70 FIP and kept the ball in the park (0.74 HR/9). Overall, the 22-year-old held his own against older hitters while maintaining strong strikeout (9.81 K/9) and walk (2.91 BB/9) rates, but the New York Mets still ultimately decided that it would be best for Syndergaard (aka Thor) to finish the season in the minor leagues.

The 6'6" right-hander has a physical presence on the mound, throwing everything on a steep downhill plane and pounding the lower portion of the strike zone. Syndergaard’s plus-plus heater sits in the mid- to upper 90s with late, arm-side life, and he frequently flirts with triple digits.

His curveball also has plus-plus potential, and his command of the pitch improved last season after he added a slider to his already impressive arsenal. He throws his changeup with good arm speed and confidence, and it could serve as a third plus-or-better offering at maturity.

Syndergaard has one of the highest ceilings among all pitching prospects, with the pure stuff and command to pitch at the front of a rotation, and he's eager to get back on track in 2015, as he told Kevin Kernan of the New York Post.

“I grew up quite a bit during the season," he said. "I feel like I made a pretty big transition to become a better pitcher instead of a thrower. I’ve worked hard all offseason, I got my body in top shape and I am going out to spring training to compete for a job.”

Syndergaard’s performance this spring has been up and down, as he’s surrendered two runs in two of three outings. In the exception, the right-hander allowed just one hit and struck out five in 2.2 innings. Overall, he’s pitched to a 4.91 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 9-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 7.1 frames.

Unsurprisingly, Mets manager Terry Collins doesn’t believe the 22-year-old right-hander is ready for the major leagues.

"We like Noah a lot," Collins said, via Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. "I like him a lot. He's going to be a real good pitcher, I'll tell you. There's going to be a time where you're going to look up and we're going to have a lot of real hard-throwing guys in the middle of that rotation. … When we get toward the end [of Spring Training], there'll be some discussions we'll have with Noah about what we think he's got to do."

Assuming he opens the 2015 season back at Triple-A, as it’s long been expected, Syndergaard could be ready to debut around midseason, just as Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler and Jacob deGrom did in previous years.

NL Central: Kris Bryant, 3B, Chicago Cubs

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Kris Bryant's first full professional season was historic, as the 23-year-old slugger posted monster numbers between Double- and Triple-A but was denied a call-up in September. 

Bryant led the minor leagues (qualified hitters only) in home runs (43), slugging percentage (.661), OPS (1.098) and wOBA (.472). He also ranked second in runs (118) and fourth in RBI (110), and he batted .325 with a .438 on-base percentage in 594 plate appearances.

At 6’5”, 215 pounds, Bryant possesses effortless 80-grade raw power that has translated in a big way at each professional stop. The right-handed hitter does an excellent job of using his height and size to his advantage, achieving huge extension through the ball to generate towering drives with backspin carry to all fields.

Just like he did all last season, Bryant has put on a power showcase in major league camp, with a spring training-best six home runs in 23 at-bats. At maturity, it’s easy to see him leading the major leagues with 35-plus home runs in a given season.

"There are a bunch of guys who have superstar capabilities," Cubs hitting coach John Mallee said, via Richard Justice of MLB.com. "He falls in that category. He's got tremendous bat speed and long arms and a lot of leverage. He's also very consistent."

At third base, Bryant moves well for his size, with range and agility that’s a tick above average, but his overall defense currently lacks the consistency that would suggest he’s ready to man the position at the highest level. The combination of his athleticism and plus arm strength could allow him to move to a corner outfield position, an idea the Cubs might still explore during spring training.

Bryant is open to the idea, via Carrie Muskat of MLB.com.

"I think it's a position I can get used to pretty quick," he said. "There are a lot of plays at third base—the bunt [defense], first-and-third defenses, and in the outfield you really have to worry about getting a good jump on the ball and hitting the cutoff man. I think I can catch on pretty quick."

With Tommy La Stella and Mike Olt atop the team’s depth chart (by default) at third base heading into spring training, it appears as though Bryant at least has a chance to make the Cubs’ Opening Day roster. 

Regardless of his performance this spring, an extra year of pre-arbitration control of a slugger such as a Bryant could be huge for the Cubs—especially given the ever-increasing cost across the game for legitimate power hitters—and certainly worth sending him to the minors for at least 21 days.

NL West: Joc Pederson, CF, Los Angeles Dodgers

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Joc Pederson enjoyed one of the better seasons in minor league history in 2014, as the 22-year-old was named MVP of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League after leading the league in home runs (33), OPS (1.017), on-base percentage (.435), runs scored (106), walks (100) and total bases (259).

He also became the first PCL player to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in a season since 1934. Unfortunately, Pederson didn’t fare as well in his first taste of the major leagues, as the September call-up was just 4-for-28 (.143) with 11 strikeouts and nine walks in 38 plate appearances with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

However, the Dodgers had enough confidence in Pederson to trade Matt Kemp during the offseason, essentially turning over the center field gig to the rookie in the process.

At 6'1", 185 pounds, Pederson is an impressive athlete with quiet strength, showcasing five average-or-better tools and good secondary skills. He projects to be a slightly above-average hitter at the highest level, with a mature approach and strong on-base skills.

However, there is fear that his penchant for striking out will become a more serious issue against big league pitching. It’s the reason the ZiPS projection model (via FanGraphs) calls for Pederson to bat .239 with a 29.7 strikeout percentage.

The left-handed hitter has shown at least above-average power at every minor league stop, including a career-high 33 bombs in 2014, and ZiPS believes he’s good for 22 as a rookie. Pederson's consistency on the basepaths rivals his power frequency, as he’s swiped at least 26 bases in each of the last four seasons and should come close to that total in 2015. He’s also a natural in center field, with plus range, excellent instincts and above-average arm strength.

The Dodgers have been hesitant to officially name Pederson as the team’s Opening Day center fielder. But with a .360 batting average through 25 at-bats this spring, it’s reached the point where manager Don Mattingly is comfortable saying the team’s No. 3 prospect is the favorite for the gig.

"We haven't made any decision yet on who's going to play where, but we do like the way things are going for Joc," said Mattingly, via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.

"We're still competing, but obviously we like what we see," Mattingly said. "We look at the process as much as hitting .409 [Pederson's average coming into Tuesday]. How he's working, how he's dealing with it all. I was talking to him today about having good at-bats and taking that into the season."

The Dodgers have every reason to remain patient with Pederson this season, even if he gets off to a slow start. But based on his strong showing during spring training, there’s little reason to doubt the 22-year-old is ready for an everyday role at the highest level.

AL East: Mookie Betts, CF, Boston Red Sox

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In early May 2014, Mookie Betts was playing second base for Double-A Portland. By late June, he was starting in the outfield for the Red Sox.

Although he struggled at times with the new position, Betts fared well against big league pitching as a 21-year-old, finishing with a .291/.368/.444 batting line with 18 extra-base hits in 213 plate appearances. On top of that, he posted an exceptional 88.3 percent contact rate, struck out just 10 more times than he walked and stole seven bases in 10 attempts.

Betts was expected to compete this spring with Rusney Castillo for the starting center field job, with both players receiving equal playing time. So far, however, it’s been all Betts, as Castillo is yet to play an exhibition game due to a strained oblique. Meanwhile, the 22-year-old Betts has done everything this spring to prove he’s ready to take over as Boston’s center fielder, with a .435 batting average and five extra-base hits in 23 plate appearances.

In his professional career, Betts has shown extreme patience, even more extreme discipline and an elite contact ability. If you mix the three of those things, you get a potentially special hitter. Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Steamer projection model (via FanGraphs) expects Betts to produce a .778 OPS with 13 home runs and 25 stolen bases in 2015.

The defensive metrics haven’t seen enough of Betts’ defense to really form a solid opinion of him yet, but anyone who watched him last season observed his occasionally adventurous routes, which caused him to have to improvise to finish off plays. However, the eye test confirms the 22-year-old’s tremendous athleticism and capacity to make adjustments, and he’s looked much more comfortable this spring at the position.

As long as he receives regular playing time—and I don’t know why he wouldn’t—Betts should establish himself as one of the top young players in the game next season.    

AL Central: Francisco Lindor, SS, Cleveland Indians

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Francisco Lindor may have been one of the younger everyday players in the Eastern League last season, but you wouldn’t know it based on his .278/.352/.389 batting line, 22 extra-base hits and 25 steals in 88 games, all the while offering his usual stellar defense at shortstop.

The Cleveland Indians moved up Lindor to Triple-A Columbus in July, suggesting that the 21-year-old defensive wizard might get his first taste of the major leagues in September. But even after dealing Asdrubal Cabrera at the trade deadline, the organization decided not to call up Lindor for the season’s final month.

The switch-hitting Lindor's offensive skills have steadily improved during his rise through the minor leagues, as he's shown good plate discipline and feel for hitting from both sides of the plate. He's also refined his ability to read pitchers and stay within his zone, which in turn has led to him working deeper counts and chasing fewer pitches out of the zone. And even though Lindor never will offer much power at the highest level, he does have the strength and bat speed, especially from the left side, to hit 10-12 homers annually.

In the field is where Lindor truly shines, as he’s an absolute wizard with the glove and profiles as an elite shortstop in the major leagues. The 21-year-old's phenomenal instincts always have him in the right spot to make plays, and that doesn't take into account his impressive range and quick feet. Meanwhile, his plus arm strength is ideal for the position.

Indians manager Terry Francona stated in December that Lindor would begin the 2015 season back in Triple-A, with second-year player Jose Ramirez and veteran Mike Aviles set to handle shortstop duties. Lindor has made a strong case for the role nonetheless, batting .280 with five extra-base hits in 26 plate appearances.

From Francona, via Zack Meisler of Cleveland.com.

"

If you get a guy too quick and get him beat up, that's not development. They have to go through a progression. Being 21 and in Triple-A, he saw a lot of things for the first time. At Triple-A, you're looking at some older players and guys who have been in the big leagues. He handled himself pretty well, but there's still a lot of learning going on.

"

As it tends to go with top prospects coming out of spring training, the Indians stand to retain an extra year of contract control on Lindor by keeping him in the minor leagues. Plus, at 21 years old, they simply have no need to rush his development, as Francona mentioned.

Lindor is a safe bet to reach the major leagues after the All-Star break, but his timeline could change in a hurry should Ramirez or Aviles miss time with an injury.

AL West: Rougned Odor, 2B, Texas Rangers

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Rougned Odor spent most of the 2014 season as the youngest player in the major leagues, having made his debut with the Texas Rangers nearly three months after celebrating his 20th birthday. There was a chance Odor would have reached the majors later in the year anyway, but Jurickson Profar's shoulder injury opened the door at the keystone for the youngster in early May.

For the first three-and-a-half months, Odor performed as one might have expected from a 20-year-old thrust into an everyday role in the big leagues. But over his final 29 games, the Venezuelan native showcased the potential that made him Prospect Pipeline’s No. 31 prospect heading into the season, batting .291 with four home runs, two stolen bases and an .832 OPS.

Overall, Odor batted .259/.297/.402 with 14 doubles, seven triples and nine home runs in 417 plate appearances.

That Odor held his own as a 20-year-old in the majors last season was impressive, and the reality that he has so much room to improve highlights his huge upside.

Odor’s biggest issue last season was that he swung at everything, evidenced by his 4.1 percent walk rate, though that was mostly expected after he walked 5.6 percent of the time in the minor leagues.

This spring, Rangers manager Jeff Banister has seen improvement in Odor’s plate discipline.

"He looks like he is doing a better job of controlling the strike zone," Banister said via T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.

He’s also been impressed with Odor’s thump from the left side of the plate: "He looks like he can swing the bat and he's got some raw power. He hangs in there against left-handers. I think eventually if he is not one of the top of the order guys, he could be in an RBI slot as an offensive second baseman. His power sneaks up on you."

The ZiPS projection model (via FanGraphs) expects Odor to improve in 2015, calling for the 21-year-old to post a .745 OPS with 17 home runs (despite a 4.2 percent walk rate) and 15 stolen bases. If that forecast holds true, Odor’s power/speed combination would rank among the best at second base in MLB. And considering his solid triple-slash line last season as a rookie, I’d be willing to bet Odor’s batting average and on-base skills improve considerably with experience.