Introducing the Next Wave of MLB Superstars Currently in the Minors
The arrival of generational stars Bryce Harper, Mike Trout and Manny Machado in the major leagues during the 2012 season set a new standard for all future rookie classes.
Yet, despite the lofty expectations, the overall influx of young talent in the major leagues last season was just as impressive as the now-legendary 2012 class.
Top-ranked prospects such as Jacob deGrom, Gregory Polanco, George Springer and Marcus Stroman made an immediate impact last year upon reaching the major leagues, and they since have justified the hype ascribed to them at the onset of their respective careers.
Still, all of the aforementioned players began the season in the minor leagues. This year should be no different, as there's another promising collection of potential superstars on the verge of reaching The Show.
Here is a preview of Major League Baseball’s next wave of superstars who either started the season in the minors or are currently there.
Kris Bryant, 3B, Chicago Cubs
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Obviously, Bryant is not in the minors anymore. However, when this piece was published, he was.
In case you haven’t heard the news, the Cubs promoted Kris Bryant on Friday to make his big league debut. He went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.
Bryant led the minor leagues (qualified hitters only) last season 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) while batting .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. He put on a power showcase in major league camp this year, with a spring training-best nine home runs, and it’s easy to see him leading the major leagues with 35-plus home runs in a given season.
An extra year of pre-arbitration control of a slugger such as a Bryant could be huge for the Cubs, which is exactly why they assigned him to Triple-A to begin the season and kept him in there until Friday. Meanwhile, Bryant continued to do what he always does—drop bombs, which he did three times in his first seven games for Triple-A.
Now, it’s finally time to see what the young slugger can do in the major leagues.
Carlos Correa, SS, Houston Astros
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Correa continued to blow past all reasonable expectations last season as one of the younger everyday players in the California League, as the then-19-year-old batted .325/.416/.510 with 28 extra-base hits, 20 stolen bases and a ratio of 45 strikeouts to 36 walks in 62 games. He seemed bound for a midseason promotion to Double-A before suffering a season-ending fibula injury in late June while sliding into third base.
Correa, 20, has a simple and direct right-handed swing that allows him to stay inside the ball and utilize the entire field. He’s batted at least .320 at both Class-A levels over the last two seasons, while his advanced plate discipline and pitch recognition (12.3 BB%, 15.4 K% in 2014) have produced on-base percentages consistently north of .400.
At 6’4”, 205 pounds, Correa possesses plus raw power but doesn’t swing for the fences, instead employing an approach that’s geared toward consistent hard contact and getting on base. Considering his age, it’s safe to bet on Correa developing more pop as he fills out, with the potential to hit upward of 22-25 home runs in his prime.
Despite his large frame, he is an excellent athlete with the tools to stick at shortstop long-term, including soft hands, good range and plus-plus arm strength that produces lasers in the mid-to-upper 90s across the infield.
Correa is a physically blessed player with present plus makeup and the potential for five average-or-better tools at maturity, and he’s still on the fast track to the major leagues in 2015 even with Jed Lowrie seemingly locked in at shortstop.
Addison Russell, SS/2B, Chicago Cubs
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Russell missed most of the first half of 2014 with a hamstring injury, only to return shortly before he was dealt to the Cubs in early July. The 21-year-old shortstop seemed to enjoy the change of scenery, as he batted .294/.332/.536 with 12 home runs, 11 doubles and 36 RBI in 50 games at Double-A Tennessee.
Russell makes a lot of hard contact thanks to his plus bat speed and innate bat-to-ball skills, and he’s really started driving the ball to all fields over the last year. Meanwhile, the right-handed hitter’s combination of plus bat speed and a deep point of contact should generate upward of 20 home runs at the highest level, possibly more depending on his physical development in the coming years.
And given his ability to use the entire field, Russell should always tally a high number of doubles and triples. On the basepaths, he is an above-average runner with the athleticism and instincts to steal 15-20 bags annually.
Defensively, Russell possesses incredible range to both sides and is especially slick when charging the ball. His plus arm strength allows him to make throws from virtually anywhere on the infield, but sometimes he doesn't set himself properly and uncorks inaccurate throws.
It’s worth noting that he made his first start of 2015 at second base Thursday at Triple-A Iowa. With Starlin Castro handling shortstop for the foreseeable future barring a trade and Javier Baez looking like he’s going to be more of a project than expected, the keystone could offer a clear path to the major leagues for Russell. Meanwhile, the 21-year-old is off to a great start at Iowa, with a .355/.364/.516 batting line and seven RBI through seven games.
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Francisco Lindor, SS, Cleveland Indians
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Lindor may have been one of the younger everyday players in the Eastern League last season, but you wouldn’t have known it based on his .278/.352/.389 batting line, 22 extra-base hits and 25 steals in 88 games, plus his usual stellar defense at shortstop. The Indians moved up Lindor to Triple-A Columbus in July, but the organization ultimately decided not to call him up for the season’s final month.
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.
Even if Lindor's bat doesn't develop as hoped, he still has the potential to enjoy a long, successful career in the major leagues based on his defensive prowess, superb makeup and ability to control the speed of the game. However, even modest offensive production could make him a perennial All-Star.
As it tends to go with top prospects of that caliber, the Indians stand to retain an extra year of contract control on Lindor by keeping him in the minor leagues for a specific amount of time to begin the season. Plus, they simply have no need to rush his development, as manager Terry Francona mentioned back in December, per Paul Hoynes of Northeast Ohio Media Group. That being said, Lindor is a safe bet to reach the major leagues after the All-Star break, though his timeline could change in a hurry should Jose Ramirez or Mike Aviles miss time with an injury.
Corey Seager, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers
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Seager posted monster numbers last season at High-A Rancho Cucamonga, as the 20-year-old mastered the California League with a robust .352/.411/.633 batting line, 34 doubles, 18 home runs and 70 RBI in 80 games. It was great to see Seager continue his torrid production after moving up to the Double-A Southern League, where he batted .345/.381/.534 with two home runs, 16 doubles and 27 RBI in 38 contests for Chattanooga.
Overall, Seager hit .349/.402/.602 with 20 home runs, and he also led all minor leaguers with 50 doubles.
A 6’4", 215-pound left-handed hitter, Seager has the potential for plus hit and power tools at maturity, with an easy, direct swing that allows him to sting the ball from line to line. There are too many positive things to say about his ability to pick apart pitchers and hit in all counts to list them all here.
Seager always had shown impressive power to the opposite field, but last season, he learned to turn on the ball more consistently and saw his power numbers spike as a result. He’ll only get stronger moving forward, so it’s not crazy to think that he, like his older brother, Kyle, will be a consistent 20-homer threat at maturity.
Regardless of where he ends up defensively, Seager’s bat will have him hitting in the middle of a big league lineup sooner rather than later. The 20-year-old is one of the best pure hitters in the minor leagues, with the potential to hit .280-plus and 20 home runs annually while driving in plenty of runs.
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ acquisition of Jimmy Rollins over the winter gives Seager, who is back at Double-A to begin the season, another full year to develop in the high minors. But given his potent bat, it wouldn't be surprising if the club were to offer him a taste of the major leagues late in the season.
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