Highlighting Each MLB Team's Most Impressive Prospect so Far This Season

From Carlos Correa to Luis Severino, there are some big-time prospects who are flat-out crushing the minor leagues.

Since Correa and Severino are the top-ranked prospects for the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees, respectively, it's not exactly a shock that either player has shot out of the gates. Combing through the minors, there are all sorts of future stars who have impressed in the opening weeks of 2015.

Some of the prospects who crack this list will make their mark on a big league diamond this summer. Others have the potential to be the centerpieces in blockbuster trades.

Houston Astros

In the Mix: Mark Appel, SP; Lance McCullers, SP

The Pick: Carlos Correa, SS

Carlos Correa isn't just the most impressive player in the Houston Astros' minor league system. The powerful shortstop is one of the most impressive players in the entire minor leagues.

The 20-year-old has been flashing tons of pop in the beginning of the 2015 season. While playing for the Astros' Double-A affiliate, Correa has collected nine doubles and four home runs in 15 games.

The expectations for the 2012 No. 1 overall pick are beyond lofty. One scout told Jon Heyman of CBS Sports that he thinks Correa will hit 500 or possibly even 600 home runs in the bigs. The scout added: "He's going to be what A-Rod should have been."

The way he's been mashing in the minors, there's an excellent shot that Correa will have the chance to tally his first MLB home run before the end of the season.

Los Angeles Angels

In the Mix: Nate Smith, SP; Victor Alcantara, SP

The Pick: Kyle Kubitza, 3B

With David Freese set to be a free agent at the end of the season, there could be an opening at the hot corner at the Big A. 

Kyle Kubitza is showing that he's just about ready to step in. The 24-year-old, who the Los Angeles Angels added in an offseason swap with the Atlanta Braves, has been piling up extra-base hits. In 18 games for the club's Triple-A squad, the left-handed hitter has 11 doubles, two triples and a home run.

Oakland Athletics

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

In the Mix: Matt Olson, 1B; J.P. Sportman, OF

The Pick: Billy Burns, OF

After making the major league team out of camp, Billy Burns sure took his early-season demotion in stride. As the flyer explained via Joe Stiglich of CSN California, he had a good chat with skipper Bob Melvin about getting sent down to Triple-A: "I felt like he was more upset than I was. I told him I'm gonna be all right."

Burns was spot-on. The 25-year-old, who has game-changing speed, is a menace every time he gets on base. For the Nashville Sounds, he's been reaching base at a clip of .398 and is 5-for-5 on stolen base attempts.

Seattle Mariners

In the Mix: Gianfranco Wawoe, INF; Tyler Marlette, C

The Pick: Edwin Diaz, SP

Edwin Diaz is carving up the Cal League.

In four starts in the notoriously hitter-friendly High-A circuit, the righty has limited the opposition to a .129 average while reeling off a 1.89 ERA. In 19 frames, the 21-year-old has recorded more than twice as many punchouts (20) as hits allowed (8).

Texas Rangers

In the Mix: Tomas Telis, C; Nick Williams, OF

The Pick: Nomar Mazara, OF

The most impressive part about Nomar Mazara's .333 average in Double-A is that he was doing that as a 19-year-old (he turned 20 on Sunday). Per Baseball-Reference.com, the outfielder is 4.4 years younger than the average player in the Texas League. 

The lefty hitter is playing his way toward a Triple-A promotion, and could be roaming the outfield at Globe Life Park as soon as Opening Day 2016.

Chicago White Sox

In the Mix: James Dykstra, SP; Jordan Guerrero, SP; Trayce Thompson, OF

The Pick: Tim Anderson, SS

A first-round selection in 2013, Tim Anderson is off to a fast start both at the plate and on the bases. The Chicago White Sox's shortstop of the future is the owner of a .343 average and has grabbed 11 steals in as many chances.

The only blemish so far has been his less-than-patient approach at the dish. The 21-year-old has accumulated one walk in 67 at-bats.

Cleveland Indians

Dave Weaver-USA TODAY Sports

In the Mix: Clint Frazier, OF; Dace Kime, SP; Ryan Merritt, SP

The Pick: Adam Plutko, SP

While many of the Tribe's top minor league bats are off to slow starts, there are plenty of pitchers off to noteworthy starters.

Right at the top of that list is Adam Plutko. The right-hander has a 1.53 ERA after his first three outings, but the best part of his outstanding April has been his pinpoint command. So far, the 23-year-old has dished out just two walks while striking out 13 in 17.2 frames.

Detroit Tigers

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

In the Mix: Steven Moya, OF; Austin Kubitza, SP

The Pick: Dixon Machado, SS

There's no room at the inn for Dixon Machado.

With Jose Iglesias staring at shortstop and Ian Kinsler locked in at second, Machado is biding his time with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. The 23-year-old has been raking down on the farm, as he owns a .308 average. 

Just because there's no place for Machado to play in Motown doesn't mean he won't be an important cog in how the 2015 season shakes out for the Detroit Tigers. As Tony Paul of The Detroit News writes, using Machado as a trade chip this summer "is a realistic scenario."

Kansas City Royals

In the Mix: Cody Reed, SP; Reid Redman, RP

The Pick: Bubba Starling, OF

It's all starting to click for Bubba Starling.

The 22-year-old outfielder, who has struggled since the Kansas City Royals selected him with the No. 5 overall pick in 2011, has earned himself a trip to Double-A after an early-season tear. In 12 games with the High-A Wilmington Blue Rocks, the right-handed hitter checked in with a .386 average, four doubles, a couple of bombs and 12 RBI.

Minnesota Twins

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

In the Mix: Adam Brett Walker II, OF; Taylor Rogers, SP

The Pick: Nick Gordon, SS

Nick Gordon is rolling right along in his first full minor league campaign.

The shortstop, who the Minnesota Twins snagged with the No. 5 selection last June, has posted a .302 average for the Low-A Cedar Rapids Kernels. The 19-year-old has also demonstrated a knack for stepping up with timely hits, as he's driven in 15 runs in 16 games.

Baltimore Orioles

In the Mix: Zach Davies, SP; Mike Wright, SP

The Pick: Mychal Givens, RP

Becoming a pitcher sure has worked out well for Mychal Givens.

After floundering as a shortstop in the Baltimore Orioles' system, the righty is starting to take off as a reliever. This season, the 24-year-old has been a strikeout-throwing machine in Double-A. Givens has been downright dealing, as he's K'd 13 in 9.2 frames, while posting a 0.93 ERA.

Boston Red Sox

In the Mix: Brian Johnson, SP; Eduardo Rodriguez, SP; Blake Swihart, C

The Pick: Manuel Margot, OF

The competition was fierce for this spot. Ultimately, age is the factor that gives Manuel Margot the edge.

Just 20 years old, the Dominican has been hitting everything in 2015. In 15 games, Margot has a .362 average and a .586 slugging percentage thanks to four doubles, three triples and a home run. The running game has also been on display for Margot, as he's swiped six bases for the Salem Red Sox.

New York Yankees

In the Mix: Jacob Lindgren, RP; Rookie Davis, SP

The Pick: Luis Severino, SP

It's been all about strikeouts for Luis Severino in 2015.

The righty starter has ripped off 20 K's in 15 frames while pitching for the New York Yankees Double-A club, the Trenton Thunder. With a 2.40 ERA, the 21-year-old is making it clear that he's just about ready for a trickier assignment—be it in Triple-A or the Bronx.

Tampa Bay Rays

In the Mix: Tyler Goeddel, 3B; Jaime Schultz, SP

The Pick: Blake Snell, SP

So far, so good for Blake Snell in 2015.

As the Tampa Bay Rays' lefty prospect explained via Tyler Maun of MiLB.com, it all started with a highly successful camp: "All spring training, I was really locked in and dialed in. I feel a lot more focused and refined this year than I ever have."

The numbers back that up. In his first four outings for the High-A Charlotte Stone Crabs, the 22-year-old has yet to give up a run. He's also totaled 27 punchouts and served up just 10 hits in 21 innings.

Toronto Blue Jays

In the Mix: Dwight Smith, OF; Alberto Tirado, RP; Chase De Jong, SP

The Pick: Sean Reid-Foley, SP

Just 19 years old, Sean Reid-Foley has thrown only 7.1 innings for the Lansing Lugnuts. The righty has made great use of his limited opportunities.

Reid-Foley has K'd 13 batters during his three starts and owns a 2.45 ERA. The only issue for the 2014 second-round pick has been his lack of command, as the pitcher has already handed out nine free passes.

Arizona Diamondbacks

In the Mix: Braden Shipley, SP; Domingo Leyba, SS; Yoan Lopez, SP

The Pick: Peter O'Brien, C

Braden Shipley has been crazy good in 2015, but it's just impossible to ignore the power numbers that Peter O'Brien has been putting up. In 17 games, the 24-year-old backstop has gone yard six times. As a result, he's posted a staggering .769 slugging percentage.

Colorado Rockies

In the Mix: Antonio Senzatela, SP; Tommy Murphy, C

The Pick: Raimel Tapia, OF

Raimel Tapia just won't stop hitting doubles.

In his first 16 contests, the Colorado Rockies prospect has already tallied nine two-base hits on his way to posting a .310 average and driving in 16 runs. The 21-year-old has also been getting it done on the bases, as he's four of five in steal attempts.

Los Angeles Dodgers

In the Mix: Chris Anderson, SP; Chris Reed, RP; Zach Lee, SP

The Pick: Corey Seager, SS

Corey Seager has been torching the Texas League.

In 16 Double-A contests, the 21-year-old shortstop checks in with a .406 average to go along with five doubles, one triple and four home runs. With Jimmy Rollins' contract set to expire at the end of the season, Seager is proving that he's ready to step in at that spot in 2016.

San Diego Padres

In the Mix: Jose Rondon, SS; Cory Mazzoni, RP; Colin Rea, SP

The Pick: Elliot Morris, SP

After splitting the 2014 season between Low-A and High-A, Elliot Morris has made a seamless transition to the Texas League.

In his first three starts for the Double-A San Antonio Missions, the 23-year-old Morris (his birthday was Sunday) has given up just a single earned run and limited the opposition to a .135 average. He's also recorded 17 strikeouts in 15.1 innings and had a 9K showing on April 18.

San Francisco Giants

Eric Risberg/Associated Press

In the Mix: Tyler Beede, SP; Steven Okert, RP; Kyle Crick, SP

The Pick: Adam Duvall, 1B/3B/OF

Adam Duvall hasn't been messing around.

The 26-year-old has been on fire in Triple-A, posting a .392 average while connecting on eight doubles, one triple and four home runs. Duvall appeared in 28 games for the San Francisco Giants in 2014, and he's in the process of hitting his way back to AT&T Park.

Chicago Cubs

In the Mix: Duane Underwood, SP; Billy McKinney, OF; Kyle Schwarber, 1B

The Pick: Dan Vogelbach, 1B

This is yet another farm system where there are all sorts of options.

Dan Vogelbach gets the call thanks to his unreal start at the plate. The first baseman for the Tennessee Smokies, Vogelbach has been battering the Southern League. In 15 Double-A tilts, the lefty master has three home runs and a .444 average. Courtesy of his 13 walks, the 22-year-old has put up a .552 OBP.

Cincinnati Reds

In the Mix: Michael Lorenzen, SP; Jon Moscot, SP

The Pick: Phil Ervin, OF

Phil Ervin, 22, has been doing a lot of yard work. In 17 games for the High-A Daytona Tortugas, the right-handed hitter has connected on four bombs. It's been a highly encouraging start for the 2013 first-round pick after last season went sideways. In 2014, Ervin hit just .237 for the Low-A Dayton Dragons.

Milwaukee Brewers

In the Mix: Clint Coulter, C; Kodi Medeiros, SP

The Pick: Orlando Arcia, SS

Orlando Arcia couldn't have scripted a better beginning to the 2015 season.

The 20-year-old shortstop is second in the Southern League with a .423 average in 17 games for the Biloxi Shuckers. As good as the Venezuelan has been, it just wouldn't be right to not offer a honorable mention to Clint Coulter. The High-A backstop for the Brevard County Manatees has already cracked six home runs.

Pittsburgh Pirates

In the Mix: Josh Bell, 1B; Chad Kuhl, SP; Tyler Glasnow, SP

The Pick: Jason Creasy, SP

The easy choice here would be to go with Tyler Glasnow, who MLB.com dubs the No. 1 prospect in the Pittsburgh Pirates system. The thing is, fellow Altoona Curve starter Jason Creasy has actually outpitched him. The 22-year-old righty didn't give up a run until his third outing of the year and is sporting a 0.56 ERA in Double-A.

St. Louis Cardinals

In the Mix: Rob Kaminsky, SP; Charlie Tilson, OF, Samuel Tuivailala, RP

The Pick: Alex Reyes, SP

Alex Reyes has recorded 45 outs in 2015. Remarkably, 27 of them have come via strikeouts. The 20-year-old, who's pitching for the St. Louis Cardinals' High-A squad, has been untouchable after a rocky first start. In his past two outings, the righty hasn't given up a run, cutting his ERA to 2.40 in the process.

Atlanta Braves

In the Mix: Tyrell Jenkins, SP; Mallex Smith, OF; Johan Camargo, SS

The Pick: Mike Foltynewicz, SP

Mike Foltynewicz has been shredding the International League.

In four Triple-A outings this season, the 23-year-old has spun off a 2.08 ERA. Back on April 20, the right-hander totaled nine strikeouts, as he worked eight innings for the Gwinnett Braves. Right now, Foltynewicz is throwing like a pitcher who should be starting for the Atlanta Braves.

Miami Marlins

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

In the Mix: Avery Romero, 2B; Jarlin Garcia, SP

The Pick: Justin Nicolino, SP

Justin Nicolino is pitching his way into the Miami Marlins' big league plans.

The left-hander, who the Fish acquired in a 2012 trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, has been enjoying his first crack at Triple-A. In four starts for the New Orleans Zephyrs, the 23-year-old clocks in with a 0.79 ERA. If he keeps up his strong early showing, Nicolino will be a viable option for the major league squad by the second half of the season.

New York Mets

In the Mix: Steven Matz, SP; Michael Conforto, OF

The Pick: Dilson Herrera, 2B

Dilson Herrera is awfully close to being major league ready.

The 21-year-old Colombian has been dismantling the Pacific Coast League, posting a .371 average in 16 Triple-A contests for the Las Vegas 51s.

Daniel Murphy is set to become a free agent at the end of the campaign, which means it's all but a lock that Herrera will be the New York Mets' 2016 Opening Day second baseman. Then again, with Murphy putting up a .145 average, Herrera could depose him even sooner than that.

Philadelphia Phillies

In the Mix: Roman Quinn, OF; Matt Imhof, SP; Carlos Tocci, OF

The Pick: Maikel Franco, 1B/3B

Maikel Franco is the king of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

The 22-year-old third baseman has put up some tremendous stats, posting a .333 average and compiling 11 extra-base hits in 17 games. Those are the kind of numbers the Philadelphia Phillies' floundering offense would definitely benefit from.

When manager Ryne Sandberg was asked if the Dominican will be summoned to Citizens Bank Park, the skipper was elusive: "We'll see," said Sandberg, via Maria Guardado of NJ.com. "Haven't been much talk about it." It's time for the talk to begin.

Washington Nationals

In the Mix: A.J Cole, SP; Drew Ward, 3B

The Pick: Nick Pivetta, SP

Nick Pivetta isn't the most heralded starter in the Washington Nationals' minor league setup. But in 2015, he's been the most productive. A fourth-round pick in 2013, the right-hander has been giving Carolina League batters all sorts of problems in April. In his first three starts, the 22-year-old Pivetta has yielded just a single earned run.

Note: All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and MiLB.com. All videos courtesy of MLB.com and YouTube.com.

If you want to talk baseball, find me on Twitter @KarlBuscheck.