MLB Rookies Who Will Have to Perform Like Veterans in 2015 Races
What a time to be a baseball fan.
There's never been a period in MLB history with as much young talent on display. Not only are highly regarded rookies getting their first taste of the big leagues, but they are doing so in meaningful roles for their respective teams.
Stars like Kris Bryant, Carlos Correa and Joc Pederson have lived up to their lofty expectations and provided their organizations with important production. Lesser-known names like Jace Peterson, Nathan Karns and Chris Heston have also been critical components for their teams.
The following rookies will have major impacts on the remainder of the regular season. As the campaign progresses toward the second half, these talented first-year players will need to play like seasoned veterans in order for their teams to achieve playoff glory.
Let's dive into that important crop of youngsters.
Jung-Ho Kang
1 of 9
2015 Stats: .278/.355/.407, 4 HR, 25 RBI, 118 wRC+, 1.3 WAR
Plenty of mystery surrounded South Korean product Jung-ho Kang when the Pittsburgh Pirates signed him this winter. But for just four years and $11 million, he has been a steal.
Kang would rank third in on-base percentage, seventh in slugging and third in wRC-plus among major league shortstops if he qualified with enough plate appearances. He has shown defensive versatility as well, playing both shortstop and third base.
The Pirates didn't bring the 28-year-old to the States for his glove, but he's recorded four defensive runs saved between time at third and short. His respectable defense combined with his offensive prowess makes him a much more potent option than teammate Jordy Mercer (.213/.262/.282).
As the season progresses, Kang will likely see increased time at short. He's also begun hitting in the cleanup spot of late, as Neil Walker has struggled in recent weeks.
“(Neil) Walker got into a little bit of an offensive slide,” manager Clint Hurdle told Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I wanted to get him out of there, take the pressure off him. (Jung-ho) Kang’s a mature guy, he’s a good hitter. I trust him there, give him a shot.”
Kang has earned increased responsibility with his good work in the first half of 2015. With the Pirates headed for another postseason berth, he'll need to continue to provide positive contributions throughout the rest of the season.
Nathan Karns
2 of 9
2015 Stats: 4-3, 79 IP, 3.53 ERA, 4.01 FIP, 8.20 K/9, 3.53 BB/9
The Tampa Bay Rays have quietly gone about their business and sit atop the American League East with July approaching.
Tampa Bay's starting pitching has been the biggest reason behind its fantastic start. Rays starters rank fourth in MLB with a 3.19 ERA. That's an impressive feat when you consider the Rays have been without Matt Moore, Alex Cobb and Drew Smyly for most of the season.
Chris Archer and Jake Odorizzi have deservedly received the majority of the praise, but Tampa Bay would be sunk without Nate Karns.
Karns hasn't been spectacular, but he's helped bolster the Tampa Bay rotation in the midst of multiple injuries. He ranks second on the team in innings pitched and starts made.
The 27-year-old is getting the job done with a three-pitch arsenal. Karns throws his fastball the majority of the time, but his knuckle-curve has proved to be a devastating offering. Opposing hitters have managed just a .191 average against it this season.
Cobb won't be returning in 2015, while Moore and Smyly don't figure to be back until after the All-Star break. With an unfortunate rash of injuries to the rest of the rotation, Karns must continue to provide quality starts if Tampa Bay is to continue to lead the division.
Jace Peterson
3 of 9
2015 Stats: .283/.360/.385, 2 HR, 31 RBI, 108 wRC+, 1.8 WAR
When the Atlanta Braves traded Justin Upton to the San Diego Padres this winter, pitching prospect Max Fried was the centerpiece of the deal. But as 2015 has progressed, snagging second baseman Jace Peterson in that same deal looks like the bigger coup.
Peterson trails only Joc Pederson and Kris Bryant in rookie WAR this season. He ranks third among rookies in games played, seventh in on-base percentage and third in FanGraphs defensive rating.
The combination of Peterson and defensive whiz Andrelton Simmons has given Atlanta one of the top defensive middle infields in the game.
"Athletically, I think it might be the best shortstop-second base combination that I've had in my nine years in the big leagues as a manager," manager Fredi Gonzalez told Zach Dillard of Fox Sports South. "As a coach, I've seen some other ones that are close. I remember Alex Gonzalez-Luis Castillo when I was a coach with the Marlins. But that's pretty darn good. I haven't seen a combination like that since those guys."
Plate discipline is often a work in progress for young hitters, but not for Peterson. He's walked over 10 percent of the time while posting a manageable strikeout rate. The 25-year-old has also shown a willingness to hang in against left-handed pitching, as evidenced by his .297 average in those situations.
Because of his advanced feel at the dish, Peterson has taken over the leadoff spot in the Atlanta lineup. If he can continue to provide quality production at the plate and with the glove, the Braves will hang around in the National League East.
.png?w=256)
Lance McCullers
4 of 9
2015 Stats: 3-2, 40.1 IP, 2.45 ERA, 2.33 FIP, 10.26 K/9, 2.90 BB/9
Since his promotion to the big leagues in May, Houston Astros right-hander Lance McCullers has been nothing short of spectacular.
The 21-year-old has allowed three runs or less in each of his seven starts. He's struck out over 28 percent of the batters he's faced while holding opposing hitters to a feeble .189 average.
McCullers has an electric fastball, which averages in the mid-90s and has touched 98 mph. He couples that heater with a knockout curve that's allowed just six hits in 161 pitches.
As if that's not enough, he is developing a nasty changeup. But his changeup isn't your ordinary offering—it registers at 94 mph. McCullers' developing another plus pitch is the last thing MLB hitters want to hear.
“It’s propelled me into a category where I have a chance to become a great starter,” McCullers told Grantland's Jonah Keri, “because of three great pitches.”
The Astros are one of three teams with 40 wins in 2015. In the rotation, Dallas Keuchel has performed like a potential Cy Young winner, but Collin McHugh, Scott Feldman and Roberto Hernandez have underwhelmed.
McCullers gives Houston the viable second starter it needs to truly contend. The youngster will have to prove himself over the course of 2015, but he seems ready for the challenge.
Chris Heston
5 of 9
2015 Stats: 7-5, 84.2 IP, 3.83 ERA, 3.33 FIP, 7.76 K/9, 2.34 BB/9
Chris Heston made waves when he threw a no-hitter for the San Francisco Giants earlier this month.
While that impressive accomplishment may have put him on the map for casual fans, the 27-year-old has been producing at a high level all season.
Heston leads all rookie starters in starts and innings pitched and ranks second in WAR. Outside of Madison Bumgarner, Heston has been the Giants' best pitcher.
He has generated ground-ball contact over 54 percent of the time, which is good for 10th in baseball. His fastball has a nasty sink to it and has been a big factor in such a high percentage of grounders. By relying on that pitch, Heston's curve has become a fantastic out-pitch.
A 3.83 ERA isn't all that impressive, but his 3.33 FIP indicates he's throwing the ball better than his ERA gives him credit for. His .312 average on balls in play isn't crazy for a ground-ball specialist, but it's not completely off the wall to believe Heston will only improve in the second half.
The Giants will need him to, as they figure to battle with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West. Fortunately for San Francisco, Heston's peripheral stats bode well for continued success.
Noah Syndergaard
6 of 9
2015 Stats: 2-4, 44.2 IP, 4.03 ERA, 2.92 FIP, 9.67 K/9, 2.01 BB/9
Noah Syndergaard's highly anticipated arrival has lived up to expectations.
The right-hander has flashed dominant stuff with impeccable command in seven starts with the New York Mets. Syndergaard has struck out 24.9 percent of the hitters he's faced while walking just 5.2 percent.
With Syndergaard joining the sensational Matt Harvey and Jacob deGrom, the Mets should have a young, electric rotation for years to come. The trio continues to raise the bar every time out with friendly competition.
“It’s hard not to look ahead sometimes and wonder what we can do,” Syndergaard told Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News. “This is a young staff, you think about what’s ahead and it’s exciting. I think we all feel that way, we all are challenging each other and pushing each other and we want to see what we can do.”
Syndergaard is living up to his end of the expectations. His blazing heater and filthy breaking ball have baffled opposing hitters in his brief major league career.
Because of that nasty arsenal, there's been speculation that the Mets could use him in the bullpen when fellow prospect Steven Matz is promoted. In shorter spurts, Syndergaard would be able to consistently reach triple digits with his heater, making him a valuable late-inning commodity.
Whichever way it shakes out, Syndergaard will play an important role in any Mets success in 2015.
Joc Pederson
7 of 9
2015 Stats: .251/.391/.542, 18 HR, 34 RBI, 160 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
When the Los Angeles Dodgers traded Matt Kemp this winter, it signified the beginning of the Joc Pederson era at Chavez Ravine.
Pederson, a highly touted prospect, figured to make an impact for the Dodgers in his rookie year. But no one could have foreseen just how important he'd be for L.A. in 2015.
The 23-year-old leads all rookies in WAR, homers, wRC-plus and on-base percentage and is second in RBI. For the Dodgers, he's been the club's most valuable position player, leading the team in WAR.
Pederson is an offensive juggernaut. He drives in runs, gets on base and hits for power. His strikeout percentage is understandably high for a first-year player, but he's been able to mask that flaw with an above-average walk rate.
When he does make contact, he crushes the baseball. His 43.6 percent hard-contact percentage ranks sixth among major league hitters. He also ranks 10th in batted ball distance this season, per Baseball Heat Maps.
Pederson's value doesn't end there, as he's proved to be a fantastic defender in center field. His five defensive runs saved ranks 12th among outfielders. If legendary broadcaster Vin Scully is proclaiming Pederson as "the best fielding center fielder the Dodgers have ever had," there's not much else to say.
With elite defense and run production, Pederson has emerged as a favorite to win the NL Rookie of the Year. If he continues to produce for a division-winning Dodgers team, it shouldn't be a surprise if he takes home the trophy.
Carlos Correa
8 of 9
2015 Stats: .314/.340/.569, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 4 SB, 154 wRC+, 0.8 WAR
Kris Bryant and Byron Buxton have been considered the cream of the crop of this rookie class, but no prospect has played better in 2015 than Carlos Correa.
After making a mockery of Double-A and Triple-A pitching, Correa finally got a crack at big league hurlers when he was promoted earlier this month. So far, he has done plenty of damage.
In just 11 games, he is already almost a full win above replacement. Think about that. He's hit for average, hit the long ball, stolen bases and played stellar defense in just a handful of games.
Plenty of times "once-in-a-lifetime talents" fail to live up to lofty expectations. Correa doesn't seem to fit that mold.
“There are no limitations as to what Carlos Correa could be with him being the age of 20 and with the tools and mind and the experience that he’s already accumulated in the last three years,” Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow told Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle. “With the whole package, he has the chance to be extremely special. He could not only be a good major league player, he could be a great major league player for a long time.”
With a loaded farm system, the future is bright in Houston. But the 2015 Astros are ready to win now. By promoting Correa, Houston is signaling that all hands will be on deck for a pennant chase.
Kris Bryant
9 of 9
2015 Stats: .283/.386/.466, 8 HR, 39 RBI, 137 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
After all the hoopla surrounding Kris Bryant during spring training, all is well in the Windy City.
Bryant was promoted shortly after the start of the season and has crushed major league pitching since then. The 23-year-old has been a force in the middle of the Chicago lineup, ranking at the top of most offensive categories for the Cubbies.
As expected, Bryant has whiffed quite a bit, but his walk rate and ability to make hard contact have helped him push his on-base percentage close to .400. Opposing pitchers already fear Bryant and pitch him with the respect of a 10-year veteran.
Despite his prowess at the dish, Bryant refuses to be defined only by his ability to mash baseballs into oblivion. He's played quality defense at third base and has added a few stolen bases to his stat sheet.
"I try to be a complete player," Bryant told Fred Mitchell of the Chicago Tribune. "Just playing hard, hustling, just being that type of player to earn the respect of my teammates. It's good that a different part of my game showed (Saturday night). I really wanted to get out of there that last inning. Nobody wanted to stay, and I was ready to do anything for the team."
Despite his youth, the former No. 2 overall pick has become a key player for the 2015 Cubs. Bryant provides Anthony Rizzo with necessary cover, which gives the Cubs one of the top offensive duos in baseball.
Bryant is just scratching the surface of his ability in his inaugural campaign. If the Cubs reach the postseason in 2015, he will be a key reason why.
Advanced stats courtesy of FanGraphs and accurate as of June 21.
.png?w=480)
