2015 MLB Draft Picks Who Already Turned Heads in 1st Minor League Season

If the 2015 MLB season has taught us anything, it's to never underestimate the impact a prospect can make. Young talent in the minor leagues are the stars of tomorrow. It's important to keep track of their progress and development. 

That's why over the next few slides, we'll take a look at some fresh, young talent gracing the minor league baseball scene. The following players may have been drafted just this summer, but they already turned heads in their first professional seasons. 

Some of the guys on this list figured to always make a smooth transition to the minors. Chicago White Sox hurler Carson Fulmer, Boston's Andrew Benintendi and Milwaukee's Trent Clark are high draft picks who have had no problems living up to the hype. 

On the flip side, there are also some under-the-radar draftees who performed at a high level. Atlanta's Austin Riley, Detroit's Beau Burrows and San Francisco's Phil Bickford established themselves as legitimate prospects in just a handful of low-level games. 

Who else had a stellar start to his career? Which 2015 draftees have been the most disappointing? Keep the conversation going in the comment section below. 

It's never too early to analyze prospects. Here is a list of youngsters who are already ahead of the curve. 

Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves

2015 Stats (R): .304/.389/.544, 12 HR, 40 RBI, 36 R, .933 OPS 

Since the Atlanta Braves drafted Austin Riley with the 41st pick of the 2015 draft, the 18-year-old has done nothing but mash in Rookie ball. 

In 60 games, Riley's well-rounded offensive game was on full display. He coupled a .304 average with a near-.400 on-base percentage and 12 homers. Riley also drove in 40 runs. 

Unfortunately, immense raw power also led to high strikeout numbers. Riley whiffed over 30 percent of the time while in Danville. However, 27 of Riley's hits went for extra bases, which indicates just how dangerous of a hitter he can be. 

Riley is currently rated as Atlanta's 16th-best prospect by MLB.com. The Braves, while deep in pitching talent, are lacking in impact bats. So far, Riley looks to be an offensive player the organization can count on moving forward. 

Andrew Benintendi, Boston Red Sox

2015 Stats (A-/A): .313/.416/.556, 11 HR, 31 RBI, 36 R, 10 SB, .972 OPS

After tearing through the NCAA last season at Arkansas, Andrew Benintendi picked up where he left off with the Boston Red Sox. 

Benintendi was placed in Low-A for his first taste of pro ball and quickly proved he was ready for a greater challenge. The 21-year-old hit seven homers and posted an on-base percentage over .400. Benintendi displayed elite plate discipline, walking significantly more than he struck out. 

A promotion to Single-A did nothing to slow Benintendi down. He only played in 19 games, but Benintendi hit four homers, drove in 17 runs and hit a whopping .351. It's still early, but the outfielder is justifying the Boston Red Sox's decision to take him with the seventh overall pick in the 2015 draft.

"Just watching [Benintendi] take BP or take (soft toss) in the cage and just how he goes about his business, you can tell why he's here and why he was taken where he was," fellow prospect Michael Chavis told Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. 

Benintendi is one of the most polished prospects in the 2015 draft class. If he continues to produce, don't be surprised to see the Red Sox expedite his path to the big leagues. 

Carson Fulmer, Chicago White Sox

2015 Stats (R/A+): 9 starts, 23 IP, 1.96 ERA, 26 K, 9 BB, .210 AVG 

Here's what Carson Fulmer accomplished at Vanderbilt over the last two seasons: 

• He didn't allow a run in his first 29.2 innings as a starter in 2014
• Led NCAA Division I hurlers in wins (14) and ranked second in strikeouts (167) in 2015
• Helped the Commodores to an NCAA title in 2014 and a runner-up in 2015

That was enough to impress the Chicago White Sox. Fulmer was drafted eighth overall in the 2015 draft and dominated in the minors to end the season. The right-hander had his innings monitored, but he posted a 1.96 ERA in 23 innings between Rookie ball and High-A.

Lessening Fulmer's workload is understandable, but it's not something the 21-year-old is used to. However, he remained positive and receptive to Chicago's position on the matter.  

"That stuff is out of my control," Fulmer told Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune. "Being able to be a part of this organization is special, and I'm fortunate to have it. I just want to help whatever I'm a part of win and help the organization as much as possible. Hopefully I'll be at that stage one day." 

Although he was limited in 2015, Fulmer should have free rein next season. Don't be surprised to see him quickly rise up the organizational ladder in Chicago and push for a roster spot sometime in 2017. 

Beau Burrows, Detroit Tigers

2015 Stats (R): 9 starts, 28 IP, 1.61 ERA, 33 K, 11 B, .184 AVG

The Detroit Tigers could really use an influx of young talent, which makes Beau Burrows' bright start to his career an important development for the future of the club. 

Burrows was taken in the first round out of high school due to elite velocity. At 19, Burrows regularly flashes upper-90s heat and sits at 94-95 mph. He couples his fastball with a power curveball, which is a wonderful complement due to its sharp break. 

As for 2015, Burrows hasn't had much trouble in Rookie ball. In nine starts, he struck out 33 batters and posted a 1.61 ERA. Burrows' swing-and-miss stuff was too much for opposing hitters, as he held batters to a .184 average. 

Burrows is still raw and will need time to develop a quality third pitch. Still, his velocity and easy transition to the minor leagues should be reasons for optimism in the Motor City. 

Trent Clark, Milwaukee Brewers

2015 Stats (R): .309/.424/.430, 2 HR, 21 RBI, 39 R, .854 OPS

In Trent Clark, the Milwaukee Brewers took one of the top prep bats in last year's draft, and he hasn't disappointed since being taken with the 15th overall pick.

The 18-year-old raked in Rookie ball, hitting over .300 with an impressive on-base percentage. Clark may not have elite power potential, but his patient, contact-driven approach at the plate bodes well for continued production. The outfielder also wreaked havoc on the bases, swiping 25 bags in his first professional season. 

The baseball world has noticed Clark's fast start. Baseball America recently named him the top prospect playing in the Arizona Fall League. He's also already entered MLB.com's top 100 and is considered the third-best prospect in the entire Milwaukee organization. 

Clark is smooth and has adjusted well from high school to the pros. His defensive position may change as he develops, but his hit tool will always jump off the page. 

Cornelius Randolph, Philadelphia Phillies

2015 Stats (R): .302/.425/.442, 1 HR, 24 RBI, 34 R, .866 OPS

After impressing as a Georgia high schooler, the Philadelphia Phillies took Cornelius Randolph with the 10th overall pick in the 2015 draft.

So far in his young career, Randolph has proven to be the impact hitter the Philadelphia brass thought he could be. The 18-year-old hit over .300 while posting a .425 on-base percentage. Randolph recorded identical walk and strikeout rates, which indicates he's got quality knowledge of the strike zone at a young age. 

Philadelphia is in the midst of an organizational overhaul, and Randolph's bat fits right into those plans. There's always risk with high school talent, but the Phillies have to be thrilled with what Randolph showed them in 53 Rookie ball games. 

"I was a part of the draft meetings and I heard them describe a lot of players. I like the one we got," Phillies director of player development Joe Jordan told Jake Kaplan of the Philadelphia Inquirer. "He's going to be a good, good hitter."

Randolph still has a long road ahead in terms of a big league debut, but the talent is obviously there. For now, he'll settle for being a key component in a vastly improved Philadelphia farm system. 

Phil Bickford, San Francisco Giants

2015 Stats (R): 10 starts, 22.1 IP, 2.01 ERA, 32 K, 6 BB, .169 AVG

The San Francisco Giants know a thing or two about starting pitching. San Fran's latest pitching prospect, right-hander Phil Bickford, appears to be ready to continue that tradition of excellence. 

In 10 starts, Bickford posted a 2.01 ERA and held hitters to a .169 average. The 20-year-old was used in a limited capacity, but he flashed strikeout stuff and impressive command every time he toed the rubber. 

John Sickels of Minor League Ball gave Bickford a B grade in his first minor league season: 

"

Cautious workload in rookie ball, made 10 starts but threw just 22 innings, 2.01 ERA with outstanding 32/6 K/BB and just 13 hits. Scouting reports are a bit mixed and depend on who saw him when; he was too good for this level for certain but projections still vary between "future number two starter" and "middle reliever" depending on how the observer in question assesses Bickford's secondary pitches. I go with optimism here.

"

There may be concerns regarding his future, but it's hard to bet against a heater that sits in the mid-90s. If Bickford can develop a competent third offering, there's no reason to think he can't turn into a front-line starter in the big leagues. 

Stats courtesy of FanGraphs and accurate as of Sept. 22.