Predicting the 10 Biggest Breakout Stars of the 2015 MLB Postseason
October baseball is notoriously difficult to predict, but Corey Seager and Marcus Stroman both look like big leaguers who are on the doorstep of becoming breakout stars during the 2015 MLB postseason.
In the process of picking the list that follows, there was one main rule: no All-Stars allowed. The thought process was simple: If a given player has taken part in the Midsummer Classic, he's already a star by definition.
Based on that requirement, the list is flooded with guys like Seager who have been rolling along in 2015 but have extremely limited major league resumes.
As it turns out, there's also room for one vet who has been around forever but who suddenly has a big-time role as a result of an untimely injury to one of last October's brightest stars.
Addison Russell, SS, Chicago Cubs
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The National League Wild Card Game will be a whole new experience for Addison Russell.
“The only thing I have to compare this to is high school,” Russell said, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN. “I had butterflies when the state tournament came around. I imagine that’s what it will be, a little bit.”
As Rogers noted, the 21-year-old is set to become the fifth-youngest shortstop to start a postseason game during the World Series era, which dates all the way back to 1903.
Russell is locked in at the plate as the win-or-go-home game with the Pittsburgh Pirates looms. In the final five games of the regular season, he checked in with a .368 average.
But it's not just with his bat that Russell has the chance to make a difference with the Chicago Cubs. With his impressive range and cannon of a right arm, he has the skills to turn in a game-changing play or two on the field.
Noah Syndergaard, SP, New York Mets
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Noah Syndergaard isn't the least bit concerned about traveling to Chavez Ravine to take on Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke and the rest of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“I think we’re going to give it to the Dodgers anywhere we are,” he proclaimed, per Mike Puma of the New York Post.
It won't be long before the rookie has the chance to back that statement up. According to Puma, Syndergaard is slated to take the mound for Game 2 of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium. Following that schedule, the right-hander would also be on track to start a potential Game 5 clash in Los Angeles.
The road has not been kind to Syndergaard in his first season with the Mets, as he sported a 2.46 ERA at Citi Field and a 4.23 ERA away from home. But with a couple of big showings in the NLDS, he could be on his way to a monster October.
Starling Marte, LF, Pittsburgh Pirates
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Playing in the shadow of Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte is one of the most underrated players in the Senior Circuit.
What makes the 26-year-old such a compelling candidate to become a breakout October star is that the left fielder can impact the game in so many different ways. Marte led all NL outfielders with 15 assists and piled up 30 steals.
Then there's all the damage he's done at the plate. In 2015, Marte collected 30 doubles and went yard a career-high 19 times. The Dominican also has a knack for delivering big hits in big moments. He posted a .329 average and a .911 OPS in 85 at-bats with two outs and runners in scoring position.
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Stephen Piscotty, 1B/OF, St. Louis Cardinals
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As Stephen Piscotty explained to Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, the 24-year-old can't wait for the postseason to begin:
"I love it, especially at this level. Going back to college [at Stanford University], I remember we were fighting to win a national championship and there were some cool moments. Once you get a little taste of that, that's what you're playing for. You're not playing for your numbers or your stats or anything. You're playing for those moments.
"
Even if he wasn't playing for the stats or the numbers, they were still impressive. After the St. Louis Cardinals summoned Piscotty to Busch Stadium as an injury replacement in the middle of the summer, the right-handed hitter went on to post a .305 average and an .853 OPS in 63 contests.
With the Cards set for another postseason run, Piscotty will have the chance to keep on raking—whether he's playing first base or patrolling an outfield corner.
Rob Refsnyder, 2B, New York Yankees
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Rob Refsnyder wasn't supposed to be starting for the New York Yankees in the postseason. But with Stephen Drew sidelined by a concussion, plans have changed and suddenly the 24-year-old is platooning at second base with Dustin Ackley.
After spending nearly all of the season in Triple-A, Refsnyder took full advantage of the opportunity provided following Drew's injury. In 12 games during September and October, he posted a .355 average.
With the Yankees set to face lefty ace Dallas Keuchel in the AL Wild Card Game, the right-handed-hitting Refsnyder could be called upon to help get the club past the Houston Astros and into the American League Division Series.
Ryan Madson, RP, Kansas City Royals
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With injured closer Greg Holland out of the postseason picture, Wade Davis and Kelvin Herrera aren't the only Kansas City Royals relievers who have been bumped up the depth chart.
Ryan Madson, who spent much of the season pitching in middle relief for the AL Central kings, is now in charge of the seventh inning. The recent results have been highly encouraging, as the vet sported a 0.75 ERA in his last 13 outings.
On the year, Madson posted a 2.13 ERA and limited the opposition to a .205 average in 68 outings. The most impressive part of his campaign is that he hadn't pitched in the bigs since 2011 before joining the Royals pen in the spring.
Carlos Correa, SS, Houston Astros
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It sure would be fitting if Carlos Correa turned in a monster postseason after a breakout regular season with the Houston Astros. As noted by ESPN Stats & Info, the 21-year-old shortstop broke the Houston Astros record for most home runs by a rookie (22) even though he played in only 99 games.
With a win-or-go-home matchup against the Yankees looming Tuesday, Correa will soon have the chance to make some noise in the postseason.
In his brief time with the Astros, Correa has made a habit of providing clutch hits. With runners in scoring position and two outs, the right-handed hitter has clubbed four home runs and owns a .395 average and a 1.240 OPS.
Sam Dyson, RP, Texas Rangers
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The Texas Rangers' deadline-day acquisition of Sam Dyson didn't generate anywhere near the same kind of hype as the club's blockbuster splash for Cole Hamels.
But what a pickup Dyson has proved to be.
The right-hander clocked in with a 1.15 ERA in 31 outings for the Rangers and hasn't allowed an earned run since Aug. 27. With the AL West winners, Dyson has recorded more strikeouts (30) than hits allowed (24).
As the Royals demonstrated last October, shutdown relievers are extremely valuable. Right now, "shutdown" is the perfect way to describe the 27-year-old reliever.
Corey Seager, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers
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Corey Seager has elbowed his way into the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup.
The 21-year-old arrived at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 3 and went on to post a .337 average and a .986 OPS while splitting time at the two spots on the left side of the infield. That showing has earned him the starting gig at short, as former starter Jimmy Rollins explained.
"We had a conversation and that's the way it was said: 'We're going to go with the kid. That's the lineup we feel is best,'" Rollins told Steve Dilbeck of the Los Angeles Times.
Now the kid has the chance to carry that success over into postseason play. Based on his seamless transition to the majors, Seager has the skill and the poise to be a hit for the Dodgers as the club embarks upon what it hopes will be an extensive playoff run.
Marcus Stroman, SP, Toronto Blue Jays
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Marcus Stroman is ready for October.
Since making his remarkably fast return from a torn left ACL, the righty has been dealing for the Blue Jays. The 24-year-old compiled a 1.67 ERA in his four outings and was lights-out in his final regular-season tuneup.
On Wednesday, Stroman held the Baltimore Orioles to a single run and K'd eight in as many frames as the Blue Jays locked up the AL East title.
"It still feels like a dream, to be honest with you," he told of MLB.com. "How everything played out from the beginning of this season and being in this position to help my team clinch, it's been a journey, it's been a special ride."
For the Blue Jays, that special ride is just beginning. And because Stroman has pitched only 27 innings in 2015, he has the freshest arm in the postseason.
Note: All Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and MLB.com.
If you want to talk baseball, find me on Twitter @KarlBuscheck.
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