10 High-Upside MLB Prospects Who Will Become Household Names in 2016

If the 2015 MLB season proved anything, it's that prospects are more valuable than ever before. 

Young talent made immediate impact on virtually every MLB team this past season. Young players like Kyle Schwarber, Kris Bryant and Carlos Correa dominated the headlines in October, proving that there should be no timeline on when prospects can contribute at the major league level. 

Many prospects graduated to the big leagues this past season, but there are still a handful of high-upside talents ready to make a name for themselves in 2016. Over the next few slides, we'll identify those impact prospects poised to become household names next season. 

The players on this list are extremely talented. Some, like Michael Fulmer and Max Kepler, are late bloomers who finally put it all together in 2015. Others, like Blake Snell and A.J. Reed, will ride a wave of momentum from award-winning seasons into 2016. Then there are the likes of Orlando Arcia and Nomar Mazara, major league-ready talents who are often swept to the side in favor of other young players. 

We'll touch on those names and plenty more in the slides to come. What do you think about our selections? Which prospect are you most excited to see play this season? How quickly can the names on this list reach the big leagues? Your forum is in the comments section below, just one click away. 

Whether it's to keep up with your favorite team or to get a leg up in your fantasy league, knowing where the next impact youngster is coming from is a must for today's MLB fan. The prospects on this list may not be well-known names just yet, but that figures to change over the course of the coming months. 

Orlando Arcia, Milwaukee Brewers

In an age filled with elite shortstop prospects, Milwaukee's Orlando Arcia is often a forgotten man. 

Over the course of the last two seasons, Arcia has become the 12th-best prospect in baseball according to MLB.com. The 21-year-old finished 2015 slashing .307/.347/.453, hitting eight homers and stealing 25 bases in a full season in Double-A.

Arcia may be gifted offensively, but his calling card has always been his defensive ability. As seen in the video above, he has the range, hands and arm strength to stick at shortstop for the length of his career and become one of the league's premier defenders. 

Arcia is closing in on the big league, and although Brewers general manager David Stearns has preached patience with the youngster's development, he's aware that the organization has a special player on its hands.

"He's a dynamic player," Stearns told Fox Sports at the winter meetings. "He's your true five-tool player. He has the ability and potential to be an impact player. Having said that, he hasn't played a day above Double-A. So there's still a long way for him to go to get to the major leagues, establish himself at the major-league level, but he has all the tools and the complete package to be an impact player."

Arcia is one of those rare prospects that can affect a game with his bat, his glove or on the bases. Soon enough, that complete skill set will captivate the baseball world. 

Carson Fulmer, Chicago White Sox

How quick can Chicago White Sox right-hander Carson Fulmer reach the big leagues?

That question figures to be answered in 2016. After being selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2015 draft, the Vanderbilt product seems like he's on the fast track to The Show.

In his first taste of professional ball, Fulmer posted a 1.96 ERA between rookie ball and High-A. The 22-year-old dominated High-A hitters with a 27.8 percent strikeout percentage while holding opponents to a .203 average.

Despite pitching in just nine games last season, Fulmer is already among MLB.com's top 50 prospects. The velocity is there, as are two reliable secondary pitches in his curveball and changeup. Better yet, Fulmer has exhibited command of all three offerings.

Fulmer's polished repertoire and relentless attitude on the mound have allowed him to make up for his less-than-ideal size. 

“To me, it was like Joe Frazier. He’d just keep coming and keep throwing punches,” Vanderbilt head coach Tim Corbin told Chuck Garfien of CSN Chicago. “He might get hit, but he’s trying to go through you. He’s not trying to dance around you. He’s Jim Brown in a Cleveland Browns uniform and Joe Frazier with the gloves. He’s coming right for your chin and he’s trying to knock you out. He’s not trying to screw around. From that standpoint, I’ve seen few guys like that.”

At 22 and with half a season in Double-A under his belt, Fulmer may not be in the minors long. In the meantime, his electric stuff will continue to open eyes around MLB. 

Michael Fulmer, Detroit Tigers

The New York Mets were universally proclaimed as winners for acquiring Yoenis Cespedes at the trade deadline, and rightfully so. Cespedes gave the New York offense a much-needed jolt which ultimately culminated in a World Series appearance.

It may take a little longer to manifest itself, but the Detroit Tigers will look back on the trade fondly as well. In exchange for Cespedes, the Tigers added right-hander Michael Fulmer to the fold. 

Fulmer, MLB.com's 98th-rated prospect, may have been just another arm in the loaded Mets farm system, but he's proving he's deserving of standing alone. The right-hander posted a 2.24 ERA in 22 starts this season between High-A, Double-A and Triple-A. 

The 22-year-old did most of his damage in Double-A where he struck out over 23 percent of the batters he faced while allowing a .225 average. In six Triple-A starts, he improved that K percentage to 26.6 percent. 

Blessed with mid-90s velocity and two quality breaking pitches, Fulmer is finally evolving into the total package. As Christopher Crawford of Baseball Prospectus writes, Fulmer's upside may eventually shift opinions regarding the trade to Detroit's favor. 

"More than one scout told me that Fulmer was not just the most improved pitcher in the Mets system, but in all of baseball," said Crawford. "Fulmer is a legit top-of-the-system option, and represents a strong return for an impending free agent in Cespedes."

Fulmer still has plenty to prove in order to become a reliable front-line hurler, but he's on the right track. If he continues his rapid ascent to stardom in 2016, he'll be a name on the tips of the tongues of MLB fans. 

Jeff Hoffman, Colorado Rockies

The Troy Tulowitzki trade made headlines around MLB and ignited a series of moves that turned the Toronto Blue Jays into a legitimate contender in the American League. 

Lost in the noise of the blockbuster trade was the addition of right-hander Jeff Hoffman to the deal. MLB.com's 49th-rated prospect was the key to the trade and could just wind up being the ace the Colorado Rockies desperately need.

Hoffman was taken with the ninth overall pick of the 2014 draft while recovering from Tommy John surgery. In his first look at big league hitters this past season, the right-hander posted a 3.03 ERA in 104 innings between High-A and Double-A. 

At 6'5", 225 pounds, Hoffman has the prototypical body of a front-line starter. He also has the stuff, as he's equipped with a mid-90s heater and big league-ready curveball. Hoffman also throws plenty of strikes, walking just 27 hitters last season. 

Hoffman's arm injury may have put a dent in the hype he had coming out of college, but the Rockies believe he's one of the elite minor league arms in the country. 

"There was a lot of hype on him being one of the top one, two, three picks in the draft," Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich told Nick Groke of the Denver Post back in July. "Even after surgery, his draft stock slipped (only) to No. 9. That tells you the type of talent he has. He's somebody we scouted heavily and we're very, very high on."

Hoffman is the type of talent that makes trading a player like Tulowitzki possible. After enjoying a healthy comeback season in 2015, the 22-year-old is poised to establish himself has one of the game's top pitching prospects next season.  

Max Kepler, Minnesota Twins

Max Kepler put together an unbelievable 2015 season to cap off a journey from a skinny 16-year-old outfielder to a bona fide minor league prospect. 

Kepler made waves in 2015 with his well-rounded game. The 22-year-old slashed .322/.416/.531 with a .947 OPS in Double-A this season. He also stole 18 bases, hit nine homers and proved to be a gifted defender as a corner outfielder.

The Minnesota Twins signed Kepler out of Germany for $800,000. After struggling to maintain consistency during the early stages of his career, Kepler put it all together in 2015 and has filled out his 6'4", 205-pound frame. As Aaron Gleeman of MinnPost.com said back in August, Kepler's light-bulb year has made him a factor in Minnesota's long-term plans:

"

Kepler is hitting for average, power and with patience while controlling the strike zone against much older, more experienced pitchers and adding value on the bases. He's batting .320 versus righties and .323 versus lefties, .316 at home and .325 on the road. And while he's no longer considered a viable long-term center field option in the big leagues, the Twins don't really need that anyway, and Kepler figures to be a plus defender in left field or right field.

"

Minnesota is loaded with young talent, but Kepler's emergence as one of the organization's brightest young stars couldn't have been expected. After making a name for himself this past season, expect Kepler's polished all-around game to take an even bigger step forward in 2016. 

Nomar Mazara, Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers gave up a treasure trove of prospects in order to acquire Cole Hamels at the trade deadline, but outfielder Nomar Mazara wasn't one of them. 

Texas made a point to hold on to MLB.com's 14th-rated prospect, and for good reason. The outfielder has advanced all the way to Triple-A despite being just 20 years old. 

Mazara is a gifted offensive player. In 2015, he slashed .296/.366/.443 while hitting 14 homers between Double-A and Triple-A. On the heels of a 22-homer season in 2014, it's safe to say Mazara's power is maturing as his body continues to develop. 

That power potential is what separates Mazara from other gifted outfielders in the Rangers organization like Lewis Brinson. Mazara works the count and drives pitches he can hit, making him one of the most dangerous hitters in the minor leagues. 

"Mazara does not have Brinson's speed and defense but Nomar is a more polished hitter than Lewis and is a full year younger," said John Sickels of Minor League Ball. "More home run power should develop in time and Texas League sources liked him a lot. He was a B+ pre-season and performed well enough to hold that grade."

Mazara has a realistic chance of reaching the majors as a 21-year-old. Considering the talent he's already displayed and the room he still has left to grow, there's not a more intriguing offensive prospect in the minors. 

Frankie Montas, Chicago White Sox

Chicago White Sox hurler Frankie Montas has the unhittable stuff that can make an immediate impact in the majors. 

The right-hander works at 93-97 mph with his heater, often touching triple digits with nasty sink and cut when he's right. His slider has a sharp bite and has become a valuable second pitch, while his changeup remains a work in progress.

Montas pitched well enough in Double-A to earn seven major league appearances to close the season. The 22-year-old made 23 starts, posting a 2.97 ERA in over 100 innings. Montas struck out over 23 percent of the batters he faced while holding opposing hitters to a .214 average.

In his handful of major league outings, Montas fanned over 30 percent of the batters he faced and held opposing hitters to a .246 average. It may be a small sample size, but White Sox coaches were pleased with how Montas threw the ball, citing fastball command as a particularly positive sign.

“What good is 101 if it’s nowhere near the glove?” pitching coach Don Cooper asked Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago. “I’d rather 93 to the glove and location than 95, 96 or 97 nowhere near it. He’s exhibiting strikes with his fastball and some strikes with his breaking ball. We haven’t got to see his changeup all that much, but that’s another work in progress."

Montas could be utilized as a reliever in Chicago right now, but he's rapidly improving his chances of remaining a starter. Blessed with elite velocity, Montas could easily become one of the game's top young hurlers if he continues to develop his secondary offerings. 

A.J. Reed, Houston Astros

Houston Astros slugger A.J. Reed enjoyed one of the finest minor league seasons of the year in 2015. If the 22-year-old can replicate that same production next season, he'll earn a big league opportunity sooner rather than later.

Reed crushed the baseball this past season. He slashed .340/.432/.612 and launched 34 homers between High-A and Double-A. Due to his unbelievable offensive production, Reed moved into MLB.com's top 100 prospects after the season. 

The left-handed hitting Reed is much more than a home run hitter. He did whiff roughly 20 percent of the time, but Reed coupled that with impressive walk rates to offset his tendency to swing-and-miss. When he did make contact, it went for extra bases nearly 40 percent of the time. 

According to Jose de Jesus Ortiz and Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle, Reed has reportedly begun his conditioning program a month earlier this winter. By reaching playing shape at an earlier date, Reed should be able to get off to a quick start in 2016.

If he does, Reed won't remain in the minors for long. Houston's Minor League Player of the Year Award winner may not be universally known around baseball circles, but that'll change if he hits his way to the big leagues in 2016.

Blake Snell, Tampa Bay Rays

There wasn't a better pitcher in all of minor league baseball in 2015 than Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Blake Snell. 

Snell used the 2015 season to establish himself as one of the top left-handed prospects in the game. The 23-year-old pitched across three levels this season, posting a 1.41 ERA in 134 innings.

Snell began his year by not allowing a run in four High-A games. He continued that dominance in Double-A with a 1.57 ERA in 12 Double-A starts and a 29.5 percent strikeout percentage. The southpaw was nearly as unhittable after a promotion to Triple-A, recording a 1.83 ERA and fanning over 33 percent of the batters he faced in those nine starts.

Once the dust settled, Snell finished in the top 10 among minor league pitchers in strikeouts per nine innings (ninth), strikeout percentage (fourth), average against (seventh) and ERA (seventh). He allowed 21 earned runs all season, which just isn't fair. 

Snell's dominance in 2015 was enough for Baseball America to name the southpaw its Minor League Player of the Year:

"The 22-year-old Snell—our 2015 Minor League Player of the Year—has closed the gap between his reality and his potential," said BA's John Manuel. "His dominant season put him on the cusp of becoming the Rays’ latest ace, following in the lineage of Scott Kazmir, James Shields, David Price and Chris Archer."

If Snell's parent team played in a bigger market, he'd be celebrated as one of the game's premier faces of the future. But when he reaches the majors at some point next season, his front-line stuff won't be able to be ignored any longer. 

Bradley Zimmer, Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians could use impact bats at the major league level, particularly in the outfield.

That makes Bradley Zimmer an intriguing prospect to watch over the next year. The 23-year-old is Cleveland's top prospect and the 26th-rated talent in the minor leagues according to MLB.com. 

Zimmer is capable of influencing a game in many different ways. He slashed .273/.368/.446 between High-A and Double-A this past season, proving he's capable of getting on base or driving runs in. Zimmer hit 16 homers and stole 44 bases en route to one of the fastest rising prospect stocks in the minors. 

It's natural for Indians fans to drool in anticipation over Zimmer's arrival, but he's not worried about his fate. Understanding that a promotion is out of his control proves his maturity level matches his ability. 

“You want to move through the system as quickly as possible but at the right time,” Zimmer told Alex Hall of the New Hampshire Union Leader regarding his July promotion to Double-A. “I feel like the Indians have my best interests in mind at all times, and I think they knew I was ready so I was very excited to come join these guys.”

If Zimmer picks up where he left off to begin 2016, he'll be knocking on Cleveland's door by the second half of the season. The date of his big league call-up may be up in the air, but his dynamic talent makes him one of the most must-see prospects in the minors. 

All stats courtesy of FanGraphs unless otherwise noted.