Predicting Each MLB Team's Prospect Who Will Turn the Most Heads This Spring

Julio Urias and Raul Adalberto Mondesi are not just two of the top prospects in the game, but also the kind of rising talents who will make fans stop this spring and say, "Whoa, who was that?"

The list that follows is flooded with players of that ilk. Many of the head-turning farmhands who made the grade are the No. 1 prospect in their respective system, but that wasn't the case for everyone.

Some of the players who earned this distinction are here because they have a big-time, can't-miss tool—from an electric pitch to prime-time pop to superspeed.

In some cases, difficult decisions had to be made because individual farms had such a wealth of deserving candidates. In those situations, factors like 2015 second-half performance and whether an unfamiliar player was entering his first spring with a new club were among the tiebreakers.

In a nod to all those fans of teams that start with W's, T's and S's, we'll run through the list of head-turners in reverse alphabetical order. So now, off to D.C.

SS Trea Turner, Washington Nationals

Jon Barash/Associated Press

Trea Turner is knocking on the door at Nationals Park.

2016 Opening Day Age: 22

2015 Highest Level: MLB

With Danny Espinosa ready to hold down the fort at shortstop, the Washington Nationals have no obligation to bring Trea Turner north to the nation's capital when the club breaks camps.

But don't be shocked if he plays his way onto the 25-man squad.

Turner only batted .225 in a 27-game trial with the Nats at the end of 2015, but he's hit everywhere else he's been before that. Since the San Diego Padres tabbed the shortstop with their first-round pick in 2014, Turner has posted a .322 average in 185 games.

Predicted MLB ETA: Early Summer 2016

RHP Jonathan Harris, Toronto Blue Jays

2016 Opening Day Age: 22

2015 Highest Level: Low-A

Standing 6'4", Jonathan Harris already looks the part of a big league ace.

The Toronto Blue Jays clearly have lofty ambitions for the righty, who they snapped up with the No. 29 pick last June. The starter took his lumps last summer, running up a 6.75 ERA in 12 Low-A outings.

But what makes Harris so intriguing is that he's not just some prototypical power arm who lives and dies with his heater. As MLB.com explained, the 22-year-old has a diverse and nasty arsenal: "All three of Harris' others pitches grades as plus at times. His breaking balls have power and depth, and he has improved and learned to trust his changeup."

That broad repertoire will not only serve Harris well as he climbs the ranks, but will also make him a fun guy to watch this spring when he cameos with the big league squad.

Predicted MLB ETA: Early Summer 2018

RF Nomar Mazara, Texas Rangers

2016 Opening Day Age: 20

2015 Highest Level: Triple-A

There's an outside chance that Nomar Mazara will make it to Globe Life Park before his 21st birthday at the end of April.

The lefty-hitting outfielder, who Baseball Prospectus tabbed as the No. 5 prospect in the game, was born to hit. In 2015, he logged a .284 average while playing for the Frisco RoughRiders in Double-A—as a 20-year-old—before going out of his mind following a late-season promotion to the Pacific Coast League.

In a 20-game stint in Triple-A, Mazara reeled off a .358 average. And the 6'4" Dominican made that splash despite the fact that he was 6.7 years younger than the average player in the circuit.

Predicted MLB ETA: Early Summer 2016

LHP Blake Snell, Tampa Bay Rays

2016 Opening Day Age: 23

2015 Highest Level: Triple-A

What Blake Snell did to minor league hitters last season was rude.

In 25 games for the Tampa Bay Rays' Double-A and Triple-A clubs, the 6'4" lefty tallied a 15-4 record, a 1.41 ERA and held the opposition to a .182 average.

Oh, and he also K'd 163 batters in 134 frames.

After that epic display, a strong Grapefruit League showing should be enough to earn Snell a rotation gig with the Rays.

Predicted MLB ETA: Opening Day 2016

RHP Jack Flaherty, St. Louis Cardinals

2016 Opening Day Age: 20

2015 Highest Level: Low-A

If Alex Reyes wasn't facing a 50-game ban for testing positive for marijuana, this spot would belong to him. But he is, so this spot instead goes to Jack Flaherty—yet another talented righty in the St. Louis Cardinals system.

The Cards landed the 6'4" starter with the No. 34 pick in 2014, and he's already making the selection look shrewd. In 2015, his first full go-around as a professional, Flaherty compiled a 2.84 ERA and a 9.2 K/9 ratio in 18 outings for the Low-A Peoria Chiefs.

Flaherty didn't score an invite to big league camp, but he'll still generate tons of buzz on the minor league side if he pitches like he did in 2015 during the upcoming spring campaign.

Predicted MLB ETA: Opening Day 2018

CF Boog Powell, Seattle Mariners

2016 Opening Day Age: 23

2015 Highest Level: Triple-A

One of the reasons why Boog Powell got the nod here is that he's the new guy on campus.

The Seattle Mariners added the center fielder to the stable in a November swap with the Tampa Bay Rays. Another reason why he's sure to garner buzz is that he provides the M's with just the skill set they need: a knack for reaching base at a high clip.

In four seasons on the farm, the left-handed hitter has tallied a .401 OBP. That stat will make Powell a great fit in the Pacific Northwest where the Mariners ranked No. 11 in the AL in that department in 2015.

Predicted MLB ETA: Early Summer 2016

RHP Tyler Beede, San Francisco Giants

John Minchillo/Associated Press

Tyler Beede will look to bounce back this spring after a rough introduction to Double-A last summer.

2016 Opening Day Age: 22

2015 Highest Level: Double-A

When you're a former first-round pick like Tyler Beede (No. 21 overall in 2014), there's no such thing as cutting a low profile at big league camp.

This spring, the 6'4" righty will have an extra incentive to shine after his 2015 went sideways following a summer promotion to Double-A.

After carving up High-A hitters by posting a 2.24 ERA in nine starts for the San Jose Giants, Beede got knocked around by Double-A batters. In 13 starts for the Richmond Flying Squirrels, Beede served up a 5.23 ERA in 13 starts.

In Scottsdale, the former Vanderbilt ace will have the opportunity to prove that he's ready to play with the big kids.

Predicted MLB ETA: Late Summer 2017

CF Manuel Margot, San Diego Padres

2016 Opening Day Age: 21

2015 Highest Level: Double-A

Jon Jay is the starting center fielder at Petco Park. But following the Craig Kimbrel blockbuster trade that landed Manuel Margot, the San Diego Padres could soon be facing a classic example of a "good problem."

In other words, how can the Pads fit a couple of center fielders—Jay and Margot—into the same lineup?

Fortunately, the brain trust has some time to sort things out.

Margot ended 2015 with a 64-game stint for the Boston Red Sox's Double-A affiliate where he hit .271 with a .745 OPS. Those numbers don't jump off the page, but it's worth remembering that Margot (20) was playing in a circuit where the average player was 4.4 years older than him.

The Dominican is likely ticketed for Triple-A, but with a monster spring, Margot can majorly complicate that planning.

Predicted MLB ETA: Late Summer 2017

1B/OF Josh Bell, Pittsburgh Pirates

John Minchillo/Associated Press

Josh Bell rounds the bases after going yard at last summer's Futures Game.

2016 Opening Day Age: 23

2015 Highest Level: Triple-A

Last season, Josh Bell batted .307 in 96 Double-A contests before swinging at a clip of .347 in 35 Triple-A games.

The takeaway? This dude can hit.

Soon, the 2011 second-round selection could be hitting at PNC Park.

“I'm not going to put a time frame on him,” Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington told Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review when asked about the first baseman of the future. “But there's a lot of good things happening with Josh.”

With only the likes of Mike Morse, John Jaso and Sean Rodriguez ahead of him on the depth chart, that time frame will likely be extremely short.

Predicted MLB ETA: Early Summer 2016

SS J.P. Crawford, Philadelphia Phillies

John Minchillo/Associated Press

J.P. Crawford has the look of a future franchise cornerstone at Citizens Bank Park.

2016 Opening Day Age: 21

2015 Highest Level: Double-A

After ending 2015 in Double-A, J.P Crawford doesn't need to worry about renting an apartment in Philly just yet. But based on what Philadelphia Phillies bench coach Larry Bowa said about the shortstop, it wouldn't be the worst idea to start reaching out to some real estate agents.

"The way he's progressed through the system, I would say he's very close," Bowa said, per CSN Philly. "It would not shock me to see him here in the middle of the year if he continues to progress.

As Bowa explained, it's no accident that the 2013 No. 16 pick is already the fifth-best prospect in the minors, per MLB.com.

"It's a game of adjustments and this kid's got a great head on his shoulders. It's just a matter of time," Bowa said.

That's great news for fans of the Phils because a left side of the infield patrolled by Crawford and Maikel Franco would be brimming with talent.

Predicted MLB ETA: Late Summer 2016

SS Franklin Barreto, Oakland Athletics

2016 Opening Day Age: 20

2015 Highest Level: High-A

For a soon-to-be 20-year-old kid still climbing his way through the minors, Franklin Barreto has one high profile.

That's what happens when you are the centerpiece in a megadeal for reigning AL MVP Josh Donaldson.

While his glove remains a major question mark (34 errors in 86 games in 2015), his bat is already legit.

Last season, the Venezuelan hit .302 with 13 jacks, a .500 slugging percentage and an .833 OPS. What's more, Barreto did all that as a 19-year-old, which means he was 3.2 years younger than the average player in the Cal League.

Predicted MLB ETA: Early Summer 2017

SS Jorge Mateo, New York Yankees

2016 Opening Day Age: 20

2015 Highest Level: High-A

Eighty-two.

That's how many bags Jorge Mateo swiped in 2015. Suffice it to say that the 20-year-old shortstop is a bona fide base thief.

The Domincan's unreal speed is also a big boost to his all-around offense game. As you can see in the video above, Mateo turned what should have been a routine double into an inside-the-park homer in a May game for the Low-A Charleston RiverDogs.

The New York Yankees will have to be patient with Mateo, who has only appeared in 21 games beyond Low-A. But as the old expression goes, "speed never slumps." And Mateo has all sorts of speed.

Predicted MLB ETA: Opening Day 2018

SS Gavin Cecchini, New York Mets

2016 Opening Day Age: 22

2015 Highest Level: Double-A

Asdrubal Cabrera is the shortstop in Queens.

That's why the New York Mets signed the switch-hitter to a two-year, $18.5 million pact. But Gavin Cecchini is looming.

The right-handed hitter spent 2015 hammering Double-A pitchers to the tune of a .317 average. This spring, during the Grapefruit League slate, Cecchini will have the shot to prove that he's ready to step into the big league lineup should Cabrera or one of the club's other middle infielders slump or get hurt later in the summer. 

Predicted MLB ETA: September 2016

RHP Jose Berrios, Minnesota Twins

2016 Opening Day Age: 21

2015 Highest Level: Triple-A

Jose Berrios has been a quick study on the mound.

As MLB.com noted, the Puerto Rican spent much of his time at shortstop until his senior year of high school. Fast forward to the present, and the 21-year-old is on the verge of forcing his way into the Minnesota Twins' major league rotation.

Last season, he recorded a 14-5 mark, a 2.87 ERA and a 9.9 strikeout-per-nine ratio while splitting his season between Double-A and Triple-A.

Since the middling Twins rotation ranked No. 8 in the AL in ERA a season ago, there will be plenty of focus on Berrios this spring as the club tries to figure out just how quickly to summon him to Target Field.

Predicted MLB ETA: Early Summer 2016

SS Orlando Arcia, Milwaukee Brewers

2016 Opening Day Age: 21

2015 Highest Level: Double-A

The window of opportunity just opened up for Orlando Arcia.

After he hit .307 with 37 doubles and 25 steals in Double-A for the Biloxi Shuckers, the Milwaukee Brewers moved incumbent shortstop Jean Segura to the Arizona Diamondbacks to clear the path for Arcia.

As MLB Network and WFAN's Jon Heyman opined, that was one smart trade by the rebuilding Brew Crew. "Brewers make sensible move by trading Segura. Their SS prospect Orlando Arcia will be a star," Heyman tweeted.

This spring, Arcia has the chance to start making insiders like Heyman look smart by living up to the hype.

Predicted MLB ETA: Opening Day 2016

SP Tyler Kolek, Miami Marlins

2016 Opening Day Age: 20

2015 Highest Level: Low-A

Tyler Kolek is the proverbial flamethrower.

MLB.com graded his fastball, which hits triple digits, as a perfect 80 on the scouting scale. And as if that heat wasn't terrifying enough, there's also that sink to factor into the equation: "He gets heavy sinking life on his fastball, creating lots of ground-ball outs."

For now, the 20-year-old is still a work in progress, as he compiled a 4.55 ERA in 2015 while spending the campaign between the Miami Marlins Rookie League and Low-A squads.

But there are few displays on the diamond more exciting than watching a pitcher crack 100 on the gun. And at Marlins camp, Kolek will be doing plenty of that.

Predicted MLB ETA: Early Summer 2018

LHP Julio Urias, Los Angeles Dodgers

2016 Opening Day Age: 19

2015 Highest Level: Triple-A

Julio Urias was the stone-cold lock for this spot.

After all, the lefty, who closed out 2015 in Triple-A, is MLB.com's No. 4 overall prospect and the top-ranked left-hander.

The way the Mexican has flown through the minor leagues, there's little question he'll arrive at Chavez Ravine before his 20th birthday at the end of August.

One intriguing storyline to track will be watching how the Los Angels Dodgers manage Urias' innings from the outset of spring training. Since Urias only threw 80.1 frames in 2015, the brain trust will have to map out one cautious and detailed game plan for the phenom.

Predicted MLB ETA: Early Summer 2017

RHP Victor Alcantara, Los Angeles Angels

2016 Opening Day Age: 22

2015 Highest Level: High-A

With zero prospects on the MLB.com Top 100 list, the Los Angeles Angels system isn't flooded with head-turning players.

One guy who has the stuff to generate some buzz in camp is Victor Alcantara. The biggest reason why is that the 22-year-old Dominican throws serious gas. Per MLB.com, the right-hander can hit 98 mph on the radar gun.

So far, Alcantara hasn't turned that big-time fastball into big-time numbers on the mound. In 2015, he sported an unsightly 5.63 ERA in the notoriously hitter-friendly Cal League. But for the Halos and the hard-thrower, time is still on their side, as Alcantara doesn't celebrate his 23rd birthday until the first week of  April.

Predicted MLB ETA: Late Summer 2017

SS Raul Adalberto Mondesi, Kansas City Royals

2016 Opening Day Age: 20

2015 Highest Level: MLB

With Alcides Escobar installed at shortstop and Omar Infante and Christian Colon set to jostle for playing time at second, it appears as though superprospect Raul Adalberto Mondesi will have to wait his turn.

The 20-year-old, who debuted for the Kansas City Royals in the World Series last fall, will likely open 2016 as the starting shortstop in Triple-A unless a couple of injuries hit the big league squad. Mondesi can downright pick it at short, as MLB.com described him as "a possible Gold Glover with classic actions, reliable hands and a strong arm."

All those skills will be on display this spring—and potentially later this season at Kauffman Stadium.

Predicted MLB ETA: September 2017

1B A.J. Reed, Houston Astros

2016 Opening Day Age: 22

2015 Highest Level: Double-A

A.J. Reed torched the minors in 2015, as he split the season between the Houston Astros' High-A and Double-A affiliates.

In 135 games, the left-handed hitter thumped 35 doubles, five triples and 34 homers while driving in 127 runs and running up a .612 slugging percentage.

With a monster spring, Reed might be able to convince the Astros brass that he's ready to jump directly from the Texas League to the majors. But if the club decides to play the service-time game, Reed could be headed for a brief detour in Triple-A.

Predicted MLB ETA: Early Summer 2016

RHP Michael Fulmer, Detroit Tigers

2016 Opening Day Age: 23

2015 Highest Level: Double-A

The Detroit Tigers need to send president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski a thank you card for extracting Michael Fulmer from the New York Mets.

The 6'3" righty, who landed in Motown as part of the Yoenis Cespedes trade, is certainly thrilled to be with his new club.

“I’m a firm believe[r] of everything happens for a reason and so obviously it was a blessing for me to be valued at what they thought,” Fulmer said, per Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press. “I’m just ecstatic to be here and I’m going to do anything I can.”

"Anything" could include a temporary switch to the bullpen.

Fulmer's future is at the top of the rotation, but with his ability to miss bats (125 Ks in 124.2 innings in 2015), the pitcher could be a weapon out of the pen for the Tigers as soon as Opening Day.

Predicted MLB ETA: Opening Day 2016

RHP Jeff Hoffman, Colorado Rockies

2016 Opening Day Age: 23

2015 Highest Level: Double-A

There's one primary reason why Jeff Hoffman is the prospect for this spot: Last year, the Colorado Rockies rotation was laughably awful and the right-hander has all sorts of upside.

In 2015, the Rockies' starting crew lugged around a 5.27 ERA, which was the worst mark in the bigs. Meanwhile, Hoffman, who Colorado added in the Troy Tulowitzki deal, recorded a 3.03 ERA while pitching in the Toronto Blue Jays and Rockies minor league setups.

Since Hoffman, the No. 9 pick in 2014, ended last season in Double-A, he could be less than half a season from arriving at Coors Field. That audition begins this spring.

Predicted MLB ETA: Late Summer 2016

CF Clint Frazier, Cleveland Indians

2016 Opening Day Age: 21

2015 Highest Level: High-A

With Michael Brantley still recovering from shoulder surgery, Clint Frazier should get an extra-long look at Goodyear Ballpark—the Cleveland Indians' spring HQ.

It would be beyond aggressive to skip Frazier all the way from High-A to the bigs, but his numbers suggest that he won't need much more seasoning before joining the Tribe. Last season, the 2013 top pick was an extra-base-hitting machine for the Lynchburg Hillcats, recording 36 doubles, three triples and 16 homers

Predicted MLB ETA: September 2016

LF Jesse Winker, Cincinnati Reds

2016 Opening Day Age: 22

2015 Highest Level: Double-A

For Jesse Winker, it will all be about picking up where he left off in the second half of 2015.

Following the minor league All-Star break, the lefty masher hit .316 with a .941 OPS for the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos. After dismantling the Southern League in the second half, a Triple-A tour is up next on the docket.

Then again, if the rebuilding Cincinnati Reds decide to jettison veteran outfielder Jay Bruce, who knows where a big spring could lead Winker.

Predicted MLB ETA: Late Summer 2016

SS Tim Anderson, Chicago White Sox

2016 Opening Day Age: 22

2015 Highest Level: Double-A

It's easy enough to understand how Tim Anderson cracked this list.

The Chicago White Sox's top pick from 2013 flat out flies. While spending the most recent campaign in Double-A, Anderson swiped 49 bases and raced his way to 12 triples. The White Sox have penciled in Tyler Saladino at shortstop, but it's only a matter of time before Anderson will overtake him.

For Anderson, a brief run in Triple-A should be all he needs before arriving to stay at U.S. Cellular Field—for good.

Predicted MLB ETA: Late Summer 2016

RHP Carl Edwards Jr., Chicago Cubs

John Minchillo/Associated Press

Carl Edwards Jr. pitched his way to the Futures Game last summer.

2016 Opening Day Age: 24

2015 Highest Level: MLB

In a farm system awash with talent, Carl Edwards Jr. stands out as the guys who's ready to make the most immediate impact.

What makes the righty reliever especially impressive is that he almost never allows contact—much less any hard contact.

Edwards Jr., who threw in five games for the Chicago Cubs at the end of 2015, owned minor league hitters during the season that was.

While pitching 55.1 innings between Double-A and Triple-A, Edwards Jr. limited the opposition to a .139 average, allowed just a single home run and recorded 75 Ks.

That right there is the definition of dominance. This spring, Edwards Jr. will be aiming to prove that he can pitch like that against the best of the best.

Predicted MLB ETA: Opening Day 2016

3B Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox

2016 Opening Day Age: 19

2015 Highest Level: Low-A

Because Yoan Moncada already turned so many heads last spring while at JetBlue Park at Fenway South, the call here goes to Rafael Devers who is even younger than the 20-year-old Moncada.

Devers, who doesn't turn 20 until October, spent last summer terrorizing the South Atlantic League as Moncada's teammate with the Greenville Drive. In 115 contests, the left-handed hitting third baseman smoked 38 doubles, one triple and 11 homers while logging a .288 average.

The Dominican will likely open 2016 in High-A, but in the spring, he should get the platform to hack it against the stars of today. And soon enough, Devers will be a star in his own right.

Predicted MLB ETA: September 2017

RHP Dylan Bundy, Baltimore Orioles

Associated Press

Dylan Bundy has the potential to become a relief ace in 2016.

2016 Opening Day Age: 23

2015 Highest Level: Double-A

Dylan Bundy looks like an intriguing relief candidate for the Baltimore Orioles in 2016.

The righty, who has struggled to stay healthy ever since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2013, threw just 22 innings last season. But when he was on the mound for the Double-A Bowie Baysox, he piled up 25 strikeouts in 22 frames.

With his penchant for getting Ks, Bundy would be an ideal fit in the Orioles' already impressive pen, which was second in the AL in strikeouts in 2015.

Predicted MLB ETA: Opening Day 2016

SS Dansby Swanson, Atlanta Braves

2016 Opening Day Age: 22

2015 Highest Level: Single-A Short Season

With apologies to Ozzie Albies—MLB.com's No. 30 prospect—Dansby Swanson, the Atlanta Braves' other superprospect shortstop, is the pick here.

Swanson, who MLB.com labelled as the No. 8 farmhand in the game, gets the call in part because he's the new guy. The 2015 No. 1 overall pick also gets the call because he has tremendous upside. In his first summer as a professional, Swanson hit .289 with an .876 OPS in the Short Season Northwest League.

We'll peg Swanson for a debut early on in 2017, but with a strong spring and fast regular-season start in 2016, he could easily shatter that timeline.

Predicted MLB ETA: Early Summer 2017

RHP Braden Shipley, Arizona Diamondbacks

2016 Opening Day Age: 24

2015 Highest Level: Double-A

At first glance, Braden Shipley's 3.50 ERA in 28 Double-A outings looks good but far from great.

But after digging deeper, it's clear to see why this righty looks set for an impressive spring.

Following the Southern League All-Star break, Shipley ripped off a 2.66 ERA in 14 outings for the Mobile BayBears.

Thanks to the additions of Zack Greinke and Shelby Miller, the Arizona Diamondbacks' starting rotation is looking crowded heading into the Cactus League season, and Shipley is a long shot earn a job.

But with a strong showing, he can set himself up for a summer promotion when those inevitable health problems crop up on the major league roster.

Predicted MLB ETA: Early Summer 2016

Note: All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com, MLB.com and MiLB.com. All salary information courtesy of Cot's Baseball Contracts on BaseballProspectus.com.

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