50 Reasons You Should Be Excited for the 2016 MLB Season
With the start of the 2016 Major League Baseball season now fast approaching, there's only one thing to do:
ACTIVATE THE HYPE MACHINE!
This is just our biased opinion, but baseball is a fine sport that always offers plenty to get excited about whenever a new season is on deck. Heck, in a league with 30 teams and hundreds of players, there's really no end to the reasons to be excited.
But for the sake of brevity, let's cut it down to a list of 50. If you'll follow me this way, we can get started...
50. Opening Day Is the Best Unofficial National Holiday
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Let's start at the beginning with Opening Day. Otherwise known as America's favorite unofficial national holiday.
Opening Day may be as old as baseball itself, but its magic is still as powerful as ever. It's the only time all season when all baseball fans can feel equally optimistic about the campaign ahead, and the parades, Clydesdales, flyovers, green grass, hot dogs and jock strap adjustments make it impossible to avoid an Americana high.
In some circles, Opening Day is a better thing than the Super Bowl, the Kentucky Derby and the Mint 400 all rolled into one. And this year, it'll introduce a season that even sports fans with short attention spans could enjoy. Because...
49. Games Should Move (Even) Faster This Year
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In these fast times of ours, one of the big complaints about baseball has been that it moves too slowly. But the league took a chisel to that complaint in 2015 and means to keep chipping away in 2016.
The payoff of last year's new pace-of-play rules was a six-minute decrease in average game time. Rather than pat themselves on the back, though, MLB's suits doubled down. In February, the league made new decrees that visits to the pitching mound shall last no longer than 30 seconds and that commercial breaks shall be 20 seconds shorter.
Short of instituting hurry-up music, baseball has now done just about everything it can to speed things up. The result should be even more uptempo games, which will only shorten the path to the...
48. Another Year, Another Midsummer Classic
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Major League Baseball's All-Star Game has its issues. The roster selection process is wonky, and let's not even start on the home-field advantage in the World Series thing.
But it's still the best of the major North American All-Star Games, if for no other reason than it's the only one where you don't sense that players are there just to goof off. The MLB All-Star Game plays out like—gasp!—an actual ballgame.
And the All-Star Game has a nice venue lined up this year. San Diego's Petco Park is hosting for the first time, putting the Midsummer Classic in a fine ballpark in a city where the only report the weather forecaster ever has to give is "nice."
Of course, the show before the All-Star Game is none too shabby either...
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47. New Home Run Derby Format, Round 2
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The All-Star Game is cool, but do you know what was a million times cooler last year? The Home Run Derby. That's what.
Major League Baseball tried something different with the format, switching the determinant of length for each round from outs to a time limit. That introduced a sense of urgency to the event, resulting in a tense battle royal that didn't end until Todd Frazier slammed a walk-off dinger to defeat Joc Pederson. It was a thrilling end to a surprisingly thrilling evening.
Baseball should totally do it again, right? Right.
But now, let's switch gears from a new friend to an old friend...
46. Yu Darvish Will Be Back Soon
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Three years ago, the Internet united in celebration as a GIF of Yu Darvish throwing all his pitches at once appeared. It was a perfect capsule of what makes the Texas Rangers ace so gosh-darn enjoyable.
And before long, Darvish will be back in action. After spending all of 2015 recovering from Tommy John surgery, he's on track to return in late May. If he's anywhere near as good as his 2012-2014 self—who struck out an MLB-best 11.2 batters per nine innings—the GIFs shall flow.
And he's not the only ace we'll be welcoming back in 2016...
45. Adam Wainwright and His Curveball Are Back
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The 2016 St. Louis Cardinals are less star-studded and more age-encrusted than their 2015 selves, but the best fans in baseball™ are looking forward to a full season of Adam Wainwright.
Wainwright helped out last year's 100-win Cardinals team with only four starts before a torn Achilles wrecked his campaign. But the veteran right-hander was characteristically dominant when he did pitch, lowering his ERA over the last three seasons to 2.61 from 3.15 over the previous seven.
That gives us hope that Wainwright can be his usual self in 2016, in which case he'll pitch a ton of innings and allow, um, not a ton of runs. Mainly with the use of many delightful curveballs.
While we're on the topic of comebacks...
44. New Year, New Yasiel Puig?
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After injuries limited Yasiel Puig to 79 unspectacular games while his legend as an all-time pain in the neck continued to grow in 2015, the buzz coming out of Los Angeles Dodgers camp is that the lightning-rod right fielder is a new man in 2016.
"I've been really impressed with him this spring," Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw told Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times. "He's putting in a lot of work."
With a good head on his shoulders, Puig may be primed for his best season yet. Knowing that he was one of baseball's top outfielders in 2013 and 2014 despite his Dennis the Menace act, that's an exciting prospect.
And darn it if a Puig comeback wouldn't be reminiscent of...
43. The Alex Rodriguez Renaissance, Part II
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Alex Rodriguez was back in more ways than one in 2015. Emerging from his 2014 performance-enhancing drug suspension, the New York Yankees veteran went from despicable to likable. He played the good, humble soldier in the headlines and wowed us all by slugging 33 homers. Good stuff for a formerly disgraced 40-year-old.
"Some people say life starts at 40; I'll sign up for that right now," Rodriguez said last July, per Andrew Marchand of ESPN.com.
Of course, some regression is likely in 2016. But given how much fun A-Rod's 2015 season was, we're rooting against it.
Meanwhile, in the non-slugger department...
42. Andrelton Simmons' Dazzling Defensive Display
9 of 50Ever have one of those days when you just need some slick-fielding shortstop highlights in your life? That's always a good excuse to Google the latest on Andrelton Simmons.
Simmons, now with the Los Angeles Angels, leads everyone in defensive runs saved since 2012—and by a healthy margin, as Jason Heyward's 89 are the closest to Simmons' 113. That's what a perfect package of range, arm strength and instincts at shortstop can do for you.
As for whether Simmons can get any better, we can't help but be intrigued at what he told JP Hoornstra of the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (via the Los Angeles Daily News): “You’d be surprised.”
Now, if it's center field defense you prefer, you're in luck...
41. Kevin Kiermaier Suffers Neither Hits nor Runs While in Center Field
10 of 50If center field defense is your jam, Kevin Kiermaier is the guy for you. The Tampa Bay Rays star amassed 42 defensive runs saved in 2015, the highest mark since the stat was first kept in 2003.
If anything, that tidbit underrates Kiermaier's defensive chops. He made all other center fielders look like chumps with his ability to chase down fly balls, and he even uncorked one throw clocked at 100 miles per hour, according to Statcast. When he's on defense, the only thing he's missing is a cape.
Huh, what? Somebody beat me to that idea? Dang it.
At any rate, maybe you feel the best way to prevent runs is to keep the ball out of play entirely. If so, the team for you is...
40. Corey Kluber and the Cleveland K Machines
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2014 American League Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar give the Cleveland Indians a trio of starting pitchers few teams can match. All three throw in the mid-90s, and they used their heat to strike out 10 batters per nine innings in 2015.
"No matter what else happens, that starting pitching gives them a chance to win," one evaluator told Buster Olney of ESPN.com. "They might have holes in their lineup, but the pitching is their equalizer."
Equalizer, eh? With respect to Denzel Washington, that's a pretty good nickname for this Indians trio.
They should be warned, though. There's one lineup in the AL Central that could give them a tough time, and it's not the one you're probably thinking of...
39. Don't Tell Anyone, but the Twins Could Have a Really Fun Lineup
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The Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals are AL Central teams with good lineups, but don't sleep on the Minnesota Twins. Their explosive potential is not to be underestimated.
In Miguel Sano and top prospect Byron Buxton, the Twins might have a power-speed duo that few (if any) teams can match. Eddie Rosario, 24, is another talented young whippersnapper. New arrival Byung Ho Park is living up to the huge power numbers he posted in Korea. Brian Dozier and Trevor Plouffe are generally good. After struggling badly with concussion issues, Joe Mauer is finally healthy.
If it all comes together, the Twins are going to have an explosive lineup with zero easy outs. The only thing they might not do is hit the most homers, because the team that likely has that market cornered is...
38. The Orioles Will Hit All of the Dingers
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You like dingers, eh? Watch the Baltimore Orioles this season, and you'll have all the dingers in the world!
The Orioles were just warming up for 2016 when they finished third in homers last year. Chris Davis is back with Manny Machado and Adam Jones, and Pedro Alvarez and Mark Trumbo are two new arrivals. They combined to hit 158 home runs in 2015, and that's only five-ninths of Baltimore's projected lineup.
How many dingers could the whole thing hit? David Schoenfield of ESPN.com crunched the numbers and concluded there's a chance the Orioles could hit more home runs than any team in MLB history. So, yeah.
However, they won't get any help from a certain bullpen in the AL East...
37. The Yankees Bullpen Has Become Death, the Destroyer of Worlds
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With Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances set to clean up once again, the New York Yankees didn't need to upgrade their bullpen this winter. But why do nothing when trading for Aroldis Chapman is the alternative?
Though Chapman is suspended for the season's firth month, the Yankees bullpen will be stupid good when he returns. It now has all three of baseball's top strikeout relievers since 2014, as well as three of the best pitches in baseball: Miller's slider, Betances' curveball and Chapman's Statcast-breaking heat.
That should be fun to watch. Unless you're an opposing hitter, in which case it will suck.
But hey, it may still be better than facing...
36. Wade Davis, Grand Emasculator of the Lumber People
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There are rumors that Wade Davis was once a mediocre starting pitcher, but he's certainly not that now.
Among relief pitchers, the Kansas City Royals right-hander's utter contempt for opposing hitters is unmatched. Davis' 0.97 ERA over the last two years leads all relievers, as does his .429 OPS against. All that is the result of a pitching style that's rare among the relief pitcher brood.
"He can throw you a 2-0 curveball for a strike; he can throw you a four-seam fastball. You just never know. You can’t sit on anything because he’s got 98," Oakland A's catcher Stephen Vogt told Tyler Kepner of the New York Times.
Clearly, the man is a menace. But all this talk of hard fastballs and curveballs now has us thinking about...
35. Finally, a Full(-ish) Season of Jose Fernandez
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The reality that Jose Fernandez has yet to make more than 30 starts in a season goes in the file marked "Damn Shame." But after he lost most of 2014 and 2015 to Tommy John surgery, it could be the only thing that holds the Miami Marlins ace back in 2016 is his innings limit.
Spread a gleeful smile, friends. Fernandez owns a 2.40 ERA and has struck out 10.5 batters per nine innings in 47 career starts. That's all come from tools designed for dominance: a blistering mid-90s fastball, a curveball that's downright rude, and control that's getting better. We'll also take more of Fernandez's personality, which should keep the GIFs coming.
And speaking of dominant starters with fun personalities...
34. Chris Archer, He of the Sterling Slider
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After the Rays traded David Price in 2014, it only took them, oh, about five seconds to find a new ace. Chris Archer made the leap by posting a 3.23 ERA across 212 innings last season, striking out 10.7 batters per nine innings.
Archer's secret? Just your basic mid-90s fastball combined with a slider that's getting faster and deadlier every season. Price tweeted last year that it's the best pitch in baseball, and he may be right.
As Archer showed everyone during his stint as an analyst in last year's playoffs, he also has brains and swagger in equal supply. Under the list of reasons to root for him, check D for "All of the above."
While you're at it, also take a moment to appreciate...
33. Sonny Gray Is so Much More Dangerous Than He Looks
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This is a golden age for big, muscly, bearded aces, but being just 5'10" and baby-faced hasn't stopped Sonny Gray from fitting in. The Oakland A's right-hander has produced a 2.91 ERA across 427 innings over the last two seasons, mainly through the use of surprisingly electric stuff.
"He looks like the guy who fixes my computer at the Apple Store," Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz wrote at The Players' Tribune. "Then he took me for a ride, man. Fastball. Sinker. Slider. Curve…Whap. Whap. Whap. You have no idea what this kid is going to throw. He drives me crazy."
He may drive hitters crazy, but Gray is just the kind of everyman baseball always needs.
Although, another guy who arguably fits into that category is...
32. Good Luck Hitting Dallas Keuchel
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Today's big, muscly, bearded aces test the limits of radar guns, but the soft-throwing Dallas Keuchel proves you can be an exception to the rule. You know, as long as you have a magic sinker, a wicked slider and pinpoint command.
Those things worked wonders for Keuchel in 2015, as he won the American League Cy Young on the strength of a 2.48 ERA in 232 innings. He struck out 8.4 batters per nine innings and was the AL leader in soft contact and hard contact.
That Keuchel can do things like that despite struggling to crack 90 with his fastball makes him a weirdo by today's standards. But darn it, he's our weirdo.
Not that we're saying there's anything wrong with high-octane stuff, though, as we also enjoy...
31. Chris Sale's to-Do List: Strike Out Everyone
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Chris Sale looks the way Jack Skellington would look if he stopped planning Halloween celebrations and start throwing baseballs. But man, can the Chicago White Sox ace strike people out.
Sale has only gotten nastier since he became a starter in 2012. And with his fastball, slider and changeup combination better than ever, Sale's 11.8 strikeouts per nine innings was the highest in baseball last year.
"He's that guy who, [when] you see he's pitching, all of a sudden your hamstring gets tight or something," Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier told Jayson Stark of ESPN.com last year. "You don't know if you can make it that game."
As electric as Sale is, though, he doesn't specialize in dominant outings quite like...
30. Max Scherzer Might Throw a No-Hitter (or Two)
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The Washington Nationals made Max Scherzer (at the time) the highest-paid free-agent pitcher ever when they signed him for $210 million. One year in, that looks like money well spent.
Scherzer gave the Nats a 2.79 ERA in 228.2 innings in 2015, and there were a couple instances when he was the best pitcher in the universe. He threw a 16-strikeout one-hitter and two no-hitters, the latter of which was a 17-strikeout explosion that ranks among the best pitching performances ever.
Might Scherzer have more where that came from? Considering that he still has mid-90s velocity and the kind of movement on his pitches that might confound even Professor Alan Nathan, we'll go with yes.
One guy in the NL East who will try to stop him is...
29. The Dee-Lightful Dee Gordon
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Dee Gordon used to be known only for running really fast. But nowadays, he's just the coolest.
The Miami Marlins second baseman followed his breakout 2014 season by developing into a true star in 2015. He hit a National League-best .333 and led MLB in hits (205) and stolen bases (58). He also improved dramatically on defense, winning a Gold Glove.
What makes Gordon even more delightful is how he goes about his business. Gordon forgoes a robot personality in favor of having fun, even if it means taking a beating in an impromptu wrestling match with Giancarlo Stanton.
And speaking of fun, exciting young stars...
28. Mookie Betts Is Just the Best
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Mookie Betts entered 2015 as one of baseball's most hyped-up young players, and he exited it as one of the league's best players. The young Red Sox outfielder OPS'd .820 with 18 long ones and 21 steals. He also played some fantastic defense.
Betts might get even better in 2016. Buster Olney of ESPN.com highlighted how the 23-year-old soaks up information like a human sponge and can apply it immediately. With an analytic mind to go with his power and speed, he could be a Terminator prototype.
If he's not, I suppose we'll know for sure when he responds to a bad day by saying, "Ah, [bleep] it, dude. Let's go bowling."
But if you like a little more power with your two-way stars, we recommend...
27. Nolan Arenado Will Entertain Us Every Which Way
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Troy Tulowitzki may be gone, but the existence of Nolan Arenado confirms the Colorado Rockies haven't run out of hard-hitting, slick-fielding infielders. He tied for the National League lead by slugging 42 home runs in 2015 and won his third straight Gold Glove with superb defense.
One may wonder where Arenado gets his act from. But the thing is, he told us the answer.
"I'm a huge fan of Adrian Beltre," Arenado told Lyle Spencer of MLB.com. "I've always looked up to him, being a third baseman. I love the way he plays the game, everything about him."
Of course, Arenado isn't quite the best all-around third baseman in baseball. And no, it's not his idol either...
26. Suddenly, Manny Machado Can Do Everything
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After hitting 35 home runs in 2015, Manny Machado will surely be taking part in the Orioles' home run binge this season. But did you know he can do everything else, too? It's true.
Machado finally made good on his enormous potential last season, OPS'ing .861 with his 35 long balls and 20 steals. He also won another Gold Glove at the hot corner, where he can make even the toughest plays look routine.
It all resulted in Machado claiming a place among the best players in baseball. And if he could do that at the age of 22, who knows what he can do at 23? Mark us down for "Can't Wait to Find Out."
Now, if you're more of a fan of old-fashioned sluggers, there's always...
25. Nelson Cruz and His Boomstick
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There was an outburst of 40-homer sluggers in 2015, but only Nelson Cruz enjoyed his second straight 40-homer season. After slamming 40 dingers in 2014, the Seattle Mariners slugger launched 44 last year. Over the last two campaigns, he's the dinger-iest hitter in the sport.
And when Cruz hits 'em, he really hits 'em. According to ESPN Stats & Information, 14 of his home runs in 2015 traveled at least 420 feet. The longest was a 455-foot clout that made Safeco Field look like a little league field.
Although being a 6'2", 230-pound behemoth probably also helps, we'll say it: must be the boomstick.
There is one guy who can make Cruz look like a weakling, though...
24. Giancarlo Stanton Blasting Baseballs into Parts Unknown
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Death, taxes, Princess Peach always being in another castle and Giancarlo Stanton destroying baseballs. The Marlins slugger has been the best power hitter in MLB over the last four seasons, and his power reached new heights when he slugged 27 home runs in only 74 games in 2015.
True to form, the 6'6", 240-pound Stanton wasn't racking up cheapies. According to Baseball Savant, he was MLB's leader in batted-ball velocity. We also have some compelling video evidence that his baseball-obliteration game was on point.
There should be plenty more where that came from if Stanton stays healthy in 2016. If you find yourself beyond the outfield wall at a Marlins game, heads up.
In terms of star power, however, there's one NL East slugger who may have Stanton beat...
23. A Full Year of Yoenis Cespedes in New York
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If you find yourself in New York and in the mood for a show this summer, we recommend skipping "Hamilton" and catching Yoenis Cespedes at Citi Field instead.
Cespedes was a sight to see after he joined the Mets last summer, going on a tear that included a .942 OPS and 17 home runs. His efforts earned him a $75 million contract, which he's already putting to use on vehicles, waffle-makers and the best swine money can buy. He's living life like a guy who digs the feeling of the New York spotlight, and that has us excited about what his first full season in the city could be like.
If you prefer an outfield that's more than just a one-man show, there's always...
22. Andrew McCutchen and the Awesome Pirates Outfield
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Andrew McCutchen needs no introduction. He was once again one of the baddest dudes in baseball in 2015, OPS'ing .889 with 23 homers and 11 steals while holding it down in center field.
But the other two-thirds of the Pittsburgh Pirates outfield are also legit. In left field is Starling Marte, who hit 19 homers and stole 30 bases while playing Gold Glove defense last season. In right field is Gregory Polanco, another strong defender who found his hitting stroke down the stretch.
If Pittsburgh's outfield can pick up where it left off, it will be one of the best in baseball. And if it boosts the Pirates as much as it could, that may mean another MVP for McCutchen, its ringleader.
But as always, he'll face stiff competition from...
21. Another Year of Buster Posey at the Height of His Powers
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Buster Posey was named the "Face of MLB" last spring, a title that fit well next to his three World Series rings, Rookie of the Year and MVP.
In 2015, the San Francisco Giants star also further cemented himself as baseball's best catcher. Posey hit .318 with an .849 OPS and was just as big a presence on defense. He nailed 36 percent of would-be base stealers, was rated as an elite framer by Baseball Prospectus and played a solid first base.
Though Posey only finished ninth in the National League MVP voting in 2015, he might have had his finest season. And in what will only be his age-29 campaign in 2016, maybe he can do it again.
But while you're watching the Face of MLB, don't forget about "America's First Baseman"...
20. Let's All Gawk at Paul Goldschmidt Some More
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"America's First Baseman" is what the Arizona Diamondbacks call Paul Goldschmidt, but he might as well simply be called "The Best First Baseman."
Goldschmidt hit .321 with a 1.005 OPS, 33 home runs and 21 stolen bases in 2015. He also won his second Gold Glove and was the runner-up in the National League MVP voting for the second time in three years.
In those three seasons, only Mike Trout and Josh Donaldson have provided more all-around value. And with his mix of hitting excellence, speed and defense, Goldschmidt stands alone among first basemen.
It's saying a lot, therefore, that he might not even be the biggest star on his own team anymore...
19. Zack Greinke Is in Arizona Now
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Arizona's biggest star may be Arizona's richest star. That's Zack Greinke, who bolted from the Dodgers when the Diamondbacks offered him a $206.5 million with fantastic sunsets on the side.
If Greinke's first season with the Diamondbacks is anything like his 2015 campaign, it'll be something to behold. The veteran right-hander posted a league-best 1.66 ERA and tied Jake Arrieta for the lowest OPS allowed. He did so with a Greg Maddux-like act, expertly blending sequencing, movement and location.
Of course, there's always the chance that Greinke will regress. But even if his ERA goes up by a full run, he'll still have a mark that would have ranked eighth in MLB last year. Think about that, man.
As for the offseason's other newly rich ace...
18. David Price Is in Boston Now
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David Price is now the richest pitcher in history. The Red Sox signed the former Cy Young winner for $217 million, and are entrusting him to be the ace they foolishly thought they could live without in 2015.
Price should be up to the task. He won his second American League ERA title in 2015, and his 3.17 career ERA against AL East clubs is in line with his 3.09 career ERA against everyone.
The Red Sox could be a fun team if Price turns out to be the ace they paid the big bucks for. And if worse comes to worst, at least he has a cute dog for them to market.
As for the next pitcher in line for a huge payday, it could be...
17. What Else You Got, Jake Arrieta?
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Two years after the Cubs acquired Jake Arrieta as a reclamation project, the right-hander won the National League Cy Young Award on the strength of a 1.77 ERA in 229 innings. He was historically good in the second half, posting a record-low 0.75 ERA in 15 starts.
And boy, did he look good doing it. Arrieta combined a masterful array of stuff and command to strike out more than a batter an inning and keep hard contact to a minimum. According to Baseball Savant, he barely edged Clayton Kershaw for the lowest average batted-ball velocity among pitchers.
So, say it with me now. Best. Reclamation project. Ever.
But on the Cubs, there's also attention on one guy who was supposed to be a star all along...
16. Kris Bryant on the Rise
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Kris Bryant was anointed the National League Rookie of the Year before he even got the call to the big leagues in 2015. In most circumstances, that's another way of saying he was doomed from the start.
Instead, the slugging Cubs third baseman indeed went on to win the NL Rookie of the Year, posting an .858 OPS, hitting 26 homers and beating all rookies in WAR.
And he only got better with more exposure, finishing with a .970 OPS and 12 homers in his final 57 games. If Bryant picks things up from there in 2016, he could go from a Rookie of the Year to an MVP.
Mind you, the same can be said of his Rookie of the Year counterpart in the American League...
15. Carlos Correa, Emerging Legend
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Carlos Correa was a No. 1 pick, a top prospect and then, last season, the American League Rookie of the Year. The Houston Astros star OPS'd .857 with 22 home runs and 14 stolen bases in only 99 games.
The last 20-year-old shortstop that good was a fellow named Alex Rodriguez in 1996. And since Correa looks suspciously like a young A-Rod, his ceiling as a player is somewhere in the sky.
“I don’t put limitations on him, in terms of what’s possible,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch told Ted Berg of For the Win. “He has got a lot of talent. He has good makeup. He has tremendous drive. I think he can be as good as anyone expects.”
In the meantime, Correa has plenty of company in the club for talented young shortstops...
14. It's a Golden Age of Young Shortstops
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Apart from Carlos Correa, fellow AL rookie shortstop Francisco Lindor also found stardom in 2016. So did former top shortstop prospect Xander Bogaerts. Corey Seager was a late-season sensation. Addison Russell was occasionally dazzling.
And so on until you get the picture that 2015 was an epic year for young shortstops. Or you could consult FanGraphs, which rated last season as the best year ever for 25-and-under shortstops in terms of WAR.
The revolution will continue in 2016. All of the above names will be back, and they're bound to be joined by top prospects J.P. Crawford (Philadelphia Phillies) and Orlando Arcia (Milwaukee Brewers).
And if you like more than just young shortstops, we have further good news...
13. Behold, the Next Wave of Awesome Rookies
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As Owen Watson highlighted at FanGraphs, last year's entire rookie class was baseball's best in a century. That's a hard act to follow, but 2016 might be up to the task.
Corey Seager, the Los Angeles Dodgers' aforementioned awesome young shortstop, is entering 2016 as MLB.com's No. 1 prospect. And he, Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (No. 2) and New York Mets left-hander Steven Matz (No. 15) already have major league jobs lined up.
Throughout the year, we could also see the likes of Lucas Giolito (No. 3), Julio Urias (No. 4), J.P. Crawford (No. 5), Orlando Arcia (No. 6) and Joey Gallo (No. 9) step in and make an impact.
It all adds up to an awful lot of talent, and it may go boom in 2016.
Of course, there's nothing wrong with also tuning in to watch the game's top established superstars...
12. Joey Votto, Hitting Savant
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It's going to be a rough year for Cincinnati Reds fans, but at least Joey Votto will still be around to paint a picture of hitting perfection.
Injuries kept Votto well short of that in 2014, but he rebounded with a .314 average and 1.000 OPS in 2015. He was once again a paragon of plate discipline. He basically didn't get jammed. And as Brooks Baseball shows, there's not an area of the field his spray chart didn't cover.
The way Votto hits, you'd swear he was a student of Ted Williams. That's probably because he is a student of Ted Williams.
However, there's nothing wrong with preferring another of the game's elite hitters...
11. Another Year of Watching Miguel Cabrera Hit
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With respect to Joey Votto, our preferred brilliant hitter is still Miguel Cabrera. The Tigers star hit a major league-best .338 with a .974 OPS in 2015. And though he'll soon be 33 years old, we're willing to bet he has at least another year of dominant hitting ahead of him.
The 40-homer power Cabrera had in 2012 and 2013 could be missing, granted, but he should do fine anyway. His response to diminishing power in 2015 was to take more walks and use more of the whole field.
Basically, Cabrera doubled down on his reputation as a great hitter. With more of that in 2016, he would further cement himself among the best hitters baseball has ever known.
Now then, let's check in with the game's best pitcher...
10. What, Oh What Will Clayton Kershaw Do Next?
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It'll be tough for Clayton Kershaw to one-up himself in 2016. But knowing him, he'll probably do it anyway.
Kershaw won three Cy Youngs between 2011 and 2014, peaking with a 1.77 ERA that earned him the National League Cy Young and MVP in 2014. And though the Dodgers ace didn't add to his trophy case last year, he became the first pitcher since 2002 to top 300 strikeouts.
That's what Kershaw is capable of doing with his wicked fastballs, sharp-as-a-tack breaking balls and pinpoint control. The only question is what his next feat might be, and the only thing left is a Madison Bumgarner-ian postseason run. You know, just to throw something out there.
As for what the game's best overall player is up to...
9. More of Mike Trout, Starring as Mike Trout
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We're going into the fifth full year of the Mike Trout Experience. Call it a hunch, but it'll probably be just as amazing as the first four.
The Angels star is a glorious blend of speed and power, and these skills have made him far and away the best player in the sport since 2012. Not to mention the best player ever through the age of 23.
And Trout is still finding ways to surprise us. After winning an overdue American League MVP award in 2014, he used 2015 to set new career highs in OPS (.991) and home runs (41). It's hard to say what he'll do next, but a blanket prediction of "It'll be awesome" is a safe bet.
But though Trout may be the best, he's no longer the game's brightest star...
8. Bryce Harper's Encore
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Still considered a disappointment going into last season, Bryce Harper responded by hitting .330 with 42 home runs and leading all of baseball in OBP (.460), slugging (.649) and OPS (1.109). At just 22, he became the youngest unanimous MVP ever.
The Nationals star truly earned each and every digit. He turned himself into one of the game's most disciplined hitters and hit nothing but rockets all season. The result was the most dominant hitting performance since Barry Bonds in 2004.
If Harper could do all that at the age of 22, expectations for his age-23 season in 2016 go even higher. Once a disappointment, he's now just as exciting as they said he would be.
But then, what's one elite slugger compared to three elite sluggers all on the same team...
7. Another Helping of the Blue Jays Power Posse
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Though last year's welcome uptick in power was certainly a collective effort around baseball, it was centered in Toronto.
The Blue Jays offense revolved around a trio of sluggers: Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion. Led by Donaldson's .939 OPS and 41 home runs—an MVP-winning performance—they became the first trio to each top 35 homers and a .900 OPS since 2006.
A display like that would be impressive in any era. But in a period dominated by pitching, Donaldson, Bautista and Encarnacion were arguably the most unlikely trio of sluggers in history. Here's looking forward to more of the same in 2016.
However, the most impressive unit of teammates will probably be...
6. Bow to the Mets Rotation
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By the end of 2015, the New York Mets were trotting out a trio of flamethrowers in Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey and Noah Syndergaard that even had scouts picking their jaws up off the floor.
"You watch Harvey pitch, and you say, 'Boy, I'd love to have that guy,'" one scout told Jayson Stark of ESPN.com. "Then you see deGrom the next night, and it gets better. And then you see the freak [Syndergaard], and you say, 'Oh my God.' When do you ever see all those No. 1s back-to-back like that?"
But really, 2015 was just a test run. If rookie left-hander Steven Matz lives up to his potential in 2016, the Mets' flamethrowing trio will become a foursome. If Zack Wheeler makes a strong return from Tommy John surgery, it'll be a fivesome. We may well find ourselves witnessing the best homegrown rotation ever.
The best team, though, may still be the...
5. More of the Royals and Their Everything
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Teams with great hitting or great pitching are nice, but they're no match for a Kansas City Royals club that can do everything.
That was the not-so-secret sauce in the Royals' run to their first World Series title in 30 years last season. Their lineup was built to put the ball in play, run the bases and play outstanding defense. Their pitching formula involved getting just enough from their starters and a whole bunch from their relievers.
It's a style that fits the modern game well, and the Royals have everything they need to keep it up in 2016. That should make them not only fun to watch but also very good once again. Only the projections don't seem to think so, and we're as inclined as everyone else to ignore them on this matter.
But with this being an even year, the favorites to win it all are clearly...
4. In an Even Year, a Nation Turns Its Eyes to San Francisco
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Even year, eh? Welp, better just hand another World Series trophy to the San Francisco Giants.
That's been the pattern ever since the Giants won the first of three straight even-year World Series in 2010, and they have what they need to keep it going in 2016. Buster Posey is surrounded by baseball's best homegrown infield and an outfield that has more depth than it did in 2015. Staff ace Madison Bumgarner also has company, as free-agent signees Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija now back him.
With three championships in the span of five years, the Giants are already a modern dynasty. But if they make it four in seven years in 2016, they'll become a lot more than just a "modern" dynasty.
But before we can say hello to an all-time dynasty, we must first say goodbye to a couple all-time greats...
3. It's Time to Bid Big Papi Adieu
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After a break in 2015, it's David Ortiz's turn for a farewell tour in 2016.
The longtime Red Sox designated hitter made it official last November in a video for The Players' Tribune, announcing that this season will be his last. Some elements of his past could elicit some cold shoulders when the Red Sox go on the road, but he should mostly get the Chipper Jones, Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter treatment: gifts, cheers and well wishes at every stop.
Rightfully so. Big Papi has had a hell of a career, slugging more than 500 home runs, winning three World Series and racking up too many clutch hits to count. Along the way, he's earned plenty of fans.
That's certainly true in the place Ortiz calls home. Boston fans haven't had a chance to give a Red Sox hero a send-off like this since Ted Williams. They won't waste it.
2. Vin Scully, One Last Time
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In addition to David Ortiz, 2016 also appears to be the end of the line for Vin Scully. The iconic voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers announced in a press release last August that he would be returning for his 67th (67th!) season on the mic in 2016, and he seemed certain there wouldn't be a 68th.
"I would say next year would be the last one," the 88-year-old said, per the Associated Press (via ESPN.com). "How much longer can you go fooling people?
If you're already a fan of Scully, you don't need to be told to tune in. For everyone else, this is your last chance to hear a baseball game called as if it's a soothing three-hour bedtime story, as told by everyone's favorite grandfather. Don't miss it.
And lastly, this season may also bring an end to a curse that's only slightly older than Scully himself...
1. The Cubs Ain't Afraid of No Goats
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This could be it. This could be the year the Chicago Cubs finally break their curse.
It's been 108 years since the Cubs won the World Series, but they clearly don't want the counter to reach 109. They rode the culmination of their youth movement to a 97-win campaign in 2015 and owned the winter by signing Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist, John Lackey and Dexter Fowler.
It's obvious the Cubs are loaded. And according to their manager, they're cool with people noting as much.
"I'm really a big believer in running towards the fire instead of away from it," Joe Maddon said in February, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com. "I want our guys to get comfortable with the concept of everyone speaking so glowingly of us."
If all goes well, we'll be speaking glowingly about the 2016 Cubs well beyond this season. A few short months from now, everyone could earn the right to one day tell their grandkids that they were there when the Cubbies finally won it all.
Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and FanGraphs unless otherwise noted/linked.
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