MLB ETAs for Spring Training's Biggest Prospect Stars
Spring training is about hope. And what's more hopeful than a fast-rising prospect—so much promise, so much possibility.
Let's examine eight high-profile prospects who are lighting up the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues and estimate their big league ETAs, based on age, experience and opportunity.
By ETA, we mean when they'll earn a regular job in The Show, not when they'll debut (as many already have). Also, we're cherry-picking from MLB.com's top-25 prospect ranking.
Not all of these players will blossom into perennial All-Stars—that's the unforgiving reality of MLB. They're all worth following, however, and they all offer hope.
Willy Adames, INF, Tampa Bay Rays
1 of 8
MLB.com Prospect Rank: No. 22
ETA: 2018
Willy Adames opened eyes this spring for the Tampa Bay Rays, as he went 8-for-22 with two doubles and two home runs. The 22-year-old was sent to minor league camp Sunday, per MiLB.com's Michael Leboff, but it won't be long before he's plying his trade with the rebuilding Rays.
Tampa Bay has already jettisoned third baseman Evan Longoria, right-hander Jake Odorizzi and outfielder Corey Dickerson this winter. The chances of more moves that open a spot for Adames is high.
Adames spent his time in big league camp working on his defense under the tutelage of shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria.
"I think Willy has done a tremendous job this spring of kind of following Hech around, watching the consistency of a big-league shortstop," manager Kevin Cash said, per Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times. "You can see drastic improvement from his consistency from last year this time to now."
Kyle Tucker, CF, Houston Astros
2 of 8
MLB.com Prospect Rank: No. 16
ETA: 2019
Kyle Tucker has 12 hits in 31 at-bats for the Houston Astros this spring, including a double, a triple and four home runs.
The 21-year-old hasn't tasted Triple-A and is blocked in the Astros outfield by Marwin Gonzalez, George Springer and Josh Reddick from left to right. There's no chance Houston is calling its top prospect up simply to let him ride the pine.
That said, if Tucker keeps raking, it won't be long before the 'Stros give him an audition. A September call-up is inevitable, though he may not make a serious impact until 2019, barring injury to or underperformance by an established member of the defending champs' outfield.
Brendan Rodgers, INF, Colorado Rockies
3 of 8
MLB.com Prospect Rank: No. 14
ETA: 2019
The Colorado Rockies are set up the middle with shortstop Trevor Story and second baseman DJ LeMahieu. That means top prospect Brendan Rodgers is ticketed for Triple-A.
The 21-year-old is 10-for-34 with two home runs this spring. He's validated the Rockies' Mile High anticipation.
Story, who hit a scant .239 last season, is also raking in the exhibition slate to the tune of a .450 average. LeMahieu is likewise swinging it with a .417 average, but he's set to hit free agency next winter.
That should be Rodgers' moment to join Story up the middle, unless Colorado gets bold and decides to trade one or the other before then.
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Walker Buehler, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
4 of 8
MLB.com Prospect Rank: No. 12
ETA: 2018
Walker Buehler made his big league debut in 2017 with 9.1 innings, all in relief. The Los Angeles Dodgers are handling the 23-year-old carefully after he underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2015.
Buehler fanned five in two scoreless innings during his Cactus League debut. He's poised to join Clayton Kershaw atop Los Angeles' rotation.
The Dodgers have enough depth to bring him along slowly and limit his innings. Barring an injury setback, however, the hard-throwing Buehler will play a significant role for the defending Senior Circuit champions in 2018.
Francisco Mejia, C, Cleveland Indians
5 of 8
MLB.com Prospect Rank: No. 11
ETA: 2019
The Cleveland Indians will enter the season with an established catching duo of Yan Gomes and Roberto Perez. Both are capable receivers who are familiar with the pitching staff and boast playoff experience.
Neither can swing it like Francisco Mejia, however.
Mejia, who sipped a cup of coffee in 2017, is hitting .421 with two home runs and seven RBI this spring. At the tender age of 22, he has some learning to do behind the dish, but he's the Tribe's catcher of the near future.
He'll get another September call and could come up sooner if the Indians are faltering or if one of Gomes and Perez gets hurt. Barring that, 2019 will be his year to don the "tools of ignorance" full-time in Cleveland.
Victor Robles, CF, Washington Nationals
6 of 8
MLB.com Prospect Rank: No. 6
ETA: 2019
This season could be Bryce Harper's swan song with the Washington Nationals. The superstar right fielder is an impending free agent and will likely bolt the nation's capital for untold riches elsewhere.
That means the Nats are going all-in on 2018 as they seek to get past the division series for the first time in franchise history.
It also means top prospect Victor Robles will have to wait another season to make his breakthrough. Robles saw MLB action in 2017 and was placed on the postseason roster, but the 20-year-old should open 2018 in the minors.
He's teased his sky-high potential this spring, rapping out three doubles and a home run among his eight hits and swiping two bases.
Then there's this catch, which ought to give Nationals fans something to drool on in the post-Harper era.
Eloy Jimenez, LF, Chicago White Sox
7 of 8
MLB.com Prospect Rank: No. 4
ETA: 2019
Tendinitis in his left knee delayed Eloy Jimenez's spring breakthrough. The Chicago White Sox's top prospect is making up for lost time.
The 21-year-old has three hits in four exhibition at-bats, including a triple and two home runs. For fun, his OPS is 3.550.
"Not really [rusty]," Jimenez said, per Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times. "I believe in myself. I know I can do this. It doesn't matter if I stay out two weeks or six months."
Jimenez saw only 73 plate appearances at Double-A in 2017. He needs more seasoning before he secures a place on the ChiSox's roster. If he avoids the injury bug and keeps hitting, his opportunity will arrive next year.
Ronald Acuna, CF, Atlanta Braves
8 of 8
MLB.com Prospect Rank: No. 2
ETA: 2018
The Atlanta Braves are a rebuilding club bursting with young talent. No Braves player exemplifies that better than outfielder Ronald Acuna.
The 20-year-old has 13 hits in 31 exhibition at-bats, including a double and a home run, and has stolen four bases. He's the complete package and should make the Braves' Opening Day roster.
We say "should," because MLB's service-time rules mean Atlanta will likely keep him down until mid-April to maintain another year of team control, per MLB.com's Mark Bowman.
Shenanigans aside, Acuna will be in the majors soon.
"He's the total package," Braves skipper Brian Snitker said, per David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "He's going to be an exciting player for a lot of years."
All statistics current as of March 11 and courtesy of MLB.com and Baseball Reference.
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