Top 2015 MLB Rookies--Midseason
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 10:41 am1. Joc Pederson, Cf, Los Angeles Dodgers. Pederson was underrated as a high schooler for playing in a Northern California high school. Scouts also considered him raw and toolsy and passed on him until the 11th round. They were right and wrong. Pederson still is a bit raw and toolsy...but in all the right ways. Pederson's raw power, belying his slight build, has produced 20 hrs and a .529 Slg pct. And while he has struck out a lot and is only hitting .241, he has shown Adam Dunn style patience at the plate, producing a .384 OBP. And while his routes originally needed work, his formidable speed and solid arm have made him a defensive plus.
2. Kris Bryant, 3b, Chicago Cubs. Before the 2013 draft, most--including most Cubs fans--expected the Cubs, desperately in need of pitching, to take the best college pitcher available. So, when hard-throwing Oklahoma right-hander Jon Gray was available, most were stunned Theo & Co. opted for 3b, Kris Bryant. It was arguably Theo's best decision as a Cub. Bryant is arguably one of the best pure hitters to enter the majors since Frank Thomas, and has exhibited the keen batting eye and textbook stroke he did in the minors. He doesn't have Stanton/Gallo/Harper power, but he has clear 30+ hr potential, and should reach that once he gets more comfortable driving the ball more. And for a big 3bman, his defense has been serviceable.
3. Maikel Franco, 3b. The Phillies' first substantial rookie position player in years, and lone glimpse of a brighter future, the always powerful Franco has become a better hitter in the majors than he ever was in the minors flashing a very impressive .297/.341/.545 line with his 10 hrs after beating our the unimpressive Cody Asche at the hot corner. That position has been hard to fill since Schmidt's departure, and Franco with his impressive bat and rough, but workable, defense could fill it for awhile.
4. Billy Burns, Of, Oakland. The ultimate longshots, 38th-rounders usually go unfulfilled after being unnoticed by scouts and unignored by their own coaching staffs. Burns is an exciting exception. Undervalued by the Nats, they traded him in 2013 to the A's for loogy Jerry Blevins. The A's, knowing Burns had speed but a questionable stroke, hoped at best they would get another Sam Fuld, an excellent defender with speed who plays in 5th gear every game. Burns has provided much more. He has been an outstanding leadoff hitter for the A's--and one of their few bright spots--while hitting .318 with an .357 OBP, stealing 15 bases, and playing solid (if not Fuld-like) defense. He is definitely someone who all this year's late-rounders can emulate and whom they can aspire to be.
5. Chris Heston, Sp, San Francisco Giants. A 27 year old-rookie is the equivalent of a 27-year-old fashion model yet to get her first major cover: someone who needs to arrive or leave the business. The soft-throwing, but savvy Heston did just that this year, entrenching himself into the Giant's rotation and throwing a no-hitter. Like every soft-tossing Rher not named Maddux, he still will need to prove himself a bit. With Cain and Peavy still hurt, and Hudson and Vogelsong struggling, the Giants are counting on him to do so.
6. Matt Duffy, 3b, San Francisco Giants. Duffy was one of a lineage of great Long Beach St. shortstops, including Bobby Crosby, Troy Tulowitzki, and Evan Longoria. Unlike those three big first-rounders, Duffy had neither the pedigree (18th round) nor their formidable size and power. Thin, if nearly scrawny, Duffy has had to prove himself at every level, and has proceeded to do so with his clutch hitting and solid defense at 3b,SS, and 2b. So, when Casey McGehee bombed out at 3b this year, Sabean and Bochy didn't hesitate to install Duffy there, and he has flourished. He is currently hitting .303, with 8 hrs and 37 rbis, and is raking with runners in scoring positions. Considering Sandoval's struggles in Boston, the Giants have to be thrilled to have this sturdy player at 1/20 of the cost.
7. Yosmany Tomas, Of-3b. Tomas did not arrive under the radar. One of the top players from Cuba's National Team, he was pursued my many MLB club as a third baseman, right fielder, or both. Eventually signing a 6-year, 68M contract, Tomas proceeded to show his rustiness in spring training and began the year in AAA. However, since he's been called up, he's shown a smooth swing and keen eye at the plate, and a bit of speed, while playing both 3b and Rf, and producing an impressive .314/.357/.440 line. He doesn't look like a future star, but a solid major-leaguer who should help the D'backs for awhile...particularly if his power develops.
8. Joey Butler, Of, Tampa Bay. Like Burns', Butler's season is another great story. An 18th round pick of the Rangers, he had some success in AAA and a cup of coffee with them before they waived him. He was then picked up and promptly waived by STL. Relegated to spending one unsuccessful year in Japan, he returned to the US this year, signing a minor-league contract with the Rays. He is now playing a solid Lf for his old AAA teamate Kevin Cash, with an impressive .315/.358/.452 and 6 hrs for a team hurting for offense. Like Heston and Burns, his success has only been eclipsed by his persistence.
9. Nate Karns, Sp, Rays. At 27, Karns is also a bit of a late-comer who has firmly entrenched himself in his team's present and future. Injuries stalled his pro debut with the Nationals who drafted him then proceeded to give him away to the Rays for C Jose Lobaton...one of Friedman's last swindles as Rays GM. Now a solid member of a talented Rays rotation, Karns has been solid with a 3.26 ERA and 1.26 whip, while tempering his usual struggles with giving up the long ball. If Matt Moore ever recovers his health, the Rays should have a formidable rotation of Archer, Moore, Odorizzi, Karns, and hard-throwing Alex Colome for awhile.
10. Carlos Correa, Ss, Houston Astros. Correa will certainly be in the top 3 of this list by the end of the year, and is arguably the most talented rookie of the group. When the Astros drafted the big Puerto Rican SS #1 instead of the 5-tool Gerogia Of Byron Buxton, many saw it as a cost-cutting move to allow them to overspend for current SP Lance McCullers Jr. The Astros are hardly sorry with the result. Since arriving in Houston, Correa has shown his trademark power and smooth big-man defense recalling Cal Ripken with an even better hit tool. He should be the centerpiece of an extended period of success for the Astros.
Runners-up: Rp Carson Smith, Mariners; Of Steven Souza, Rays; Sp Anthony DeSclafani, Reds; 3b-2b Alex Guerrero, Dodgers; Sp Aaron Sanchez, Toronto; Ss Jung-Ho Kang, Pirates; Rp, Micheal Blazek, Brewers; Sp Kendall Graveman, Athletics; Rp Roberto Osuna, Jays; Sp Lance McCullers, Astros. Yes, it has definitely been an excellent rookie class...one of the best in years.
2. Kris Bryant, 3b, Chicago Cubs. Before the 2013 draft, most--including most Cubs fans--expected the Cubs, desperately in need of pitching, to take the best college pitcher available. So, when hard-throwing Oklahoma right-hander Jon Gray was available, most were stunned Theo & Co. opted for 3b, Kris Bryant. It was arguably Theo's best decision as a Cub. Bryant is arguably one of the best pure hitters to enter the majors since Frank Thomas, and has exhibited the keen batting eye and textbook stroke he did in the minors. He doesn't have Stanton/Gallo/Harper power, but he has clear 30+ hr potential, and should reach that once he gets more comfortable driving the ball more. And for a big 3bman, his defense has been serviceable.
3. Maikel Franco, 3b. The Phillies' first substantial rookie position player in years, and lone glimpse of a brighter future, the always powerful Franco has become a better hitter in the majors than he ever was in the minors flashing a very impressive .297/.341/.545 line with his 10 hrs after beating our the unimpressive Cody Asche at the hot corner. That position has been hard to fill since Schmidt's departure, and Franco with his impressive bat and rough, but workable, defense could fill it for awhile.
4. Billy Burns, Of, Oakland. The ultimate longshots, 38th-rounders usually go unfulfilled after being unnoticed by scouts and unignored by their own coaching staffs. Burns is an exciting exception. Undervalued by the Nats, they traded him in 2013 to the A's for loogy Jerry Blevins. The A's, knowing Burns had speed but a questionable stroke, hoped at best they would get another Sam Fuld, an excellent defender with speed who plays in 5th gear every game. Burns has provided much more. He has been an outstanding leadoff hitter for the A's--and one of their few bright spots--while hitting .318 with an .357 OBP, stealing 15 bases, and playing solid (if not Fuld-like) defense. He is definitely someone who all this year's late-rounders can emulate and whom they can aspire to be.
5. Chris Heston, Sp, San Francisco Giants. A 27 year old-rookie is the equivalent of a 27-year-old fashion model yet to get her first major cover: someone who needs to arrive or leave the business. The soft-throwing, but savvy Heston did just that this year, entrenching himself into the Giant's rotation and throwing a no-hitter. Like every soft-tossing Rher not named Maddux, he still will need to prove himself a bit. With Cain and Peavy still hurt, and Hudson and Vogelsong struggling, the Giants are counting on him to do so.
6. Matt Duffy, 3b, San Francisco Giants. Duffy was one of a lineage of great Long Beach St. shortstops, including Bobby Crosby, Troy Tulowitzki, and Evan Longoria. Unlike those three big first-rounders, Duffy had neither the pedigree (18th round) nor their formidable size and power. Thin, if nearly scrawny, Duffy has had to prove himself at every level, and has proceeded to do so with his clutch hitting and solid defense at 3b,SS, and 2b. So, when Casey McGehee bombed out at 3b this year, Sabean and Bochy didn't hesitate to install Duffy there, and he has flourished. He is currently hitting .303, with 8 hrs and 37 rbis, and is raking with runners in scoring positions. Considering Sandoval's struggles in Boston, the Giants have to be thrilled to have this sturdy player at 1/20 of the cost.
7. Yosmany Tomas, Of-3b. Tomas did not arrive under the radar. One of the top players from Cuba's National Team, he was pursued my many MLB club as a third baseman, right fielder, or both. Eventually signing a 6-year, 68M contract, Tomas proceeded to show his rustiness in spring training and began the year in AAA. However, since he's been called up, he's shown a smooth swing and keen eye at the plate, and a bit of speed, while playing both 3b and Rf, and producing an impressive .314/.357/.440 line. He doesn't look like a future star, but a solid major-leaguer who should help the D'backs for awhile...particularly if his power develops.
8. Joey Butler, Of, Tampa Bay. Like Burns', Butler's season is another great story. An 18th round pick of the Rangers, he had some success in AAA and a cup of coffee with them before they waived him. He was then picked up and promptly waived by STL. Relegated to spending one unsuccessful year in Japan, he returned to the US this year, signing a minor-league contract with the Rays. He is now playing a solid Lf for his old AAA teamate Kevin Cash, with an impressive .315/.358/.452 and 6 hrs for a team hurting for offense. Like Heston and Burns, his success has only been eclipsed by his persistence.
9. Nate Karns, Sp, Rays. At 27, Karns is also a bit of a late-comer who has firmly entrenched himself in his team's present and future. Injuries stalled his pro debut with the Nationals who drafted him then proceeded to give him away to the Rays for C Jose Lobaton...one of Friedman's last swindles as Rays GM. Now a solid member of a talented Rays rotation, Karns has been solid with a 3.26 ERA and 1.26 whip, while tempering his usual struggles with giving up the long ball. If Matt Moore ever recovers his health, the Rays should have a formidable rotation of Archer, Moore, Odorizzi, Karns, and hard-throwing Alex Colome for awhile.
10. Carlos Correa, Ss, Houston Astros. Correa will certainly be in the top 3 of this list by the end of the year, and is arguably the most talented rookie of the group. When the Astros drafted the big Puerto Rican SS #1 instead of the 5-tool Gerogia Of Byron Buxton, many saw it as a cost-cutting move to allow them to overspend for current SP Lance McCullers Jr. The Astros are hardly sorry with the result. Since arriving in Houston, Correa has shown his trademark power and smooth big-man defense recalling Cal Ripken with an even better hit tool. He should be the centerpiece of an extended period of success for the Astros.
Runners-up: Rp Carson Smith, Mariners; Of Steven Souza, Rays; Sp Anthony DeSclafani, Reds; 3b-2b Alex Guerrero, Dodgers; Sp Aaron Sanchez, Toronto; Ss Jung-Ho Kang, Pirates; Rp, Micheal Blazek, Brewers; Sp Kendall Graveman, Athletics; Rp Roberto Osuna, Jays; Sp Lance McCullers, Astros. Yes, it has definitely been an excellent rookie class...one of the best in years.