Predicting Breakout MLB Players for 2015

This list composes who I feel will be breakout MLB players in 2015. Baseball saw many players breakout and emerge as stars in 2014. The Houston Astros All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve had been a solid contributor in the past, but really broke out in a big way in 2014. Another, the Yankees’ Dellin Betances, emerged from relative obscurity to have a monster year.

(Note: To be on this list, the player must have played in the majors before. This would deem someone like Kris Bryant ineligible.)

Here is the list of players I feel will breakout big in 2015:

Catcher: Mike Zunino, Seattle Mariners

Zunino had a rough sophomore campaign, only hitting .199 with a .254 OBP. This was not without some bright spots though, as he also cranked 20 doubles and 22 home runs in 438 at-bats. Zunino has great power for a catcher, and if he can hit for a higher average in 2015, he will be a really solid starting catcher.

First Base: Carlos Santana, Cleveland Indians

First base is a tough one, as a number of everyday starting first baseman in MLB have already established themselves. So I went with someone who has had some decent years, but I think will have their best year yet in 2015. Santana has always had a great batting eye and good power, shown by his 27 homers and .365 OBP last season. He has very good power, and with his transition to first base full time, he should be able to tap into his power more often with less wear and tear from his former catching and third base duties. However, his average has not been consistent, only hitting .231 in 2014. With power and plate discipline as good as Santana’s is, it is not unreasonable for 30 homers and 100 RBI to be on tap in 2015.

Second Base: Jonathan Schoop, Baltimore Orioles

Schoop was probably rushed to the big leagues. He only hit .256 in Triple-A in 2013 and only received a handful of at-bats at the major league level before 2014. After a monster spring training, Schoop was awarded the starting second base job for the Orioles. Schoop flashed good power in his rookie season, hitting tape measure shots off of All-Star’s like Betances, Jeff Samardzija and having twice gone yard off of Masahiro Tanaka. He finished the season with 16 long balls, but overall, had a dreadful season at the plate, only hitting .209 with a .244 OBP. His good defense kept him in the lineup with a strong glove and a cannon for an arm. Schoop will open up the 2015 season as the O’s starting second baseman and should hopefully hit for a higher average. Getting his average up to the .240 range with 20-plus homers is realistic and would help the Orioles’ offense immensely.

Third Base: Mike Moustakas, Kansas City Royals

Moustakas had an awful 2014 regular season. He was sent down to Triple-A to work on his hitting. The former second overall pick seemed like a huge disappointment after a couple unspectacular campaigns. Moustakas turned it around in the Royals’ World Series run last year though. Despite a .231 average, Moustakas slugged five round-trippers in the postseason. If he can carry his postseason success over to 2015, he should be able to log 25-plus homers. Along with his good defense, this would qualify as an improved season and may be enough to lift the label of disappointment off Moustakas’ shoulders.

Shortstop: Chris Owings, Arizona Diamondbacks

Owings had a season cut short by injury last year, limiting him to only 91 games. And while he didn’t hit as well as many had hoped after he tore up the minors in 2013, he still showed a very intriguing blend of power and speed. What is really interesting is he hit six triples, which shows he has desirable gap power and speed combination. Owings should be full-go for Opening Day and will be the D-Backs’ starting shortstop. He really just needs to stay healthy.

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Left Field: Michael Saunders, Toronto Blue Jays

Saunders has had a career plagued by injuries. A former top prospect, his injury woes and under-performance led to him be shipped out of Seattle to north of the border earlier this offseason. In Toronto, he will be counted on as an everyday contributor in left field. I think he is up for the challenge. Saunders is another player who has a mix of power and speed and he also has solid on-base skills. He is a well regarded defender at the corner outfield spots, and should be able to help the Blue Jays compete in 2015. A .280 average with 15 homers and 20 or so steals are in the cards if Saunders can stay healthy.

Center Field: Leonys Martin, Texas Rangers

One of the most underrated players in baseball in my opinion is the Rangers’ center fielder Leonys Martin. Martin is a solid fielder, but most of his value comes from his legs. In his two seasons being the Rangers’ starting center fielder, Martin has swiped 67 bags collectively. He has also hit for a solid average (.260 in ’13 & .274 in ’14) in both of those years. While he doesn’t offer much in the power department, Martin could emerge as a .280 batting average guy with 40-plus steals — making him very valuable as a leadoff man.

Right Field: Gregory Polanco, Pittsburgh Pirates

Polanco, a former blue chip prospect and was on fire when he first got called up to the majors in mid 2014. But after his hot start, he cooled down considerably and lost a lot of playing time to Travis Snider. All in all, Polanco finished with a .235/.307/.343 line. Now, with Snider being traded to the Orioles, the right field job is Polanco’s to lose. He has good power and speed, evident by his seven homers and 14 steals in his brief 89 game played. I expect Polanco to improve considerably in 2015 and he will become one of the game’s bright young stars in an amazingly talented Pirates outfield.

Starting Pitcher: Kevin Gausman, Baltimore Orioles

Gausman, the fourth overall pick in the 2012 draft, struggled mightily in his first season in 2o13, pitching to a 5.66 ERA. He did show some of his immense upside with 49 punchouts in 47.2 innings pitched. In 2014, Gausman was yanked back and forth between the Orioles and the minors, but he posted much better results in his second MLB season with a 3.57 ERA. He also pitched very well out of the bullpen in the Orioles’ playoff run in 2014, only giving up one run in eight innings of work. This year, Gausman should have a rotation spot full time on the Orioles’ staff. He is a very special talent who has an electric fastball that he can crank up to the mid-to-high 90 mph range, and a wipeout change-up. I think by the end of next season, he will be the Orioles’ best pitcher and will be considered one of the up and coming pitchers in all of baseball.

Relief Pitcher: Ken Giles, Philadelphia Phillies

Giles has already completed a great season, finishing with a 1.18 ERA and coming in fourth in the National League ROY voting for 2014. However, he did this as a setup man. If or when incumbent closer Jonathan Papelbon is traded, Giles should assume the Phillies’ closer role. The Phillies seem desperate to dump Papelbon and his salary on another team, so Giles should get his chance to close at some point in 2015. If Giles does become the closer, he will quickly establish himself as one the game’s premier closers.