MLB Awards: All-Prospect Squad for 2015 Season
Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
With MLB awards speculation rising towards a climax in the closing weeks of the season, no race is probably more exciting than the one in the American League between defending MVP Mike Trout, and Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson.
While prospects and rookies eligible for Rookie of the Year votes in both leagues will receive praise, there should be a way of helping better define some of the young talents this game has to offer outside of All-Star nods. After all, 2015 brought with it more All-Stars the aged 25 or younger (20) than any other season in history. Also, players 25 and under had accounted for 28 percent of league’s total WAR at the All-Star break, up from roughly 19 precent in 2000. At the same time, players age 30 and older accounted for 27 percent at the break, down from a massive 43 percent in 2000. It’s a young man’s game these days, so recognition is warranted.
League wide, these are some of the best first-year players and rookies to have made the jump from the minors to the majors in 2015. In order to qualify for this list, it’s simple — a player had to be considered a prospect in the preseason by at least one distinguished publication. Whether it be according to MLB.com, Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus etc, this starting lineup transitioned almost effortlessly from the dugouts and bullpens of sometimes rural America to being under the bright lights of some of the nation’s nicest metropolitan ball parks.
For the sake of keeping it simple, the roster will be composed of five starting pitchers, one reliever and all of the fielding positions on a baseball diamond — designated hitter included.
Next: Starting Pitcher
RHP – Noah Syndergaard – NYM
Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Noah Syndergaard, of Thor, as he has become known throughout the league, possesses true ace stuff. On the New York Mets’ rotation, fellow long-locked starter Jacob deGrom and Matt Harvey help to make up one of the youngest and scariest trios of starting pitchers in the National League.
For the All-Prospect squad, Syndergaard is the No. 1 because he has thrown the fourth most innings of any rookie pitcher and maintains a humble 3.20 ERA and 3.28 FIP. At 8-6, the freshly turned 23-year-old uses a fastball that has sat at 96.3 mph all season, helping him to maintain a sharp 9.5 K/9 and a 4.57 K:BB ratio.
Syndergaard was ranked the No. 11 overall prospect by Baseball America in the preseason and thus far has lived up to his billing. While the Blue Jays might now regret shipping he and Travis d’Arnaud to the Mets for R.A. Dickey back in 2012, their loss has been the New York Mets gain.
Next: Catcher
C – Kyle Schwarber – CHC
Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Cubs have themselves a very youthful and talented roster of position players at the helm of manager Joe Maddon. Kris Bryant was a favorite to win the NL ROY award and he appears well on his way to completing that task, but it’s Kyle Schwarber who has been a pleasant surprise for the Cubbies.
Splitting time in left field (27 GS), at catcher (14 GS) and at designated hitter (6 GS) for Interleague play, the 22-year-old is showing great power from the left side of the plate with 16 home runs in only 192 at-bats. Add to that a slash line of .255/.351/.542 and Schwarber should stand a chance building on his rookie numbers in his sophomore season.
Schwarber whizzed through the farm system after being a first round pick by the Cubs in 2014 out of Indiana University. His powerful stroke and defensive versatility should make him a mainstay on the North Side for years to come.
Next: First Base
1B – Justin Bour – MIA
Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Again staying over in the NL, Justin Bour of the Miami Marlins is quietly putting together a fine rookie campaign. He has essentially assumed full-time duties at first base in place of the under-achieving Mike Morse, who was shipped to Pittsburgh at the trade deadline.
Bour is currently a close third in home runs with 18 amongst rookie position players across the league. On his own club, only Giancarlo Stanton has gone deep more times than Bour. The organization has to like his size and left-handed bat at the position. The raw power he brings against righties is also something to be optimistic about.
At 27, Bour could be viewed as a late blooming corner infield prospect such as Josh Donaldson. Bour doesn’t quite bring the same upside on defense as Donaldson does, but his raw skill and the fact he is building a nice resume for himself in an extremely pitcher friendly home ballpark should make him a nice complement to Stanton and Christian Yelich in the years to come.
Next: Second Base
2B – Addison Russell – CHC
Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
It’s tough to ignore what Devon Travis has done with the Blue Jays during his limited playing time in 2015, but Addison Russell has stayed healthy and been productive. So productive in fact, that Joe Maddon finally pushed Starlin Castro to second base, allowing the more superior athlete Russell to get his starts at shortstop.
He came up as a second baseman initially though and logged 84 starts there before making the switch. While his hitting needs to one day catch up to his fielding ability, Russell has still shown promise with his bat after swatting 13 home runs and 49 RBI through his first 126 games. He’ll have to cut back on his strikeouts and try to make contact more to become a top tier shortstop in the future, but for the time being, he’s one of many talented young Cubs players with sky high ceilings.
Next: Third Base
3B – Kris Bryant – CHC
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Starting to notice a trend here? Not only is this lineup so far NL heavy, it’s also pretty Cubs heavy.
His home run pace in Spring Training didn’t continue after his call-up in the latter half of April, but Kris Bryant eventually found his stride. As advertised, the hulking 23-year-old is second on the club in home runs with 24 deep shots, of which a more recent one was measured as being the longest hit ball in fair play in 2015.
Bryant’s .860 OPS as a rookie foretells that some mammoth seasons should be ahead, and he’s even making a mark on the base paths with his legs. His 13 stolen bases rank him third on the Cubs and his 86 RBI (now 93 and tied for tops on the club) set a new mark for the most runners driven in by a rookie in franchise history.
Though the Twins’ Miguel Sano, Phillies’ Maikel Franco and the Giants’ Matt Duffy deserve honorable mention here, Bryant’s 4.7 WAR and inevitable ROY season make him the clear cut starter at the hot corner.
Next: Shortstop
SS – Carlos Correa – HOU
Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Getting the American League off the schneid on this list is non other than Carlos Correa. The five-tool prospect has been everything the Houston Astros hoped and needed him to be in his debut campaign.
Before Correa’s call-up, the Astros were giving up significant ground in the AL West standings to the Rangers and Angels. But the young shortstop helped to reverse that trend, sparking his clubhouse with brilliant play to what became as much as a three game lead at the beginning of September, a lead since relinquished.
But that can’t be blamed on Correa, a consensus top five prospect to enter the 2015 season. In well under 400 at-bats, he ranks third in home runs (18) amongst rookies. His 12 stolen bases should translate to a number of 20-20 seasons in the years to come. Once his glove and arm become more refined and catch up to his big league bat, the Astros will have themselves a perennial All-Star on their roster at the shortstop position. With players like him, George Springer, Jose Altuve and Preston Tucker set to be big contributors, Houston can be viewed as the Cubs of the AL in terms of having a young talent pool.
Honorable mention in this spot has to go to Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor. He’s not only hitting well above .300 at the moment, but Lindor drastically improved the clubs defensive metrics once he was inserted into the starting lineup.
Next: Outfield
OF – Randal Grichuk – STL
Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
With tha acquisition of Jason Heyward in right and the emergence of Randal Grichuk in left, the St. Louis Cardinals have two legitimate outfielders to pick up any lost production from Matt Holliday‘s injuries and declining level of play.
Losing Oscar Taveras was a huge hit to their arsenal in the outfield, but the Cards have still received exceptional play this year there. Grichuk’s .284-16-46 line in under 100 games played should equate to a WAR of around 5.0 over a full season of play.
Not bad at all when one considers Grichuk came to St. Louis with Peter Bourjos from Anaheim for two players with a combined WAR of 1.5 at the moment. Athletic enough to play any three outfield spots, the Cards should consider themselves on the winning end of the trade with the Angels that netted them Grichuk. Right now, Trout can only be begging for consistency in the Angels’ left field slot.
Next: Outfield continued
OF – Odubel Herrera – PHI
Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
If the Philadelphia Phillies have hopes for an upward trend in the future, it’s because of position players like third baseman Franco and outfielder Odubel Herrera.
A 23-year-old international free agent from Venezuela, Herrera has maintained a batting average around the .300 mark after opening the season on the 25-man roster. He’s flashed power with eight home runs, speed with 14 steals and overall value to a club thin on talent.
Herrera is second on the team in games played and total bases, and his 3.3 WAR leads all Phillies players. Philadelphia might not have a lot figured out in terms of future pieces right now, but they can be thankful to have a starting center fielder with All-Star potential who is under club control for some time.
Next: Outfield continued
OF – Joc Pederson – LAD
Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
It’s difficult to ignore Joc Pederson‘s first half (.230-20-40). But is it so easy to overlook his atrocious second half (.192-5-12)?
My guess is yes. His “three true outcomes” style of play comes with highs and lows, but once Pederson practices more patience with his plate approach and isn’t victimized as much by the rookie scouting report out on him, the Dodgers’ center fielder should be able to raise his lifetime average and cut back on his strikeouts.
Even still, Trout has learned to make himself into a perennial MVP candidate despite sporting one of the higher strikeout percentages in the league. In order to be a more complete player, Pederson needs to keep getting on-base at the same rate he is now (.355 OBP) but must learn to make the most of his run scoring opportunities. With that, it wouldn’t hurt him to run more. He had 113 stolen bases in his minor league career, 30 of those coming in 2014 at Triple-A.
For advice on becoming a more efficient base runner, he might want to have a conversation with A’s outfielder Billy Burns, who is fourth amongst rookies in runs scored with 66 and first in stolen bases with 26.
Next: Designated Hitter
DH – Miguel Sano – MIN
Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
The preseason’s second ranked Minnesota Twins prospect in the system to Byron Buxton has been the more superior Major Leaguer thus far. Miguel Sano has been hot at the plate since day one, registering a .964 OPS in July, a 1.006 mark in August and .857 this month.
For MLB rookies with over 100 at-bats, Sano leads them all in his overall OPS mark. His hitting has been so pivotal to the Twins’ playoff aspirations that he’s acted as their full-time designated hitter for much of the year, recording 53 starts there to his nine and third base.
Sano’s big stick is just what the Twins and their fans need. His 16 homers in only 222 at-bats will make him a guy who can put up 30 bombs and 100 RBI on a regular basis when healthy. Brian Dozier needs only three home runs but 30 RBI to complete the feat this year. Before that, Twins fans have to go back to 2012 with Josh Willingham as the last time one of their players went deep 30-plus times and drove-in over 100 in a single season. But those seasons are few and far between, as Justin Morneau accomplished as much before Willingham did back in 2009.
Next: No. 2 Starter
RHP – Luis Severino – NYY
Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Aside from one rough outing on September at home to the heavy hitting Blue Jays, Luis Severino has looked the part of being a future ace to the New York Yankees’ pitching staff.
His big league sample size is small with only eight starts, but it’s far from irrelevant. The league is hitting only. 240 against him and his 9.3 K/9 is an impressive number. He’s only 21 and needs to cut back on his walks, but Severino has violent stuff that jumps off the radar gun.
His four wins have without question kept the Yankees in an AL East pennant race with Toronto and his 3.12 ERA is the lowest amongst any starter on the team with at least 40 innings pitched, a category where six additional players can be viewed as qualifiers.
Next: No. 3 Starter
RHP – Chris Heston – SFG
Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
One cannot overlook a no-hitter with ease. Even more so, when the accomplishment is achieved by a pitcher in his rookie campaign. Chris Heston has come from out of nowhere to be a sturdy No. 2 in the rotation to Madison Bumgarner.
Before 2015, he registered only 5.1 IP in his big league career. The 27-year-old is 11-10 with a 3.61 ERA and 128 strikeouts. With the Giants not looking like they’re set to make a playoff impression again in an odd number calendar year, manager Bruce Bochy is watching Heston’s innings in order to have him return as an effective player again in 2016..
Next: No. 4 Starter
LHP – Andrew Heaney – LAA
Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
It’s time for a southpaw to be added to this All-Prospect squad.
Andrew Heaney is that man. The Angels have been blessed with strong production from their offseason trade piece. He’s gone 6-3 with a 3.32 ERA over 15 starts.
During a time when Jered Weaver appears to be entering his twilight years, it’s nice for Angels fans to know that a 24-year-old Heaney is along for the ride with fellow youngster Mike Trout as the complementary arm to his bat within the organization.
Next: No. 5 Starter
RHP – Lance McCullers – HOU
Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
Lance McCullers is one of a number of high upside starting pitchers in the organization who are under the age of 28. Dallas Keuchel and Vincent Velasquez are the other two, but McCullers is the youngest at only 21.
For a team that offensively gets by on high home run quantities while striking out a lot, their defense has to be equally impressive as their pitching in place. Keuchel, McCullers, Collin McHugh and Scott Kazmir give this club a legitimate shot at still capturing a division crown, which would be their first since they won the National League Central all the way back in 2001.
McCullers is 5-6 in 107.2 IP with 107 punch outs and an ERA of 3.18 in 2015.
Next: Relief Pitcher
RHP – Roberto Osuna – TOR
Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
The Blue Jays tinkered with closer duties more in the beginning of the season than they needed to. After starting with Miguel Castro and then moving to Brett Cecil to replace departed free agent Casey Janssen from years past, John Gibbons finally decided to hand the ball to Roberto Osuna in the ninth.
The 20-year-old was the second youngest player on any MLB roster when the season began. Osuna recorded his first save on June 22 against the Tampa Bay Rays. He supplied two innings of work in the effort and struck out five. But before that, the young fireballer was cruising along with a 2.25 ERA and .184 BAA in 32 IP.
With an ERA now sitting at 1.99 and a deadly fastball/slider blend, Osuna could have massive upside as a starter next season for Toronto. Until then, he’s going to get handed the ball in some very high leverage situations in late September and October. If he can deal with those challenges aptly, he could be one of the better closers in the league for seasons to come.