Call to the pen
Fansided

2016 MLB Preview: Five National League rookies to watch

By Tim Haberin

Sep 18, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager (5) rounds the bases after a 2 run home run the fourth inning of the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager (5) rounds the bases after a 2 run home run the fourth inning of the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next

Julio Urias

Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

Including Julio Urias on this list is a bit of a gamble. Still only 19 years old, he’ll start the year in the minors and isn’t guaranteed to receive a call-up at any point. Nevertheless, considering his immense talent and the Dodgers’ potential rotation problems outside of Clayton Kershaw, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he could be fast-tracked to the big leagues.

Urias surged through four minor league levels last year. His longest stay was at Double-A Tulsa, where he posted a 2.77 ERA, 0.995 WHIP and 9.7 K/9 in 13 starts (68.1 IP). MLB.com currently has him pegged as the fourth best prospect in all of baseball, and some even argue whether that’s too low.

MLB.com praises the lefty for “plus or better stuff across the board.” His fastball reaches 97 and he mixes in a “big-breaking” curveball and changeup as well. He’ll need to prove he can be successful at Triple-A first, but when he reaches the majors he has all the makings of an ace.

Next: Trea Turner

Home/MLB News