2016 MLB Preview: Five National League rookies to watch

The National League rookie class was a crowded field in 2015, with the Chicago Cubs’ Kris Bryant ultimately rising to the top. The young third baseman lived up to the hype, slashing .275/.369/.488 with 26 home runs and 99 RBIs.

This season’s crop of talent looks very rich as well, setting the stage for another exciting NL Rookie of the Year battle. Bryant showed that it’s possible for a rookie to meet even the loftiest of expectations over the course of a 162-game MLB season, which should be good news for some of the more talked-about young players heading into 2016.

Here are five NL rookies to monitor through Spring Training and into the new season. Not all of them will start the year in the majors, but considering their development histories and considerable skill levels, it’s a fair bet they will make their marks this season on the major league stage.

Next: Steven Matz

Steven Matz

Talented young pitchers continue to be in abundant supply for the New York Mets. Steven Matz made just six starts for the team in 2015, but his performance in those outings suggested that he belonged in the same category as the likes of Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey and Noah Syndergaard.

In 35.2 innings, the 24-year-old lefty posted a 2.27 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 3.40 K/BB ratio. And those numbers were a bit inflated by a less-than-stellar final regular season outing (5.2 IP, 3 ER). It may be difficult to maintain that level of excellence over a full big league season (see 3.61 FIP), but Matz has the tools to put together an impressive rookie campaign.

Baseball Prospectus identifies Matz’s strengths as a sinking fastball that hits 93-95 mph, a sharp curveball that the southpaw has developed into a legitimate finishing pitch, as well as an improving changeup. He’ll put that repertoire to use in the Mets’ star-studded rotation this season.

Next: Julio Urias

Julio Urias

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

Trea Turner

Danny Espinosa will likely start the year for the Washington Nationals at shortstop, but unless the career .230 hitter outpaces expectations in a big way, the allure of highly-rated prospect Trea Turner will only continue to grow. Turner joined the Nats system prior to the 2015 campaign as part of the three-team Wil Myers trade with the Padres and Rays. A May or June call-up could be in the cards for the 22-year-old, who made a brief debut at the end of last season.

Unlike several of the game’s other young shortstops of late, Turner doesn’t offer much pop in his bat. He has, however, hit for a high average and on-base percentage in the minor leagues. Last year he slashed .322/.370/.458 in 116 games between Double-A and Triple-A.

The really exciting element of Turner’s game is his speed, though. MLB.com rates his running at 75 on the 80 scale. He swiped 52 bags over the course of his two seasons in the minors and could bring that needed dimension to the Nationals’ offense. The Nats finished 27th in the league last year with 57 stolen bases.

Next: J.P. Crawford

J.P. Crawford

If you haven’t been paying attention, consider this your wake-up call: the game is stacked with young talent at the shortstop position. The Phillies’ J.P. Crawford could be yet another rookie shortstop who gets an opportunity to make a real impact this year. (And he’s not even the last one on this list.)

Drafted by the Phils in the first round in 2011, Crawford has built his reputation on his all-around style of play. Though he has garnered more attention for his plus defense, he has also taken strides at the plate in the minor leagues. He has shown legitimate on-base ability, posting OBPs of .375 and .380 the past two seasons.

Freddy Galvis figures to be the Opening Day shortstop, but barring any setbacks, expect the 21-year-old Crawford to get a serious look from the rebuilding Phillies in 2016.

Next: Corey Seager