MLB Preview: 5 Spring Training players to watch

In a previously related 2016 MLB preview article, Call to the Pen looked at five players impressing so far this spring who likely will not see that success carry over to the regular season. In this edition, we’ll look at five names having solid showings in baseball’s preseason who are likely to have their best seasons yet as pros.

Maikel Franco is an obvious selection for a slide like this. Too obvious. As a 22-year-old, the Phillies’ third baseman already had a pretty notable 2015 in only 80 games played. He hit .280 with 14 home runs and 50 RBI. This spring, he picked up where he left off last year as he currently leads all players in home runs (8) and RBI (20).

Instead, this list will examine five players who won’t have all the buzz and hype surrounding them entering 2016 as names like Franco will.

Next: Patrick Corbin

SP Patrick Corbin – ARI

Patrick Corbin is a 26-year-old southpaw who already has put up some pretty strong numbers in MLB. He missed all of 2014 because a UCL tear and nearly half of 2015. But before the injury, he produced a 14-8 record with a 3.41 ERA in 2013. He was named an All-Star that season and surpassed 200 IP on the year.

Last year, after making his debut on the Fourth of July, Corbin managed to start 16 games, winning six of them. He finished with a 3.60 ERA, but set career bests in FIP (3.35), K/9 (8.3) and K:BB (4.59). So far this spring, Corbin boasts a 1.71 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 21 innings pitched.

Also working in Corbin’s favor this season will be the arrival of Zack Greinke. Not only will the veteran three-time All-Star be able to mentor some of the younger arms on Arizona’s rotation like Corbin and Shelby Miller, but his presence will take some pressure off such names to lead by example on the pitching staff as well.

The Diamondbacks are a strong team on paper in 2016. The rotation is fairly deep and the lineup is well rounded, having perennial MVP candidate Paul Goldschmidt as its center piece. The only thing standing in Corbin and the clubs way might be the Dodgers and Giants.

Next: Jake Lamb

3B Jake Lamb – ARI

A former sixth round pick, Jake Lamb has a career slashline of .321/.408/.552 in over 1000 minor league plate appearances. He projects as a player capable of hitting 10-15 home runs, but that’s being conservative.

Lamb has three home runs this spring and 13 RBI. He’s also hitting .391 with a 1.209 OPS and is a lock to get everyday starts at third base, due mainly to the fact Yasmany Tomas proved himself a liability there last season. Also, Lamb will be aided by the protection of a stout lineup in Arizona this season. The left-handed hitter should get his fair share of pitches to turn on in 2016.

Lamb makes solid contact and puts the ball in play. With that will come plenty of opportunities to drive runners in and score runs for his club. His line drive rate in 2015 was 22.7 percent, ranking him 10th amongst all MLB third basemen with a minimum of 350 plate appearances, where as his hard hit percentage of 36.3 ranked him even higher at fifth.

Lamb’s percentage of balls hit in play last year was 64, which is the exact same number of reigning AL MVP, third baseman Josh Donaldson.

Next: Kenta Maeda

SP Kenta Maeda – LAD

The Los Angeles Dodgers will try to offest the loss of Zack Greinke with Scott Kazmir and the Japanese-born Kenta Maeda, a 27-year-old that owned a career 2.39 ERA pitching for the Hiroshima Carp since 2008. The Dodgers shelled out $25MM for him, but they’re getting his services for eight years.

Not physically imposing, one thing Maeda has working for him is a healthy background. During his time with Hiroshima, he averaged 188 IP per season. MLB teams often show concern with Japanese players being overworked in their careers before transitioning to America. Daisuke Matsuzaka is the golden standard for those concerns. But thus far, Maeda has proven durable and efficient.

The main reason for his durability is Maeda does not throw a forkball or split finger fastball, pitches commonly associated with Japanese-born hurlers. These pitches naturally put added stress on the elbow. Maeda primarily works back and forth between a fastball and slider, the former of which sits in the low 90s with excellent command.

Maeda’s spring numbers are strong. He has a 1.89 ERA through 19 IP with 18 K’s. He’s held opponents to a .211 BAA and has not given up a home run.

Next: Jonathan Schoop

2B Jonathan Schoop – BAL

After succumbing to injury in mid-April last year, Jonathan Schoop parlayed 2015 into a pretty nice season. Post disabled list, from July 5 to October 1, he hit .281/.306/.468 with 12 home runs and 32 RBI.

Schoop will be hitting amidst a dangerous lineup again in 2016, protected well by names like Adam Jones, Chris Davis, Manny Machado and Mark Trumbo. The second baseman will have an opportunity to produce better than average power numbers at his position.

Averaging one home run for every 20 at-bats in 2015, Schoop’s projections over a season logging 500 at-bats would equate to 25 long balls. It’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility, as he hit 16 in 2014 over only 455 at-bats. In Grapefruit League play, Schoop has been raking with a .358/.393/.566 line. Add to that three home runs and only six strikeouts across 53 at-bats, and it would appear the Curacao born kid is ready to turn a big corner in 2016.

Next: Michael Taylor