MLB's top performing former prospects in 2016

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It’s nerve-wracking and exciting when a prospect is called up to the big league club. A team devotes countless hours of development into these players, so it’s always nice to see them pan out. These are the top performing MLB prospects thus far in 2016.

There’s been a recent youth movement in MLB and we’re seeing stars emerge at younger ages. In the recent months we’ve seen a couple of players get their chance to shine on the 25-man rosters.

It’s becoming a fascination among fans to scout and closely watch minor league players and teams’ prospects in hopes that they will one day become the face of the franchise. Between top prospects lists and minor league notes, there are a ton of ways to familiarize yourself with rising players.

Whether it’s in the bullpen, on the field or in the starting rotation, there have been a number of promoted prospects making themselves fit right in on the major league level. These are guys who were once considered the top or one of the top prospects in their franchise’s farm system. A lot of these guys will be considered for Rookie of the Year in their respective leagues.

In order to be considered as a rookie, a player must not have exceeded 130 at-bats or pitched at least 50 innings in previous seasons. The only other option is to have accumulated 45 days or more on the 25-man roster. Some of the players that’ll be listed here will also be considered for Rookie of the Year, while others who haven’t fulfilled the requirements won’t, but still could qualify before the season ends.

Based on statistics and impact on the team, we’ll rank the top prospects who have performed this season. The only players who will qualify for this list one are prospects who were ranked 10^th or better in their organization after 2015.

Next: Unknown Royalty

#6 Cheslor Cuthbert

Cheslor Cuthbert has been a longtime prospect in the Royals’ system. Following the 2015 season he was ranked the 10^th best Royals prospect by Baseball America.

He was finally given his chance at the beginning of the season when Mike Moustakas was lost for the season to a torn ACL. The 23-year-old took any worries that the team might’ve had about the third base position and made them disappear.

Cuthbert is hitting .295, blasting nine home runs and driving in 33 RBI. He’s been very good in clutch situations as he’s batting .297 with 23 RBI with runners in scoring position.

Cuthbert was signed as an amateur free agent out of Nicaragua in 2009. He was a top ranked Royals prospect in ’09, ranked at 17. His highest ranking came following the 2011 season when he Kansas City’s fifth best prospect and MLB’s 84^th best.

With the Royals not playing as well as they have in years past this season, Cuthbert has not been getting a ton of national attention, but he certainly deserves it. The Royals will owe Moustakas more than $8.5 million dollars next season, but with Cuthbert’s emergence they could make him expendable during the offseason.

Next: The Next Man Up

#5 Tyler Naquin

Tyler Naquin might not be a name known that well outside of the city of Cleveland, but the Indians’ backup outfielder is quietly becoming a very good center fielder for the Tribe.

In his 191 at-bats this season, he’s posted a .330 average with an eye-popping 12 home runs and 33 RBI. His current offensive runs above average is an impressive 19.3, showing that he’s been impacting the offense in a very positive way when Terry Francona elects to place him in the lineup.

Naquin is 6’2″ but weighs just 195 pounds, so his 12 home runs are quite impressive. He was voted the best Indians outfield arm in the organization in 2011 and already has two assists on the season. If Naquin can improve his speed (three stolen bases) he could become a five-tool player.

He was ranked the 6^th best prospect following the 2015 season and was given an opportunity to play when Michael Brantley re-injured himself and the Indians needed depth. It’s not fair to expect a prospect to play as well as he has in a situation where he is given limited playing time, but he’s outplayed expectations.

With Rajai Davis signed on just a one-year deal, the Cleveland Indians have definitely found their future center fielder.

Next: The Big Apple Starter

#4 Steven Matz

Matz made his MLB debut in the 2015 season but is still considered a rookie and was considered a prospect after the 2015 season, when he was ranked #1 overall in the Mets system.

He was drafted in the second round in 2009 and has been working himself up since then. He wasn’t considered a top prospect in his first three minor league seasons but really started to bloom in 2013. Matz joins an already impressive young pitching rotation, and he’s made a very smooth transition in MLB.

He’s made 18 starts, winning eight of them with six losses. He’s posted a very good rookie ERA of 3.36 and a 2.1 WAR. Matz is averaging 8.5 K/9 and just 2.19 BB/9, a very impressive stat, and one that ranks first among all rookie pitchers. In addition, he’s left 77.3 percent of runners on base. Although his WHIP has increased a bit in the second part of the season, 1.24 is still very encouraging from a rookie.

Matz is in line to place himself in one of the most potent pitching rotations in MLB for years to come. If the Mets can get back a healthy Zack Wheeler and Matt Harvey for next season, they’ll be close to unhittable with Matz and the likes of Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom.

Next: The Motor City Ace

#3 Michael Fulmer

Tigers fans weren’t very happy when Dave Dombrowski dealt away Yoenis Cespedes for Michael Fulmer. At the time, it was believed by fans that the return could have yielded a much better package.

Now, Tigers fans must have a little bit of love in their hearts for the ex-GM as Fulmer has dominated the league. Ending the 2015 season as their #1 prospect, Fulmer got the chance to shine in the Tigers rotation. He’s gone 9-2 with a 2.50 ERA, and has kept batters to just a .252 average and has an impressive 1.09 WHIP.

Fulmer had one of his most impressive starts of the season in Boston just this past week. Facing MLB’s best offense, he went 7.2 innings, allowing just three runs on seven hits. Detroit had serious rotation questions at the beginning of the year surrounding Justin Verlander and another dependable starter, and Fulmer has silenced those.

The rookie will be in heavy competition for Rookie of the Year, but if the Tigers can slip into the playoffs on the back of his pitching, he may take home the award. He’s been the best rookie pitcher in the American League this season and could be a dominant force for the Tigers for years to come.

Next: New Texas Ranger

#2 Nomar Mazara

If Fulmer can’t take home the Rookie of the Year trophy, it’s because of Nomar Mazara. The Texas Rangers right fielder has been a hitting machine this season. He was ranked the #3 prospect following the 2015 season, and has lived up to all the expectations.

The rookie is batting .279 with 12 home runs and 40 RBI. He has an on-base percentage of .332 and a slugging percentage of .413. The only reason his batting average is .279 is because of a to-be-expected rookie slump he just broke out of.

Mazara has been extremely flexible for the team. He’s batted in six different positions in the Rangers lineup and has played both right field and left field.

In addition to his bat, Mazara has posted a defensive runs above average of 4.8 and an overall Fangraphs WAR of 1.3. He’s been a dependable fielder, making 46 putouts and one assist with one error on the season.

Mazara came in when Shin-Soo Choo went down and Josh Hamilton was lost for the season. He has easily persuaded Rangers GM Jon Daniels that he is the next Rangers right fielder for years to come. With rising stars Joey Gallo and Jurickson Profar as well, the Rangers are looking very good for the future.

Next: Hollywood

#1 Corey Seager

More from Call to the Pen

You’re probably reading about the NL Rookie of the Year. Although the National League has three very capable shortstops who could potentially win the Rookie of the Year award, Seager is the front runner. Seager has been ranked a top three prospect for the Dodgers since being drafted back in 2012.

This season, he’s hitting .303 with 17 blasts and 46 runs batted in. His current Off is 18.5 and his Def is 12.1. His weighted on-base percentage is .369 and batting average on all balls hit into play is .343.

Seager has the highest rookie WAR in MLB, posting a 3.7 rating. With men in scoring position, he’s scorching the ball, hitting .329 with 30 RBI and three home runs. To show his respect throughout the league, Seager has been intentionally walked four times as a rookie, a stat usually not seen.

Next: Giants acquire Nunez

Seager’s arrival has been long awaited, and he’s certainly not disappointed in his time in LA. He should be able to hold down the shortstop position for as long as he wants, as he could blossom into the best shortstop in the National League.

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