Top MLB rookies in 2017

Left handers that toss in the mid-90s are a delicacy, and the D’Backs have a gem of one in Banda. He’ll start the season in Triple A Reno, but should join the team in some capacity by mid-summer. Between two minor league stops in 2016, he posted a 2.88 ERA over 26 starts, and during a brief spring training stint this year, he allowed a single hit over four innings.

The likely front-runner for National League Rookie of the Year honors this year, Swanson has all the tools to be a long standing All-Star at shortstop. A consensus top 5 prospect, he will slot in towards the head of the Braves lineup, on the heels of a brief 2016 appearance where he hit .302 over 38 games.

Coming off the heels of a very strong spring, where he led the Orioles in total hits, doubles and runs batted in, Mancini stands to be a big part of the already potent lineup in Baltimore. The former 8th round pick hit 20 homers a year ago as a minor leaguer, and stands to get significant at-bats as a Major Leaguer this season.

The embarrassment of riches that is the Red Sox outfield continues to expand. Considered the top prospect in the game by many, Benintendi has done nothing but prove those evaluations right. Following a year where he posted a 52 extra base hits as he rose through two ranks of the minors, and followed with a strong .359 on-base percentage as a Major Leaguer, Benintendi adds yet another top notch athlete to the Red Sox outfield.

A standout athlete that profiles as plus defender in center field, Almora is prepared to take on a big role for the Cubs as Dexter Fowler has vacated the outfield at Wrigley Field. There is also some offensive upside as an eventual top of the order bat, as he hit .303 at Triple A Iowa, and added nine doubles once reaching Chicago a year ago.

The best way to describe the 21-year-old infielder is "specimen." Moncada is among the most unique talents in the game, posting .403 OBP along with 17 homers, 33 doubles and 47 stolen bases through two levels. He was a major coup for the rebuilding White Sox, as a part of the Chris Sale trade, and stands to be the cornerstone of the franchise moving ahead, along with Jose Abreu. The Sox are going to try to be patient in regards to bringing up the tantalizing talent, but once he arrives, he stands to be at the heart of the AL Rookie of the Year race.

The Reds are accumulating a promising stash of young pitching, and Garrett is both the most unique and high ceiling talent of them all. A former college basketballer at St. John’s, Garrett has fully made the transition to baseball now, as his .192 average against as a minor leaguer a year ago proved. A year later, having secured a spot in the Reds’ opening day rotation, he’ll look to continue his steady ride through the professional ranks with a great opportunity to secure a long-term spot.

Cleveland is a veteran laden team that is chock full of returning, veteran talent. However, on the backend of a strong performance after a brief promotion last year and following it with an encouraging spring, the 25-year-old looks to be ready to hold on to a role with the team going ahead.

The starting pitching picture with the Rockies is an ever-changing equation. However, a year after winning the Eastern League pitcher of the year, Marquez is ready to take on a bigger role in Colorado. While he could begin the year as a part of the bullpen, the 22-year-old has the stuff to be a frontline starter in short order.

Taking full advantage of the opening created in center field due to the trade of Cameron Maybin to the Angels, Jones’ strong spring has him on the verge of opening the season in the starting lineup. After posting a .327 spring average, the 24-year-old looks to have little internal competition for position this year.

After posting a very impressive 1.23 ERA in 21 outings from the Royals bullpen last summer, there were few questions about "if" he would be a part of the team this year. Rather, it was about the how; he struck out 107 batters in 102 innings a year ago and could be turned to as a starter potentially too.

After defecting over from Cuba early in 2016, Gurriel made it to Houston late in the year, and showed flashes of why he was among the most highly regarded international players of the past decade. Gurriel will be the opening day first baseman for the ‘Stros, with the hope of him touching his 20-to-25 home run upside.

The flat Angels system has little to show in the way of surefire prospects that can penetrate the roster in the way of upside rookies. Meyer however has some sizable potential as a former first round pick, but has struggled to realize it thus far. If he can corral his control some, he could be a much needed addition to the Angels’ pen.

Over the past two years, Bellinger has become one of the top hitting minor leaguers in the game. And while he will not open the year as a big leaguer, his undeniable upside as a hitter could force his way into Majors sooner than later, and potentially as a left fielder, so he can fit into a potentially stacked lineup with Adrian Gonzalez still manning Bellinger’s natural position of first base.

Possessing a naturally electric arm and a developing breaking ball he can throw for outs, Garcia is the type of talent that forces his way into the mix. The 24-year-old will be among the first options called upon if injury hits the Marlins staff, especially on the heels of a strong outing in the Arizona Fall League (1.10 ERA in 10 games).

The Brewers starting staff projects to be one fairly easy to crack, which works in the favor of the talented lefty. Hader can live in the mid-to-upper 90s, and possesses a very mature slider that can eliminate MLB hitters already. His 1.29 spring ERA proved that he was past his struggles as a minor leaguer late last year, and should land him a spot in Milwaukee by the All-Star break.

The top talent received in the Eduardo Nunez trade last summer, Mejia is a mature lefty that is the type of arm that can easily slot into the Twins rotation long-term. And he will get his chance early in the year; the 23-year-old cracked the Twins as fifth starter. Possessing a mid-90’s fastball and a strong change up to offset it, Mejia posted a 1.88 spring ERA, while averaging a strikeout per inning, Mejia can be a significant upgrade to a downtrodden Twins rotation.

After a very strong showing over seven starts (2.42 ERA, 1.28 WHIP) after debuting in late August for the injury riddled Mets staff. And although the Mets staff has (mostly) rehabbed now, Gsellman has still proved his mettle after a strong spring, and stands to open the year as the club’s fifth starter, with Steven Matz dealing with an elbow issue.

Checking at a unique size for the sport (6’7”, 275 lbs) and position for his size (outfield), Judge is slated to start the season in right field in the Bronx. He carries considerable power potential (he already damaged a distant scoreboard this spring), having averaged 20 homers a season throughout his minor league career, although he has some noticeable holes in his swing. If he can battle through the inevitable strikeout woes (42 K’s in 95 plate appearances in his 2016 promotion), Judge can make an instant impact.

The prize return in the A’s trade that sent Rich Hill and Josh Reddick to the Dodgers, Cotton made an instant impact in Oakland. After posting a 2.15 ERA over five starts, the 25-year-old is now firmly placed in the core of the A’s rotation entering the season.

The organization had been slow to pull the trigger on bringing the backstop to the Majors since acquiring him two years ago as a part of the Cole Hamels deal. But after giving him a brief six game look at the end of 2016, this summer could be the year he gets the chance to show what he has. Alfaro hit 18 home runs and drove in 86 runs in his first full year in the Phillies organization, making good on the skill set that has him set up as their catcher of the future.

Glasnow dominated the minors perhaps more thoroughly than any other pitcher last year, posting a 1.93 ERA over 22 starts and striking out 144 over 116.2 innings. He struggled in translation after his promotion, battling through some control issues. But the Pirates need him to be a success this year if they are to climb back to their 2015 level, so expect him to get every opportunity to stick and shine with the Bucs.

After instantly becoming the top prospect in the Padres system since coming over as a part of the Craig Kimbrel trade a year ago, Margot will get a chance to display his considerable talents in San Diego this year. An outstanding athlete with 30 stolen base potential, Margot should instantly be a plus player defensively, while posting some serious extra base hit potential as well, hitting double digits in triples in each of his previous two minor league seasons.

Blach had a tremendous spring and placed himself squarely in sights of landing the fifth starter role coming out of camp. His camp performance validated the strong showing he had during his MLB debut last summer, when the southpaw posted a 1.06 ERA over a pair of starts and relief appearances.

A capable outfielder across the entire field and possessing a powerful stroke as well, Haniger was a big coup for the M’s as a part of the Jean Segura/Taijuan Walker deal. He is slated to take on the everyday right field job in his new home and possesses the type of difference making power that fits right in with a lineup featuring Nelson Cruz, Kyle Seager and Robinson Cano.

A dominant run up the minor league ranks helped Weaver find himself in the Majors by last August, despite his season debut being delayed due to a broken wrist. And while his path to the Majors is clouded by a crowded, veteran-laden Cardinal rotation, he is one injury away from showing why he was ranked within the top 75 prospects in the game entering the year.

The Rays were able to yet again add a top notch arm to their prized collection of young talents when they were able to land De Leon in exchange for Logan Forsythe from the Dodgers. Armed with a precocious changeup and a fearless approach with his fastball, De Leon should get ample chances to make his mark in his new home this summer, whether it be as a starter or in relief.

The Rangers’ top prospect blew through the professional ranks a year ago, reaching the Majors after beginning at high A level. Along the way, he won four games at each level and compiled a 2.19 cumulative ERA, while allowing only two home runs in 111 innings. The tall, slender lefty could rise quickly through a top-heavy Rangers rotation.

A powerful left-handed swinger, Tellez could truly ease the loss of Edwin Encarnacion once he reaches Toronto. He hit 23 homers at Double-A New Hampshire, while working for .387 on-base % as well. He’s a prototypical first base/designated hitter type, he should fit in well at the hitter-friend Rogers Centre.

After blazing through the minors in less than a year, and then impressing in the early stages of his MLB promotion, Glover could stand to be a very important part of the Nats pen. Due to the lack of a proven closer on their roster, it is completely within reach for him to have a shot at the closer role if Dusty Baker’s first few options don’t pan out. At the very least, he should be an effective setup man with ninth inning upside down the road.