With spring training around the corner and the start of the MLB season in less than two months, here are the top ten prospects in baseball this year, who potentially have a shot to get called up to the show.
1. SS Wander Franco, Tampa Bay Rays
Franco was the #1 prospect according to MLB Pipeline as he is the future shortstop of the future for the Rays. He possesses all the skills to make a shortstop in this league and should get the call to the majors sometime this year. Franco will take Willy Adames’s spot, a former top prospect as well who the Rays were expecting to be more of a factor. Adames could get moved to free up shortstop for Franco sometime this year or next year.
2. C Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles
The next great catcher is just along the horizon for the Orioles. Rutschman has all the tools to become the best catcher in baseball in the near future. The Orioles found the face of their franchise and their franchise backstop for the foreseeable future. He will be a staple in the Orioles lineup for years to come.
3. 3B/1B Spencer Torkelson, Detroit Tigers
The #1 overall pick in last year’s MLB draft has already soared up the charts. Torkelson has raw power that can see him hit upmost 40 or more home runs a year. Whether or not the Tigers decide to play him at third base or first base, Torkelson will be their face of the franchise and will look to bring this team back to the playoffs.
4. OF Jarred Kelenic, Seattle Mariners
Kelenic has both the bat and the glove to become the next great outfielder in baseball. He will be a star for the Mariners once he does get called up to play and will look to transform this team into a powerhouse with their loaded farm system coming up to the majors in the next couple of years.
5. OF Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners
Rodriguez is the other top outfield prospect in the Mariners system who is just as good as Kelenic, if not better. Rodriguez has the power and speed that he will bring to this Mariners team that is desperate to have stars. Kelenic and Rodriguez will be staples in this lineup for years to come and will both form a star duo in the outfield.
6. SS Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals
Witt Jr. is a straight-up star in the making and the next big thing in baseball. The Royals may have found a diamond in the rough and a perennial all-star in Witt Jr. He possesses all the skills and tools to become the next big shortstop in baseball. Witt Jr. will become the face of the franchise as soon as he gets the call to the majors and will be there to stay for a long time.
7. SP MacKenzie Gore, San Diego Padres
Gore has been in the Padres system for as long as I can remember. He has not had the proper chance to show his stuff in the majors, but he should get the chance this year to help this team make a World Series push. Gore is the top pitching prospect in baseball and has been for years. If Gore is what the Padres say he is, he can make this rotation the best in the history of baseball, potentially.
8. SS CJ Abrams, San Diego Padres
Abrams like Gore has been in the system for years waiting to get a chance. With a crowded infield, Abrams may not get a chance soon to showcase his speed and bat. It would be interesting to see how the Padres would utilize him if it would be in the infield or the outfield. Abrams adds more potential to an already stacked Padres team.
9. 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes, Pittsburgh Pirates
Hayes showed flashes of stardom last year when he got called up to play for the rest of the season. He is the next big star for the Pirates who need all the help they can get in the midst of a complete rebuild. He is the first piece of the puzzle to get this Pirates team back to the playoffs.
10. SP Nate Pearson, Toronto Blue Jays
Pearson has soared up the charts in recent years. He has electric stuff and control to add to a revamped Blue Jays roster and pitching rotation. He can be the Blue Jays ace of the future or potentially be an important rotation piece to get this Blue Jays team back to the playoffs and compete for a World Series.