fbpx
Skip to main content

Eight MLB rookies set to shine in 2017

Everyone knew Corey Seager was going to have a phenomenal rookie season and be a potential Rookie of the Year candidate. But how many predicted Michael Fulmer’s breakout? Not many, if anyone.

The 2017 season will host rookies and prospects with the names of Brent Honeywell, Roman Quinn, Mitch Haniger and much more.

With that in mind, here are some of those players and more that may not be Rookie of the Year candidates, but could definitely cause some conversation in the league.

Brent Honeywell, starting pitcher, Tampa Bay Rays

A right-handed pitcher in the Rays’ organization, Honeywell has been on a few Rookie of the Year prediction lists during the offseason. He recently tells me he’s extremely humbled by the considerations. Rightfully so. The 21-year-old had a strong campaign in 2016.

Last season, Honeywell accumulated a 2.34 ERA with 117 strikeouts in 115.1 innings across two teams.

The only difficulty Honeywell has is with a number of talented pitchers he has ahead of him. That could create a delay in his major league debut, but the screwball tosser has made a name for himself with a phenomenal performance in the Arizona Fall League.

Honeywell is more than ready to make his presence known in Tampa. And if he stays on this path, he will be there before we know it.

Jack Reinheimer, shortstop, Arizona Diamondbacks

A shortstop in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ organization, Jack Reinheimer is always a blast to watch.

He’s stellar on defense and still maintains power when it’s his turn to enter the batter’s box.

In 2016 with the organization’s Triple-A affiliate, Reinheimer finished the season with a .288/.353/.384 line with two home runs, 48 runs batted in and 20 stolen bases over 500 at-bats.

He was a 2016 Mid-Season All-Star in the Pacific Coast League and also a top-10 prospect in the organization.  Some articles have him making an impact on the big-league club as early as April. And it’s hard to disagree with that.

The 23-year-old is surely one of “future” members on the Diamondbacks, especially following the footsteps of Chris Owings who has made a strong case for himself with the club in Arizona.

Zachary Bird, relief pitcher, Texas Rangers

When it comes to pitcher Zachary Bird, he needs a few more outings in the minors before he could be considered getting a promotion. But he needs to be ready. The Texas Rangers’ pitching staff has a tendency to be injury prone, and with the talks of acquiring Jose Quintana dying down, he needs the experience if that call ever comes.

Last season with the High-A Mud Cats, the 22-year-old accumulated a 9.90 ERA in his past 10 games. His totals last season reached a career high 8.87 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 47.2 innings.

Bird was acquired during the Rule 5 Draft in December from the Braves, an organization that saw him struggle last season. And when talking to scouts, not many have anything to say about him. In reality, that speaks for itself.

This is the part where I say “but…”

He is still young and has a body type that is perfect for a pitcher. And according to the scouts that have something to say about him, he is said to be “loose, raw, and has a live arm with command issues.” So there are some building blocks that need to be stacked, but he’s certainly someone to keep an eye on. Let’s just hope he’s not a “slow burn developmentally” like whispers say.

Amir Garrett, starting pitcher, Cincinnati Reds

Keith Law recently ranked 24-year-old Amir Garrett as the No. 39 overall prospect. He’s also the top pitching prospect in the organization and was recently announced as the Minor League Pitcher of the Year for the second consecutive season. Impressive, right?

There’s more.

With the Triple-A Affiliate Louisville Bats, he posted a 3.46 ERA and combined for 144.2 total innings between across two teams.

Garrett did have a bit of a setback with some walk issues, but still had glowing reports from Law.

“I believe strongly in betting on highly athletic kids like Garrett to make adjustments, the way Jeff Samardzija — another two-sport guy who didn’t play baseball full-time until after college — did in his late 20s, and could see Garrett working on command for a year in the Reds’ bullpen before he becomes a mid rotation starter.”

Expect to see him in a Major League uniform this season.

Tyler Stephenson, catcher, Cincinnati Reds

Let’s stick with the Reds’ farm system. Those guys are ranked as the ninth best in the league, the minor leagues of course. We know what’s happening in the higher levels.

Prospect analyst Bernie Pleskoff spoke of catcher Tyler Stephenson, saying the 20-year-old helps give the team depth. With a team that doesn’t show any future signs of being competitive, his time in the majors could come quickly.

Across two teams last season, Stephenson posted a .246/.323/.351 slash line. He was on and off the disabled list last year, but is still considered a top catching prospect in the league.

Mitch Haniger, outfield, Seattle Mariners

An all-around amazing player and person, Mitch Haniger was a treat to cover while he was with the Diamondbacks. He went on to Seattle in the Taijuan Walker deal from Arizona.

Between two teams last season in the minors, the 26-year-old posted a .321/.419/.581 line. He was also promoted to the Diamondbacks, where he tapped in five home runs and 25 hits. That’s a smoother transition than most who leave the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.

He’s my most confident pick on the list to make an impact on his big league club.

Carson Kelly, catcher, St. Louis Cardinals

Between his Double-A and Triple-A stints, 22-year-old Carson Kelly posted a .289/.343/.395 line with six bombs and 32 RBI’s.

He was highlighted during the Arizona Fall League’s Fall Stars when he went 1-for-2 with two RBIs and a run scored in the game, even after dealing with nerves.

“You’ll still get those butterflies because it’s a big game,” said Kelly to MiLB.com’s Josh Jackson. “You’re being showcased in front of MLB Network and all these tremendous players get to go out and play in this one game. They’re my friends, some of them, and you don’t get a lot of these opportunities through the Minor Leagues, playing with friends, in a big game, one that’s on TV. It’s special to get out there and have the chance to showcase yourself, which is what it’s all about really.”

When it comes to his promotional capability, it’s certainly there, it’s just a matter of when. The second-rounder of the 2012 draft adds depth to the Cards and is said to have the perfect defensive talent to stay in the bigs for a very long time.

Roman Quinn, outfield, Philadelphia Phillies

Roman Quinn has so much upside he will barely pass as someone who could have any type of “surprising” scenarios when it comes to this season. Phillies fans will see him very soon. But for fun, let’s dig into this kid’s information.

The 23-year-old is being called an “in between guy.” And according to this article from Fox Sports, he is one of the top-10 prospects in the organization. Across two minor league teams in 2016, Quinn posted a 301./372/.451 line with 93 hits and six home runs.

He, like Haniger, was promoted to his big-league club, posting a 263/.373/.333 slash with 15 hits in as many games.

Quinn should make his way to Philly if he stays healthy. He made quite a few stints on the disabled list last season.

Mentioned in this article:

More About: