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MLB.com: Top-10 breakout players for 2015

Angrioter

By Angrioter
in Toronto Blue Jays Talk

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Angrioter MVP

Angrioter

Old-Timey Member
Posted
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http://m.mlb.com/news/article/106083464/richard-justice-10-players-who-could-have-breakout-years-in-2015

 

10. Mike Fiers, RHP, Brewers

He's one of the best-kept secrets in baseball. Fiers was nothing special in his first two cracks at the big leagues, but last season threw up dazzling numbers (2.13 ERA in 14 appearances, including 10 starts). The Brewers are going to let six starters compete for five jobs this spring, and while veterans Matt Garza and Kyle Lohse are ahead of him, they're also in the final year of their contracts. Fiers' time is coming.

 

9. Ty Blach, LHP, Giants

The Giants have a wave of young pitching on the way, and doesn't that sound familiar? Blach, 24, finished last season at Double-A, and the Giants now see him as rotation insurance in case one of their veterans is injured.

 

8. Ryan Rua, LF, Rangers

In last season's rash of injuries, the Rangers discovered they had a wave of talented Minor Leaguers on the way. Rua, 24, seems likely to open the 2015 season with the big league club. He's just two years removed from Class A ball, but he's posted an .854 OPS in four Minor League seasons.

 

7. Andrew Heaney, LHP, Angels

Speaking of prized pitching prospects, this 23-year-old left-hander has become part of the pitching inventory Angels general manager Jerry DiPoto has acquired the last two offseasons. Heaney could earn the No. 5 spot in the rotation in 2015. If he stays healthy, he's widely seen as a top-of-the-rotation guy.

 

Lefty Andrew Heaney discusses being traded from the Marlins to the Dodgers and then to the Angels

 

 

6. Carlos Rodon, LHP, White Sox

The White Sox were thrilled that this hard-throwing left-hander out of North Carolina State was still on the board when they used the third pick in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft to nab him. Rodon pitched nine Minor League games last season, and those might be the only nine he ever pitches. He has both polish and power, and he seems to be absolutely ready for the big leagues.

 

 

5. Marcus Semien, SS, A's

A's general manager Billy Beane traded five of his seven 2014 All-Stars in an effort to replenish his farm system and add pitching depth. In the wheeling and dealing he also got Semien, who will have every chance to be Oakland's everyday shortstop. Only 24, Semien has played just 85 big league games, but flew through the Minors, putting up nice numbers at every stop.

 

 

4. Aaron Sanchez, RHP, Blue Jays

Sanchez has one of the best young arms on the planet and was virtually unhittable during 24 games for the Blue Jays last season. At 22, he seems penciled in for a spot in the rotation this season unless the Blue Jays ask him to fill the closer's role temporarily. Either way, he's one of many reasons the Blue Jays are so optimistic about 2015.

 

Richard Justice discusses the new-look Blue Jays and weighs in on the club's possible missing piece, a seasoned closer

 

 

3. Anthony Gose, CF, Tigers

He's 24 years old and coming off a season in which he hit .226 in 94 games for the Blue Jays. The Tigers, who acquired Gose in November, aren't sure what kind of offensive numbers he'll put up, but they got him to replace Austin Jackson and believe he'll play a Gold Glove-caliber center field. They also think he might contribute offensively, but his first job is run prevention.

 

 

2. Joc Pederson, CF, Dodgers

He's only 22 and already has sprinted through the Minor Leagues with eye-popping performances at the last three levels. One of the reasons the Dodgers were comfortable trading Matt Kemp is that they believe Pederson's 33 home runs and 1.017 OPS at Triple-A last season make him the real deal. Right behind him is 20-year-old SS Corey Seager, whose debut may be pushed back a year because of the trade for Jimmy Rollins, but Dodger fans will be seeing a lot of these two kids the next few seasons.

 

Dodgers third-ranked prospect Joc Pederson reflects on his disappointing Major League debut and joining a tight-knit clubhouse

 

 

1. Steven Souza Jr., RF, Rays

The Rays acquired the 25-year-old in the three-team Wil Myers trade and hope he'll be a middle-of-the-order presence from day one. In 96 games at Triple-A for the Nationals last season, he had 25 doubles, 18 home runs and a 1.022 OPS.

glory Vancouver Canadians

glory

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted

I think Gose can be a 2 WAR player on defense alone. If he hits at all, then he has a chance to be very good.

 

Problem is he hasn't hit.

KingKat All-Star

KingKat

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
Devon Travis should probably be on the list if we don't add a second basemen.

 

There's also Pompey. You would think that the fact that the Jays traded #3 on their list to clear room for Dalton would signify something about his potential impact.

Frenchsoup FCL Blue Jays

Frenchsoup

Verified Member
Posted
Posted
Fanboys everywhere

 

Stroman- competing for the CY

 

Hutch-3.50 era

 

Travis- 2.5 War if he gets the job out spring

 

Sleeper- AJ Jimenez send Thole to AAA I want my backup catcher to have studly defense.

KingKat All-Star

KingKat

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted

Top 5 potential Blue Jays breakout players for 2015

 

1. Dalton Pompey

2. Devon Travis

3. Daniel Norris

4. Aaron Sanchez

5. Kevin Pillar (I guess)

KingKat All-Star

KingKat

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
Justin Smoak!

 

Good one! I don't really think of him that way but it's true that a good season from him could constitue a breakout. He's as much a breakout candidate as anyone else on the list.

jaysblue Buffalo Bisons

jaysblue

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
Guys like Avisail Garcia, Kennys Vargas, Michael Saunders, TJ House, AJ Pollock, Chris Owings, Josh Rutledge, Tyler Matzek, and Drew Pomeranz should have been considered.

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