As the countdown to Spring Training continues, rookie prospects prepare to bring their cases to make their teams’ 40 man roster. Like any other professional sport, the new kids can hit the diamond as the next rookie sensations. Minor Leagues have provided the means and time for rookies to sharpen their trade skills.
Here are some of the rookies that experts and fans alike cannot wait to see in 2019.
Guerrero has the potential to live up to his name (Yardbarker)
Arguably the most anticipated debut of 2019, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. stands as the top Blue Jays prospect as of now, as well as the top rookie in the majors for next season. His three seasons in the minors indicate that Jr. takes a lot after his Hall of Fame father.
He has tallied a .331 batting average in his tenure in the minors. He has also cashed in 40+ home runs and 200+ RBIs. Like his father did with the Montreal Expos, Jr. can bring glory to the Toronto Blue Jays, with his bat as the headliner.
The top White Sox prospect for 2019, Eloy Jimenez has the skills to become a two-way star. In his five years in both minors and foreign leagues, he has recorded a .314 batting average. He has also recorded 74 home runs and 321 RBIs.
His fielding has caught him much attention as well, especially in the Minors. Jimenez has seen playing time in all three positions in the outfield, with a .960 fielding percentage in each.
Meanwhile, Chicago has been making big changes to their roster. White Sox fans will have a lot to root for once Jimenez hits the outfield and begins the next step.
The Padres have a long and bumpy road ahead of them. Not to mention that their home runs leader, Christian Villanueva, is no longer around to bolster their offense. But, a certain Fernando Tatis is turning into an impact bat in his minor league time.
In his three years in the minors, Tatis Jr. has cashed in 42 home runs and 143 RBIs. His .280 batting average may seem a bit lower than desired, but that should improve over time. MLB Pipeline’s number two overall prospect may not be the solution to all of San Diego’s problems, but he could set the franchise one step in the right direction.
Image Courtesy of the Cincinnati Enquirer
The Cincinnati Reds will have plenty of new names on the 40-man roster for 2019, including quite a few former LA Dodgers. One newcomer could very well be the rookie infielder, Nick Senzel.
Senzel, along with many other potential rookies, is getting his name out in the minors. In his three-season gig, he has a batting average of .314. He has 27 home runs and 130 RBIs under his belt.
The number six overall prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, will have to tighten a few loose screws on defense. Senzel has recorded 24 errors and has a .955 fielding percentage during his three years in the minors. But if he addresses this problem correctly, the Reds could have an intimidating infield that includes Scooter Gennett, Eugenio Suarez and hopefully Senzel.
The catcher position for San Francisco seems to be in great hands. With the potential arrival of rookie, Joey Bart, the position will be able to pull its own weight and then some. In only one season in the minors, Bart has put up solid from the batter’s box. These include a .294 batting average, 13 home runs and 40 RBIs.
His fielding is solid as well, with a .985 fielding percentage and 30 assists. He and Buster Posey could be a formidable tag team at the catcher position.
The Minnesota Twins were off to a great start in 2018, but they started to fade away and eventually left the floodgates open for Cleveland to retain dominance in the AL Central. Now comes the part where they analyze where things went wrong and find a way to prolong their hot start.
The arrival of rookie, Alex Kirilloff, could be beneficial for the Twins moving forward. In his two years in the minors, Kirilloff has a .335 batting average, along with 27 home runs and 134 RBIs. Minnesota did not have the best offensive output in 2018, running middle of the pack in terms of batting average and production.
MLB Pipeline predicts that Kirilloff will make his debut in 2020. But if he stays hot, Twins fans could his name on the field sooner than later.
Featured image courtesy of SB Nation
You can “Like” The Game Haus on Facebook and “Follow” us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from other great TGH writers along with Manuel!
“From Our Haus to Yours”
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
