Potential Rookie Breakouts
2016 Fantasy Baseball
Gary Sanchez NYY C
There aren't too many high-end Catching prospects that are expected to make an impact in the Majors this year other than Sanchez. Gary possesses very good power but will likely go through some growing pains this season. The good news is that he'll get to play behind veteran Brian McCann and for Joe Girardi, a former Catcher.
Josh Bell PIT 1B
The Pirates clearly value Bell more than "all or nothing" slugger Pedro Alvarez as they let him go and added Bell to their 40-man roster. Bell, who stands at 6' 2" 225 pounds, is a switch-hitter that was forced moved to First Base a few years ago giving him a clearer path to the Bigs. Bell represented the Pirates in the 2014 and 2015 All Star Futures Game due to his immense power and aggressive swing. Josh has a chance to open the 2016 season as the Pirates First Baseman, if that's the case he'll be worth a look in all Fantasy leagues.
A.J. Reed HOU 1B
Like Josh Bell, A.J. Reed has a chance to enter the 2016 season as a starting Major League First Baseman. Reed hit a combined 34 home runs between Single A and Double A last year proving he has legit power. As a Junior at the University of Kentucky Reed hit .336 and recorded a .476 OBP all while leading the nation in home runs with 23. He went on to win the Golden Spikes award and the Dick Howser trophy that year as the best player in College Baseball. Past winners of the Golden Spikes award include Kris Bryant (2013), Bryce Harper (2010), Stephen Strasburg (2009), Buster Posey (2008) and David Price (2007).
There aren't too many high-end Catching prospects that are expected to make an impact in the Majors this year other than Sanchez. Gary possesses very good power but will likely go through some growing pains this season. The good news is that he'll get to play behind veteran Brian McCann and for Joe Girardi, a former Catcher.
Josh Bell PIT 1B
The Pirates clearly value Bell more than "all or nothing" slugger Pedro Alvarez as they let him go and added Bell to their 40-man roster. Bell, who stands at 6' 2" 225 pounds, is a switch-hitter that was forced moved to First Base a few years ago giving him a clearer path to the Bigs. Bell represented the Pirates in the 2014 and 2015 All Star Futures Game due to his immense power and aggressive swing. Josh has a chance to open the 2016 season as the Pirates First Baseman, if that's the case he'll be worth a look in all Fantasy leagues.
A.J. Reed HOU 1B
Like Josh Bell, A.J. Reed has a chance to enter the 2016 season as a starting Major League First Baseman. Reed hit a combined 34 home runs between Single A and Double A last year proving he has legit power. As a Junior at the University of Kentucky Reed hit .336 and recorded a .476 OBP all while leading the nation in home runs with 23. He went on to win the Golden Spikes award and the Dick Howser trophy that year as the best player in College Baseball. Past winners of the Golden Spikes award include Kris Bryant (2013), Bryce Harper (2010), Stephen Strasburg (2009), Buster Posey (2008) and David Price (2007).
| Byung Ho Park MIN 1B Even though he's already played a decade in the Korean Baseball Organization, Park enters 2016 as a 29 year old rookie. Park has won the home run title and RBI title in the KBO each of the last four years and is a two-time MVP of the league. He's hit 120 home runs over the past three seasons and driven in 368 RBI in that span. Park's power will translate to Minnesota but he will have to adjust to Major League pitching fairly quickly in order to make an impact in the Fantasy world. | 
koreatimesus.com
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Jose Peraza CIN 2B
In 2014 Peraza won the Braves' Minor League Player of the Year award when he hit .339 with 60 steals between his time in Single A and Double A. Jose was also selected to the All Star Futures Game that year. In 2015 Peraza was dealt to the Dodgers as part of a three-team deal between Los Angeles, Miami and Atlanta. In December Peraza was dealt to Cincinnati as part of a three-way trade between the Dodgers, Reds and White Sox. Brandon Phillips will open the 2016 season as the Reds' starting Second Baseman; however, Jose will be one to keep an eye on moving forward.
J.P. Crawford PHI SS
Touted as Jimmy Rollins heir apparent for a few years now, J.P. Crawford now has a chance to be the Phillies' everyday Shortstop. Crawford has an uncanny ability to get on base despite not having great power. J.P. actually recorded more walks than strikeouts last season in the minors. If he can take that skill set to Philadelphia he'll be a potential steal in the later rounds of your Fantasy drafts.
Trea Turner WSH SS
Turner is my pick to win the starting Shortstop job in Washington this season pairing up with Daniel Murphy as the Nats' double play duo. Turner is a good, not great, defender with a solid arm that'll allow him to stay at Shortstop for the immediate future. Offensively his best tool is his speed although he does have the ability to hit for some power. Like many players on this list, Turner is someone to watch this Spring Training.
In 2014 Peraza won the Braves' Minor League Player of the Year award when he hit .339 with 60 steals between his time in Single A and Double A. Jose was also selected to the All Star Futures Game that year. In 2015 Peraza was dealt to the Dodgers as part of a three-team deal between Los Angeles, Miami and Atlanta. In December Peraza was dealt to Cincinnati as part of a three-way trade between the Dodgers, Reds and White Sox. Brandon Phillips will open the 2016 season as the Reds' starting Second Baseman; however, Jose will be one to keep an eye on moving forward.
J.P. Crawford PHI SS
Touted as Jimmy Rollins heir apparent for a few years now, J.P. Crawford now has a chance to be the Phillies' everyday Shortstop. Crawford has an uncanny ability to get on base despite not having great power. J.P. actually recorded more walks than strikeouts last season in the minors. If he can take that skill set to Philadelphia he'll be a potential steal in the later rounds of your Fantasy drafts.
Trea Turner WSH SS
Turner is my pick to win the starting Shortstop job in Washington this season pairing up with Daniel Murphy as the Nats' double play duo. Turner is a good, not great, defender with a solid arm that'll allow him to stay at Shortstop for the immediate future. Offensively his best tool is his speed although he does have the ability to hit for some power. Like many players on this list, Turner is someone to watch this Spring Training.
| Aaron Judge NYY OF Yankee fans will be on the edge of their seats when Aaron Judge comes to the plate this year. Listed at 6' 7" and weighing nearly 300 pounds, Judge uses his frame to generate light tower power. Hitting in Yankee Stadium will be a plus for the youngster as well. The only two questions left to answer for Judge, and Manager Joe Girardi, is where will Judge play and when should he be promoted? | 
milb.com
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Jesse Winker CIN OF
Winker often garners comparisons to fellow Reds' player Jay Bruce for his size and power potential. Winker profiles as a good everyday Left Fielder, a hole that currently needs to be filled in Cincinnati. If Winker is given the job out of Spring Training he'll challenge as a potential Top 60 Fantasy Outfielder.
Julio Urias LAD SP
We may not see Urias in Los Angeles until September but he's still worth mentioning on this list for his tremendous upside. The South Paw has three plus-pitches and great control. He was signed as a 16 year old in 2012 and has since been electric in the Dodgers' farm system. He pitched in the Pacific Coast League last year as a 19 year old.
Winker often garners comparisons to fellow Reds' player Jay Bruce for his size and power potential. Winker profiles as a good everyday Left Fielder, a hole that currently needs to be filled in Cincinnati. If Winker is given the job out of Spring Training he'll challenge as a potential Top 60 Fantasy Outfielder.
Julio Urias LAD SP
We may not see Urias in Los Angeles until September but he's still worth mentioning on this list for his tremendous upside. The South Paw has three plus-pitches and great control. He was signed as a 16 year old in 2012 and has since been electric in the Dodgers' farm system. He pitched in the Pacific Coast League last year as a 19 year old.
| Jose Berrios MIN SP The Twins could do themselves a huge favor this season by cutting Jose Berrios loose at the Major League level. Even though he's just 21 years old, Jose was dominant in Triple A (International League) last year posting a 6-2 record with a 2.62 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and an 83/14 K/BB ratio. Berrios uses a mid-90's fastball, with life, to go with a hard slurve and a great changeup. He has pretty good control of all three pitches as well. | 
mlb.com
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Robert Stephenson CIN SP
Stephenson is nearing a promotion to the Majors. He stands 6' 2" and checks in at about 200 pounds. He uses that frame to throw a hard fastball that can touch the upper 90's regularly. Along with his fastball, Stephenson throws a devastating curveball, and offers an average changeup as his third pitch. The 22 year old amassed 134 innings (between Double A and Triple A) last season helping him build strength to better prepare him for the Bigs. Stephenson is a must own in all keeper/dynasty leagues.
If you have any questions about the above rookies or any other rookies please post them in the comment section below.
Alex Wiesner
January 3rd, 2016
Archives
Stephenson is nearing a promotion to the Majors. He stands 6' 2" and checks in at about 200 pounds. He uses that frame to throw a hard fastball that can touch the upper 90's regularly. Along with his fastball, Stephenson throws a devastating curveball, and offers an average changeup as his third pitch. The 22 year old amassed 134 innings (between Double A and Triple A) last season helping him build strength to better prepare him for the Bigs. Stephenson is a must own in all keeper/dynasty leagues.
If you have any questions about the above rookies or any other rookies please post them in the comment section below.
Alex Wiesner
January 3rd, 2016
Archives
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