YOUTH IS SERVED — AND READY TO EXCEL
Increasingly, USA TODAY Sports’ list of 100 Names You Need to Know has been populated by players who are already household names — at least within the confines of Major League Baseball.
Our annual tally of top young players projected to make an impact on the upcoming season is often a prism into the current state of the game — and right now, the influence of emerging players seems to increase every year.
This year’s list is dotted with several players whose achievements are wellknown, with only the mystery of what they might accomplish over a full 162 games remaining.
Our annual breakdown of top young players requires that they have had more innings (for pitchers) or plate appearances (for hitters) in the minor leagues during 2016 than they have accumulated during all of their major league playing time. Players are ranked in order of anticipated impact this season.
A look at the top 20:
1. Trea Turner, SS, Nationals:
When the Nationals traded Danny Espinosa to the Los Angeles Angels this winter, it opened the door for Turner to return to his natural position full time. Turner, 23, is an ideal leadoff hitter with unlimited potential. He finished second to Corey Seager in National League rookie of the year voting.
2. Gary Sanchez, C, Yankees:
A fixture on prospects lists since his first full minor league season in 2011, Sanchez exceeded all reasonable expectations in his first turn through the majors. The catcher homered at a Ruthian pace over the season’s final two months. And though he has room to improve defensively, Sanchez showed a strong arm and threw out 41% of would-be basestealers. Now 24, he’ll enter 2017 with a full-time job.
3. Andrew Benintendi, OF, Red Sox:
A sweet-swinging outfielder, Benintendi, 22, blew through two minor league levels and found his way to Fenway Park during his first full pro season . A lefty hitter with gap power and great contact skills, Benintendi has the range to play center field but will likely again spend most of his time in left. He might start the season splitting time with right-handedhitting veteran Chris Young, but Benintendi hit lefties well in the minors and should take over one of Boston’s outfield spots on a full-time basis.
4. Alex Bregman, 3B, Astros:
USA TODAY Sports’ Minor League Player of the Year in 2016, Bregman reached the majors in late July and performed well down the stretch. The 22-year-old heads into spring training as Houston’s third baseman and will be expected to contribute in a big way. With 28 home runs in 2016 — including eight in the majors — Bregman has shown power beyond expectations, and he has adapted well since moving from shortstop to the hot corner. Bregman will play for the USA in the World Baseball Classic.
5. David Dahl, OF, Rockies:
The 22-year-old impressed in the majors last season, but with a crowded outfield Dahl might not initially get a chance to play every day in 2017. He’ll be competing for time in left field with Gerardo Parra, who is making $8 million this season. Even if he doesn’t win the job in camp, expect Dahl to get plenty of at-bats and eventually climb to the top of the depth chart.
6. Alex Reyes, RHP, Cardinals:
Armed with a fastball that can touch triple digits and a nasty curveball, Reyes made his MLB debut at 21. (He probably would have reached the majors even earlier if not for a 50-game suspension he served at the beginning of the season for a positive marijuana test.) He’ll have to improve his control if he’s going to make an immediate impact in the rotation.
7. Ryon Healy, 3B-1B-DH, Athletics:
Less heralded than other A’s prospects, Healy, 25, produced a .861 onbase-plus-slugging percentage with 13 homers in 72 games playing mostly third base, where he was merely adequate. The A’s signed Trevor Plouffe to take over at third this year but will find plenty of atbats for 6-5 Healy at first base, where he will platoon with left-handed-swinging Yonder Alonso, and in the DH spot.
8. Dansby Swanson, SS, Braves:
Swanson, who turns 23 on Saturday, had a successful stint in the majors last season, but it went under the radar because of the Braves’ struggles. He’s going to be the centerpiece of the team for the next several seasons and the starting shortstop on opening day. The organization has enough confidence in Swanson that the Braves awarded him a bobblehead for June 16.
9. Josh Bell, 1B, Pirates:
With three talented outfielders on the Pirates major league roster, Bell started working at first base in 2015 and got his first taste of the majors last season. He has shown excellent plate discipline, posting a .373 onbase percentage in five minor league seasons. But the 24-year-old switch-hitter hasn’t yet shown the kind of power most teams want from a first baseman. He’s the front-runner to be their opening-day starter — provided he has recovered from minor knee surgery.
10. Yulieski Gurriel, 1B-3B, Astros:
The 32-year-old Cuban signed a five-year $47.5 million deal in July and was in the majors a month later, after 15 games in the minor leagues. Gurriel batted .321 in his first 24 games but tailed off over the last two weeks. He’ll be Houston’s first baseman to start the season, but Evan Gattis could force his way into the picture if Gurriel struggles.
11. Manuel Margot, OF, Padres:
Margot, 22, flashed some of his outstanding speed and defensive ability with a memorable home run-stealing catch at the Futures Game, one of several highlights in a season capped by his September call-up. A prototypical center fielder-leadoff type, Margot will get every chance to seize those roles for the Padres, who desperately want to infuse new talent into a team coming off its sixth consecutive losing season.
12. Albert Almora, OF, Cubs:
Almora is the only player on our 100 Names list who owns a World Series ring, serving mostly as a defensive replacement last year. He is a .290 hitter over five minor league seasons and is a good baserunner. Almora, 22, is expected to have a larger role after center fielder Dexter Fowler left as a free agent (though he could share playing time with Jon Jay). His excellent defensive skills will allow the Cubs to keep Jason Heyward in right field.
13. Hunter Renfroe, OF, Padres:
The monster shot that landed atop the Western Metal Supply Co. beyond Petco Park’s left-field stands as the most persuasive evidence of Renfroe’s power. The 34 home runs he banged out last year, including four with the Padres, provide further verification. Renfroe, 25, also made strides in reducing his strikeouts and batted .306 at Class AAA El Paso, although he’s still reluctant to take a walk. That certainly won’t keep the Padres from making him their starting right fielder, unless he falls on his face in the spring.
14. Orlando Arcia, SS, Brewers:
With a slight build (6 feet, 165 pounds) there are concerns Arcia, 22, will be overmatched against big-league pitching. But throughout his minor league career, Arcia has been one of the youngest players at his level, and he has ultimately found success.
15. Blake Snell, LHP, Rays:
USA TODAY Sports’ 2015 Minor League Player of the Year did not disappoint in his first major league season, producing five quality starts among his 19 outings with the Rays during a season in which he logged a career-high 152 innings between Tampa Bay and Class AAA. Snell, 24, should be stronger. Improving his 1.92 strikeout-to-walk ratio will be key, but Snell has shown he should succeed as the Rays’ No. 3 starter.
16. Greg Bird, 1B, Yankees:
Bird spent the 2016 season on the disabled list after offseason shoulder surgery following a strong 2015 debut. But with Mark Teixeira retired, Bird, 24, has the inside track to the Yankees’ starting first-base job. If he’s healed, he should hit. Bird showed patience and power at every level en route to the majors and will play in one of baseball’s best environments for lefty-swinging flyball hitters. Injured — did not play in 2016
17. Jose Peraza, IF, Reds:
The Reds will make every effort to get Peraza on the field in 2017. He saw action at second base, shortstop and in the outfield last season and could play any or all of those again. One of the key players the Reds received last winter for All-Star Todd Frazier, Peraza, 22, is frequently compared to teammate Billy Hamilton because of their outstanding speed, but Peraza is a more consistent hitter.
18. Daniel Vogelbach, 1B, Mariners:
Seattle landed the hulking left-handed slugger in the trade that sent Mike Montgomery to the Cubs in July, and he was in the majors by the end of the season. Vogelbach batted .231 against lefties in Class AAA and is expected to platoon with Danny Valencia at first base. The 24-yearold is unproven in the majors and a largely one-dimensional player, so he could be on a short leash.
19. Matt Strahm, LHP, Royals:
It was probably just coincidence, but the Royals embarked on their finest stretch of baseball after Strahm’s July 31 debut. He posted a 1.23 ERA in 21 relief appearances, and now he’s poised to snag a rotation spot. Regardless of his role, Strahm is the new Danny Duffy, now that Duffy’s a fully vested member of the rotation.
20. Jharel Cotton, RHP, Athletics:
One of three promising pitchers acquired from the Dodgers in the deadline trade that sent Rich Hill and Josh Reddick to L.A., Cotton made an impression by logging a 2.15 ERA in five starts. Cotton stands 5-11 but can pump up his fastball to 95 mph, setting up his exceptional changeup. The A’s expect Cotton, 25, to seize a spot in their youthful rotation.