Top 10 MLB rookies expected to be on Opening Day rosters

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Sep 3, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Colin Rea (29) pitches during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Colin Rea, SP, San Diego Padres

Rea may not have the national name recognition of some other prospects, but he’s ready to be an MLB-level contributor with a high enough floor to be interesting.

After going all in last season and failing, the Padres enter a bit of a rebuilding year in 2016. The fourth and fifth spots in San Diego’s rotation are up for grabs, and Rea is a clear favorite to take on of those behind Tyson Ross, Andrew Cashner and James Shields.

Rea briefly appeared in the Majors towards the end of the 2015 season, getting off to a solid start. The 25-year-old posted a 4.26 ERA (3.45 FIP) with a strikeout rate just shy of 20 percent in six starts according to FanGraphs.

Those numbers were largely in line with Rea’s minor-league career, as he projects to be a solid-yet-unspectacular back-end starter, particularly if he can get his walks down. Rea has done an excellent job of limiting home runs in the minors, and that should continue in spacious Petco Park.

Early returns on Rea’s spring training campaign are positive, as the right-hander looks to have recovered from some elbow trouble he suffered in September. Rea isn’t the most flashy rookie out there, but a young, solid back-end starter is a valuable commodity to have on a roster.

Next: 8. Hyun-soo Kim, OF, Baltimore Orioles

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