Top 10 MLB breakout candidates in 2017
Hot-shot prospects make their MLB debuts every season, but what about the players looking for their big breakout season? Here are ten to watch for in 2017.
MLB All-Stars typically take two paths to the Midsummer Classic. Some burst onto the scene as a much-hyped prospect and excel from the moment they make their debut. The others get to the big leagues with just as much fanfare, but take their time developing and adjusting to the highest level of professional baseball. When the switch is flipped, and the light goes on for those players, however, watch out.
The Rookie of the Year contenders draw most of the hype, but the breakout stars deserve just as much love. It is a beautiful thing to watch when everything clicks for a player at the MLB level. Last year, for example, we were treated to a 40-homer season from Brian Dozier and Cy Young caliber pitching from Kyle Hendricks. Both are expected to maintain their dominance in 2017 and beyond.
With the 2017 season right around the corner, and players beginning to ramp up the intensity, which players have the potential to break out in a big way this year? If everything breaks right for these ten potential stars, they will no longer be caught in the nebulous period of a career where a player is no longer quite a prospect, but not quite fully established.
10. Byron Buxton
For the past two years, Byron Buxton has been one of the most eagerly awaited prospects in the game. The center fielder with blazing speed had traded places back and forth with Corey Seager for the title of best offensive prospect in baseball. Both made their debut in 2015, and while Seager has gone on to win the Rookie of the Year and contend for the MVP, Buxton has struggled.
The Minnesota Twins were forced into rushing their top prospect to the big leagues two years ago by a flukish run at the playoffs. So far in 138 games, Buxton is a .220/.274/.398 hitter with 26 doubles, seven triples, and 12 home runs. He also has 12 steals and has made a few highlight-reel plays in the outfield.
While there have been flashes of power, contact has been hard to come by for Buxton at the big-league level. He has already struck out 162 times in only 427 official at-bats. In the minors, Buxton was a .302/.380/.501 hitter with plenty of power and speed. He has played only 62 games at Triple-A, but excelled there.
Buxton could be this year’s Jackie Bradley, another player who profiles similarly and was rushed up to the big leagues by the Boston Red Sox. It’s way too early to write Buxton off. The potential for 30 doubles, ten triples, 20 homers, and 30 steals is still there. The Twins rushed Buxton to the bigs, but the talent is still there.