Top 30 MLB breakout stars in 2017

Los Angeles Dodgers

2017 MLB Breakout Pick: 2B Logan Forsythe

Players that finish third in the MVP vote aren’t eligible to become breakout players the following season – no matter how young they are. That means Corey Seager is ineligible. Electric left-hander Julio Urias is certainly a name to watch. But the 20-year old faces a veteran logjam in the starting rotation, and with the club watching his workload very closely in 2017, he might begin the season in the bullpen, or possibly even the minors. Yasiel Puig is always a wild card, and could break out again after two disappointing seasons, but there’s already been plenty written about Puig and his limitless potential over the years.

That leaves us with Logan Forsythe, the recent acquisition believed to be the second choice behind Twins second baseman Brian Dozier as a trade target over the winter. Given his age (30), and the fact that he’s on his third big league organization, Forsythe is not a sexy prospect. No matter, as Jeff Sullivan of FanGraphs pointed out shortly after the deal in January, Forsythe actually compares quite well to Dozier, who broke out with an AL second baseman record 42 home runs as a 29-year old last season.

Last year with the Rays, Forsythe hit .264/.333/.444 with a career high 20 home runs. He spent the entire year hitting leadoff in Tampa Bay, but managed to drive in 52 runs in 127 games.

While he may not make the jump to 40 homers like Dozier, Forsythe is a good contact hitter that is capable of hitting anywhere in the lineup. He’ll also have much more protection in the LA lineup than Dozier given the Dodgers solid roster, so there won’t be much pressure to be a run producer. Of course, just because there isn’t pressure doesn’t mean a player can’t become a star.

Another Name to Know: SP Julio Urias

One More for the Future: 1B Cody Bellinger