Fansided

Top 30 MLB breakout stars in 2017

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Aug 12, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins designated hitter Miguel Sano (22) celebrates his home run with outfielder Eddie Rosario (20) in the second inning against the Kansas City Royals at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins designated hitter Miguel Sano (22) celebrates his home run with outfielder Eddie Rosario (20) in the second inning against the Kansas City Royals at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 7, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Keon Broxton (23) makes a leaping catch of ball hit by Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (not pictured) in the ninth inning at Miller Park. The Brewers won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Keon Broxton (23) makes a leaping catch of ball hit by Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (not pictured) in the ninth inning at Miller Park. The Brewers won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

Milwaukee Brewers

2017 MLB Breakout Pick: CF Keon Broxton

The Milwaukee Brewers might not be very good in 2017, but they should be a fun team to watch. Breakout candidates abound with high upside players like shortstop Orlando Arcia, outfielder Domingo Santana, and starter Zach Davies, as well as speedsters Jonathan Villar and Hernan Perez, and corner infield sluggers Travis Shaw and Eric Thames (himself one of the most interesting hitters in baseball given his return from a spectacular stint in Korea).

But arguably the most exciting player on the roster is outfielder Keon Broxton. He’s far from a perfect player: A 36.1 percent strikeout would be damning for a slugger the likes of Kris Bryant, Khris Davis, Chris Davis or Chris Carter. In fact, Broxton’s strikeout rate was higher than all four 38-plus homer Kris/Khris/Chris’ – and every one else with more than 240 big league plate appearances last season.

Broxton struggled early and often in 2016, and was demoted to Triple-A twice. His .242/.354/.430 slash was also inflated by an incredibly high .373 BABIP, which means he definitely benefitted from some luck in the hit column. However, Broxton closed incredibly strong with a .311/.380/.556 September stretch that included three homers in 13 games.

Still, Broxton has the patient approach of a leadoff hitter, which is where Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell penciled him in six times in 2016 – including his final game of the season, in which Broxton suffered a broken arm. And with a 14.8 percent walk rate last season, Counsell would probably prefer to place him atop the order more in the future.

A very good defensive center fielder, Broxton covers a lot of ground with his great speed, which of course also contributed to his 23 stolen bases in 27 attempts last season. He also hits the ball consistently hard, and connected for nine home runs in 75 games as a 26-year old last season.

In other words, in a group of exciting young players, Broxton has the most tools in his tool bag. If he can put them all together in 2017, he could become a household name.

Another Name to Know: 1B Eric Thames

One More for the Future: SS Orlando Arcia

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