Top 30 MLB breakout stars in 2017

Oakland Athletics

2017 MLB Breakout Pick: Kendall Graveman

Most of the pitchers on this list have high velocity fastballs and high strikeout totals. On a personal note, I’m a sucker for a 100-mile an hour heater and swing-and-miss secondary stuff. However, there is something to like about sinkerballer Kendall Graveman, who could become the new ace of the Oakland A’s in 2017.

Graveman is a contact pitcher that has a 51.3 percent groundball rate over the past two seasons. Naturally, his 14.5 percent strikeout is more than five percent below the big league average. Overall, Graveman was 10-11 with a 4.11 ERA in 186 innings. He struck out 108 hitters and walked 47.

It’s important to note that Graveman’s numbers might have been better with a different defensive behind him (despite a 4.39 FIP higher than his ERA, as well as the fact only two of the 87 runs he allowed were unearned). The A’s were one of the worst defensive teams in the major last season according to most metrics, meaning more than a handful of the 196 hits he surrendered last season may have been caught by a better group of outfielders, or may have been stopped by a better group of infielders.

Most importantly, there’s evidence to suggest (according to the pitch tunneling data available from Baseball Prospectus) that Graveman compares favorably to Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks – he of the major league leading 2.13 ERA and third place finish in the NL Cy Young Award race last season, as well as the regular Greg Maddux comparisons.

He may not be Maddux or even Hendricks, but if the A’s play better defense behind him in 2017 – and some of their offseason moves suggest they will – expect a very good season for Graveman.

Another Name to Know: 1B/3B/DH Ryon Healy 

Two More for the Future: SP Sean Manaea and SP Jharel Cotton