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 23, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres catcher Austin Hedges (18) hits an RBI sacrifice fly during the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres catcher Austin Hedges (18) hits an RBI sacrifice fly during the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

San Diego Padres

2017 MLB Breakout Pick: C Austin Hedges

No team in Major League Baseball has as many open opportunities as the San Diego Padres. The Padres are projected to win the fewest games in the big leagues by just about every projection model, writer, talking head and Las Vegas odds maker. The club slashed payroll (but still signed Wil Myers to a long-term, big-money contract) and opened up the competitions for playing time.

As a result, several young players, such as Hunter Renfroe, Travis Jankowski, Luis Sardinas, Manuel Margot, and Ryan Schimpf will have a chance to prove themselves worthy of an everyday spot in the lineup. One player that probably shouldn’t have had to wait this long for such an opportunity is 2017 breakout candidate Austin Hedges.

To be clear, not every breakout candidate should be expected to hit 25 home runs, post a .350 on-base percentage or slug .450. For Hedges, establishing himself as one of the top defensive catchers in the National League would be a worthy goal, and he has the potential to do it.

Of course, to truly break out, Hedges will need to be far better at the plate. Fortunately, he made huge strides in 2016. After hitting a combined .235/.292/.348 at all levels from 2013-15, and a measly .161/.206/.236 in 64 career games in the majors, Hedges posted a .312/.339/.567 slash combined between Triple-A and San Diego last season.

Hitting in El Paso is very different than San Diego, but Hedges hit 21 home runs (more than twice as many as he had in any previous season) and cut his strikeout rate to 16.1 percent. Derek Norris is out of the picture, and Christian Bethancourt isn’t likely to wrestle the primary catching duties away from him, so expect Austin Hedges to finally seize his opportunity for the Padres.

Another Name to Know: CF Travis Jankowski

One More for the Future: RF Hunter Renfroe

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