Top 30 MLB breakout stars in 2017

Colorado Rockies

2017 MLB Breakout Pick: SP Jon Gray

The Colorado Rockies are a trendy pick to be a breakout team in the National League in 2017. However, the injury bug hit prized free agent signing Ian Desmond this spring, and top starter Chad Bettis is out indefinitely as he undergoes chemotherapy and recovery for testicular cancer.

With Bettis on the shelf, expectations high for the club as a whole, and pitching is always an issue at Coors Field. That means the pressure is on for young starter Jon Gray to step up and become the ace of the staff in 2017. Fortunately, he’s quite capable of it.

The No. 3 overall selection in the 2013 MLB draft, Gray reached Colorado for a nine-start stint in 2015, and established himself as a permanent member of the starting rotation in 2016. In 29 starts as s a rookie last year, Gray posted a mediocre 4.61 ERA, but that was misleading. The hard-throwing right-hander posted a 3.60 FIP and held opposing hitters to a modest .243 /.317/.386 slash. He surrendered 18 home runs, but just 153 hits in 168 innings, and struck out 185 hitters – good for a strong 26 percent strikeout rate.

He’s got great velocity (he averaged 95.0 miles per hour with his fastball and hit 98.7), and pairs it with a swing-and-miss slider and improving change up, which should put him in a good place to combat the thin air at home.

However, Gray was inconsistent in 2016. For instance, in the month of September, he was 1-4 with a 5.52 ERA in 29.1 innings across five starts. But, on September 17, the 25-year old tossed a brilliant four-hit shutout against the Padres that included 16 strikeouts – offering a glimpse of Gray’s true talent.

Given the issues already facing the Colorado pitching staff, the Rockies need Gray to break out in 2017. If Gray fulfills his potential, the Rockies themselves should break out and challenge for a Wild Card spot.

Another Name to Know: C Tony Wolters

One More for the Future: SP Jeff Hoffman