There are many top prospects expected to make their big league debut during the 2018 season. Also, a handful of prospects have already made their debut towards the end of the 2017 season. Here are some of the top projected rookies for the 2018 season.
Top Projected Rookies of the 2018 Season
10 Francisco Mejia, CLE
Mejia is projected to be one of the next great offensive catching prospects. He has felt out raked at all levels of the minors. Though there are questions where he will play defensively, there are certainly no questions about his offensive game.
9 Brent Honeywell, TB
The screwball is back! Honeywell is one of the very few pitching prospects/pitchers in today’s game that throws a screwball. He has been dominant at all levels of the minors thus far. Honeywell should receive the call at some point during the 2018 season.
8 Victor Robles, WAS
Robles was the youngest prospect to appear in a major league game last season. Though with a crowed outfield in Washington, the Nationals top prospect may not see much time in 2018. Robles is certainly one of the most talented prospects in the bunch, and he is only going to get better as he develops.
7 Willie Calhoun, TEX
The Rangers traded for Calhoun in the Yu Darvish trade. In 13 games with the Rangers, he hit .265 with a home runs. Calhoun one of the rare second base prospects that has a solid balance of power and average at the plate.
6 Lewis Brinson, MIL
Brinson appeared in 21 games for the Brewers last season. He slashed .234/.317/.408, with 25 RBI’s. Last season in Triple-A, Brinson hit .331 with 22 doubles, 13 home runs, and 11 stolen bases. Brinson is the future in centerfield for the Brewers.
5 Gleybar Torres, NYY
Torres has a strong chance of being a starter with the Yankees to open up the 2018 season. He is considered the second best prospect in all of baseball. After hitting .448 last spring, Torres should win the starting job out of Spring Training this season.
Buehler saw some minutes in LA towards the end of the 2017 season. He wasn’t all that impressive, as he allowed eight runs in nine innings. However, he has dominated at all levels of the minors, and is certainly ready to contribute with the Dodgers next season.
“The Babe Ruth of Japan,” Shohei Otani is expected to be the next big thing as he is finally making the transition to the MLB. The Angels have said they will use Otani as both a hitter and a pitcher. The past two years, Otani hit a combined .330 with 30 home runs in Japan. He also went 13-6 with a 2.66 ERA and 203 strikeouts. It will be interesting to see how his talents transition to the big league level.
2 Willy Adames, TB
Adames is just about ready to make his debut in Tampa Bay. He has hit at every level of the minors. For his career, he has 116 doubles, and is a .264 hitter. Adames has more power potential as he furthers his development.
At 20 years old, Acuna is one of the youngest and most talented hitters in the mind leagues. Acuna can flat out hit the ball, as he is a career .310 minor league hitter with 47 doubles, 29 home runs, and 74 stolen bases over three years. Acuna is expected to receive the call at some point next season, and the kid is certainly ready to rake.
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