Top MLB Prospects for 2017: More Names to Know

Over the last two weeks I took a look at the top potential rookies for 2017. In most of those cases it wasn’t difficult to see how they might receive significant playing time during the coming season. Today, I’m taking a look at some players that might be MLB-ready in 2017 but lack clear paths to significant playing time.

Amed Rosario, SS, Mets: I first wrote about Rosario in 2014 when I deemed him the sleeper prospect in the system heading into 2015. Jump forward a few years and he’s undeniably the top prospect in their system and right up there as the top shortstop in baseball with Gleyber Torres and Dansby Swanson (who already has big league experience). Just 21, Rosario has shown the ability to be an elite defender at shortstop and should hit for a strong average with gap power (10-15 homers possible in his prime) and enough speed to net 15-20 bags. In New York, the club has shortstop covered by veterans Asdrubal Cabrera and Jose Reyes, both of whom are set to become free agents after the 2017 season — likely opening the door permanently for Rosario. Until then, though, he’ll spend the majority of the coming year at triple-A where he has yet to play after splitting 2016 between high-A and double-A.

Sam Travis, 1B, Red Sox: Travis may already have established himself as a big leaguer if not for an injury in 2016 that wiped out much of his season. He’s already made up for lost time this spring and opened some eyes by showing a good eye at the player (four walks in 21 at-bats) and hitting for pop (five of his six hits have gone for extra bases). Unfortunately, the club has Mitch Moreland at first base and Hanley Ramirez at the designated hitter position. With a little more triple-A seasoning, Travis could develop into a big league threat for the Sox capable of hitting for a strong average with 15+ homers in his prime; if he continues to show improved patience at the plate that will only make him more of a threat.

Matt Chapman, 3B, Athletics: Chapman is a polarizing prospect. He has big swing-and-miss issues and likely will never hit for a high average in the Majors but he also has massive power and could develop into the top defender at third base (including plus-plus arm strength) in the American League. He has plenty of competition blocking his path at the big league level in Ryon Healy and Trevor Plouffe but if/when the A’s fall out of contention the latter big leaguer should find a new home. I’m not a believer in Healy but if he’s as good as a lot of people think he is then Chapman’s defensive abilities are definitely going to push the ’16 breakout player to first base (at the expense of Yonder Alonso) or to designated hitter.

Trey Mancini, 1B/OF, Orioles: For a lot of big league clubs, Mancini would already be earmarked for a regular gig on opening day. However, he just happens to play in Baltimore where the club already has two pretty good players at his position (1B/DH… although he can also play a passable corner outfield): Chris Davis and Mark Trumbo. And news just came down that the club is resigning Pedro Alvarez to a minor league deal to play the outfield. Mancini would be a far cheaper and likely more productive option to the former Pirates-first rounder. He has shown improved pop in recent years and could eventually top 20 home runs… to go along with a decent average (although he’s sold out a bit in that area for more power). His walk rate was up significantly in 2016 while playing in double-A and triple-A (although so too was his K-rate). Mancini needs a ticket out of Baltimore big time because he’s ready to make an impact at the big league level.

Mark Zagunis, OF, Cubs: A former catcher turned outfielder (much like Kyle Schwarber), Zagunis moved swiftly through the minors and reached triple-A in his second full season — although it was cut short by a foot injury. He’s shown the ability to hit for average and takes an abundance of walks leading to .400+ on-base percentages in the minors. A corner outfielder, Zagunus doesn’t have massive power but he could produce 30-40 doubles in a full season with 12-15 home runs in his prime. He’ll need an injury or continued struggles from Jason Heyward to get a shot anything resembling regular playing time at the big league level for this juggernaut team.

JaCoby Jones, OF, Tigers: I perhaps should have included Jones in the previous series because he has a strong shot at breaking camp as the Tigers’ opening day center-fielder but some makeup/maturity concerns cloud my perception of him. A toolsy, athletic player, Jones has an outside shot at developing into a 20-20 player (homers-steals) but he needs to continue to tighten up his approach at the plate to be an all-around threat (He doesn’t walk enough and tends to strike out too much). Mikie Mahtook and Tyler Collins are threats to Jones’ playing time but neither player can come close to his upside.