An impact prospect is a rookie who bursts on the scene as an unbelievable All-Star caliber player like the Angels Mike Trout.
Kris Bryant is projected to be the best prospect in baseball.
In Double- and Triple-A, the 22-year-old
obliterated the competition, bashing 43 homers in 138 games while
batting .325. He probably strikes out too much, but the competition in
Triple-A isn't going to teach him anything: he'll never feel compelled
to adjust if he can put up Triple Crown numbers in spite of any issues.
PECOTA, which is often critical of prospects, sees Bryant batting
.261/.351/.515 as a rookie which would be a pretty good debut.
The Mets have the best pitching prospect in Noah
Syndergaard. But the Mets' rotation right now is set, with Bartolo Colon as fifth starter. Unless he is traded to a contender, or
someone gets hurt and a spot opens, then Syndergaard could be the one
filling it. The 21 year old starter managed to strike out nearly 10 batters per inning in Triple-A last season. He is expected to burst on the NY scene.
The White Sox have the makings
of a great rotation thanks to Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, and Jeff
Samardzija. If they were inclined, they could put 2014 first-round pick
Carlos Rodon in their rotation as well -- it won't be out of spring
training, but with only John Danks and Hector Noesi in his way, he just
might get that push sooner than later. Rodon has only thrown 24 innings
in the minors, but finished his first pro season at Triple-A. Rondon has incredible stuff (comparable to Sale's) and already ranks among the game's best
pitching prospects in spite of his inexperience. He could end up being a
midseason difference maker in that rotation, one that propels the White
Sox to the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
