MLB Rookies to Keep an Eye on This Postseason

Oct 7, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder

(12) high fives third base coach

(1) after hitting a two-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the third inning in the National League Wild Card playoff baseball game at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Year of the Prospect has shown off some of the best young talent in baseball all season, and this postseason there are a number of rookies to keep an eye out for. Some, like Carlos Correa and Kris Bryant, are Rookie of the Year candidates that are expected to help carry their teams in their push for the pennant, while a number of others could play key roles.

With the second wild card game in the books, we now have the match-ups and will go through each series and point out which MLB rookies you need to keep an eye on.

Next: Astros vs. Royals

Oct 3, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Astros shortstop

(1) hits a pitch during the third inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Astros made it to the ALDS after eliminating the Yankees in a one-game playoff behind the dominance of Cy Young contender Dallas Keuchel. If they want to advance past the Royals, they will need some contributions from their young players.

The one name that will stand out is Carlos Correa, who made his MLB debut back in June, and has quickly ascended into the conversation as to who is the best shortstop in baseball. After batting .279 with 22 homers and 68 RBI in 99 games, most of which came before he turned 21 on September 22, Correa is sure to shine in the future, and has the chance to kickstart the tales that will be told about him this October.

Outfielder Preston Tucker, if he is kept on the roster as a bench option, could have an immediate impact if called upon as the 25-year-old older brother of recent draftee (and also selected by the Astros) Kyle Tucker, launched 13 over the fence this season, two of which were as a pinch-hitter. The hard part for Tucker may be getting that opportunity, especially if Carlos Gomez is deemed fit to play. With Gomez, George Springer and Colby Rasmus all on a hot streak, none of them is likely to exit the game, leaving the options to someone on the infield–say a Luis Valbuena or Chris Carter— but that duo combined for 49 home runs.

If there is a game four, 22-year-old Lance McCullers Jr. has a good chance at starting that game, and all he did was hold a 3.22 ERA while striking out more than one an inning. McCullers also held a 1.86 ERA at home, which if there is a fourth game, would be in Houston.

Finally for the Astros is Matt Duffy, who spent most of the season in Triple-A earning the Pacific Coast League MVP with the Fresno Grizzlies. The Grizzlies went on to win the Triple-A Championship even after Duffy was promoted. Not a highly ranked prospect by any means, Duffy is a solid bat, hitting for both average and power. Duffy only had eight at-bats this season, but is 3-for-8 with 3 RBI in the few opportunities he’s received, making him no sure bet to receive a roster spot.

You may remember Terrance Gore from early last postseason as he swiped one bag in the AL wild card game against Oakland, then two more in the sweep against the Angels. Gore has more steals in the Major Leagues (8 regular season, 3 postseason) than he does plate appearances (6) since he debuted last season. Take a guess at how manager Ned Yost will be using Gore. Also of note, Gore has yet to be caught stealing.

Next: Rangers vs. Blue Jays

Aug 27, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher

(50) pitches in the sixth inning Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

The Rangers have relied on some young talent all season, but the most impactful rookie position position player has been Delino DeShields. He can make spectacular plays in the outfield, or spark a rally either with his bat or his speed. Minimizing the damage that DeShields does should be one of the keys to victory for Toronto.

The other big contributor for the Rangers this season has been reliever Keone Kela, who posted a 2.39 ERA in his first season in the bigs and hasn’t allowed a run since July 30 against the Yankees when he allowed a solo shot to Mark Texeira, but also struck out the side. That’s 16 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball for Kela, and he’s allowed just eight hits and four walks during that span while striking out 21. He also hasn’t allowed a run to the Blue Jays in 1 2/3 innings this season.

The number one rookie to look out for in Toronto will not be another bat in their lineup, but instead a reliever. Roberto Osuna has been the team’s closer since late June and sealed 20 of 23 chances that he received. Over 69 2/3 innings, Osuna held a 2.58 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP. In ten at-bats against him. the Rangers have mustered a .300 average with Shin-Soo Choo, Mike Napoli and Rougned Odor each collecting a hit. That said, Osuna still holds a 0.00 ERA against Texas.

Much of the Toronto roster is comprised of veterans that they’ve acquired in recent trades, so Osuna is the lone rookie on the club that could have a large impact.

Next: Mets vs. Dodgers

Oct 3, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher

(34) pitches during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

This is one of the series that I am personally most excited for. As an A’s fan, I dislike the Giants, which means that I like the Dodgers to a degree, while that fandom also sees the Mets as a kindred spirit of sorts.

Both clubs have a number of rookies to look out for, but I’ll keep it brief. The Mets have Michael Conforto, whose bat has produced 9 homers and 26 RBI over 56 games, but it’s the glove work that Conforto has displayed in the outfield that may have more of an impact. Baseball Reference has Conforto with an offensive WAR of 1.1, while his defensive WAR isn’t too far behind at 0.8. Over a full season Mike Trout had a 1.0 dWAR by comparison.

Of course for New York, all eyes will be on their pitching staff. Thor, or by his Earthly name of Noah Syndergaard, is slated to pitch game two on the road where he holds an ERA two runs higher than at Citi Field. He started one game against the Dodgers in Dodger Stadium at the beginning of July, and went 6 innings allowing just two hits and a run, striking out a batter an inning.

The Mets’ game four starter will be another rookie, either Steven Matz or Sean Gilmartin, and another player to keep an eye out for. Matz had a similar outing to Thor’s in Dodger stadium, but allowed two hits instead of one. He will be the Mets first choice if he’s ready to go, and has told the NY Daily News that “the tightness behind his right shoulder blade is feeling better.”

For the Dodgers, two names come to mind: Kike and Seager. Enrique Hernandez was acquired in the Dee Gordon deal and proceeded to hit .307 in 202 at-bats. The one downside for Hernandez is that he has excelled against left-handed pitchers (batting .423), and the top three starters in the New York rotation are all righties, whom Kike has hit a cumulative .234 against.

Corey Seager arrived in Hollywood late this season, debuting on September 3, but in the 27 games he’s played since, the 21-year-old shortstop has hit .337 with 4 homers and 17 driven in. Seager has faced Matz in Triple-A this season and went 0-for-3 with a run scored.

Next: Cubs vs. Cards

Oct 2, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop

(22) hits a double in the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Each year it seems as though the Cardinals introduce the masses to a new rookie around this time of year, with Trevor Rosenthal, Michael Wacha and Kolten Wong being notable recent rookies for the red birds. This season Stephen Piscotty put up solid numbers, batting .305 with 7 homers and 39 RBI in just 63 games, including going 1-for-2 against the Cubs Jon Lester with a home run and two RBI.

Of course the Cubs have all of the rookie excitement in this one, with NL Rookie of the Year frontrunner Kris Bryant, second baseman Addison Russell and outfielder/catcher and overall behemoth Kyle Schwarber. Of the three, Schwarber may be the most feared due to the amount of power that resides in his bat, good enough for 16 bombs in 69 regular season games and one more against Pirates ace Gerrit Cole on Wednesday night, but Bryant has the ability to hit for power and average at this stage in his young career. Russell has had offensive flashes, but his defense up the middle could be his biggest tool in this postseason.

According to Baseball Reference, Russell’s dWAR is double that of his oWAR at 2.6. BR deemed Andrelton Simmons the best defensive player in the NL in 2015 with a dWAR of 3.5 by comparison. ESPN has Russell ranked as the seventh-best defensive player according to dWAR at the age of 21. Bryant on the other hand came in tenth on the offensive side with a 5.54 oWAR, ahead of players like Jose Bautista and Chris Davis, and just behind former MVP Andrew McCutchen.

This postseason will be full of intrigue, whether it’s in the pitcher’s duels that figure to happen between New York and Los Angeles, or the potential offensive displays between Toronto and Texas, there will be plenty of storylines. The biggest this postseason may be the same that has captivated baseball in 2015: How well will all of these rookies perform under the bright October lights?

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