The 2020 Season was difficult to analyze on a number of fronts but the positive for many RDBL clubs was the unexpected aggressive promotions of some of the games top young stars. That has left several players entering Spring Training with a chance to earn Opening Day activations well ahead of schedule.
Here are 10 young players to watch that are fighting for potential spots on RDBL Keeper Rosters:
1B Andrew Vaughn (Minors), Meinert Hops
The rookie to watch in spring training is the power-hitting Andrew Vaughn, who will be given a legitimate chance to be their starting designated hitter while splitting some time at first base with the league’s reigning MVP, José Abreu. Vaughn, 22, is one of the best hitting prospects in baseball with legitimate 25-home run power and he’ll be yet another huge potential power bat to lengthen this young explosive lineup, which already includes Abreu, Eloy Jiménez, Luis Robert, Yoán Moncada, Tim Anderson and catcher Yasmani Grandal.
RHP Luis Patiño (Minors), Mt. Diablo Devils
Another rookie to watch this spring is right-handed pitcher Luis Patiño, who was the headliner in the blockbuster trade that sent southpaw Blake Snell to the San Diego Padres. Patiño will be given every chance to make the Rays rotation out of spring training though a safer bet is for a return to Triple-A. The Rays handling of starters in general could have GM Jason Watson display patience with the young righty with 2022 a safer bet for activation but a dominant Spring could change that plan.
LHP Tarik Skubal (Free Agent)
Skubal, 24, made his major-league debut last year with the Tigers, recording 37 strikeouts in 32 innings of work while going 1-4 with a 1.219 WHIP and 5.63 ERA. However, the southpaw is highly regarded due to his 94-97 mph fastball, an above-average changeup, a hard 86 mph slider and a 78 mph 12-6 fastball. His stuff is overpowering and his quick delivery gets the ball on hitters at a rapid pace with deception. He's a solid bet to start 2021 in the starting rotation but if he does receive a ticket to Triple-A, he could be selected as high as third overall in the RDBL Reserve Draft.
RHP Casey Mize (Minors), Spokane Fightin' Fish
Many slot Mize as the second best pitching prospect in the Minor Leagues and with a handful of big league starts under his belt already, the right-hander has every opportunity to earn a starting job alongside Skubal in Detroit. The Fightin' Fish have as much depth in the rotation as any RDBL club, further strengthened by their acquisition of Tyler Glasnow earlier this Spring. They are likely to hold Mize back but like many on this list, a dominant Spring could change those plans.
OF Alex Kiriloff (Minors), Honolulu Hammerheads
The Twins’ decision to non-tender left fielder Eddie Rosario has opened the door for Hammerheads outfielder and potential activation Alex Kirilloff. His career minor-league slash line is a robust .317/.365/.498 with 36 home runs and 177 runs batted in after his first 1,103 at-bats, and that does not include the damage he did at the alternate site last summer.
LHP AJ Puk (Minors), Meinert Hops
Puk's shoulder was the latest issue to overcome for the oft-injured but talented left-hander who has yet to get on track as a big leaguer. Early reports from Spring are encouraging for Puk and the Hops as he chases a rotation spot to open 2021. If he can earn that starting spot, he's a solid bet to be activated by GM Garrett Shelley as Puk carries RP-only eligibility which would give the Hops to opportunity to hold seven true starters on their Opening Day roster.
1B Nate Lowe (2FA/$5), Alamo Short Stacks
The Stacks used a mid-2019 Waiver Claim on Lowe with eyes on his long-term value and held him despite spending much of that season back in the Minor Leagues. Middling playing time and a deep depth chart in Tampa Bay led to an off-season deal to Texas where Lowe is expected to be the everyday first baseman. He hasn't been able to carry over the strong contact rates and OBP he displayed throughout the Minor Leagues but it's been a small sample size to date. A big Spring should lead to a Keeper spot for the Short Stacks who could be seeking a replacement at CI for a potentially departing Nolan Arenado.
RHP Triston McKenzie (Minors), Lunatic Fringe
Triston McKenzie was pushed into his debut ahead of schedule in 2020 but dazzled in his opportunity by punching out 42 in just 33 1/3 innings over eight appearances. The trade of Carlos Carrasco has opened the door for McKenzie in Cleveland but with the Lunatic Fringe focused on a title in 2021, it will be interesting to watch if GM Tony Guglielmi shares the same faith in the right-hander as the Tribe do.
C Tyler Stephenson (Minors), Honolulu Hammerheads
The Reds didn’t hesitate when asked which rookie is most likely to make their Opening Day roster: It’s their highly thought-of catcher and Hammerheads prospect, Tyler Stephenson. Stephenson, 24, was the Reds’ first-round selection in the 2015 draft. He’s always been an above-average defensive catcher with an arm to shut down the running game. He also gets high marks for his game-calling and framing ability. However, it’s the bat that has finally arrived thanks to some mechanical changes that have led to a much shorter swing than he used to have. If he has a good spring offensively, he has a chance of beating out former Gold Glove catcher Tucker Barnhart; if not, a time-sharing arrangement is probable. If he does unseat Barnhart, the Heads would receive a big boost as they currently are without a projected Keeper at catcher while also facing a squeeze in cap space.
OF Jarred Kelenic (Minors), Alamo Short Stacks
Widely regarded as the best outfield prospect in the Minor Leagues, Kelenic looks ready to take the next step to Seattle as soon as Opening Day if he can force the club's hand with a monster Spring Training. The Mariners are likely to hold off for Super-Two reasons, but Kelenic stands out as a potential candidate for a pre-season long-term deal that would print him a ticket to Seattle and the Stacks roster for 2021.