Each Team's Top Prospect Who Will Make the Biggest MLB Impact in 2020

For some MLB teams, the top prospect in their farm system and the prospect most likely to make a significant impact during the upcoming season are one and the same.

Gavin Lux with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Luis Robert with the Chicago White Sox. Jo Adell with the Los Angeles Angels.

In other cases, an under-the-radar minor leaguer who doesn't even rank among the top 10 prospects in the organization appears to be in the best position to make an impact in the majors this year.

Based on proximity to the majors and path to playing time, we've highlighted each team's prospect who will make the biggest MLB impact during the 2020 season.

Baltimore Orioles: CF Austin Hays

A third-round pick in 2016 who made his MLB debut the following season, Hays has seemingly been on the cusp of making an impact for years. After hitting .309 with a 147 OPS+ and 10 extra-base hits in 75 plate appearances last September, he's the early favorite to break camp with the starting center field job for the rebuilding Orioles.

    

Boston Red Sox: RHP Brusdar Graterol

Whether the Red Sox decide to use him as a starter, multi-inning reliever, or late-inning setup man, Graterol is MLB-ready after coming over from the Minnesota Twins in the Mookie Betts blockbuster. The 21-year-old immediately becomes Boston's top pitching prospect, and he already has MLB action under his belt after posting a 4.66 ERA with 10 strikeouts in 9.2 innings over 10 relief appearances last September. Regardless of his 2020 role, he has a bright future in the starting rotation.

    

New York Yankees: RHP Deivi Garcia

There is no question that Garcia has the stuff to make an impact in MLB after racking up 165 strikeouts in 111.1 innings over three minor league levels. The question is whether his 5'9" frame can handle a starter's workload. A multi-inning role out of the bullpen similar to how Chad Green and Adam Warren have been utilized in recent years might be his ticket to making an impact in 2020.

     

Tampa Bay Rays: LHP/DH Brendan McKay

McKay steamrolled minor league hitters to the tune of a 1.10 ERA and 0.81 WHIP in 73.2 innings between Double-A and Triple-A last year before getting knocked around a bit in the majors. With that said, his 5.14 ERA was backed by a 4.03 FIP and a strong 56-to-16 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 49 innings, so there is plenty of reason for optimism going forward.

The 24-year-old is also still a weapon at the plate. He hit his first MLB home run on Sept. 22, and he could see some DH action, though his biggest impact figures to be on the mound.

    

Toronto Blue Jays: C Reese McGuire

Pitching prospects Nate Pearson and Anthony Kay could both finish 2020 in the Toronto rotation, but McGuire is in the best position to make a season-long impact. The 24-year-old hit .299/.346/.526 with 12 extra-base hits in 105 plate appearances in 2019, and after rookie Danny Jansen fell flat as the starting catcher, McGuire has a great chance to seize a platoon role, if not more.

Chicago White Sox: CF Luis Robert

The six-year, $50 million extension that Robert signed in January should eliminate the need for any service-time manipulation and open the door for him to break camp as the White Sox's starting center fielder. The 22-year-old had nothing left to prove after hitting .328/.376/.624 with 31 doubles, 11 triples, 32 home runs and 36 steals while reaching Triple-A last season. He'll be the early favorite for AL Rookie of the Year honors.

      

Cleveland Indians: RHP James Karinchak

Karinchak faced 125 batters in the minors last season and struck out 74 of them for a 59.2 percent strikeout rate. He allowed only 16 hits for a .150 opponents' batting average. That's next-level dominance. The 24-year-old will be given every chance to win a bullpen spot this spring. With a 70-grade fastball that touches 98 mph and a lethal hammer curveball, he has late-inning potential if he can keep his walk rate in check.

     

Detroit Tigers: SS Willi Castro

After hitting .301/.366/.467 with 47 extra-base hits in 119 games at Triple-A last season, Castro looks like the shortstop of the not-too-distant future for the rebuilding Tigers. The 22-year-old also has the defensive chops to be at least an average defender in the majors, which should be enough given his offensive upside. Utility man Niko Goodrum and veteran Jordy Mercer will keep the shortstop position warm to start the season, but Castro will be the guy at some point in 2020.

      

Kansas City Royals: 3B Kelvin Gutierrez

Considering they are already a few years into the rebuilding process, the Royals have little in the way of MLB-ready talent in the minor leagues. Gutierrez, 25, is a plus defender at the hot corner with a rocket arm. The question is whether he can hit enough to be an everyday player. After posting a .287/.367/.427 line with 20 extra-base hits in 75 games at Triple-A last year, he could get his chance in 2020.

    

Minnesota Twins: RHP Randy Dobnak

Dobnak, 25, came out of nowhere to emerge as one of the Twins' best pitchers down the stretch last season. Signed in 2017 as an undrafted free agent, he posted a 1.59 ERA and 2.90 FIP with 23 strikeouts in 28.1 innings in the second half last season, and he started Game 2 of the ALDS. He looks like the front-runner for the No. 5 starter job heading into spring training.

Houston Astros: RHP Jose Urquidy

Well off the top prospect radar entering 2019, Urquidy ended up starting Game 4 of the World Series for the Astros. The 24-year-old logged a 3.95 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 40 strikeouts in 41 innings with Houston last season, and he will have an opportunity to win a spot in the starting rotation this spring following the free-agency departures of Gerrit Cole and Wade Miley.

     

Los Angeles Angels: OF Jo Adell

The Angels' decision to decline Kole Calhoun's $14 million club option after he slugged a career-high 33 home runs in a solid 2.3 WAR season was directly linked to how close Adell is to the majors. The 20-year-old reached Triple-A last season despite not debuting until late May after dealing with hamstring and ankle injuries. His five-tool potential should be on full display before the All-Star break.

     

Oakland Athletics: C Sean Murphy

Jesus Luzardo and A.J. Puk will likely both be on a strict inning limits in 2020, which could ultimately limit their overall impact. On the other hand, Murphy is the clear everyday guy behind the plate, with the inexperienced duo of Austin Allen and Johan Heim as the only other catchers on Oakland's 40-man roster. The 25-year-old Murphy had a 137 OPS+ in 60 plate appearances last season, and with his cannon arm and strong receiving skills, he profiles as a two-way standout.

     

Seattle Mariners: 1B Evan White

With Edwin Encarnacion and Ryon Healy both gone and Daniel Vogelbach likely to serve as the primary DH, White has a clear path to playing time at first base. The 23-year-old hit .293/.350/.488 with 18 home runs at Double-A last year, and the Mariners signed him to a six-year extension for a guaranteed $24 million in November. There's a good chance he'll be penciled into the Opening Day lineup.

    

Texas Rangers: IF/OF Nick Solak

The Rangers acquired Solak from the Rays last summer in exchange for hard-throwing reliever Peter Fairbanks. He made his MLB debut shortly after the trade and went on to hit .293/.393/.491 for a 123 OPS+ with 12 extra-base hits in 135 plate appearances. His defensive versatility should help him see regular playing time, even if he doesn't have a regular spot on the field to call home. Simply put, the 25-year-old can flat-out hit.

Atlanta Braves: RHP Bryse Wilson

Ian Anderson and Kyle Wright have the highest ceilings among Atlanta pitching prospects, and they both closed out 2019 at Triple-A. But in terms of overall polish, Wilson is likely be the next man up for a spot in the MLB rotation. The 22-year-old scuffled to a 7.20 ERA in 20 innings in the majors, but he had a 3.42 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 118 strikeouts in 121 innings at Triple-A.

     

Miami Marlins: RHP Sterling Sharp

The Marlins selected Sharp with the No. 3 pick in this year's Rule 5 draft, and he could wind up pitching significant innings for the rebuilding club. The 24-year-old does not have swing-and-miss stuff, but he gets a ton of groundballs and shined in the Arizona Fall League with a 1.50 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in 24 innings.

If Lewis Brinson scuffles again, it could open the door for Monte Harrison to get a shot at claiming the everyday center field job, so he's one worth watching as well.

     

New York Mets: LHP Stephen Gonsalves

Gonzales was included among Baseball America's Top 100 prospects prior to the 2017 (No. 99) and 2018 (No. 97) seasons, but his prospect star has since faded considerably. The Twins claimed the 25-year-old off waivers in November, and he will now look to rebuild his stock with a change of scenery. In 2018, he had a 2.76 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 120 strikeouts in 120.2 innings between Double-A and Triple-A, but an injury-plagued 2019 changed his trajectory.

     

Philadelphia Phillies: 3B Alec Bohm

In his first full professional season after going No. 3 overall in the 2018 draft, Bohm hit .305/.378/.518 with 30 doubles and 21 home runs while reaching Double-A. After Maikel Franco was non-tendered and with super-utility man Scott Kingery currently penciled in as the primary third baseman, Bohm has a clear path to the starting third base gig once he's deemed ready.

Pitching prospect Spencer Howard is also close to MLB-ready, but he has only 211.1 innings under his belt in three minor league seasons, so the Phillies will be careful not to overextend him.

    

Washington Nationals: IF Carter Kieboom

Anthony Rendon's departure has created a void at third base for the Nationals, and it sounds like Kieboom will have every chance to fill it this spring.

"He's going to get a shot," manager Dave Martinez said on MLB Network Radio (via MLB.com's Zachary Silver). "He's going to play third base at spring training, and I'm looking forward to watching him play over there every day. He's got a bright future, I've said that before. He's matured a lot."

The Nationals added Starlin Castro to the infield mix and re-signed Asdrubal Cabrera and Howie Kendrick, but Kieboom has a chance to be a significant piece of the future.

Chicago Cubs: 2B Nico Hoerner

An injury to Javier Baez thrust Hoerner into action late last season, the year after the Cubs selected him with the No. 24 overall in the 2018 draft. The 22-year-old hit .282 with three home runs and 17 RBI in 20 games down the stretch, and he now looks like the front-runner for the starting second base job following the departures of Ben Zobrist and Addison Russell.

    

Cincinnati Reds: RHP Joel Kuhnel

Kuhnel, 24, is an under-the-radar name to know for a Reds team on the rise. The hard-throwing reliever recorded 14 saves with a 2.18 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 8.4 K/9 in 41 appearances in the upper levels of the minors, and he made his MLB debut on Aug. 16. He touches triple digits with his 70-grade fastball, and he backs it with a solid slider and changeup.

     

Milwaukee Brewers: RHP Devin Williams

The Brewers used Williams, a 2019 Futures Game participant, primarily as a starter after selecting him in the second round of the 2013 draft. He made a full-time move to the bullpen last year and his career took off, as he logged a 2.21 ERA and 12.9 K/9 in 34 appearances. The 25-year-old then held his own with a 3.95 ERA in 13.2 innings in the majors, and he looks like a solid bet for an Opening Day roster spot.

     

Pittsburgh Pirates: 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes

Hayes, 23, fell a bit flat at Triple-A last year with a .265/.336/.415 line and 42 extra-base hits in 110 games. That has done nothing to take away from his tremendous long-term potential, though, as he profiles as an All-Star-caliber third baseman both offensively and defensively. Incumbent Colin Moran will not stand in the way once the Pirates deem Hayes ready.

    

St. Louis Cardinals: LHP Genesis Cabrera

The hard-throwing Cabrera averaged 96.7 mph with his fastball and posted a 4.87 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 20.1 innings of work with the Cardinals to play his way onto the postseason roster last year. Lefties with his kind of stuff don't grow on trees, and even though he was knocked around to the tune of a 5.91 ERA in 99 innings at Triple-A, he clearly impressed during his brief time in the majors.

Arizona Diamondbacks: RHP Kevin Ginkel

Few relievers put together a better 2019 season than Ginkel. He had a 1.78 ERA with 63 strikeouts in 35.1 innings and a .157 BAA over 31 appearances in the minors, and he didn't miss a beat after making his MLB debut on Aug. 5 with a 1.48 ERA and 10.4 K/9 in 25 appearances. The 25-year-old could emerge as the primary setup man to Archie Bradley.

    

Colorado Rockies: OF Sam Hilliard

Hilliard posted an .893 OPS with 35 home runs and 101 RBI in 126 games at Triple-A before earning his first MLB call-up. He continued to turn heads offensively with a 136 OPS+ and seven home runs in 87 plate appearances in the majors, and he looks like the front-runner to join Charlie Blackmon and David Dahl in the Opening Day outfield. It could be a make-or-break season for the soon-to-be 26-year-old.

     

Los Angeles Dodgers: 2B Gavin Lux

While Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin could both wind up pitching significant innings for the Dodgers, it's hard to go with anyone besides Lux, who is the presumptive NL Rookie of the Year favorite. The 22-year-old has a clear path to the second base job, and after hitting .347/.421/.607 with 59 extra-base hits in the minors last season, he looks like a star in the making.

     

San Diego Padres: SS/RHP Jake Cronenworth

Acquired from the Rays in the Tommy Pham-for-Hunter Renfroe deal, Cronenworth is one of the more intriguing two-way players in the minors. The 26-year-old tallied 27 saves during his time at the University of Michigan while serving as the team's starting shortstop, and he returned to the mound for the first time last season with nine strikeouts and zero earned runs allowed in 7.1 innings. He also hit .334/.429/.520 with 40 extra-base hits in 96 games at Triple-A, and a hybrid role could earn him a spot on the Padres roster in 2020.

    

San Francisco Giants: 2B/SS Mauricio Dubon

It remains unclear whether Logan Webb will win a rotation spot, and Joey Bart might not make his MLB debut until the second half since there is no reason to rush him. That leaves Dubon as the obvious pick for the Giants. Acquired from the Brewers last summer in exchange for reliever Drew Pomeranz, the 25-year-old turned heads offensively and defensively down the stretch, and he now looks like the favorite to win the starting second base job.

      

All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference and FanGraphs, unless otherwise noted.