Chris Colabello (1B) Twins - Despite only slashing .194/.287/.344 during his rookie year of 2013, I firmly believe Chris Colabello is a major league quality first baseman, and could put up big numbers if given an extended opportunity to start. Despite his poor debut in the majors last season, the 29 year old, former independent league player won last years International League (AAA) player of the year award. Colabello slashed .352/.427/.639 to go along with 24 HR and 76 RBI in just 338 at bats. Extend that out over a full major league starter season's worth of at bats and that represents a 40 HR a year guy. Although that is still AAA stats, I think a 30 HR year for Colabello is definitely achievable. Colabello is not a traditional pull hitter, but instead he has great opposite field power which will allow him to hit for a decent average to go along with his power. With Joe Mauer not the Twins starting first baseman, Colabello's at bats may still be limited, but if given a shot, I believe he can be an above average major league starter.
Brad Miller (SS) Mariners - Although he has always been thought to be the much stronger prospect, there is a reason that Nick Franklin is the one getting caught in trade speculation and not Miller. Brad Miller has never been a top prospect in the Mariner's system, but now that he should be given a chance to hold down the every day starting spot, I believe he will be the perfect double-play partner for Robinson Cano. Much like Cano, Franklin has above average power for his position, despite his just average defense. Although he only hit .265 with 8 HR and 36 RBI last season in over 300 at bats, I believe his sophomore season will be his coming out party. With his strong spring this year, Miller should start the year hitting second, which is one spot in front of Robinson Cano, which should allow him to see more pitches to hit. As a guy who would take hitting over fielding, I would be more than happy to take a career minor league slash of .334/.409/.516 along with 20 HR per year power from the SS position despite just average defense. Miller will be an MLB star, an all-star appearance in 2015 is not out of the question.
Michael Pineda (SP) Yankees - Injuries, although extremely costly to the players themselves, make for great breakout candidates. Pineda has always had the raw stuff to be a fantastic major league pitcher, and in 2011 it finally looked like he was going to be one. Pineda, while still on the Mariners, pitched to a 3.74 ERA over 171 innings in 2011 along with making an all-star appearance. Quite a rookie year I'd say. He was soon thereafter traded to the Yankees, but then bad luck crept in. Pineda missed all of 2012 and most of 2013 due to injury, but as he displayed this spring, he is back, and so is his stuff. Pineda still has the stuff to be an elite major league pitcher, and I think he will stay healthy enough to do so. This guy is my 2014 Francisco Liriano candidate, and if he can produce anywhere near the way Liriano did last year, 2014 will be a success for Pineda.
Other Guys to Watch:
Lucas Duda (1B) Mets - Injuries and bad luck have prevented him from getting to his ceiling thus far in his career, but I believe Duda, not Ike Davis, is the guy the Mets should be giving a long look at first this year. Huge power potential.
Drew Smyly (P) Tigers - Dave Dombrowski and the tigers must have felt that Smyly could fill the role of Doug Fister well, or else they would have new traded him for minor league pieces like they did earlier this winter. Smyly is a former starter who has the stuff to be a good one. No room in the Tigers' rotation forced him to move to the bullpen, where he was successful, but now that he's once again a starter, bigger things are on the horizon.
Abraham Almonte (OF) Mariners - Never a highly touted prospect, Almonte could find a job in a weak Seattle outfield and run with it. Still a rookie after only 82 plate appearances lost year, has steadily improved over each year in the minors. Brings some power with above average speed to the table. If he continues to improve, he could be a big addition to a Seattle outfield in which I think Dustin Ackley could also be a breakout candidate.
Brad Miller (SS) Mariners - Although he has always been thought to be the much stronger prospect, there is a reason that Nick Franklin is the one getting caught in trade speculation and not Miller. Brad Miller has never been a top prospect in the Mariner's system, but now that he should be given a chance to hold down the every day starting spot, I believe he will be the perfect double-play partner for Robinson Cano. Much like Cano, Franklin has above average power for his position, despite his just average defense. Although he only hit .265 with 8 HR and 36 RBI last season in over 300 at bats, I believe his sophomore season will be his coming out party. With his strong spring this year, Miller should start the year hitting second, which is one spot in front of Robinson Cano, which should allow him to see more pitches to hit. As a guy who would take hitting over fielding, I would be more than happy to take a career minor league slash of .334/.409/.516 along with 20 HR per year power from the SS position despite just average defense. Miller will be an MLB star, an all-star appearance in 2015 is not out of the question.
Michael Pineda (SP) Yankees - Injuries, although extremely costly to the players themselves, make for great breakout candidates. Pineda has always had the raw stuff to be a fantastic major league pitcher, and in 2011 it finally looked like he was going to be one. Pineda, while still on the Mariners, pitched to a 3.74 ERA over 171 innings in 2011 along with making an all-star appearance. Quite a rookie year I'd say. He was soon thereafter traded to the Yankees, but then bad luck crept in. Pineda missed all of 2012 and most of 2013 due to injury, but as he displayed this spring, he is back, and so is his stuff. Pineda still has the stuff to be an elite major league pitcher, and I think he will stay healthy enough to do so. This guy is my 2014 Francisco Liriano candidate, and if he can produce anywhere near the way Liriano did last year, 2014 will be a success for Pineda.
Other Guys to Watch:
Lucas Duda (1B) Mets - Injuries and bad luck have prevented him from getting to his ceiling thus far in his career, but I believe Duda, not Ike Davis, is the guy the Mets should be giving a long look at first this year. Huge power potential.
Drew Smyly (P) Tigers - Dave Dombrowski and the tigers must have felt that Smyly could fill the role of Doug Fister well, or else they would have new traded him for minor league pieces like they did earlier this winter. Smyly is a former starter who has the stuff to be a good one. No room in the Tigers' rotation forced him to move to the bullpen, where he was successful, but now that he's once again a starter, bigger things are on the horizon.
Abraham Almonte (OF) Mariners - Never a highly touted prospect, Almonte could find a job in a weak Seattle outfield and run with it. Still a rookie after only 82 plate appearances lost year, has steadily improved over each year in the minors. Brings some power with above average speed to the table. If he continues to improve, he could be a big addition to a Seattle outfield in which I think Dustin Ackley could also be a breakout candidate.