The 2017 MLB season kicks off this week with spring training and with the countdown to Opening Day officially underway now is the perfect time to evaluate expectations for some of the top prospects in the game. The American League in particular is loaded with highly rated prospects that are expected to make a major impact with their big clubs this season. Here is a look at the predictions for the top AL prospects heading in to spring training.
LF: Andrew Benintendi, Boston Red Sox
Benintendi made an instant impact for the Red Sox last season when he hit .295 with 16 runs and 14 RBI in 105 plate appearances. Benintendi has excelled at every single level throughout his career and baseball fans in Boston are excited about what the 22-year-old will have in store for this season. The top-ranked incoming prospect according to many scouting services, Benintendi will have the opportunity to shine as a regular in the Red Sox lineup. 10 qualified hitters have hit .400 or better in spring training but it won’t surprise anybody if Benintendi joins that list this spring.
2B: Yoan Moncada, Chicago White Sox
It’s scary to think that Boston owned each of the top two players on this list at one point but they traded Moncada to the White Sox in a deal for Chris Sale. Now Moncada is set to make his major league debut with Chicago as the latest star prospect to make the jump to the majors in the Windy City. Moncada could hit above .300 while showcasing his defensive acumen at second base as the 21-year-old is clearly motivated and ready for his turn in the spotlight.
SS: Gleyber Torres, New York Yankees
The Yankees shortstop of the future will get his opportunity to show what he can do when he makes his spring training debut. A potential superstar in the making, Torres hit .403 in the Arizona Fall League so the expectation is that he will hit .300 while showcasing his speed on the base paths. Torres will also have the chance to dazzle with his glove and it won’t surprise anybody if he earns his spot on the highlight reels this spring.
The Yankees definitely need some help in terms of generating offense as they batted just .252 as a team last season (20th in the Major Leagues) and generated just 680 runs (22nd). In a difficult American League East, that simply won’t cut if they hope to compete.
RHP: Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox
The second White Sox player on this list will likely start the year in Triple-A where he will benefit from one more year in the minors as Chicago continues its rebuilding process. Giolito is likely already capable of holding down the third spot in the White Sox rotation but the team’s rebuild will allow him another year to develop. Giolito should be a little more relaxed and focused knowing he won’t start the season in Chicago so look for him to showcase his impressive arsenal with a strong spring.
RHP: Michael Kopech, Chicago White Sox
The final entry on this list also belongs to the White Sox and just like Giolito the 20-year-old should be set to start the regular season in the minors. However, Kopech will have the opportunity to showcase his skill set in spring training first with a fastball that can touch 105 miles per hour on the gun. Kopech will likely blow away at least a couple of major league hitters with his power stuff and if he pitches to his potential he will leave a strong impression on baseball fans in Chicago that will be looking forward to his eventual promotion sometime in 2018.
The White Sox finished the 2016 season at 14th in terms of team ERA (4.10). However, remember that Chris Sale was a big part of that last season when he tied for the team lead at 3.36. With him switching over to the Boston Red Sox, Chicago is going to have to find some other quality arms or they’ll risk of tumbling down the ranks in terms of their starting pitching.
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