6 Top Prospects We Should See on Opening Day Next MLB Season
By Ryan Flores
Baseball fans were absolutely spoiled this year by the number of game-changing rookies this year. From the slugging Pete Alonso to the five-tool gem in Fernando Tatis Jr., we've been gushing over the next wave of great players all year. Now that the regular season is just about over, we're already looking ahead to the next set of rookies to come along and make a major impact in 2020. With that said, here are six top prospects that we should see on opening day in 2020.
6. Forrest Whitley
Houston Astros fans have been patiently waiting for the day that Forest Whitley finally gets to take the mound for his first MLB start for a while. Unfortunately, injuries derailed his chance at making his debut in 2019, so fans will look out for him in 2020. With potentially two rotation spots up for grabs next year, Whitley will have a real shot at making the opening day roster for sure.
5. Kyle Tucker
Fans have been patiently waiting for Houston to free Kyle Tucker and allow him to play every day. He's proved that he's absolutely worth an extensive look in right field next year, as he's posted a .281/.324/.563 slash line with four homers, 11 runs batted in and five stolen bases through just 20 games. Tucker has the potential to be an explosive player in a strong Astros lineup, and could deliver on that potential full time come opening day next year.
4. Nate Pearson
Top prospects like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio and Anthony Kay were all promoted this year, as Toronto wants their young players to learn in the majors. This should mean that top prospect Nate Pearson is next in line. Pearson features fantastic front-of-the-rotation stuff, with a blazing fastball that sits comfortably in the upper 90s. If he can show the Jays in spring training that he has strong control of his stuff, there's no reason why he shouldn't start the 2020 season in Toronto.
3. Jesus Luzardo
If it wasn't for a shoulder strain, Luzardo would have been in the Oakland Athletics rotation from the start of the season. He was able to make it back, and has proven that he is absolutely worth the hype in five appearances in September, posting a 1.80 ERA with 13 strikeouts and a 0.70 WHIP. Quite simply, the left-hander has electric stuff that makes him incredibly hard to hit. Barring injury, he'll absolutely be in the starting rotation come opening day of the 2020 season.
2. Gavin Lux
Just when everyone thought that the Los Angeles Dodgers couldn't get any more stacked, they called up Lux, their top prospect. Lux smashed the ball in Triple-A, posting 26 homers to complement a .347 batting average. He hasn't found that same success in the majors quite yet, hitting .235 with eight runs batted in through 21 games in September. However, he's got the makeup of a very solid pro, and could potentially be a player who rakes 20 homers and steals 20 bags. In a potent Dodgers lineup, Lux will have every chance to succeed in 2020 and beyond.
1. Luis Robert
Prior to the 2019 season, some wondered whether former top prospect Eloy Jimenez would be on the Chicago White Sox Opening Day roster. Those concerns were promptly put to rest when he signed a six-year, $43 million contract just before the season began. The Sox might take the same approach with Robert, as he's proved that he's worth the extension with his play in the minors. On the year, he's posted a .328 batting average with 32 homers and 92 RBI across three minor-league levels. He'll absolutely make his debut in 2020, and should be the everyday center fielder come opening day.