*Photo from MLB Pipeline-stitcher*
The 2020 MLB regular season starts on July 23, with expanded rosters for all 30 teams. Up to 60 players in total will be available for each team, with 30 players on the active roster to start the season. The expanded rosters also gives room for some top prospects in each team's farm system to make their debuts this season, where they might previously have been unable to under normal conditions. One prospect per team will be profiled, and I'm starting off with the AL East.
*Photo from Call to the Pen*
Tampa Bay Rays: Wander Franco, SS
Franco is very young, yes, at 19 years old, and has only reached up to High A ball in the minors, but the Rays love their prospects. They are one of the best teams in baseball at developing prospects and turning them into the very best they can be, and Franco, their top prospect, could be capable of making the jump because of it. Franco is in the player pool for the Rays, so he might very well get his shot this year, and it could be electrifying.
*Photo from Newsday*
New York Yankees: Clarke Schmidt, RHP
The Yankees number two prospect overall and top pitching prospect, Schmidt is set to make his debut in 2020. Whether that is in the starting rotation or in the bullpen remains to be seen, but he has major league stuff. He has potential to slot in as the 5th starter in the rotation with Domingo German suspended, or he could be slotted into the bullpen to make it even scarier.
*Photo from the Boston Herald*
Boston Red Sox: Bobby Dalbec, 3B
The way spring training was working for the Red Sox, it became increasingly unlikely that Dalbec, the team's 3rd overall prospect, was going to break camp with the Red Sox. The Pandemic changed all of that. The expanded rosters are going to give Dalbec his shot this year. He won't be starting at 3rd base, as Rafael Devers is firmly entrenched there, but he'll serve likely at first base along with Mitch Moreland and Michael Chavis, and can slot in at 3rd when Devers needs a day off. He's got plus power to the gaps, and can slug some bombs too. The trio of Dalbec, Devers, and Xander Bogaerts could be mainstays in Boston's infield for years to come.
*Photo from The Athletic*
Toronto Blue Jays: Nate Pearson, RHP
Pearson, the top prospect in Toronto's system, was set to make his debut this season, Pandemic or not. He's an electrifying pitcher with the speed, control, and velocity needed to succeed at the major league level. GM Ross Atkins has been adamant about the need for pitching in Toronto, and Pearson making his debut this season will boost the Jays' rotation and will effectively become Marcus Stroman's replacement along with Hyun-Jin Ryu at the top of the rotation. Watch out for this guy.
*Photo from NBC Sports*
Baltimore Orioles; Ryan Mountcastle, 1B
With top prospect Adley Rutschman left off Baltimore's player pool this season, Mountcastle, the number 4 prospect in their system, takes the mantle here. His major league power is undeniable, and can occasionally flash the leather at first base as well. He was poised to make his debut at some point during the 2020 season, and the expanding of rosters makes it all but a given Mountcastle will break through to the top this year. He could be something to watch on an Orioles team with not much to see.
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