NL EAST
Atlanta Braves: SP Tyler Matzek
One of 24 players selected before Mike Trout in the 2009 Draft, Matzek showed a lot of promise in his first MLB season in 2014, posting a 4.05 ERA and 3.78 FIP for the Rockies. However, due to control issues and struggles with anxiety, Matzek slowly fizzed out and spent the latter half of the decade roaming the minors. Although the likelihood of Matzek becoming the player he once could have been is grim, any production to help the Braves’ slightly weaker rotation might be enough to push them along further into the playoffs.
Miami Marlins: INF Jazz Chisholm
Chisholm is one of many “boom or bust” prospects within the Marlins’ system. Though it is difficult to trust the decisions the Marlin’s organization makes, their willingness to give up Zac Gallen for Chisholm must indicate that there is at least something to look forward to out of this 22 year old infielder. It is 50-50 on whether he’ll debut this year, but considering the Marlins shortstop is Miguel Rojas, there is definitely a chance we see Chisholm in 2020.
New York Mets: OF Yoenis Cespedes
Cespedes’ recent announcement that he feels better than ever should be exciting news for Mets fans after watching him struggle through a multitude of injuries the past two seasons. Though the former A’s super prospect has fallen a long way from his consistent 3.5 WAR+ seasons, a season reminiscent of even just half of his prime could be all the Mets need to find some kind of success this season.
Philadelphia Phillies: INF Alec Bohm
The introduction of the universal DH gives teams a lot more than an even playing field - it also gives players, like Bohm, an opportunity to play on a big league roster. With Rhys Hoskins being the most likely candidate to fill the Phillies’ DH spot, Bohm is first in line to get a shot at playing first for the Phillies this year. Even if the Phillies want him to stay at third, Maikel Franco is gone, Scott Kingery can play anywhere, and Jean Segura is not the best option at third. Phillies fans should be expecting to see their number one prospect on the field very soon.
Washington Nationals: SP Austin Voth
More of a breakout candidate than anything, there is a lot to like about Voth’s outlook this season. Joe Ross’ absence this season means that Voth’s spot in the rotation is pretty much solidified, and the upside he showed in the 2019 season could lead him to be a potential dark horse candidate for a Cy Young.
NL CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs: RP Danny Hultzen
Sandwiched in between Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer and taken before 19 All Stars in the 2011 draft makes Danny Hultzen one of the biggest draft busts in recent memory. Though nowhere near as good as Cole or Bauer, Hultzen has managed to salvage a career of sorts under the Cubs system where he’ll be looking to bolster their weak bullpen as much as possible.
Cincinnati Reds: 1B Joey Votto
Possibly the most interesting man in baseball, Votto had an extremely underwhelming 2019 season. Signs point towards Votto going down the Miguel Cabrera/Albert Pujols road, but it's just a bit too early to doubt the former MVP. The Reds will need all the production they can get to compete this season, and Votto’s return to full form is quintessential for their success.
Milwaukee Brewers: SP Freddy Peralta
Freddy Peralta was supposed to break out 2 years ago, which, when it didn’t happen, was supposed to happen last year. However, even though his base numbers have looked bad, he has always underperformed his peripherals, and with the Brewers desperate for starting pitching, I really like Peralta’s chance at finally fully breaking out this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates: INF Ke’Bryan Hayes
The Pirates organization and its fans may be the single most unlucky organization in all of sports. They have struggled with injuries, had incompetent front office moves, and Felipe Vazquez happened. They are in desperate need of someone to come in and shake up the organization, and their best hope may be Hayes. Hayes is a generational defender at 3rd base and should hit well enough to accommodate his defense. Unless Colin Moran becomes a Hall of Famer at third base, Hayes should be looking forward to playing a couple of innings this year.
St. Louis Cardinals: SP Alex Reyes
What can really be made of Alex Reyes at this point? The former top 5 prospect was dominant in 2016 (1.57 ERA and 2.67 FIP in 46 IP) and just hasn’t pitched the last 3 years. He is supposedly healthy this year, so the pressure is all on Reyes to perform - otherwise, the Cardinals may just move on.
NL WEST
Arizona Diamondbacks: C Daulton Varsho
Varsho is one of the most intriguing catcher prospects in all of baseball because of his very unique skill set. His ability to steal bases and hit for power (40 SBs and 30 HRs since 2018) as well as play the outfield presents a lot of positional and offensive versatility rarely found in catchers. The D-Backs could potentially set up a platoon between the lefty-swinging Varsho and Carson Kelly, who hits significantly better against lefties, but even if they want Kelly to get most of the catching reps, Varsho’s versatility will almost certainly lead to a 2020 debut.
Colorado Rockies: OF Matt Kemp
After Ian Desmond decided to opt out of the season, the Rockies scooped up former All-Star Matt Kemp to presumably fill in as a lefty killer. Kemp has a career .327/.389/.616 slash line at Coors field, so it is possible that we could see another decent to great season from Kemp late in his career.
Los Angeles Dodgers: RP Brusdar Graterol
A key component of the Mookie Betts madness in the off-season, the young pitcher with a blazing fastball was handed from the Twins to the Dodgers. Graterol has a power fastball that consistently tops 100 MPH and will most likely fill in as a reliever due to some injury concerns. Graterol’s acquisition should feel great for Dodgers fans as Kenley Jansen edges towards the wrong half of his 30s, and though it won’t happen this season, Graterol could possibly become their next closer.
San Diego Padres: SP Garrett Richards
Richards’ entire career has been hampered by injuries, most notably a torn patellar tendon and Tommy John. After years of battling these injuries in Anaheim, Richards signed with San Diego last off-season, and it is to the hope of both Richards and the Padres that he has something left in the tank as the Padres aim for a backend playoff spot this season.
San Francisco Giants: C Joey Bart
This is probably the best season for the Giants to give Bart a shot in the majors given that their former MVP catcher Buster Posey is sitting out this year. The Georgia Tech product is one of the better hitting catcher prospects the league has seen over the last decade and has an unusual likeness to how Posey approaches the game, giving him a pretty good shot at starting at catcher for the Giants or, at the very least, getting some swings as a DH.