The 2014 MLB season saw many top hitting prospects break into the majors with considerable fanfare. Given the growth of prospect coverage in recent years, the anticipation surrounding baseball’s most prized youngsters has only increased the expectations placed on future stars when they arrive in the Show.
Last season’s best MLB prospects still struggling at the plate
All the rage just a season ago, how are these second-year hitters performing after struggling during their rookie campaigns?
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While many of these prospects face few obstacles in their rise up the minor league ladder, finding immediate success in the majors proved more challenging. Last year, multiple teams saw their best hitting prospects struggle — sometimes mightily — upon facing big league pitching for the first time. The decline in offense around the league has tilted the balance back in favor of pitchers, making the jump between Triple-A and the majors a huge challenge, even for the most talented of hitters.
After disappointing in their initial performances against MLB pitching, how have these youngsters fared during their sophomore campaigns in the majors?
Xander Bogaerts -- Boston Red Sox
Bogaerts got off to a solid start this year but has come back down to earth a bit. The Aruba native still hasn’t shown much power at the big league level, with Bogaerts managing just one home run and a .358 slugging percentage so far in 2015. He has cut down on his strikeout rate and given that he is still just 22, the young shortstop still has plenty of time for growth at the plate.
Bogaerts’ defense has improved by leaps and bounds in his second campaign. Long the biggest question mark surrounding his game, Bogaerts now looks likely to stick at shortstop for at least the next few seasons. How much his power develops is the bigger doubt at this point.
Gregory Polanco -- Pittsburgh Pirates
Much like Bogaerts, few observers expected Polanco to struggle this much once he arrived in the majors. With fans clamoring for his call-up this time last year, the outfielder hasn’t found much success in Pittsburgh, batting .237/.307/.341 with eight homers in his first 125 games between 2014 and 2015.
Polanco has been even worse this season, seeing his strikeouts increase and walks decrease, and one wonders if the Pirates will consider sending the 23-year-old back to Triple-A for further seasoning. Given his youth and minor league track record, Polanco still has all the makings of a future everyday player, though it's worth wondering if he'll turn into the type of star performer many envisioned a year ago.
George Springer -- Houston Astros
Springer didn’t exactly disappoint during his rookie campaign, hitting 20 homers and finishing with a .468 slugging percentage. Still, the outfielder struck out in one-third of his plate appearances, which contributed to his lowly .231 batting average and left some doubt as to how well his bat will play in the majors.
Through 32 games in 2015, Springer has cut down on his whiffs (though he is still striking out in nearly 29 percent of his plate appearances) and added more walks to his game, which will help his on-base ability. Don’t be fooled by that .190 average, much of which is being fueled by his unsustainable .222 BABIP. With his defense also improved this season, Springer is a star in the making.
Nick Castellanos -- Detroit Tigers
Long pegged as Detroit’s next big hitter, Castellanos is still scuffling after a disappointing rookie season. In 147 plate appearances, Castellanos is hitting .239/.293/.381 and has seen his strikeout rate rise to 27.2 percent. The third baseman’s output has been even worse than his 2014 numbers, though his fielding has improved from a dismal 2014.
Like the others on this list, Castellanos has youth on his side and won’t turn 24 until next spring. Nevertheless, for a youngster whose value is almost entirely tied up with his bat, Castellanos’ continued struggles are a little worrisome.
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