Jim Mone/Associated Press
15. Ozzie Albies, 2B, Atlanta Braves
Opening Day Age: 22
From August 2017 through April 2018, Ozzie Albies was sitting on an .872 OPS with 15 homers and 11 steals through his first 84 major league games. Then came the reality check, as he slumped with a .705 OPS through the rest of 2018.
All the same, it’s hard not to be intrigued by any guy this young who packs power, speed and a well-above-average glove. It also bodes well for 2019 that Albies cut way back on his swings and started taking some walks late last season. More of that will put him back on an All-Star path.
14. Matt Olson, 1B, Oakland Athletics
Opening Day Age: 24
Matt Olson could barely be contained in 2017, when he racked up a 1.003 OPS and 24 homers in only 59 games. He took a step back in 2018, but he still finished with a respectable .788 OPS and 29 homers while playing in all 162 games.
Not to be overlooked, meanwhile, is Olson’s defense, which netted him a well-deserved Gold Glove in 2018. Between that and his (at least) 30-homer power potential, he’s an easy pick as the AL’s best first baseman.
13. Adalberto Mondesi, SS, Kansas City Royals
Opening Day Age: 23
Though he played in only 75 games, Adalberto Mondesi might have had the best season that nobody noticed in 2018. The son of Raul finished with an .804 OPS, 14 homers and 32 steals, plus solid defense.
Mondesi loves to take his hacks, which likely means he’ll never be much of an OBP merchant. But that’ll be OK as long as he continues to rack up hard contact. He has the potential to be a speedier version of Javier Baez, which would make him one of the most dangerous players in the American League.
12. Gleyber Torres, SS/2B, New York Yankees
Opening Day Age: 22
Gleyber Torres’ rookie season in 2018 was largely undone by a strained right hip. Before that, however, he was teasing superstar potential with a .905 OPS and 15 homers through his first 63 games.
Though Torres, like Andujar, could stand to swing less, he has a good enough knack for hard contact to get away with an aggressive approach. He’s also a more gifted defender than Didi Gregorius, and the early portion of 2019 will give him a chance to show off in place of his fellow young Yankee at shortstop.
11. Jose Berrios, SP, Minnesota Twins
Opening Day Age: 24
Jose Berrios earned his first All-Star nod in 2018 on the strength of a first half that included a 3.68 ERA over 127.1 innings. He then tailed off a bit with a 4.15 ERA and 32 walks in only 65 innings in the second.
Reestablishing command of the strike zone will be Berrios’ top goal at the outset of 2019. Otherwise, he doesn’t have much to work on. His strikeout rate has been trending up, and he effectively eliminated his platoon split in 2018. A second straight All-Star nod will be within his reach.
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