20 MLB prospects we're most excited to see in 2018

MLB ETA: Late April/Early May 2018

Acuna is a picture of five-tool bliss, already able to do everything well. However, the most exciting thing about him is how much room he still has to get even better. The 20-year-old center fielder is as gifted with the glove as he is with his bat, and he regularly produces a rare amount of hard contact that plays to all fields. However, his most evident gift is his superior speed, where he projects to be a threat to easily top 30 stolen bases annually while also bringing 25+ home run upside.

MLB ETA: July 2018

The Rays' retooling stands to benefit Adames directly, as the versatile infielder could force his way into the Tampa Bay lineup earlier than expected. He has always been a precocious producer at the plate, hitting .277 with 10 home runs and 30 doubles as a 21-year-old at Triple-A Durham last year. He can immediately push himself into the top half of shortstops at the MLB level within his first few years and would be an elite producer at second base as well.

MLB ETA: April 2018

Amid the flurry of moves that the Marlins made while deconstructing their outfield this offseason, they landed another stud capable of high-level, heart-of-the-lineup production in the process. Brinson was the centerpiece return from the Brewers as part of the Christian Yelich deal and could quickly make his way to Miami. He has high-end power potential that is further enhanced by his top-shelf athleticism, which could make him a 30 homer/30 stolen base threat in his peak years.

MLB ETA: July 2018

As if the Dodgers needed any more firepower from their collection of arms, Buehler could be the most powerful one they have. The 23-year-old hurler possesses both college polish and the raw power of a fastball that regularly sits north of 96 mph. Add in a curveball and slider that are both high-quality out pitches already, and he could shortly be positioned to join Clayton Kershaw and Julio Urias in an impressive homegrown crop of L.A. starters.

MLB ETA: Opening Day

Crawford’s name has long been mentioned on every top prospect list, and he's finally positioned for a full-time gig in Philadelphia. While his bat could be slow to come around, he holds a tantalizing collection of skills and should at the very least be a plus defensive presence immediately. Once he goes around the block a few times against big league hurlers, the flashes of power and mature approach he's shown at the plate should shine through.

MLB ETA: July/August 2018

Flaherty is an above-average athlete for a pitcher, and it shines through in his approach. Owning a fastball that lives in the mid-90s, a ready-to-go slider, and a developing curve and changeup, he has been one of the fastest-rising arms among the deep crop of St. Louis pitchers. In 2017, Flaherty rose from Double-A all the way to the Cardinals' rotation late in the year, where he struck out 20 in 21.1 innings. While he will start 2018 back at Triple-A Memphis to continue to polish his secondary pitches, he should shore up a spot in the Cardinals' rotation by year’s end, similar to Luke Weaver a year ago.

MLB ETA: September 2018

The second coming of Vladimir Guerrero will terrorize MLB pitching sooner than later. As his dad makes his way to Cooperstown, young Vladimir will likely push his way into the Blue Jays' lineup, where he stands to be the heir apparent to Josh Donaldson at third base. While Guerrero Jr. possesses his father’s ability to square up some unlikely pitches, he also has the plate discipline and pitch judgment that could make him one of the game’s biggest on-base threats when he reaches his prime. Guerrero posted a .425 on-base percentage last year between Low- and High-A levels and could be in line for a rapid rise through the Toronto system this summer.

MLB ETA: June 2018

Hays blew up on the scene in his first professional year, crushing 32 homers and 32 doubles in 2017, alongside a .329/.365/.593 split line between the High-A and Double-A levels. It was an impressive enough showing that the O’s bumped him up to the majors by season’s end, which shows the club’s excitement about the young outfielder. He will likely get a shot at honing his craft at the Triple-A level this year, but an inevitable return to the majors is coming soon.

MLB ETA: August 2018

There are few — if any — prospects who possess the raw power potential that Jimenez does. Standing at a statuesque 6-4, he projects as a prototypical cleanup threat who will regularly launch 30-plus homers. In addition to his natural power, Jimenez has also shown himself to be an extremely mature hitter, carrying a .379 on-base percentage along his three stops between the Cubs' and White Sox's systems last year.

MLB ETA: September 2018

Kingery established himself as the game’s top prospect at second base last season after posting a .304 average along with 26 home runs, 29 stolen bases and 103 runs scored between Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Scouts see some healthy reminders of Dustin Pedroia in his game, which speaks volumes about the type of presence Kingery could be among Philly's revival effort. Alongside J.P. Crawford, Kingery stands to provide a double-play combo with some incredible upside in the upcoming years.

MLB ETA: May 2018

Kopech reigns supreme as the most intimidating arm in all of minor league baseball, possessing a heater on Noah Syndergaard’s level. Regularly touching 100 mph, he ran up 172 strikeouts in 134.1 innings a year ago, while holding opponents to a .193 average. Kopech will likely return to Triple-A ball to open the year in a move more mandated by business than necessity, as he has easily been among Chicago's best hurlers this spring. However, he will likely make his way to the majors for good as soon as (contractually) possible.

MLB ETA: April 2018

McMahon stands as a victim of circumstance currently. With the talented collection of infielders the Rockies have on their MLB roster, there's no clear path to the lineup for McMahon. As a result, the team is giving the natural third baseman reps at both first and second base in a push to get his bat in play sooner than later. McMahon hit .355 with 20 home runs and a .986 OPS at the two highest levels of the minors and could get the chance to be a regular utility option until a permanent spot opens up.

MLB ETA: July 2018

A switch-hitting catcher who can stroke well from both sides of the plate and possesses an arm that keeps would-be base thieves more than honest, Mejia’s talent is substantial. The Indians are excited enough about his potential that the club had him work at third base in the Arizona Fall League in an effort to find another way to get his impressive bat into play sooner. However, his ability to bring a plus bat to a position where it is a still a rare commodity to have one is likely to keep him set as the Indians’ catcher of the future.

MLB ETA: September 2018

The towering Puk has been one of the elite strikeout pitchers in the minor leagues, running up 224 in 157.2 innings over two seasons. He possesses a lights-out curveball that looks like it falls out of the sky when released from his 6-7 frame. His changeup is also coming along nicely and shows the type of polish that could make him an Adam Wainwright-like presence as he matures. He is clearly the top option of all the many young hurlers in the Oakland system and could be the club’s Opening Day starter as soon as next spring.

MLB ETA: May 2018

Reyes’ journey to the majors has been full of detours, setbacks and self-inflicted issues, culminating in Tommy John surgery that cost him all of 2017. However, the ultra-talented flamethrower is on pace to return to action by May, where the Cardinals could turn him loose out of the bullpen initially. However, it could be a Chris Sale-like grooming stint before he resumes his road toward becoming a front-line ace for the St. Louis rotation.

MLB ETA: June 2018

Since breaking in as a pro four years ago at age 17, Robles has been on beeline toward the majors, hitting well over .300 in three of his four years and topping 20 stolen bases in each. Robles is a gluttony of skills to behold and still has a maturing swing. For a Nationals team that could be preparing to lose one franchise player in Bryce Harper, it is a reassuring fact to have another young outfielder capable of eventually becoming a perennial MVP-caliber performer right around the corner.

MLB ETA: September 2018

Another talented infielder blocked by the productive Colorado infield, such is the ability of Rodgers that he could force a trade for one of the pros ahead of him to accommodate his substantial talent much sooner than later. Although he battled a mixture of injuries last season, Rodgers hit .336 between the High-A and Double-A levels, while producing a .940 OPS. He is a natural hitter and quintessential baseball player who has the great instincts, technique and ability to deliver on demand.

MLB ETA: May 2018

It is a coin flip between Senzel and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as to who is the best pure hitter in the minor league ranks, and it would be hard to blame anybody who leans toward the Reds' top prospect. He combines natural power with an approach at the plate that could compete for batting titles. Senzel’s bat is ready to graduate to the majors right now, and the Reds are eager enough to have him aboard that they have even toyed with the idea of trying him at shortstop for the time being just to get his bat in the fold as soon as possible.

MLB ETA: June/July 2018

A natural hitter who can hit to all fields and shows a vast amount of maturity in his approach at the plate already, Torres will look to pick up where he left off in 2017 after Tommy John surgery cut his season short. While the presence of Didi Gregorius will likely force Torres to move to either third or second base once he reaches the Bronx, it could be a blessing in disguise as he could easily be a Gold Glover at either position. Torres stands to be a major part of the Yankees' ambition to take over the American League in the next handful of years.

MLB ETA: August/September 2018

Tucker’s left-handed stroke began to produce some powerful returns last year, as his slugging percentage went north of .500 for the first time. Just two years after being drafted, Tucker connected for 25 home runs and 33 doubles, a season after hitting just nine at age 19. It proved to be a final touch to an already impressive offensive performer, who will fit in nicely at one of the corner outfield slots at Minute Maid Park. Tucker stands to be yet another dangerous bat for a potent Houston offense.