The 2019 MLB all-rookie team

Whether they premiered as blue-chip prospects or less-touted minor leaguers just trying to make a name for themselves, first-year big leaguers have provided an inordinate amount of intrigue this season. While some of the youngsters on this list are already well on their way to superstardom, some under-the-radar guys really found a way to break through and contribute to their teams as well.  Let's take a look at the Yardbarker 2019 MLB all-rookie team. 

Catcher, Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers 

Smith has shuttled between L.A. and Triple-A Oklahoma City four different times this season, but since his most recent promotion in late July he's emerged as the top option behind the plate for the National League's best team. In 157 at-bats, the Louisville product has launched 14 homers and driven in 37 runs, bringing yet another threat to a dangerous Dodgers offense. Defensively Smith's gunned down a quarter of would be base stealers, and it will be fascinating to see if he really does catch playoff games for this team over veterans Austin Barnes and Russell Martin. More interesting still will be what Los Angeles does behind the plate moving forward, as its best prospect, Keibert Ruiz, is also a catcher. 

First Base, Pete Alonso, New York Mets 

The Mets right-handed slugger represents the most obvious choice for this list. After breaking camp with the big club — service time be damned — all Alonso has done is deliver one of the most productive rookie seasons in MLB history. Participating in all but one of New York's games, the man nicknamed "The Polar Bear" has hit .264 while leading the majors with 50 homers and driving in 115 runs. He's already shattered the Amazins' single-season home run record, and while it would take a furious hot streak this week, he's got an outside chance to set the franchise RBI record as well. It's improbable but not impossible that the Mets will squeak into October as the NL's second wild card, and if they do, Alonso could even become a dark horse MVP candidate. 

Second Base, Keston Hiura, Milwaukee Brewers 

For a couple of years, Hiura was the one minor leaguer in the Brewers organization whom rival clubs coveted in trade discussions. Milwaukee deemed him untouchable pretty much from the moment they took him ninth overall in the 2017 draft, and his performance since becoming a regular in the Brew Crew's lineup this summer has shown why. In a shade under 300 at-bats, Hiura has hit .301 with 18 long balls and 47 RBI while also adding 21 doubles and scoring 48 runs. He's become an even more vital member of this offense since Milwaukee lost superstar Christian Yelich to a knee injury, and the Brewers hope the young phenom has a few more big moments in him as they continue to chase a postseason berth. 

Shortstop, Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres 

Tatis was the top-ranked prospect in the game prior to his promotion this season, and while his year was unfortunately cut short by injury, it became evident from Day 1 that he's going to be one of the brightest stars in this sport for a long time. In 84 games for the Padres, the 20-year-old hit .317 with 22 home runs and 53 RBI while swiping 16 bags and racking up 197 total bases in only 334 at-bats. It's scary for the other teams in the NL West to think what his numbers in just half a season project to over a full six months, and San Diego fans are certainly looking forward to what he can do next year and beyond. 

Third Base, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays 

Another — and the second straight on this list — son of a well-known former big leaguer, Guerrero seemingly debuted with even more immediate fanfare than the above-mentioned Tatis. While his rookie season got off to less of a dominant start, Guerrero has come on down the stretch, and he's one of several young players the Blue Jays are counting on to return Canada to baseball relevancy. After hitting just .249 before the All-Star break, the right-handed slugger has turned in a .303 average over the past two-plus months, and his 15 homers and 68 RBI as a rookie are nothing to sneeze at. The show Guerrero put on during the Home Run Derby will not be forgotten any time soon and provided a glimpse at the power potential he has. As he continues to mature, Toronto has no doubt he's going to become an absolute superstar just like his namesake.  

Left Field, Bryan Reynolds, Pittsburgh Pirates 

Outside of Pittsburgh, Reynolds is far from a household name, but he's quietly been one of the most productive all-around offensive players in the National League. In 132 games the 24-year-old has hit .318 —good for fourth in the NL — while accumulating 57 extra-base hits and reaching base at a strong .381 clip. Since being promoted in mid-April the switch-hitter has been a mainstay in the middle of the Pirates line-up, and while 2019 has obviously been disappointing for the Bucs, the club is hopeful Reynolds can team with first baseman Josh Bell to help form the core of this team's next contender. 

Center Field, Victor Robles, Washington Nationals 

The Nationals had been waiting for Robles to break through, and while injuries derailed him in both 2017 and 2018, this year has finally served as the youngster's coming out party. Playing in nearly every Nats game, the 22-year-old has hit 17 big flies and driven in 64 runs while hitting .255, stealing 26 bases and playing superb defense at a premium position. His emergence has helped alleviate some of the frustration of Bryce Harper's free agent departure last winter, and together with Juan Soto, Robles should give Washington a dynamic outfield duo for years to come.  

Right Field, Aristides Aquino, Cincinnati Reds 

Aquino's presence on this list is sure to frustrate fans in the Bay Area who would instead have liked to see Mike Yastrzemski, but what this young man has been able to do since being promoted on Aug. 1 is too hard to ignore. In only 181 at-bats, Aquino has crushed 17 homers and racked up 44 RBI while delivering a .260 batting average and slugging .575. The right-handed hitter did not hit for this much power in AAA this season, but the Reds are certainly enjoying the ride, and they're hopeful he can ultimately become a building block for them moving forward. 

Designated Hitter, Eloy Jimenez, Chicago White Sox 

Jimenez has primarily played the outfield for the White Sox this season, but for the sake of our rookie team we're going to need to slide him in at DH. In 453 big league at-bats this season, the long-heralded prospect has hit .269 with 30 homers and 77 RBI while adding 17 doubles and becoming every bit of the right-handed power threat Chicago had long foreseen him developing into. The White Sox are still a little ways from competing in the AL Central, but their young core is finally starting to take shape, and it shouldn't surprise you if Jimenez helps lead this club back to the postseason in the somewhat near future.