{"id":54536,"date":"2022-04-08T13:26:56","date_gmt":"2022-04-08T17:26:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=54536"},"modified":"2022-04-08T13:34:36","modified_gmt":"2022-04-08T17:34:36","slug":"young-mlb-stars-ready-to-make-their-big-league-debuts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2022\/04\/08\/young-mlb-stars-ready-to-make-their-big-league-debuts\/","title":{"rendered":"Young MLB Stars Ready To Make Their Big League Debuts"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Young MLB stars are ready to make an impact. Bobby Witt Jr., the top prospect in baseball, came up huge to help the\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2022\/03\/20\/interesting-team-to-watch\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Kansas City Royals<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0defeat the\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/category\/guardians\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Cleveland Guardians<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> 3-1. Witt Jr. was hitless in his first three at-bats; he hit a double to deep left field to score Michael Taylor. Andrew Benintendi drove in it Witt Jr. on an RBI single to give the Royals the go-ahead lead. He won&#8217;t be the only up-and-coming player making his big league debut. Here are some notable young MLB stars who will make their debuts soon.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Meet the Young MLB Stars<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jeremy Pe\u00f1a<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Prospect Profile-Shortstop<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Bats: Right, Throws: Right<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jeremy Pe\u00f1a, the son of Geronimo Pe\u00f1a, is taking over as starting shortstop for Carlos Correa. The 24-year old has the task of filling Correra&#8217;s shoes, but he comes with high expectations. Pena is the defensive player in the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2022\/04\/06\/ryan-pressly-agrees-to-extension-with-houston-astros\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Houston Astros<\/a> farm system. He&#8217;s riding off the success to a strong finish last year at Triple-A. He looked excellent in Spring Training, making his Major League debut against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday. Pena went 0-for-4 with strikeouts.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Bryson Scott<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Prospect Profile- Infielder<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Bats: Left, Throws: Right<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2022\/02\/14\/ten-greatest-comebacks-in-mlb-history-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0Philadelphia Phillies<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0selected Bryson Stott as the 14th pick of the 2019 MLB Draft. The organization&#8217;s No. 1 prospect climbed through the minor league ranks from High-A Jersey Shore to Triple-A Leigh Valley. He can draw many walks, helping him get in more favorable counts to let him drive the ball with more emphasis on extra bases. He has the arm, hands, and instincts to play shortstop. But Stott is versatile enough to play anywhere in the infield. He could see time at third and second base this season.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Hunter Greene<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Prospect Profile- Right-Handed Pitcher<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Hunter Greene is finally here. The 22-year old, who was the second overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, missed 2019 and 2020 following Tommy John surgery. Greene comes with a power repertoire, hitting 100+ mph routinely. In 2021, the\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2022\/03\/13\/sonny-gray-traded-to-the-minnesota-twins\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Cincinnati Reds<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0No.1 prospect was 5-0 with a 1.98 ERA, striking out 60 batters in 41 innings over seven starts at Double-A Chattanooga. His promotion to Triple-A Louisville didn&#8217;t translate well, compiling a 5-8 record with a 4.13 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 65 1\/3 innings.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Spencer Torkelson<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Prospect Profile-1B\/3B<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Bats: Right, Throws: Right<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Spencer Torkelson&#8217;s quick rise through the minor leagues is impressive. The top pick in the 2020 MLB Draft rose from High-A to playing 40 games in Triple-A. He hit .267\/.383\/.552 over 530 plate appearances. This spring, evidence of a good approach and contact rate were notable, as Torkelson hit .280\/.406\/.440 over 12 games. Torkelson is the latest\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2022\/04\/06\/2022-detroit-tigers-season-preview\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Detroit Tigers<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0prospect to make it to the majors. Plus, he&#8217;s the first Tiger to make his debut on Opening Day since 2010. Austin Jackson and Scott Sizemore were the last to do so.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Julio Rodr\u00edguez<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Prospect Profile- Outfielder<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Bats: Right, Throws: Right<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">An International prospect signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2017; Julio Rodr\u00edguez has an advanced approach at the plate. He can hit the ball hard to any part of the field with impressive plate discipline. Plus, there&#8217;s proof that the 21-year old has hit everywhere he&#8217;s played, sporting a .331\/.412\/.543 slash line in 227 Minor League games. Through 12 spring games for the <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2022\/04\/07\/mariners-2022-season-preview\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Seattle Mariners<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, he hit .419 with a 1.310 OPS. He&#8217;s an excellent and aggressive baserunner who can steal a base. Rodr\u00edguez has the makings of being a big league superstar.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Main Image<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"gGFlRESUSsZYPXVzunDhow\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1386302080\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'gGFlRESUSsZYPXVzunDhow',sig:'D7HCIAibgWeOUZTr7yRYAPbwkwVrDdE4SSHn4EXb2Tg=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1386302080',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><br \/>\n<strong>Players mentioned:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=wittbo02,wittbo01&amp;search=Bobby+Witt&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bobby Witt Jr.<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=taylomi01,taylor016mic,taylor015mic&amp;search=Michael+Taylor&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Michael Taylor<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/beninan01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andrew Benintendi<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/p\/penaje02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jeremy Pe<span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00f1<\/span>a<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/p\/penage01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Geronimo Pe<span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00f1<\/span>a<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/correca01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Carlos Correa<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=stott-000bry&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bryson Stott<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=torkel000spe&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Spencer Torkelson<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jacksau01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Austin Jackson<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sizemsc01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Scott Sizemore<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=rodrig013jul,rodrig010jul&amp;search=Julio+Rodriguez&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=referral\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Julio Rodr<span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00ed<\/span>guez<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Young MLB stars are ready to make an impact. Bobby Witt Jr., the top prospect in baseball, came up huge to help the\u00a0Kansas City Royals\u00a0defeat the\u00a0Cleveland Guardians 3-1. Witt Jr. was hitless in his first three at-bats; he hit a double to deep left field to score Michael Taylor. Andrew Benintendi drove in it Witt [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3686,"featured_media":54548,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1071,28,11,14,12,23,17],"tags":[2583,2654,1277,5332,4308,1308,3682],"class_list":["post-54536","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb","category-reds","category-tigers","category-astros","category-royals","category-phillies","category-mariners","tag-bobby-witt-jr","tag-bryson-stott","tag-hunter-greene","tag-jeremy-pena","tag-julio-rodriguez","tag-mlb-prospects","tag-spencer-torkelson"],"modified_by":"Matt Graves","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54536","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3686"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54536"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54536\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/54548"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54536"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54536"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54536"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}