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MLB players ready to make 'the leap' in 2020
Shohei Ohtani could really take off if he stays healthy. Norm Hall/Getty Images

MLB players ready to make 'the leap' in 2020

While the 2020 MLB season is scheduled for only 60 games, that's still enough of an opportunity for players to make a name for themselves. These 30 have a chance to take a huge leap forward in 2020.

 
1 of 30

Arizona Diamondbacks: Zac Gallen, SP

Arizona Diamondbacks: Zac Gallen, SP
Joe Camporeale / USA Today Sports Images

Acquired from Miami last season, Gallen posted an impressive 2.81 ERA in 15 starts during his rookie campaign. He could step up to be Arizona's ace this year and give the team a real chance of being competitive in the NL West.

 
2 of 30

Atlanta Braves: Austin Riley, 3B

Atlanta Braves: Austin Riley, 3B
Reinhold Matay / USA Today Sports Images

Riley went on a power tear when he was promoted by the Braves last year, but the hot streak soon came to an end. He spent the end of the year on the bench, though the Braves are counting on Riley after the departure of Josh Donaldson. He has the power to make a difference in the team's lineup.

 
3 of 30

Baltimore Orioles: Hunter Harvey, RP

Baltimore Orioles: Hunter Harvey, RP
Brad Mills / USA Today Sports Images

Harvey was once a top prospect, but he has struggled to stay healthy during his pro career. He created some buzz last season in relief and could compete for the closer role this year in another rebuilding season for Baltimore.

 
4 of 30

Boston Red Sox: Andrew Benintendi, LF

Boston Red Sox: Andrew Benintendi, LF
Brian Fluharty / USA Today Sports Images

Benintendi is coming off a poor 2019 season, but he posted a solid .830 OPS the previous year. Boston is counting on him following the trade of Mookie Betts, and Benintendi has been working hard in the offseason to get back on track.

 
5 of 30

Chicago Cubs: Ian Happ, OF

Chicago Cubs: Ian Happ, OF
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Happ was demoted after spring training last year but made up for lost time when he was called up late in the year, with an .898 OPS in 156 plate appearances. He's set for regular at-bats this season with the addition of the DH.

 
6 of 30

Chicago White Sox: Luis Robert, CF

Chicago White Sox: Luis Robert, CF
Rick Scuteri / USA Today Sports Images

Robert was the talk of early spring training and is likely to be Chicago's Opening Day center fielder. The toolsy Cuban has clear 30/30 upside that he could flash in his MLB debut.

 
7 of 30

Cincinnati Reds: Nick Senzel, CF

Cincinnati Reds: Nick Senzel, CF
Kareem Elgazzar / USA Today Sports Images

Injuries have continued to ruin Senzel's early career, but the ability he showed while on the field was good, with 12 home runs and 14 stolen bases in 104 games. Cincinnati is excited about the former first-round pick's upside if he can stay on the field.

 
8 of 30

Cleveland Indians: James Karinchak, RP

Cleveland Indians: James Karinchak, RP
David Dermer / USA Today Sports Images

Karinchak has incredible swing-and-miss stuff, posting 74 strikeouts in only 30.1 innings in the minors last season. He was similarly dominant in five MLB appearances and should slot in as Cleveland's setup man this season.

 
9 of 30

Colorado Rockies: Sam Hilliard, RF

Colorado Rockies: Sam Hilliard, RF
Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today Sports Images

Hilliard showed great power late last season with seven home runs in only 87 plate appearances, and he has a good chance of at-bats going into 2020. With the help of Coors Field, he could be a major contributor quickly.

 
10 of 30

Detroit Tigers: Christin Stewart, OF

Detroit Tigers: Christin Stewart, OF
Kelley L. Cox / USA Today Sports Images

Stewart disappointed in his official rookie season with only 10 home runs in 416 plate appearances, but his minor league track record suggests 30 home run power. He's one of the few building blocks in the Tigers lineup and hopes to get off to a better start this year.

 
11 of 30

Houston Astros: Kyle Tucker, OF

Houston Astros: Kyle Tucker, OF
Jasen Vinlove / USA Today Sports Images

Tucker remains a top MLB prospect but has been left without a place to play in Houston's loaded lineup. This could be the year he finally unseats Josh Reddick to get playing time and shows his 30/30 upside.

 
12 of 30

Kansas City Royals: Maikel Franco, 3B

Kansas City Royals: Maikel Franco, 3B
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

Franco quickly fell out of favor in Philadelphia for his mediocre defense and disappointing bat, but he has a clean slate with the Royals. The three-time 20-plus home run hitter hopes to get on a hot streak early this season.

 
13 of 30

Los Angeles Angels: Shohei Ohtani, DH/SP

Los Angeles Angels: Shohei Ohtani, DH/SP
Angels Baseball / USA Today Sports Images

Ohtani is an accomplished hitter in his first two MLB seasons but has made only 10 appearances as a pitcher due to Tommy John surgery. His arm should be healthy for the start of the season, and he has a chance to reach his full potential as an outstanding two-way star.

 
14 of 30

Los Angeles Dodgers: Dustin May, SP

Los Angeles Dodgers: Dustin May, SP
Geoff Burke / USA Today Sports Images

L.A.'s top pitching prospect was excellent in his MLB debut last season, posting a 3.63 ERA in 34.2 innings. After David Price opted out of the 2020 season, May has a better chance for a spot in the Dodgers rotation and make a bigger impact this year.

 
15 of 30

Miami Marlins: Pablo Lopez, SP

Miami Marlins: Pablo Lopez, SP
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

Lopez had a disappointing 2019 season that included injury, with an ERA above 5.00. However, his control remained outstanding, and his ability to throw strikes should be an asset for the Marlins rotation this year.

 
16 of 30

Milwaukee Brewers: Freddy Peralta, P

Milwaukee Brewers: Freddy Peralta, P
Joe Camporeale / USA Today Sports Images

Peralta misses bats on command, but his inconsistent control has made him difficult to rely on in his first two MLB seasons. He did create some buzz during spring training, and Milwaukee is counting on Peralta as a high upside arm this year.

 
17 of 30

Minnesota Twins: Luis Arraez, 2B

Minnesota Twins: Luis Arraez, 2B
Wendell Cruz / USA Today Sports Images

Arraez's pure hitting ability could lead to a batting title in the future, as he showed last season by hitting .334. With Jonathan Schoop out of the way, Arraez is set to be Minnesota's starting second baseman.

 
18 of 30

New York Mets: Amed Rosario, SS

New York Mets: Amed Rosario, SS
Andy Marlin / USA Today Sports Images

Rosario has made nice progress in three MLB seasons, posting a career-high .755 OPS last year. Still just entering his age 24 season there is more room for growth, as his bat could push him into the middle of the batting order.

 
19 of 30

New York Yankees: Jordan Montgomery, SP

New York Yankees: Jordan Montgomery, SP
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

Montgomery was an effective starter early in his career before undergoing Tommy John surgery, and he's competing for a rotation spot again this summer. With a career 3.91 ERA, Montgomery shows excellent upside.

 
20 of 30

Oakland Athletics: Jesus Luzardo, SP

Oakland Athletics: Jesus Luzardo, SP
Tim Heitman / USA Today Sports Images

Luzardo is one of the best pitching prospects Oakland has produced in years, but he missed most of last season due to arm trouble. Now healthy, Luzardo could not only compete for a rotation spot but also for becoming the team's ace in 2020.

 
21 of 30

Philadelphia Phillies: Spencer Howard, SP

Philadelphia Phillies: Spencer Howard, SP
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

Pitching is seen as Philadelphia's biggest weakness entering the season, but Howard could rescue the team. The top pitching prospect is coming off a great Arizona Fall League, as he tries to win the fifth starter spot.

 
22 of 30

Pittsburgh Pirates: Gregory Polanco, RF

Pittsburgh Pirates: Gregory Polanco, RF
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

Polanco had trouble overcoming a shoulder injury last season after hitting a career-high 23 home runs in 2018. Now healthy, he has a chance to hit in the middle of Pittsburgh's batting order and put up the numbers expected of him as a former top prospect.

 
23 of 30

San Diego Padres: Francisco Mejia, C

San Diego Padres: Francisco Mejia, C
Jake Roth / USA Today Sports Images

Mejia's bat pushed him to the majors, and he finally showed it off during the second half of last season by hitting .305-6-16 in 141 plate appearances. He could put up an elite offensive performance during the shortened season.

 
24 of 30

San Francisco Giants: Logan Webb, SP

San Francisco Giants: Logan Webb, SP
Matt Kartozian / USA Today Sports Images

Webb struggled in eight starts last season but has a strong minor league track record and opportunity to win the fifth starter job. As an extreme groundball pitcher, he provides strong upside for San Francisco.

 
25 of 30

Seattle Mariners: Shed Long, 2B

Seattle Mariners: Shed Long, 2B
Joe Nicholson / USA Today Sports Images

Long is likely to be Seattle's leadoff hitter and starting second baseman this season. With regular at-bats for the first time, he could prove himself a building block in Seattle's lineup.

 
26 of 30

St. Louis Cardinals: Tyler O'Neill, OF

St. Louis Cardinals: Tyler O'Neill, OF
Joe Puetz / USA Today Sports Images

O'Neill has yet to find regular at-bats in the majors, but there's no questioning his power potential with 14 home runs in 293 plate appearances. With the addition of the DH, he could finally see an everyday opportunity.

 
27 of 30

Tampa Bay Rays: Tyler Glasnow, SP

Tampa Bay Rays: Tyler Glasnow, SP
Jonathan Dyer / USA Today Sports Images

Glasnow was dominant early last season before suffering an injury, finishing the regular season with a 1.78 ERA in 12 starts. He has a chance to bounce back at the top of Tampa's rotation this year.

 
28 of 30

Texas Rangers: Willie Calhoun, LF

Texas Rangers: Willie Calhoun, LF
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images

Calhoun had a scare in spring training when he took a pitch to the head, but he's had enough time to heal. He had 21 home runs in only 83 games last year and could continue that momentum.

 
29 of 30

Toronto Blue Jays: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 3B

Toronto Blue Jays: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 3B
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

Arguably the top hitting prospect in baseball entering last season, Guerrero didn't quite match the hype owith only 15 home runs in 514 plate appearances. He smakes consistent hard contact though and could reach his potential this year.

 
30 of 30

Washington Nationals: Austin Voth, SP

Washington Nationals: Austin Voth, SP
Brad Mills / USA Today Sports Images

Voth is the favorite to win Washington's fifth starter job after improving his velocity last season. He had a 3.30 ERA in 43.2 innings for the Nats last season.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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