It’s going to be a tough act to follow for the rookies of 2016. After the “Year of the Rookie” in 2015, what can we expect from the freshman class this year? Will we have another deep class featuring numerous high impact players to fill our fantasy squads? Or will we scale back this year, and only have a few true must own froshes? Below we’ll dive into the high impact rookies to target in drafts, and keep an eye on for later season call ups. For these reasons, I’ve broken them into two tiers; those that should break camp with big league club, and those that should be high impact call ups during the season. Just for fun I’ve added top 5 lists from some of your favorite Razzball personalities to give you idea of what others besides myself are thinking. Enjoy!
Camp Breakers
Players that should break camp with their respective clubs and play prominent roles.
| Player | Team | Position | Notes |
| Corey Seager | Dodgers | SS | The cream of the rookie crop and the front runner for NL rookie of the year. |
| Steven Matz | Mets | LHP | The big arm in a group of rookies that just slipped under their limits in 2015 the reigns should be off in terms of innings. |
| Byron Buxton | Twins | OF | The best set of tools in the minors, the highest ceiling of any player on this list. |
| Jose Berrios | Twins | RHP | Potential front of the rotation arm and the soon to be Twins ace. I expect big things from Berrios. |
| Byung-ho Park | Twins | 1B | Veteran power bat from the KBO, averaged 52 homers over the past two seasons…oh, and that in an average of 134 games per season. Will the power translate? |
| Kenta Maeda | Dodgers | RHP | Looked marvelous in his first appearance for the Dodgers. Should be ready to immediately make an impact for the Blue Bloods in 2016 |
| A.J. Reed | Astros | 1B | After a putting up video game numbers in the minors, fantasy baseballers are looking for big things from the Kentucky product. I’m taking a chance saying he breaks camp with the Stros, but he has the ability to beat out Singleton. |
| Blake Snell | Rays | LHP | Ruled the minors last year winning minor league pitcher of the year, if he doesn’t break camp he’ll be up in short order. |
| Hyun-soo Kim | Orioles | OF | .300 hitter in KBO that could provide multi-cat production. Might have more value when all is said and done than Park. Question is does power translate at all. |
| Hector Olivera | Braves | 3B/OF | Yeah he’s 30 (or is he), and he was up last year but is under his limits and will get the opportunity to play everyday. |
| Gary Sanchez | Yankees | C | Not sure how many at bats Sanchez gets, but he’s ready, and he answered many of the questions about his makeup and catching by having a great Arizona Fall League. Should break camp as McCann’s backup. |
| Alen Hanson | Pirates | 2B | Stole 35 bases at AAA Indianapolis in 2015, has a chance of winning the job out of camp. I think he does, which is why he’s here. |
| Jose Peraza | Reds | 2B/OF | Taking reps in the outfield and looks likely to break camp with the Reds. Has the speed to be a major contributor in steals. |
| Jon Gray | Rockies | RHP | Considered by many the top prospect in a stocked Rockies system, has the potential of a front line starter but the Coors effect scares off many, yours truly included. |
Big Impact Call Ups
Players that won’t break camp with their respective clubs, but call ups and major contributions are just around the corner.
| Player | Team | Position | Notes |
| Lucas Giolito | Nationals | RHP | Future ace Giolito has the stuff and makeup to dominate for years to come, when and how soon we see him is anyone’s guess. Probably won’t break camp, but could be up in short order. Please Dusty don’t kill his arm. |
| Julio Urias | Dodgers | LHP | Whispers about him breaking camp with the Dodgers are gaining steam with Anderson and McCarthy out for extended time, and Ryu still looking like a question mark. Could he be back and forth this year? |
| Trea Turner | Nationals | SS | If Dusty Baker is smart he’ll give Turner the starting SS job out of camp, instead of rookie vampire Stephen Drew. Dusty Baker probably isn’t smart, but we could be talking a top 10 fantasy SS this year. |
| Robert Stephenson | Reds | RHP | Big strikeout potential, though control can be an issue. Could make the rotation out of camp but more than likely is an early season call up. |
| Nick Williams | Phillies | OF | High upside player with 20/20 potential, the visions of Williams hitting at Citizens Park fill my dreams. |
| Orlando Arcia | Brewers | SS | Excellent hit tool and speed, should be a top of the order bat for a long time. The defensive chops to be one of the best SS in the game, guaranteed to stick at the position. He’ll be up in short order. |
| Joey Gallo | Rangers | 3B/OF | Will probably need an injury to get everyday at bats, and needs to improve his plate discipline but the power gives him huge middle of the order upside. |
| Lewis Brinson | Rangers | OF | Polished hitter that offers multi-category production, is ready for the show, but with Desmond, Deshields, Choo, and others is there room for him this year? Will be up at some point but more than likely late-2016. |
| Jesse Winker | Reds | OF | Competing for a starting OF spot, may not get it out of camp, but with the rebuild could be a factor in 2016. The bat is great, some question the power, but the friendly confines of Great American should help. |
| Max Kepler | Twins | OF | Another impact rookie from the Twins, could break camp, or at the very least be up by June. Kepler offers an advanced hit tool with some power and steals. |
| Josh Bell | Pirates | 1B/OF | We’ve been waiting on Bell for what seems like forever, the power may never be what we all hope for, but the approach and hit tool is world class. |
| Bradley Zimmer | Indians | OF | Talented outfielder with a varied tools set, should be a late season call up, but has the tools to be impactful in multiple categories. |
| Nomar Mazara | Rangers | OF | Will spend most of the season in AAA, but could be up at some point. So many options in the Texas OF. |
Razzball Top 5ers
I polled a group of Razzball writers, and personalities about their top 5 rookies for the upcoming season, below are the results.
Grey – Corey Seager, Orlando Arcia, Byron Buxton, Lucas Giolito, Trea Turner
Ralph – Corey Seager, Steven Matz, Jose Berrios, A.J. Reed, Byron Buxton
Smokey – Jose Berrios, Steven Matz, Byron Buxton, Corey Seager, Jesse Winker
Mike – A.J. Reed, Orlando Arcia, Lucas Giolito, Corey Seager, Byron Buxton
J-FOH – Corey Seager, Steven Matz, Jose Berrios, Byung-ho Park, A.J. Reed
