It wasn’t long ago that Boston Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi was the top prospect in baseball. Now the 22-year-old is hitting .280 with five home runs and 24 RBI with the big club. Benintendi’s graduation to the major leagues on a full-time basis could be a preview of what is to come this season with a number of top prospects that are ready to make an impact at the highest level. We’re watching a similar story play out in the National League where Cody Bellinger has gone from prospect to superstar. He’s still a prospect in our eyes for the purposes of this list but it might not be for long. Here is a look at the top five MLB prospects from National League teams.
1B/OF: Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers
Bellinger is at the top of the list of prospects that are ready to contribute full-time at the major league level. Simply put, he’s already doing it. The question is whether his call-up is permanent or whether he’ll cool off and need some more grooming.
The 21-year-old has made the most of his opportunity with the Dodgers this season by hitting .250 with 11 home runs and 29 RBI. The issue is that he’s cooled off a little bit of late. He had collected 20 RBI’s in the first eight games in May. However, he only has five RBI’s in his last 10 games. His OBP was .375 in April and reached as high as .413 in May, but it has since declined to .314.
Bellinger offers Los Angeles an intriguing blend of power and plate vision that should keep him on the west coast for the remainder of the year. Based on how he has performed so far, the Dodgers have no choice but to keep him in their lineup.
SS: Amed Rosario, New York Mets
It seems like only a matter of time before Rosario gets his chance with the big club. Rosario has hit .366 in 40 minor league games this year and yet Mets manager Sandy Alderson still hasn’t called him up. With New York really struggling, it seems like there should be some urgency for Alderson when it comes to finding his club some help. The 21-year-old Rosario might be the perfect answer. It won’t be a surprise if Rosario joins the Mets at some point this month.
2B/SS: Brendan Rogers, Colorado Rockies
The Rockies offense is absolutely loaded with Ian Desmond back in the fold and Mark Reynolds performing at such a high level this season. However, they have had issues with the shortstop position as Trevor Story has been inconsistent at the plate while also dealing with injuries. That makes Rogers an intriguing long-term candidate to start at the position even though the consensus is that he is still a couple of years away from joining Colorado. Rogers is one of the few prospects in baseball with a plus hit and power tool. The fact that he plays at a premium position makes Rogers that much more valuable as one of the top National League prospects.
OF: Victor Robles, Washington Nationals
Washington made the right decision to hold on to Robles despite getting plenty of offers for their top prospect in the offseason. Robles broke out last season when he hit .280 with nine home runs and 37 stolen bases in 51 chances at two levels last season. Now he has the opportunity to continue to improve his overall game without any urgency for the Nationals to call him up. Washington is cruising with one of the best records in baseball. They can afford to bide their time with Robles, but it won’t be long before their top prospect is ready for the major league spotlight.
OF: Eloy Jimenez, Chicago Cubs
The Cubs are baseball’s most complete team so they can afford to wait a little longer before turning to their top prospect in Jimenez. The 20-year-old is likely still a year or two away from joining Chicago’s major league roster. However, he is definitely turning heads in the minors. Jimenez made a statement when he went 6-for-19 with a home run in spring training. The Cubs can afford to be patient with their top prospect but it’s only a matter of time before he gets his opportunity.
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