Unlikely MLB Players Who Can Make the All-Star Team in 2015

Every year in baseball, various undervalued players blow past expectations and lead their teams to success.  While many players still struggle to garner recognition, some gain the benefit of being selected to the Mid-Summer Classic.  After two weeks in the 2015 season, MLB has seen the usual headlines – stars struggle, veterans dominate, and you guessed it, a relative nobody dominates the league.  Here are five undervalued MLB players who, if they keep up their current performance, can make the trip to Cincinnati this July.

Trevor Bauer

Further development from Trevor Bauer could lead to an All-Star appearance for the young right hander in 2015. (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)

Once a highly touted prospect, Trevor Bauer hasn’t quite lived up to lofty expectations bestowed upon him before arriving to the majors. During his first full Major League season in 2014, Bauer finished with a 4.18 ERA and described it as “frustrating”. With breakout seasons from reigning AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco, Bauer seemed to be the forgotten man in Cleveland’s rotation heading into 2015.

The former Bruin will need to show improvement in his command to make significant strides towards reaching his potential in 2015. Still only 24, Bauer is finally piecing things together for the Tribe this season to the tune of a 0.95 ERA and a 2.02 FIP through his first three starts of the year.  If Bauer can manage to maintain at least 75% of his early season performance, he should have a first class ticket to the Queen City come July.

Top MLB Storylines After One Week of Action

After a long, harsh winter, baseball returned with a vengeance last week.  In a season expected to produce unparalleled levels of parity, in that almost every team has a chance at making the playoffs, teams did not disappoint during Opening Week.  With concerns over a league-wide offensive drought, teams have blasted bomb after bomb – and if it holds up, baseball can once again be idolized by kids everywhere.  Here are the most exciting storylines from baseball’s Opening Week.

Did the League Regain Its Power Stroke?

As David Ortiz nears 500 career home runs, the rest of the league will look to slug their way into history alongside him. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

It seems as if teams are hitting long-ball after long-ball, right?  Well, sort of.  Through one week of action, all of Major League Baseball has combined to hit 165 home runs (as of 4/13/15).  If the league keeps up that pace, they’ll hit a total of 4,290 home runs.  Compare that to last season where the entire league managed to hit 4,186 home runs, and it looks as if hitters are slowly improving against the fierce competition they face from pitchers.  Watch for hitters to only heat up as the weather gets warmer – and possibly improve by more than 104 home runs.

Five Young MLB Players Poised to Have Breakout Seasons

As one of the most competitive and difficult sports to master, many baseball players take years to actually reach their peak playing days.  With pitchers improving each year, hitters are forced to constantly make adjustments to their swing, and really their overall approach to the game.  The same goes for pitchers – hitters are learning that power isn’t the only way to score runs, and have taken advantage by increasing walks and often times, a pitcher doesn’t figure things out until he’s been in the league for a few seasons.  Alex Speier of the Boston Globe brilliantly outlined that a player’s prime age begins at 26, and ends around 32. With the dearth of able hitters, teams have started calling up prospects well before their prime age in hopes of providing a spark to their season.  Sometimes these players pan out, and other times, well, they may take a few seasons to live up to their potential.  With that in mind, here are five young players poised to have breakout seasons.

5. Trevor Bauer

Trevor Bauer seems to have figured things out, and should establish himself as one of the better pitchers in the American League in 2015.

Once a highly touted flamethrower for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Trevor Bauer was dealt in a three-team trade to the Indians in exchange for now Yankees heir to Jeter, Didi Gregorius, Red Sox legend Lars Anderson, and Tony Sipp.  Bauer struggled with the tribe in 2013 to the tune of a 5.29 ERA, and was quickly sent back to Triple-A.  In 2014, he fared much better (4.18 ERA in 26 starts) – but still hasn’t reached his massive potential.  At the ripe age of 24, Bauer has all the tools to put together a strong season – and establish himself as a solid pitcher for the Indians behind reigning Cy Young winner Corey Kluber.