The MLB playoff push is reaching a fever pitch, but the minor league playoffs are underway at most levels. As such, it’s a good time to look at the breakout prospects of 2016.
Every team has a handful of elite prospects that casual fans know by name, but without fail there are always a handful of relatively unknown players in each system who push their way into the top-prospect conversation.
Whether they’re from a talented player returning from injury, a promising prospect repeating a level with increased success or a low-level minor leaguer turning raw tools into on-field production, breakout performances come in all shapes and sizes.
So here’s a look at each club’s biggest breakout prospect of 2016, as well as a few honorable mentions also worth keeping an eye on.
Note: Preseason prospect rankings refer to the 2016 Baseball America Prospect Handbook.