Three under the radar prospects that could make a 2020 impact

Randy Arozarena

The Cardinals signed Randy Arozarena for $1.25 million in July 2016, after the Cuban outfielder ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 19 international prospect in his class.

He was sent to Tampa along with Jose Martinez in the trade involving top prospect Matthew Liberatore going to St. Louis.

Arozarena made it to Double-A in his first full season and knows how to get on base.

The Rays’ front office always has a plan it seems, and the acquisition of Arozarena could prove to be a key one that no one saw coming.

He hit .300 over parts of 20 games with St. Louis while hitting a career-high 15 home runs in the minors in 2019. The best part of the rising power numbers is the fact that his strikeout slowly trickled down as well.

Arozarena will bring some speed to the table that not many on the team will be able to. Last year he had 17 steals across two levels of minor league ball. That speed can also be used in the field at all three positions. His sprint speed pf 29.4 ft/sec puts him right on par with new teammate Kevin Kiermaier.

Arozarena figures to have every chance to make the big league club in 2020 as the fourth outfielder.

He should be an upgrade over last seasons 4th outfielder Guillermo Heredia. If the bat can stick with consistent defense, he should be able to gain playing time often and could push the Rays into making more room for him in 2021 and beyond.

Which players do you think will make an impact in 2020?