SPECULATOR: Searching for the next A.J. Pollock
Mar 11 2016
An annual preseason rite here in the Speculator space is identifying a breakout performance from the previous season, and constructing a profile that might help identify candidates who could take a similar step up in the current year. It’s always a fun exercise—and productive, too.
But this one is a bit crazy, as on the hitters side, we have a game of “roll it over” going on. Last March, when I penned this column, the subject was Michael Brantley, who in 2014 had broken out with a $41 season. The capsule of the final player for a 2015 breakout read:
[He] is the least-experienced player on this list, and right now garners most of his value from his legs, with an elite 175 Spd and 14 SB in just 265 AB in 2014. But his power is present,...
Almost!
You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!
Already a subscriber? Sign in here
More From Speculator
If history is any guide, this year's end-of-season Top 15 will come from all stages of the draft.
Mar 18 2026 3:08am
Mar 18 2026 3:08am
What lessons can we apply from Drew Rasmussen's 2025 breakout to this year's player pool?
Mar 11 2026 8:36am
Mar 11 2026 8:36am
Applying lessons learned from George Springer's 2025 breakout to this year's player pool
Mar 4 2026 3:04am
Mar 4 2026 3:04am
This week's exercise is all about picking holes to help avoid early-round busts.
Feb 25 2026 3:10am
Feb 25 2026 3:10am
Sure, they struggled last year, but if we remove some recency bias, granting mulligans could be a lucrative exercise.
Feb 18 2026 3:06am
Feb 18 2026 3:06am
