What do 5 Seconds of Summer, Chris Pratt and Jacob deGrom each have in common? They were a few of the many breakout stars of 2014. While I will not waste your time attempting to predict the next pop culture icon, I do wish to spotlight a few prospects in the Baltimore Orioles’ organization who might be under-the-radar today, but will not be this time next year. These are four players outside my current Top-11 prospects who have breakout potential in 2015.

Steven Brault LHP

A lean, wiry left-handed pitcher, Brault was Baltimore’s 14th round pick in 2014 from a small Division 2 school in Colorado. This 22-year-old is still extremely raw for a collegiate pitcher, but he has significant projection remaining in his listed 6-1 175lbs. body. Brault throws noticeably across his body during his pitching motion, which affords some deception to the opposing batters but causes him to struggle to maintain his release point and could hinder his velocity potential. Brault reminds me a great deal of a young Ross Detwiler, both physically and with his delivery.

Brault features a quality 4-pitch repertoire consisting of an 87-91mph fastball with natural sink, a hard-breaking 82-84mph slider, an intriguing but inconsistent low-80s changeup with arm-side fading action, and the rare mid-70s curveball. Brault pounds the strike zone impressively with his fastball to get ahead of opposing batters, but his current below-average off-speed pitches cause him to struggle to strike out hitters. His age and athleticism provides hope that he can polish his delivery, improve his off-speed offerings and possibly increasing his fastball velocity. Brault is a talented young arm with breakout potential and a quality sleeper in the Orioles’ system.

Jason Esposito 3B

A long-time favorite since first watching him in 2010 for Orleans in the Cape Cod Baseball League, Esposito has continually struggled to turn his obvious skills into on-field production. Since being drafted by Baltimore in the 2nd round of 2011, Esposito has struggled to shed his underachiever label, hitting only .235/.277/.332 in three career minor league seasons.

His defense has always outpaced his offense, where he struggles with large strikeout totals and a near allergy to drawing walks. These weaknesses have caused him to fail to turn his impressive pure strength and bat speed into production the past three years. However, Esposito shows signs of improvement last season, hitting 45 extra base hits and followed that up with a .253 average in the Arizona Fall League.
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Defensively Esposito projects as an above-average or better third baseman, with a very strong arm, soft hands and solid footwork at the hot corner. Additionally, Esposito has fringy speed and good athleticism for a stocky, well-built 6-2 200lbs athlete. The physical tools are there for a major league third baseman, but now 24-years-old, Esposito needs to breakout in 2015 if he wishes to reach the majors.

Jonah Heim Catcher

Baltimore’s 4th round selection in 2013 from a New York high school, Heim was drafted as an advanced defensive backstop who was extremely raw offensively. Heim projects as above-average to plus behind the plate, as he presently has strong blocking and receiving skills, along with an excellent throwing arm. Still only 19-years-old Heim needs repetitions and refinement to reach his potential, but his impressive footwork and defensive skills gives him an excellent chance to develop into a major league backup.

Offensively the switch-hitting Heim has struggled to turn his impressive batting practice efforts into production during the game. Pregame Heim shows some quality bat speed and raw pull power, but his difficulties making contact presently limits his effectiveness with the bat. His swing does not have any major, obvious flaws, so with additional experience there is potential for improvement in 2015, likely at Low-A Delmarva. A switch-hitting catcher with terrific defensive skills is a strong “starter-kit” for a future major leaguer, and if Heim can show any potential with the bat in 2015, he could skyrocket up prospect rankings this summer.

Jon Keller RHP

Orioles Prospect Jon Keller

Keller was Baltimore’s 22nd round pick in 2013 from Division-2 University of Tampa, after failing to sign with the Seattle Mariners three years prior as their 11th round selection. Despite his late round selection, it appears as though the Orioles unearthed quite a gem in Keller, who possesses a prototypical 6-5 215lbs. pitcher’s frame and intriguing 3-pitch mix. Keller’s repertoire consists of a powerful 93-96mph fastball with late movement, a promising but firm 84-86mph slider, and a hard 83-86mph changeup. Keller has the potential for two plus pitches along with a fringy changeup.

These obvious strengths aside, Keller does have some weaknesses which dampen his overall prospect profile – Keller has an extensive injury history both during his collegiate career, including surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome in 2012. In addition the 22-year-old needs to refine his pitching motion, as there is some extraneous movement in his delivery, which causes him to struggle to maintain his release point. Furthermore like most pitchers still in A-ball, Keller needs additional refinement to his off-speed offerings, although both his slider and changeup show promise for future improvement.

He is still extremely raw, but a shift to the bullpen could expedite his future toward the majors. Keller has big league potential and the Orioles clearly got a steal with him two years ago.