The 2015 season featured an abundance of terrific performances. Here, we'll focus on the trio of fantastic freshmen at third base: Kris Bryant, Miguel Sano, and Jung-ho Kang.

Bryant was regarded as one of the best prospects in the game after posting absurd numbers across two levels in 2014. Somewhat controversially, the Cubs left him at Triple-A for the first week or so of the season in a textbook example of service clock manipulation. Though he acquitted himself well in all other aspects, Bryant's mammoth power was mysteriously absent early on as he failed to hit his first homer until his 21st game of the season. Despite this, Bryant finished 2015 with stellar numbers (.275/.369/.488, 26 HR, 87 R, 99 RBI, 13 SB) and captured Rookie of the Year honors with a unanimous vote. Expectations were through the roof, and the kid delivered.

Headed into his age-24 season, Bryant will be a hot commodity on draft day. A moderate bump in power seems likely, and he should contribute plenty of counting stats in the Cubs' fearsome lineup. A strikeout rate north of 30 percent is a minor cause for concern and will likely keep him from being a true five-category stud unless it improves. Yet even with a predicted 34-point BABIP decline, Steamer pegs Bryant for a perfectly acceptable .271 batting average.

Sano only played nine games at third as a rookie, but fortunately for owners in Yahoo leagues, that's enough for him to retain eligibility. Those in other formats will have to wait a while before they can plug him in at the hot corner. Sano doesn't offer the speed that Bryant does, but his power is even more impressive. In just 80 games, the Twins phenom hit 18 homers and posted an excellent .262 ISO. Sano was an extreme three true outcomes hitter, as nearly 57 percent of his plate appearances ended with a homer, walk, or strikeout. Like Bryant, Sano posted a remarkably high BABIP and some regression should be expected. However, given his minor league track record, it's a good bet that he'll offset this with a lower whiff rate. The .269 average he posted last season probably represents his ceiling, but the pop and plate discipline are already elite.

It's worth noting that both Bryant and Sano may not experience as significant of a drop in BABIP as projected. Both players hit a ton of line drives and posted excellent hard-hit rates, and Bryant's fleet feet will also continue to serve him well.

Kang was relatively unheralded compared to the two uberprospects, but the four-year, $11 million contract the Pirates signed him to looks like a massive bargain. The Korean import shook off a slow start and finished with a .287/.355/.461 line, 15 homers, 118 R+RBI, and five steals in 126 games. Kang is already 28 and may also miss the start of the 2016 season as he recovers from a gruesome late-season knee injury. This added level of risk could make him a similarly huge value for fantasy owners willing to bet on a repeat performance, particularly since Kang also carries eligibility at shortstop.

Speaking of shortstops, check back tomorrow for another look at the bumper crop of 2015 rookies, and Friday for analysis of disappointing vets.

MLB & Fantasy Baseball Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-12" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]