Five Unheralded Prospects Who Could Contribute in 2016: AL West

Tony Kemp, 2B/OF, Houston Astros

No stranger to undersized second basemen, the Astros have another one that could see some time in the majors in 2016. While he clearly isn't going to unseat anyone in the middle of the infield in the majors, the Astros have been also trying out Kemp in the outfield in the hopes that he can translate his excellent speed on defense. The best case scenario for Kemp is that he comes up and fills in as a super-utility role, as he could provide some stolen bases and a high batting average even in limited time.

Joe Musgrove, RHP, Houston Astros

Musgrove was finally healthy for the majority of a season, and moved quickly through the minors as a result. He threw a total of 100 innings pitched from Low-A to AA, allowed just 85 hits, walked 8 and struck out 99. The performance was enough for the Astros to protect him on the 40-man roster this offseason, and could be in line for a call up should the Astros need a starting pitcher at some point. He doesn't have the high-end profile that you will see with elite pitching prospects, but he should be a solid producer at the back end of a fantasy rotation if given the opportunity.

Chad Pinder, 2B/SS, Oakland Athletics

Given that the Athletics have traded away two top shortstop prospects in the past two years (Addison Russell, Daniel Robertson), acquired another (Franklin Barreto), and drafted potentially two more (Richie Martin, Mikey White), it's easy to see how Pinder could be overlooked. With all that said though, Pinder is a middle infielder who can play both positions, can potentially provide a good batting average with some decent power. He'll head to AAA Nashville to start the year, and I can see him being an interesting flier in AL-only and deep formats as a reserve pick. With the current second baseman (Jed Lowrie) not being the healthiest guy in his past, we could see Pinder at some point this year.

Boog Powell, OF, Seattle Mariners

No, not the Orioles 1B from the 60's, the one acquired by the Mariners as a part of the Brad Miller trade this offseason. It was the second straight offseason that Powell has been traded, but after splitting 2015 between AA and AAA, is on the cusp of the majors with an organization where he may get a better shot to play long-term. Defensively he can play all three outfield spots, and at the plate could provide a high batting average with some stolen bases. There isn't expected to be a lot of power (or, really more than 2-3 home runs a season most likely), but with a high walk rate (12.7% career) and his high-contact profile, he could be a solid 5th outfielder in AL-only leagues if he's called up.

Patrick Kivlehan, UT, Texas Rangers

The Mariners traded Kivlehan to the Rangers for Leonys Martin, and the biggest question really seems to be where he could play on a regular basis. He's seen time at all four corner spots, but it doesn't really sound like he's well suited for any other than first base potentially. What he does well though, is hit for power, with 58 home runs over the past three seasons. His flexibility to be able to play all four corner spots could come in handy for the Rangers if injuries strike, and is already on the 40-man roster.