3 of the best newcomers in the game

Major League Baseball is deploying the deepest crop of young talent in recent memory, breathing new life into the game. This year's rookie class is loaded with budding superstars, but three lights shine brighter than the rest.

Let's take a glance at these three franchise cornerstones:

Kris Bryant

Bryant, the second overall pick in the 2013 draft, made his highly anticipated major-league debut on April 17 versus the San Diego Padres. The No. 1 prospect, as determined by Baseball America entering the season, instantly injected life into the up-and-coming Chicago Cubs with his big bat, slashing an incredible .318/.455/.409 in April. Bryant then found his power stroke in May, belting seven homers in the month while driving in 22 runs.

The third baseman's impressive first half earned him All-Star honors and an invitation to the Home Run Derby. Bryant's potential is scary under the tutelage of mastermind Joe Maddon, and he's already embracing Wrigley Field as his stomping grounds. The 23-year-old is hitting a solid .301 with nine home runs and 27 RBIs in 136 at-bats at the hallowed ballpark.

2015 stats - 78 games

Joc Pederson

Pederson, an 11th-round pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2010, enjoyed a cup of coffee at the big-league level in 2014, appearing in 18 games. But he's breaking out in a big way this year. Pederson leads all National League center fielders in home runs (20), is third in slugging percentage (.487), and fifth in RBIs (40). He's also tied for fourth in outfield assists (four), and was the first Dodgers rookie to ever start an All-Star Game.

The 23-year-old has everyone in L.A. forgetting about the departure of Matt Kemp, and his ball-hawking skills are featured on highlight reels across the country on a nightly basis. Pederson is the total package, and a fan favorite because of his towering blasts.

2015 stats - 89 games

Carlos Correa

Correa is the latest Houston Astros prospect to explode onto the scene, and perhaps the most intriguing. The 20-year-old phenom is drawing early comparisons to a young Alex Rodriguez, but strives to mimic the game of Troy Tulowitzki. Correa's power potential is simply unheralded at the shortstop position, but there's also no doubt he's a complete five-tool player.

The Astros selected a 17-year-old Correa with the first overall pick in the 2012 draft, making him the highest-selected player to be drafted directly from a Puerto Rican high school. He's been on a fast track to the big leagues ever since, and earned Rookie of the Month honors for June despite not arriving until the second week of the month. His three-week tear included slashing .287/.309/.543 with five home runs and 15 RBIs, but we haven't seen anything yet.

2015 stats - 32 games