In a 162-game season MLB, there is always room for shock and awe in Major League Baseball. And then there are teams like the Baltimore Orioles, who will field one of the most anonymous teams in baseball history this season. Yet even on non-contenders, compelling players and storylines are sure to emerge.

Prospects like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Eloy Jimenez could arrive in the big leagues this season and immediately provide ample production to their respective clubs. Other blossoming stars abound throughout the league, even if their teams may struggle to find success this year.

Of course, the best players on competitive teams are the ones that grab the headlines and win the awards at the end of the season, but baseball is better viewed through a holistic lens.

With that in mind, keep an eye out for these five players on non-contending teams in 2019:

*Disclaimer: this list will not include the likes of Mike Trout, who is clearly one of the best players in baseball despite playing for a likely non-contender*

5. Brian Anderson, Miami Marlins

Anderson was one of the bright spots for a 2018 Marlins team in the first year of their full-scale rebuild. The 26-year-old finished fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting, hitting .273 with 11 homers and 65 RBIs last season.

Anderson's strikeout rate was below 20 percent as well, an inherently positive sign for a young player in his first season. If he can improve his isolated power (just .127 in 2018) and add some more pop to his game, he could see a big uptick in production.

He is no slouch defensively either. Although he manned third base for nearly half the season, Anderson rated as one of the better defensive right fielders in baseball. According to FanGraphs, he posted four Defensive Runs Saved and a 5.0 Ultimate Zone Rating at the corner outfield spot last year.

While the rebuild is still focused around 2019 breakout hopeful Lewis Brinson and a young pitching staff, Anderson's progression is certainly a storyline to watch in Miami this season.

4. Jose Leclerc, Texas Rangers

This is a name you may have seen in the news lately. Leclerc was not a lock to break big-league camp prior to the 2018 season, but just recently reached a four-year, $14.75 million extension with the Rangers earlier in March. Why?

Well, last year Leclerc was one of the best relievers in all of baseball, posting a 1.56 ERA and 13.27 K/9 in 57.2 innings for Texas. Not only did Leclerc burst onto the scene as one of the premier power pitchers in the game, but he also posted the fourth-best fWAR (2.5, just 0.2 behind Josh Hader of the Milwaukee Brewers) among relievers last season.

The Rangers will throw Leclerc right into the fire as their full-time closer this season. Interestingly enough, Texas has not had great luck with young relievers. The likes of Nefatali Feliz and Matt Bush are notable flameouts in that role.

Still, at just 25 years old, Leclerc has the ability to challenge Edwin Diaz as the saves leader in 2019.

3. Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels

This spot could just as easily be filled by Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons, who is perhaps the best defensive shortstop in baseball and hit nearly .300 last season, but Ohtani's storyline is slightly more compelling.

Ohtani's courtship was one of the major storylines of the 2017-18 offseason. As one of the best two-way prospects to come out of Japan, analysts and fans alike were curious to see how he would adapt to pitching in the bigs.

By the end of the 2018 season, it was clear that Ohtani is one of the most uniquely-gifted talents in baseball. Injuries limited him to just 10 starts on the mound, but he impressed with a 3.31 ERA and 11.0 K/9.

Although he will not pitch in 2019 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Ohtani's skill with the bat still makes him a player to watch. The AL Rookie of the Year clubbed 22 homers while posting a .925 OPS and also stealing 10 bases.

Ohtani is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, but when he returns he will once again command a good deal of the spotlight.

2. Mitch Haniger, Seattle Mariners

The Mariners sold nearly every big-name player on the roster this offseason, but general manager Jerry Dipoto made it clear to teams that Haniger would not be available.

After hitting 16 homers in 95 games in 2017, Haniger hit 26 homers and drove in 93 runs last season. According to FanGraphs, Haniger's 138 wRC+ was better than Freddie Freeman, Jose Altuve, Bryce Harper, Nolan Arenado and Javier Baez, among others. In other words, this guy is pretty good.

Haniger is only just entering his prime at 28 years old, and the Mariners made it very clear that their rebuild would be centered around their budding outfielder.

There is a good chance Seattle could plummet toward the cellar of the AL West in 2019, but Haniger is a legitimate All-Star that could continue to improve and join the 30-homer club this season.

1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays

Perhaps more conveniently for the Blue Jays, “Young Vlad” will miss three weeks due to an oblique strain, meaning the team will be able to accrue more years of team control on him as he recovers from injury in the minor leagues.

But make no mistake, Guerrero will arrive in the big leagues early this season, and he will be one of the most compelling rookies we have ever seen.

Juan Soto and Ronald Acuna Jr. both burst onto the scene last season as young prospects who immediately fulfilled their promise, but even those two world beaters did not have the same level of hype or minor league production as Guerrero.

The 20-year-old tore through Toronto's system last year, hitting an astounding .402 in Double-A before moving to Triple-A and hitting .336 with a .978 OPS.

The Blue Jays will not come close to competing in the AL East this season, but the impending arrival of Guerrero  and his performance thereafter will be one of the biggest storylines of the season.