In every sport, scouting and projecting how prospects will develop and eventually end up is an inexact science filled with as many swings and misses and solid connections and absolute home runs. There are so many variables at play, and development is never linear, so someone that looks like a blue-chip talent at one point can fizzle without ever coming close to reaching their ceiling while an unheralded athlete can emerge from seemingly out of nowhere and blossom into a star.
The objective of this two-part series is to introduce you to 20 competitors that profile as possible breakout candidates in the coming year.