Top 50 MLB Players and Prospects Under 25 Years Old

#50. Jordan Walden

Jordan Walden came through big time as a rookie for the Angels in 2011 being an anchor to their bullpen.
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Jordan Walden in his rookie season saved 32 games for the Angels and posted a 2.98 ERA is the process. His violent delivery should remind many Angel fans of K-Rod when he made his debut with the Halos. Assuming he can avoid the injuries that some big hard-throwing pitchers face (i.e. Joel Zumaya), Walden should continue to dominate hitters in the eighth and ninth innings for a long time.

#49. Jameson Taillon

Former #1 draft pick Jameson Taillon I believe is the true pitching ace for the Pirates future.

Taillon is big strong and talented. The Pirates are banking on Gerrit Cole (whom just missed my Top 50 list) and Jameson Taillon to make the type of impact that Glavine and Maddux made for the Braves in the early 90s, even though their styles are 100 percent different.

Taillon was touted by some GMs as a better draft pick than Bryce Harper entering the draft. While I think that is more fiction that reality if those GM's actually had the No. 1 pick, it still goes to show that Taillon whom went No. 2 overall is a standout prospect.

#48. Brett Jackson

If Jackson can squeeze his way onto the Cub roster and hit for a solid average he will stick there and prove his 5-tool ability.
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Jackson is a true five-tool talent in the outfield. The Cubs should be able to find a home for him by the end of the 2012 regular season. If I had to put a player with a similar skill set, I would think of a Shin-Soo Choo.

Jackson has a little better speed and potential to outperform a 20/20 skill set, but right now I think that is a fair label until he shows more. Either way with Jackson and the other young talented hitters in Chicago coming up, it should be an exciting time to see games in Chicago, which they have not had since their glory days of Sosa.

#47. Cameron Maybin

Maybin's speed has developed nicely, now if that average and power come along a little more, look out.
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This ranking I feel is actually very much too low, however I do not want to overreact to one very good 2011 campaign. But I do think it is just the tip of the iceberg. Maybin improved all across the board while playing for the Padres in 2011. He set a career high in SB with 40, and showed an improved skill set at the plate.

If he can continue to develop power, he can show that he is worthy of being one of the centerpieces which saw Detroit trade him for Miguel Cabrera. While the Marlins gave up on him, the Padres swept in and gave him a change of scenery. If he can climb that average into that .270 range and keep that speed output he is going to be a major league ball player for a long time. And if that power ever develops, you may be looking at the next Andrew McCutchen, stat wise.

#46. Jarrod Parker

I think Billy Beane was onto something when he dealt Cahill for Parker.
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In one of the more perplexing trades in recent years, Trevor Cahill was traded for Jarrod Parker...

Cahill was a top prospect in his own right and was one season removed from an 18-8 record with a 2.97 ERA. Parker, on the other hand, was one season removed from Tommy John surgery. Cahill last year regressed some in his statistics, mainly from his BB/9 jumping up 2.88 to 3.55.

If there is one thing I have learned over the years regarding prospects, it is that Billy Beane knows when to let guys go. He let Mulder go after an all star season but slow second half and received Haren, Barton, and Calero. He just tends to be correct on trades and other items. Maybe he was just never sold on Cahill, or better yet maybe he thinks Parker is a stud.

Regardless, I think Parker will live up to his current trade and outperform Cahill, and if he is able to do that, he belongs on this list. Cahill may have been a recipient of a great BABIP in 2010 and having seen that, Beane jumped at the chance to upgrade him while his value was inflated.

#45. Paul Goldschmidt

This swing here looks like he just teed off a baseball into space. In 2012 we should have a real understanding of the type of production we can expect from Goldschmidt moving forward. Young Paul Konerko?
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Goldschmidt owned 2011 when he skipped AAA and went straight from AA to the Majors. He did not disappoint when he made his MLB debut by hitting .250 and eight HRs in only 48 games.

Suprisingly, he has some solid speed from the 1B position where he may add 10 SB in a full season. If Goldschmidt can continue his rise, he should probably be ranked higher on this list, but he will need to improve his average some. If he can get his minor league average to translate on the highest stage he will become a potential all star at the deepest hitting position.

#44. Matt Wieters

Wieters is starting to cash in on the potential that made him top many prospect lists in recent years.
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Maybe a suprise to this list, but he is still 25 and just came off of a 22 HR season in the majors as a catcher. Everyone expected Wieters to make that Buster Posey-like splash in the majors and take a young Orioles team to that next level.

After his initial 2009 call-up where he continued to hit, 2010 was a down year to his standard. But even still he hit .249 with 11 HRs as a catcher which, around the league, is probably close to average.

If he can continue off his 2011 season, 2012 could be his All-Star year and be in the conversation in 2013 for top three fantasy catchers. In my eyes, his 2011 season stripped the "bust" label off of his back, even though the hype was the only real reason he could have gotten that title in the first place. Oh and his own Chuck Norris-type website didn't help:

http://www.mattwietersfacts.com/

#43. Mike Moustakas

KC is on the up and up. When their young talent starts to hit their prime, the rest of the American League pitchers will have to take notice.
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I think most people would rank Moustakas much higher than I would. I see more Hank Blalock than a young Troy Glaus, but either way you rank him, he is a top-flight prospect. I'm hoping to see the Royals continue to piece together their home grown products and eventually I hope they can retain them.

When you look at a lineup with Hosmer, Moustakas, Myers, Butler, Gordon, Starling, Cain, Escobar and etc. you are looking at a lot of young talent. While I think Hosmer is a superstar in the making, I think the others will have a handful of All-Star appearances between them. Moustakas has the ability to hit at a high level, and hopefully in 2012 he will continue to grow in that young KC lineup.

#42. Dee Gordon

Son of "Flash", Dee is lightning on the basepaths, and if he can keep a high average he is going to be a menace in the NL West for a decade.
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When we start ranking prospects on this list it is sometimes hard to know where to place them in respect to players who are already in the majors and playing well. This is the case with Dee Gordon. Gordon is a classic case of a great young player whom made it to the majors and produced. Last year as a rookie he batted .304 and had 24 SB in 56 games. His only real downfall is he has no power right now.

I do not see a young Jose Reyes, but we may be looking at a young Luis Castillo. Gordon is going to be a solid player for a long time, but without any power potential that players like Jurickson Profar and Manny Machado have, it is tough to rank him ahead of such players, but I do think Gordon has a high basement, meaning he will always have a spot on a roster and be a contributor at a major league level.

His ceiling, I think, could be Rafael Furcal-like, but in the other players' case,s their ceiling's are Hanley Ramirez-like and that's why they have the edge.

#41. Dylan Bundy

Bundy in a year or two could very well top this list.

If you are seeing a theme here I think Gerrit Cole should have been down in the draft just a little bit, but because he seemed like the safest finished product he went No. 1 overall in the 2011 draft.

If the Pirates wanted to take the pitcher with the highest ceiling Bundy would have been the unanimous No. 1 overall pick. He can touch 100 mph on the gun and secondary stuff is well developed beyond his years. While it will be interesting to see how things go with him in the minors, I have very little worries.

He should see the majors sooner rather than later. They will likely move him along slowly, but he should immediately become their future ace. I would not be shocked to see the former National High School Player of the Year top this list in a couple years.

#40. Trevor Bauer

While Cole was considered the bigger draft prospect from UCLA, Bauer I think will surpass him in MLB productivity.

Trevor Bauer should rise fast through the minors. He has dominating stuff and should have some gaudy strikeout totals. He went after teammate Gerrit Cole in the 2011 draft by two picks (third overall, Cole was first overall), but really the only thing that separating two was size.

Cole is a much taller prospect and teams like the big strong pitcher. But Bauer is not a slouch by any means, and I think his stuff plays better against major league bats.

#39. Anthony Rizzo

Rizzo may split time in the majors and minors this coming season, but he should have a nice long career and be a cornerstone for the Cubs moving forward.
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Since acquiring Theo Epstein, the Cubs have been rebuilding talented youth in their farm system. Rizzo was the biggest piece acquired thus far. He has been compared to an Adrian Gonzalez-type first baseman. He dominated at every level in the minors leading to his call-up in San Diego where he stalled.

I think in a more hitter friendly park and on a young rebuilding team, Rizzo will finally get a chance to excel. He may or may not stick as a 1B in Chicago if Bryan LaHair gets off to a hot start in 2012, but wherever he lands in the field he should stick with his bat. The Cub fans can finally start to forget about guys like Alfonso Soriano, who never lived up to their big contracts and focus on the young talent Epstein is gathering.

#38. Manny Machado

Machado's upside for one of the most demanding positions means he deserves a spot on this list. A-Rod comparisons do not hurt his case either.
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Machado will be 19 years old this season, and he is already regarded as one of the best all around prospects in baseball. While he draws the Alex Rodriguez comparisons, it is unfair to put such lofty goals on someone under 20 years old.

Regardless, Machado is a top-tier SS prospect and one that the Orioles cannot wait to see in the majors. Even if he eventually moves over to 3B, he will still have the five-tool ability to be great.

#37. Jason Kipnis

Kipnis has a smooth left handed stroke that Indians fans were accustomed to with Roberto Alomar.
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Kipnis rose quickly through the Indians orginization in 2010 and 2011 moving from High A all the way to the majors. Kipnis when he made it to the big stage did not disappoint either. He displayed five- tool ability from day one and should be an integral part to the rebuilding process in Cleveland along with Carlos Santana. Kipnis should if nothing else be a consistent player for the Indians over the next decade.

#36. Jordan Zimmerman

While Zimmerman was on an innings limit last year coming back from surgery in 2010, 2012 should be his first full season on a much improved Nationals team.
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When you run through the best players in the Nationals organization there is always one player that is getting overlooked. That is Jordan Zimmerman. Zimmerman was on the shelf for most of 2010, but if there is anything I learned from 2011 it is that the Nationals starting rotation, if healthy, can hang with any rotation in baseball. While Zimmerman has only compiled a 12-18 record he is much better than that. Zimmerman will prove to be a great No. 3 starter behind Strasburg and Gonzalez this year in D.C.

#35. Jonny Venters

Venters makes up one part of the best 8-9 inning combination in baseball.
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You could make the claim that Venters is every bit the reliever as Kimbrel in that Braves bullpen. Venters is clearly the No. 1 left handed reliever in baseball making the best setup bridge in baseball. Venters still walks a little too many batters, but there is no doubting his electric stuff from the left side.

#34. Ike Davis

Ike Davis needs to stay healthy in order to justify this spot on my list.
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While Davis' short career has been hampered by injuries there is no doubting the power potential that is present. Davis hit 19 Home runs as a 23-year-old and seven HR in only 36 games last year. If Davis can stay healthy he should be a consistent big league third basemen with 25-30 HR potential.

#33. Austin Jackson

Jackson has proven his worth on the defensive side of the field so far but has the potential offensively to be a 5 tool threat.
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Offensively Jackson took a small step back in 2011 by sacrificing some average for improved power. If Jackson can get back to hitting for a slightly higher average and not sacrificing power we will be looking at one of the top centerfielders in baseball. He in my opinion already has the best defensive range in centerfield and is highly athletic. If he can just get on base in front of Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera, his runs will go through the roof.

#32. Drew Storen

Storen proved in 2011 that moving forward he belongs in the elite closers' class.
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If Drew Storen continues to play for Washington and has a chance to play along the careers of Strasburg, Zimmerman, and Gonzalez for a long duration we could be looking at one of the brightest relievers in baseball. While he did not light the world on fire in 2010, last year in 2011 he finished with 43 saves and proved he could handle the pressure of getting the ball in the ninth.

#31. Julio Teheran

Teheran went 15-3 in AAA in 2011.
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Teheran flew through the minor league system in 2011 making his major league debut as a 20 year old. He was born in 1991. He is so far past his age as of right now, but he will need to gain some additional control to maximize his potential in the majors. He is not a huge strikeout pitcher, but he could definitely mold eventually into an ace and help carry that Braves staff. If I had my say he would start the season as the fifth starter in Atlanta.

#30. Madison Bumgarner

Bumgarner has proven he is the perfect lefty fit to the right handed dominant Giants rotation.
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Madison Bumgarner had some scares going into the season that his velocity was down two years ago. Well over the past two seasons he has put that thought to rest. Bumgarner is always overlooked on the Giants pitching staff but he is an integral part of their success, and should be for many years to come unless they decide to offload their pitching for an offensive boost.

#29. Shelby Miller

Big, strong armed Shelby Miller will be a dynamic piece to the Cardinals future.
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The Cardinals system has been one of the best in baseball at developing young talent. Miller is the perfect player to replace Chris Carpenter when he decides to retire. Miller is going to be a high strikeout starting pitcher and has the frame to be a workhorse for the Cardinals when he arrices.

#28. Jurickson Profar

Profar may eventually push Andrus to another position when he arrives in the majors.
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If I had to take one player playing the middle infield in the minors Jurickson Profar would get the nod. His style resembles a young Hanley Ramirez. If he can produce anywhere near those numbers he should be in the top five on this list.

Profar has good command of the strikezone and can take his share of walks (65 BB to 63 K). Profar is a rare breed of power and speed and as he continues to pack some muscle on, we may be looking at one of the future stars at SS in the majors.

#27. Daniel Hudson

Daniel Hudson has proved to be a consistent starter and will continue to help carry a young Arizona ball club.
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Hudson may never contend for a Cy Young award, but he is a great No. 2-No. 3 starter for any rotation. In his three seasons, he has accumulated a 25-5 record and 3.19 ERA. Now playing in the spacious ballpark in Arizona he should continue to post great starting pitching numbers.

#26. Logan Morrison

Had it not been for an injury to end his season, Morrison may have approached 30-100 in his first full season.
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Lo-Mo proved last year that he has legit power that many analysts were questioning. The average which was down last year from some lingering injuries should be behind him going into 2012. He is primed to approach a 25-100-.285 season this year with the talent that surrounds him in Miami. His ability to take walks and get on base should help that young offense drastically.

#25. Craig Kimbrel

Kimbrel took the 9th inning by storm in 2011.
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NL 2011 Rookie of the Year. 2.10 ERA, 1.039 WHIP, 46 Saves, and 127 K in 77 IP. Enough said. Probably deserves to be higher, but I have a difficult time going to high with a reliever with only one year under his belt when in 2010 he did have some control issues. His stuff is lights out however.

#24. Freddie Freeman

Freeman broke out last year and proved he belonged with the big guns in the NL.
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Going into last year I admit I would not have had Freeman as an impact type rookie. However, in a season which Freeman was only 21 years old he hit over .280 and 20 HRs. If he continues to develop into his 6'5" frame he has a chance to jump up this list over the next couple years. Freeman was clearly the NL's best rookie hitter last year and if he can develop with fellow youngster Jason Heyward, Atlanta will have a deadly 3-4 combo in the lineup.

#23. Elvis Andrus

Elvis Andrus is a plus defender and is one of the reasons the Braves regret they traded for Mark Teixeira.
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Elvis Andrus is somewhat of a throwback SS with great speed and relatively no power. But his defensive range and speed make him a centerpiece to the Rangers lineup on the field. Jurickson Profar is a highly touted prospect at SS and to get both of those guys in the lineup they will eventually have to make room, but for now it is Andrus' spot in Texas and since his arrival he has been a great player.

He will probably never be a Jose Reyes, but he will probably have a 15 year career in the majors. He has been a key integral part of the Rangers winning success and was part of the Mark Teixeira trade to the Braves which brought over Andrus, Feliz, Harrison, and Saltalamacchia. Did I mention they then turned around and dealt Teixeira for Kotchman? Chalk that one up for the Rangers as that was the trade that really stocked their farm system to building a championship caliber team.

#22. Jesus Montero

Jesus Montero will need to develop a position defensively to have real value in the majors.
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I have a mixed bag of feelings for Jesus Montero. First, the good. He crushes the baseball. He is going to hit and he is going to hit very well. Second, the bad. He does not really have a legit position. If he could stick at catcher and play it well I would have him in my top 10.

If he was a proven first basemen I would have him in or around my top 10. But when you have a player and he is only 22 years old and you state that he's right now only a DH that is troubling in my eyes. Generally people grow out of a position when they get older, not before they start their career. People want to compare him to Edgar Martinez, but keep in mind Martinez even came up as a 3B and really only moved because the Mariners had Mike Blowers whom was a better defender and in order to maximize their lineup Martinez moved to DH.

It is not to say that a player can not come up and only be a hitter, but it limits your ability to stick in a lineup. If you slump with hitting and you have no defensive value then you really lost all your value. Regardless on power potential alone Montero deserves to be rated high, but as far as building a team around a DH as the Mariners somewhat have after dealing Pineda, I think is a stretch for any MLB team.

#21. Mat Latos

Latos could explode into a Cy Young candidate with that offense of the Cincinnati Reds backing him.
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Latos has been overlooked in my opinion quite a bit throughout his career. He holds a career 3.37 ERA and 8.7 K/9 but only a 27-29 record. That is a clear case of an offense not picking up their pitcher. Now that Latos is in Cincinnati and protected by Votto, Bruce, Stubbs, Phillips, and company you could see him soar into the elite. His only downfall when looking into the stats is that he is also moving from a pitchers park to a hitters park. Given that offset of offensive upgrade and pitching environment downgrade I see him with 15-16 wins and a 3.85 ERA this year.

#20. Yu Darvish

Darvish comes into a high pressure situation in Texas. How fast he can adjust to the MLB the better it will be for him mentally. Hopefully they can rejoice on their Xmas deal to get the Darvish negotiations similar to a Christmas Story.

This pick may upset people one way or the other. I have heard him being compared to Greinke and if that is the case than I probably have him a few spots too low, however if he turns into Matsuzaka or in other words consistently inconsistent, then I have him too high. #20 seems about fair. His stuff is legit, but given the transition into the majors, getting adjusted to that, and added pressure of playing for a contender are all reasons that could all hinder the rookie of the year favorite. People state he can command 7 different pitches. To me that doesn't matter as much as having a couple dominant pitches. In the majors you need to command 2-3 plus pitches and have a plus plus out-pitch to be dominant. If he can do that he will be successful and we could be looking at the second coming of Hideo Nomo. And with the Darvish deal being so close to Christmas if the signing works out, the Ranger fans can rejoice by singing, Fra-ra-ra-ra-ra, ra-ra-ra-ra". (No disrespect intended just love the movie).

#19. Dustin Ackley

Ackley's short stroke from the left side reminds of Chase Utley's compact swing.
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Dustin Ackley was once considered the consolation prize to what was the 2009 MLB Stephen Strasburg draft. After his first pro season was somewhat of a let down, many people were doubting the talents of the North Carolina Tar Heel. He rebounded nicely and last year quickly rose to the majors for the Mariners and to play 2B. If you are in fantasy leagues you are looking at a future 20/20 star with a high average. Statwise I would think when Ackley hits his prime he should be in that Dustin Pedroia category for 5 tool ability.

#18. Michael Pineda

Pineda is a 6'-7" phenom. Seattle fans had to be somewhat disappointed knowing they would not have Pineda and Hernandez anchoring that staff for the next decade.
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I'm still amazed that the Mariners dealt one of the best young arms in baseball. Maybe they know something I do not. When I watched Pineda pitch last year in the first half I saw a young CC Sabathia. His immense size is intimidating and given if he can stay somewhat lean on that frame he should be a future workhorse to any staff. He somewhat hit an innings wall last year as he went into unknown territory on inning pitched, however it is hard to imagine as he matures into his body that last year was just the start to a great career for Pineda.

#17. Neftali Feliz

Feliz is being transitioned from the bullpen where he was dominant into the great unknown of the rotation. He still have electric stuff, but will the lack of a true 3rd pitch hurt his effectiveness.
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While I understand why Texas is trying to move Feliz to the starting rotation in 2012, I do not agree with it. Feliz was the 2010 AL ROY as a closer and has saved 72 games over the past two seasons. I understand starting pitching is a valued commodity, but how many teams have a guy like Feliz at the back end of the bullpen. Not many. So while I think he belongs here on this list from his past couple seasons, I also am hesitant to think he would be this high as a starter. He may be the next great reliever to starter transition such as CJ Wilson and Adam Wainwright from years back, but at least at closer you knew what you were getting. That was a triple digit flame thrower with a devastating wipe-out pitch. Either way I think Feliz has all the potential to be stretched out into a starter, the problem is it will take 2 years before he can build up the arm strength and innings to withstand it.

#16. Brett Lawrie

Lawrie cruised through the minor league system for the Brewers and Blue Jays until 2011 when he made an immediate impact in the AL.
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Say what you want. If the Brewers could redo the Lawrie for Marcum trade I have to think they would. And that is not to dog Marcum at all. He has been great for the Brew Crew, but Milwaukee might have just missed out on the next coming of Chase Utley. Lawrie has a rare power/speed combo for playing 2B, and even if he ends up shifting over to 3B has the offensive prowess to stick. He flew through the minor league system and had it not been for Rickie Weeks, Lawrie would have been the everyday 2B in Milwaukee. I'm just guessing they would have found a way to keep them both. With Fielder out of town and Braun looking at a 50 game suspension for medicine fighting off (cough..herpes...cough), the once stout Brew Crew lineup is looking suddenly impotent. No pun intended.

#15. Mike Trout

There is something special about watching Trout's style of play. He reminds me of a Grady Sizemore, and hopefully for true fans sake he can stay healthy longer.
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Mike Trout's style of play is a mix between Hunter Pence, Eric Byrnes, and Darin Erstad with their wreckless abandon in the OF, but with the superstar potential of a more powerful Kirby Puckett. Trout's minor league career is what Mortal Kombat fans would call a "Flawless Victory". However in 2011 his MLB start did not quite have the same instant success. If I fill out an opening day roster right now for the Angels I would have Vernon Wells on my bench with Trout patroling CF, Bourjos in LF and Hunter in RF. Regardless of if Trout's time starts from Opening Day in 2012 or shortly after that his style of play will get him to the majors again and in a hurry. Every team is looking for that high energy player with great defense, let alone a player with even greater power potential.

#14. Carlos Santana

If Santana continues trending upward and hits for a higher average in 2012 he will have been rated way too low on this list.
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Carlos Santana was the second coming of Victor Martinez in Cleveland. In 2011 while the average did not stand out as a great season, he ended up with 27 HR. He may never hit for a huge average, but at 25 years old this year, I would not bet against him never bringing that average up.

And if he does bring that average up he would be an elite fantasy catcher. A catcher that hits for 27 HRs in his first full season at age 24 is a rare feat. Not technically the best defensive catcher in the league, he can get by and due to his power presence they will find a way to keep his bat in the lineup even if that means DH or playing 1B.

#13. Desmond Jennings

Desmond Jennings is not just a pure speed threat, in 2011 he also displayed his power.
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Jennings is a gifted athlete. He has been compared since day one in the Rays organization to Carl Crawford. 2011 proved that to maybe be an understatement. His ability to read pitchers and swipe a bag at this stage in his career is close to Crawford as is, and he does have a higher power potential in my eyes. A better comparison for Jennings I think is Matt Kemp.

Early on I think he will have several 20/20 seasons similar to that of McCutchen before he has a few career years flirting with the annual 30/30 numbers.

#12. Tommy Hanson

Running fastball. Check. 12/6 knee buckling curveball. Check. Uncany Chuck Norris Beard. Checkmate.
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Hanson is the Atlanta Braves ace. While Hanson hasn't gotten the run support to really get the 15-17-20 win campaigns, he has been a great pitcher over the past three seasons. Assuming he can get past his 2011 injuries, he is going to be the workhorse that the Braves will need to contend.

#11. Eric Hosmer

I would take Hosmer going forward in his career over the likes of Mark Teixeira and Ryan Howard.
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If I had to pick one first baseman not named Pujols, Cabrera, Votto, Fielder or Ad. Gonzalez, I would take Eric Hosmer to build around. Hosmer proved to me in 2011 that if the Royals get some pitching, look out American League Central.

Hosmer's swing is flawless, and given his age and production at every level he is going to be a beast. I would take him going into this season over All-Stars like Teixeira and Howard. He may not eclipse the 40 HR potential that those two have, but he will post a better average and assuming some of the Royals young talent continues to produce like Moustakas and Gordon, Hosmer will continue to blossum into what I think is the next Joey Votto.

#10. Matt Moore

Tall, powerful, lefty. Moore has the makeup and potential to be an ace for years to come.
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Matt Moore is the best pitching prospect whom will be eligible for Rookie of the Year heading into 2012. His stuff is filthy. On pure stuff he, in my opinion, is right up there with David Price on that Tampa Bay rotation. However, going into 2012, he will likely be the fourth or fifth starter behind Price, veteran Shields, and AL 2011 ROY Hellickson.

Regardless, if the splash he made in 2011 during his cup of coffee was any indication, you may very well be seeing a future annual AL Cy Young candidate.

#9. Jason Heyward

Heyward had a disappointing 2011, but 2012 is a new season which he can go into healthy.
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Last year I would have had Heyward in my top three. 2011 was a year to forget for the Georgia native. People are going to look at last year and see a .227 average and think he is a bust.

However, keep in mind he played through some injuries and while he was mentally wore down by the end of the season, he has had a full offseason to rebuild his health and get a fresh start.

Heyward, much like Upton and Stanton, has immense size and a fluid swing. He is going to develop into a star, and given the fact he is a humble kid means that he will not be satisfied until he is. I want to rank him higher because the potential for greatness is still there, but I will hold back my temptation until he has one full season in which he can stay healthy.

#8. Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper is highly talented and should get to see his first major league action at some point in 2012.
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Bryce Harper is to baseball as LeBron James is to basketball...err... prior to playing a professional game that is. What I was trying to say was Harper has been hyped for a LONG time now. However, he has made good on his potential thus far into his career.

Harper has the rare ability to hit for raw power without sacrificing his average. As he moves up the ranks into the MLB it will be interesting to see how he handles adversity. MLB pitchers are going to be gunning for him. If he can stay focused on baseball and keep his cockiness to a minimum, he will have a long successful career. Look for an annual middle of the order 35 HR/100 RBI-type.

#7. Buster Posey

Posey will bounce back after a freak injury cost him his 2011 season. I expect more of the same production in 2010 from the catcher.
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2011 was very unforgettable for Buster Posey. Coming off of his 2010 NL Rookie of the Year campaign in which he hit .305 and 18 home runs and helped lead the Giants staff to an unlikely World Series, Posey was injured on a freak collision at the plate.

While he was producing at nearly the same production as the previous year, Posey's 2011 was all but over. Given his productivity at every level, I think 2011 will just be a bump in the road for Buster Posey. Over the next 10 years right now, I would have a hard time arguing for another catcher given his ability to play defensively and hit for such a high average.

#6. Starlin Castro

StarlinCastro at age 21, led the NL in hits. He is the youngest ever to accomplish that feat.
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When I watch Starlin Castro play SS, I see a young Derek Jeter. Will Castro be a clutch five-time World Series champ? No, not likely, but I think he will be an All-Star caliber shortstop for the next decade.

I see him as a future batting champion playing one of the most demanding positions on the baseball field. As his power continues to develop he will develop into that 25 HR-type hitter with a solid amount of SB accompanied by a great average. While shortstops like Profar and Machado may have as much potential as Castro, he has already accomplished leading the NL in hits in 2011 with 207.

He was the youngest player ever to accomplish that feat. As long as he does not get derailed from off the field drama, Castro is as talented as just about any shortstop not named Tulowitzki.

#5. Jeremy Hellickson

17 wins in the AL East with a 3.04 ERA and the AL ROY award in 2011 to boot? That deserves a top 10 spot.
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Underrated? Yes. Overlooked? Yes. Jeremy Hellickson is an ace buried as the No. 3 starter on Tampa Bay. People will argue that Matt Moore deserves to be higher than Jeremy Hellickson and realistically it is hard to argue once way or the other on the dynamic Tampa pitchers.

However, Hellickson won 17 games last year on his way to the AL Rookie of the Year award. If we are talking about a future fantasy impact I would go with Matt Moore just due to the K potential alone, however Hellickson more than held his own last year in a full time role. Hellickson will be the definition of consistent starting pitcher over the next decade.

#4. Stephen Strasburg

Strasburg returned in late 2011 with a vengence and looks to build off of that momentum heading into 2012.
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People are going to argue with Strasburg being this high just due to the fact he had an injury. Many people will state "Mark Prior 2.0." Sorry bitter Cubs fan, but I would disagree. While their makeup is very close, Strasburg has that little extra in the tank in terms of velocity. I just hope everyone will get to see Strasburg play a full career to see what kind of gaudy numbers he will produce. We may be seeing the next pitcher that can get 300 Ks in a season. Strasburg is a true ace and the closest thing to Justin Verlander in terms of pure stuff.

#3. Mike Stanton

Standing at 6'-5" 240 lbs, Stanton is a monster on the baseball field. He crushes white leather balls with red stitching and is a real 50 HR threat.
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"Light tower power" is not a term thrown around very often these days. Once the McGwire's and Sosa's left baseball and once MLB started to really crack down on their testing, the way of the 50 HRs has gone to the wayside.

However, if there is any player in baseball I would bet will have a few in his career, it is Mike Stanton. His freakish size and athleticism give him some rare power that has left the game. Stanton is going to be an annual favorite for the Home Run Derby alongside Ryan Howard, but he will also out-last many of the game's current stars due to his youth. If he continues to grow as a patient hitter, he can become one of the most feared hitters in baseball (if he isn't already).

#2. Justin Upton

Justin Upton is cashing in on the potential that made him the #1 overall pick.
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It's hard to imagine Justin Upton is still under the 25-year-old age limit with nearly four and a half years under his belt already. Regardless, Upton has always been highly touted as one of the game's premier young talents.

Last year, he finally started to cash in on his five-tool traits, going 30 HR/20 SB. It is hard to imagine that he has even close to peaked. When it is all said and done, one would think Upton will finish his career with an MVP or two, many Silver Slugger awards, and be a premier hitter over the next decade.

#1. Clayton Kershaw

Kershaw dominated the league as a 23 year old last year and took home the NL Cy Young to boot.
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Clayton Kershaw is, without a doubt, my top player under 25. In 2011 he limited his walks per nine innings from 3.6 in 2010 to 2.1, which led to Kershaw being able to go much deeper into games, hence the career high for innings pitched, quality starts and decisions. Last year was the start to what I think will become the norm for the league's premier left-handed pitcher.

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