MLB Prospect Watch: Top Offensive Performers from First Week of 2012 Season

A little over a week into the 2012 Major League Baseball season, there have been several players swinging a red-hot bat in their first 20 to 30 plate appearances—Miguel Cabrera (.471), Austin Jackson (.500) and Evan Longoria (.471), just to name a few.

Yet there are even more minor league ballplayers currently producing at unsustainable levels and posting video game-like numbers in the process.

Brad Miller, SS, Mariners (A+): .444/.516/.1.148, 12 H, 9 XBH, 11 RBI (31 plate appearances)

Drafted out of Clemson in 2011, Miller has always had a solid bat but lacked the power. He tweaked his swing this spring and is seeing immediate results. If he continues to leave the yard at a reasonable rate, Miller could find himself within the Mariners’ Top 10 at some point during the season.

Telvin Nash, OF, Astros (A+): .375/.444/1.042, 9 H, 5 HR, 3/3 K/BB (27 PA)

Nash has been on an absolute tear and is turning heads in the process. It’s not every day that a player launches five home runs in 27 plate appearances to begin the season. The 6’1”, 230-pound outfielder is the definition of a bat-first player, and could be on the verge of a breakout season—he’s definitely on pace to set several career highs.

Mike Trout, OF, Angels (Triple-A): .458/.500/.625, 7 R, HR, 2 SB (24 PA)

Despite missing most of spring training, Mike Trout looks as though he hasn’t skipped a beat. Trapped in Triple-A due to the Angels’ employment of Torii Hunter, Bobby Abreu and Vernon Wells, Trout could force the organization’s hand any day now.

He’s ready to patrol the outfield in Anaheim on a daily basis, and it’s only a matter of time until he’s a superstar. 

#FreeMikeTrout

Josh Adams, 3B, Marlins (A): .409/.480/1.000, 4 HR, 6 RBI (25 PA)

After hitting two home runs in 53 games at Low-A last season, Adams has already hit four in his first six games to begin the season. He’s not even on the Marlins’ prospect radar yet, but that shouldn’t take away his performance over the first week of the minor league season.

Tyler Collins, OF, Tigers (High-A): .650/.696/.800, 3 2B (23 PA)

Although he’s not dropping bombs like Adams or Nash, Collins has been on fire since Opening Day. After posting a .221 ISO last season in 173 Low-A plate appearances, he’s picked up right where he left off.

Although the season just began, scouting reports suggest that Collins has a much more controlled swing this season and is still barreling everything up.

Scott Van Slyke, OF, Dodgers (Triple-A): .458/.500/.958, 3 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 2/2 K/BB (26 PA)

Having lived in St. Louis for the better part of the last five years, I had the chance to talk with Scott here and there at showcases or while giving lessons. For those who don’t know, he’s a big dude—dare I say, "squatchy"?

Van Slyke was the Dodgers’ 2011 minor league player of the year after batting .346/.425/.593 at Double-A, and is absolutely raking to begin the season in Triple-A. He has the potential to produce even gaudier numbers in the Pacific Coast League, and should make his big-league debut at some point this season.

Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Cubs (Triple-A): .391/.440/.783, 3 HR, 9 RBI (25 PA)

As we all witnessed last summer when he was recalled by the Padres, Rizzo has a pretty left-handed swing with easy power to all fields. However, he’s a streaky hitter who has always relied on a high batting average on balls in play (BABIP).

For Rizzo, it’ll be a matter of minimizing the slumps. He’s already a fan favorite at Wrigley, and even possesses the potential to evolve into a legend. He may not hit for much of an average, but he’s shown enough improvements against left-handers to warrant an everyday opportunity.

Stay patient, Cubs fans. It’s not like Bryan LaHair is a long-term solution.