MLB Power Rankings: 10 Hot-Hitting Prospects Who Could Be Next Buster Posey
Every team is looking for the next breakout prospect that can join the team in the middle of the year and provide a spark to their lineup. Fantasy owners also look for these prospects who can lead their team to a championship.
Looking at this year's prospects, there appear to be a few players who can follow in the footsteps of Buster Posey and have an immediate impact for their major league club.
Jesus Montero
1 of 10
Stats: .289/.353/.517, 21 HR, 75 RBI at Triple-A
Montero is one of the top prospects in baseball and the Yankees appear ready to have him play in the majors this year. Yes, the Yankees have Jorge Posada and Russell Martin, but Montero will push for playing time at catcher. Once in the majors, Montero has a threat to be a strong hitter towards the end of the Yankees lineup.
Desmond Jennings
2 of 10
Stats: .278/.362/.393, 3 HR, 36 RBI, 37 SB at Triple-A, .190/.292/.333, 2 RBI, 2 SB at MLB (17 at-bats)
Jennings will be playing in the outfield for the Rays at some point this season. He has a chance to win a spot out of Spring Training. While Jennings is not a power threat, he is a threat at the top of the lineup. Jennings can use his speed to generate runs for the Rays.
Domonic Brown
3 of 10
Stats: .318/.391/.602, 15 HR, 47 RBI, 12 SB at Double-A, .346/.390/.561, 5 HR, 21 SB, 5 SB at Triple-A, .210/.257/.355, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 2 SB at MLB (70 at-bats)
Brown retains his prospect status even after a short stint in the majors last season. He is considered by many to be the top prospect in all of baseball. With a spot in the Phillies outfield vacated by Jayson Werth's defection to Washington D.C., Brown will likely start the year in Philly and could have a big season.
Freddie Freeman
4 of 10
Stats: .319/.378/.521, 18 HR, 87 RBI, 6 SB at AAA, .167/.167/.333, 1 HR, 1 RBI at MLB (24 at-bats)
At just 20 years old, Freddie Freeman reached the majors as a September call-up this season. He is slated to open the season as the Braves' starting first baseman. After getting a big year from Jason Heyward, Freeman could be the next Braves rookie who impresses the rest of the National League.
Mike Moustakas
5 of 10
Stats: .347/.413/.687, 21 HR, 76 RBI at AA, .293/.314/.564, 15 HR, 48 RBI at AAA
Moustakas is just one of many of the top young Royals prospects. He is, however, the one who will most likely make a big impact in the major leagues next year. He is a powerful third baseman who can help the Royals usher in a new era of baseball in Kansas City.
Chris Carter
6 of 10
Stats: .258/.365/.529, 31 HR, 94 RBI at Triple-A, .186/.256/.329, 3 HR, 7 RBI at MLB (70 at-bats)
Carter is a masher. The big power-hitting first baseman will find some playing time with the Athletics next season. He will likely split time at first base with Daric Barton and also see some time as a DH. He should be a threat in the middle of the A's lineup.
Eric Hosmer
7 of 10
Stats: .354/.429/.545, 7 HR, 51 RBI, 11 SB at High-A, .313/.365/.615, 13 HR, 35 RBI, 3 SB at Double-A
Hosmer is another one of those Royals prospects that I mentioned before. He likely will not start the season in the majors due to the fact that the Royals already have Billy Butler at first base. It would not be surprising to see Butler moved to DH in the middle of the year to accommodate Hosmer.
Fernando Martinez
8 of 10
Stats: .267/.313/.333 at High-A (15 at-bats), .253/.317/.455, 12 HR, 33 RBI at Triple-A, .167/.273/.167, 2 SB at MLB (18 at-bats)
It seems as if Fernando Martinez has been one of the Mets top prospects for years. However, Martinez is only 21 years old and has yet to get a good chance in the majors. If the Mets move Carlos Beltran, Martinez will be the one who will likely take his spot. He will be part of the Mets' rebuilding process.
Brandon Belt
9 of 10
Stats: .383/.492/.628, 10 HR, 62 RBI, 18 SB at High-A, .337/.413/.623, 9 HR, 40 RBI, 2 SB at Double-A, .229/.393/.563, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 2 SB at Triple-A (48 at-bats)
Could the Giants have the next Buster Posey as well? Belt flew through the minors this past season. Like Posey last year, Belt is blocked by an aging veteran in Aubrey Huff. Belt could eventually play his way onto the Giants major league roster and into their starting lineup.
Bryce Harper
10 of 10
Stats: .443/.526/.987, 31 HR, 98 RBI, 20 SB at University of Southern Nevada
Is it really possible that at just 18 years old, Harper could break into the major leagues next season? He was one of the best players in the Arizona Fall League this year. Harper has endless talent and power. He will be a staple in the Nationals lineup for years to come. If Harper can get off to a quick start in the minors this year, there is a chance that he will be called up by mid-season.
