2011 MLB Preview: The Top 10 National League Rookies To Watch
Each year, a few rookies burst onto the scene for their teams and establish themselves as impact players.
Last year's Rookies of the Year, Buster Posey and Neftali Feliz, did just that and helped their respective teams reach the World Series.
The National League has a crop of young talent ready to rise through the ranks. Though some prospects may be brought along more gradually, a few have already been penciled into starting gigs.
Here are the top 10 rookies to watch this season in the National League.
10. Bryce Harper, RF, Washington Nationals
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I've listed Bryce Harper at the No. 10 position only because it's uncertain whether he will play enough in the big leagues this year to qualify as a rookie.
The Nationals appear willing to be patient with their No. 1 overall pick.
Though he is trying to make the 25-man roster, Harper will likely start the season at Low Class-A Hagerstown. He certainly should move up as the season progresses but it's unlikely he gets more than a cup of coffee in the big leagues.
He has all the tools, including a perfect swing.
He will be an exciting player to watch once he gains the necessary experience in the minors.
9. Kenley Jansen, RP, Los Angeles Dodgers
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Kenley Jansen was stellar in his brief stint with the Dodgers late last season.
He only surrendered two earned runs in 27.0 innings, good enough for a 0.67 ERA.
This spring, Jansen has been working on a cutter modeled after Mariano Rivera's main pitch.
Jonathan Broxton is slated to be the Dodgers' closer, but if he struggles like he did last season, Jansen could be a candidate to close games.
Either way, he has electric stuff and will be a staple of the 2011 Dodgers bullpen.
8. Matt Dominguez, 3B, Florida Marlins
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The Marlins are grooming Matt Dominguez to be their everyday third baseman.
He has shown that his glove is ready for big-league action, but in four minor league seasons, the 21-year-old has only posted a .257 BA.
Dominguez has displayed great power, which could give him the edge to make the Marlins' club. He slugged 16 HR after the All-Star break.
He will be given every chance to win the job—and if he does, he'll be exciting to watch.
The Marlins had success with Mike Stanton and Logan Morrison last season and will hope Dominguez can provide similar offense.
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7. Danny Espinosa, 2B, Washington Nationals
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Danny Espinosa performed well enough during limited action late last season to earn the Nationals' second baseman job this season.
He only hit .214 but did club six HR and played above-average defense.
He has good range and a terrific arm for a second baseman, which will be useful on cutoff plays—especially in the deep gaps of Nationals Park.
His counterpart, Ian Desmond, cemented himself at shortstop as a rookie last season and Washington hopes a similar situation will occur with Espinosa on the other side of the infield.
6. Craig Kimbrel, RP, Atlanta Braves
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Craig Kimbrel and Johnny Venters are locked in a battle for the closer's role in Atlanta now that Billy Wagner has retired.
Both of these players are great options, but Kimbrel can develop into a lights-out stopper, similar to Wagner.
In 21 games last year, Kimbrel only gave up one earned run on nine hits while striking out an incredible 40 batters.
In addition to throwing his fastball in the mid-to-upper 90s, Kimbrel features a knuckle curveball that is almost impossible to hit.
If Venters wins the competition, Kimbrel will be one of the most dominant setup men in the league.
5. Yonder Alonso, LF/1B, Cincinnati Reds
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It has to be tough to be Yonder Alonso.
He's been a highly-touted prospect and has put good numbers each of the past two seasons.
However, playing first base in the Reds' organization may not get a player too far because of reigning N.L. MVP, Joey Votto.
Alonso has seen time in left field as the Reds try to find a position to accommodate his bat.
He can form a platoon with Jonny Gomes in left until the Reds develop a more permanent plan. His future may even be for another team via trade.
He has a compact swing and can generate a ton of power.
4. Brandon Belt, 1B, San Francisco Giants
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Though Belt has only played 13 games at Triple-A, he is a prime candidate to see time at the big-league level this season.
The Giants will likely start with Aubrey Huff at first base and Belt in the minors. However, if Belt is called up, Huff can shift to one of the corner outfield spots. Belt will see some time in the outfield as well in the minors.
Belt has great discipline at the plate and is a hitting machine. He hit a combined .352 with 23 HR and 112 RBI at three levels of the Giants' system. He also posted a .455 OBP—second-best in the minor leagues.
Giants fans fell in love with Buster Posey down the stretch last year and hope to be lucky again with Belt.
3. Domonic Brown, RF, Philadelphia Phillies
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Domonic Brown has gotten off to a slow start this spring in trying to win the Phillies' right field competition against Ben Francisco.
A fractured hamate bone in his right hand will set Brown back even further. It's looking like Brown will start the season in the minors after all.
However, that's no knock on his talent. He hit .327 with 20 HR last year in the minors, including a .346 clip a Triple-A.
His power is still developing, so he could become a scary talent.
Brown will see time in the big leagues this year, and the Phillies are hoping it will be sooner rather than later. Philadelphia has proclaimed that Brown will have to earn his job rather than it being handed to him.
2. Freddie Freeman, 1B, Atlanta Braves
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If 2010 rookie sensation Jason Heyward wasn't enough, Braves fans will get the chance to marvel in another super-talented rookie.
Freddie Freeman has been on a tear this spring, hitting .381 through the first seven games.
He was penciled in to start at first base before spring training even started, and he has begun cementing his role on the team.
He has big-time power and has shown some defensive prowess at first base.
With Chipper Jones' career winding down, Freeman and Heyward can form the new core of the talented, young Atlanta Braves team.
1. Aroldis Chapman, RP, Cincinnati Reds
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Due to all the hype surrounding his much-anticipated debut last season, it's hard to believe Aroldis Chapman only appeared in 15 games in 2010.
His 100-105 mph heat is deadly, especially late in the game when opposing hitters begin to wear down.
The Reds will continue to use Chapman as a setup man for closer Francisco Cordero. The Reds have a deep starting rotation, but Chapman could eventually slide into a starting role.
He will provide the Reds with a shutdown option late in games, as Cincinnati will attempt to defend their N.L. Central title. Chapman will be a huge part of their success.
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