MLB Bold Predictions:Top 25 Youngsters Who'll Be Household Names by Season's End

Mike Stanton is simply a beast
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Major League Baseball is filled with young talent.

Some of these men have been highly touted, while some of them are still flying under the radar. As they continue to fill up the sheets, fans will recognize their talents by late September. 

There are a couple stipulations to this list: 

1. They made "The Show" no earlier than the 2010 season.

 2. They have played a game for their respective club already.  

 

These next 25 guys are the new generation and future of baseball.

No. 25- Mike Trout

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Mike Trout has played just four games in the majors. Believe it or not, he is just 19 years old.

Mike Trout is ranked as the top prospect in all of baseball and is enjoying his first cup of coffee with the Angels. Due to shaky offense and injuries on the Angels, Trout may be here to stay. 

Mike Trout has the rare ability to do it all on the field. Look for this young member of the Angels to amaze. 

No. 24- Jemile Weeks

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Jemile Weeks may be the lone bright spot for Oakland Athletics position players this season. The A's are struggling on offense and since his call-up, Jemile Weeks is definitely a fresh breath of air for A's fans. 

Weeks' older brother is Milwaukee Brewers All-Star 2B Rickie Weeks. The fact that the young Jemile has a role model and competition in his brother will only push the rookie to strive to be the best.

Jemile Weeks is batting .294 with eight doubles, eights steals and three triples in 32 games this season.  

No. 23- Ben Revere

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Ben Revere is all smiles in Minnesota. After a brief stint in the Bigs last season, Revere has played in 52 games this season.

Revere is a nightmare on the base paths for opposing pitchers and can track seemingly anything in the outfield.

Ben Revere is now batting lead-off for the beat-up Twins at a .274 clip. He has scored 26 runs to this point. Revere also has 14 RBI, four doubles and two triples so far.

As the Twins get healthier, look for Revere's numbers to skyrocket.  

No. 22- Eric Thames

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Eric Thames has added more explosion to the powder keg offense of the Toronto Blue Jays.

In his first 30 MLB games, Thames is batting .319. More impressively Thames has scored 23 runs and knocked in 14 RBI. Thames doesn't just hit singles, he has 10 doubles, two triples and four HR. 

The Blue Jays are a .500 ball club in the tough AL East, with more help like this from Thames they may be unstoppable.  

No. 21-Fernando Salas

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The Cardinals young closer has been a pleasant surprise this season. After manager Tony La Russa juggled closers early in the season, Salas has prevailed with the job.

Fernando Salas has converted 16 of 19 save opportunities, and the Cardinals are tied for first place in the deep NL Central.

Salas is has an ERA of 2.62 and has held opposing batters to a .180 BA, with a WHIP of just .90. Fernando Salas will continue to earn respect and close games for the Cardinals down the stretch. 

No. 20- Jose Tabata

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Jose Tabata has a bright future with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Although on the DL since late June with a quad injury, Tabata will be a vital part of the Pirates down the stretch.

The Pirates called up Tabata last season, and he has played in 71 games this season. In 173 career games to this point, he is batting .285 with 35 doubles. 

Tabata will be chomping at the bit to get back in the lineup as the contending Pittsburgh Pirates continue their glorious rebirth. 

No.19- Juan Nicasio

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Juan Nicasio is the getting his first chance in the majors and is making the most of it. This young Colorado Rockies pitcher has started nine games for the Rox this season.

Nicasio is 4-2 with a 4.24 ERA to this point. Not bad for a rookie in the thin air of Colorado. Nicasio has pitched at least six innings in six of his nine starts.

His last start on July 15 was his best yet, allowing four hits over 7.0 IP. 

The Rockies are 45-48 right now and are a classic second-half team. With the up-and-coming Nicasio, the Rockies will make another push for the playoffs.

No.18- Domonic Brown

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Domonic Brown has long been something the Philadelphia Phillies have been waiting for. The towering 6'5" outfielder is beginning to play everyday, and it's paying off for the Phillies.

Brown saw limited action last year but is making a name for himself lately. In his last 10 games, Brown is hitting .342, scoring nine runs, and on the season he has five HR and 16 RBI.

The Philadelphia Phillies are one of the favorites for the World Series and with the emerging Domonic Brown in the lineup, they are most certain to get there. 

No.17-Anthony Rizzo

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Anthony Rizzo was one of the most talked about names this past offseason. The young prospect was sent to San Diego in a trade for Adrian Gonzalez of the Boston Red Sox. While Gonzalez is having a monster year in Boston, Rizzo is struggling out of the gates.

Anthony Rizzo is hitting just .156 in his 30 games in the MLB. This includes a recent one for 18 slump. Although this may be frustrating for the San Diego Padres, give this young slugger some time. 

Expect Anthony Rizzo to get things going by August and live up to the hype. He is a phenom. 

No.16- Dee Gordon

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Dee Gordon is something to see for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is the son of former ML pitcher Tom "Flash" Gordon, and Dee may become know as "Flash Jr.".

Needless to say, baseball is in his blood, and he is a marvel at SS.

Dee Gordon is not on the active roster but has played in 22 games this year. He batted .232 in those 22 games with 11 runs scored and nine steals. Gordon displays dazzling defense and will fill up the highlight reels for years to come.

You can expect to see Dee Gordon back in the Dodgers lineup by August. Don't miss him—he's worth a watch. 

No.15- Dustin Ackley

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Dustin Ackley is the No. 1 rated prospect at 2B in all of baseball. The Seattle Mariners will need his talents if they're to turn things around this season.

In his 22 games since joining the team this year, Ackley has been a bright spot. He is batting .289 for a terrible Mariners offense, who hits just .222 as a team. 

Despite the Mariners woes at the plate, Ackley has begun to shine. The sky is the limit for this young stud.

No.14- Josh Collmenter

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Josh Collmenter has been superb for the upstart Arizona Diamondbacks this year. 

Collmenter has a 2.92 ERA in 11 starts with a 4-5 record. The strong righty is holding the opposing bats to a .215 BA. Collmenter's WHIP is 1.00, not bad for a rookie with 77 IP.

As the Diamondbacks continue to learn how to win, expect Collmenter to do the same. He and his teammates will give teams fits down the stretch in the desert.

No.13- Carlos Santana

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Carlos Santana is in his second season in Cleveland. He is behind the plate for the surprise Indians that just won't stop winning.

After suffering a devastating season ending knee injury last season, Santana has returned nicely for the Tribe in 2011. Carlos Santana is only hitting .230 so far this year but is a leader behind the dish for the young Indians pitching staff. 

With 14 HR and 44 RBI in 86 games, look for Santana and the Indians to gain continuous notoriety. 

No.12- Drew Storen

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Drew Storen is a young horse in the Washington Nationals bullpen. Storen won the closing role for the Nationals early in the season and has made the most of his opportunity.

Drew Storen has 23 saves in 26 chances. The Nationals have only 46 wins. This means that Storen will get plenty of chances down the stretch. Storen's ERA is 2.53 with a WHIP of just .97 in 46.1 IP. Opposing batters are hitting a mere .193 against him.

Storen will end up with 40 saves by the end of the year and be a mainstay in the Nationals bullpen for years to come.

No.11- Darwin Barney

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Darwin Barney is becoming a fan favorite in Chicago. The Chicago Cubs have a gem in Darwin Barney, and he is one-half of the best young double play combo in all of Major League Baseball.

Barney is hitting .297 in his first full year in the majors and is a solid defender. With an OBP of .330, he has scored 40 runs in just 77 games this year. His numbers will only improve as the Cubs sluggers get it going over the hot summer months. 

Although the Chicago Cubs are disappointing with a record of 38-56, Darwin Barney is something to get excited about.

No. 10- Starlin Castro

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Starlin Castro is just 21 years old but an All-Star for the Chicago Cubs. He is already a big name player and will only get bigger as time passes.

In his second season the young star is hitting .303 and is the perfect complement to his double-play partner, Darwin Barney. 

Castro has scored 49 runs while knocking in 39 RBI in 91 games this season. Fans on the north side of Chicago must be drooling over the thoughts of Castro as a Cub over the next 15 years.

Although he has some maturing left to do, Castro is an emerging superstar. 

No. 9- Jordan Walden

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Jordan Walden had 20 saves for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim by the All-Star break this year. This 6'5" beast looks to have won the role of closer for the Angels for years to come.

Walden has converted 20 out of 26 save opportunities this year. Despite blowing six saves, expect Walden to compete at a high level in the second half. The young hurler has all the confidence in the world and will make an impact in the AL West the rest of the year. Opponents are only hitting .206 against him this year.

Watch for Walden as the Angels make a run the rest of the season. 

No. 8- Brennan Boesch

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Brennan Boesch is one of four Detroit Tigers hitting above .300 on the season.

Boesch is helping the Detroit Tigers contend this season as the team is in the hunt for the AL Central. He is hitting .301 with 12 HR, 44 RBI and has scored 57 runs. Boesch also has surprising speed and is above average on defense.

With the Tigers in the hunt for a playoff spot, look for Boesch to make some noise down the stretch. 

No. 7- Craig Kimbrel

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Craig Kimbrel leads the Majors in saves with 28. The Atlanta Braves have a keeper on their hands and is welcome with open arms. 

Kimbrel became the closer at the beginning of the season and will not relinquish his role. Combined with his eighth inning set-up man Jonny Venters, the Braves have the deadliest late inning duo in baseball. Kimbrel has a 70 SO in 46 IP. Opponents are hitting just .183 against him.

The Atlanta Braves currently hold the lead for the Wild Card. Craig Kimbrel will end up with 50-plus saves and take home the ROY.

No. 6- Peter Bourjos

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Peter Bourjos is ridiculous. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim CF should win the AL Gold Glove this year. Any player who can displace future Hall of Fame OF Torii Hunter is something special. 

Bourjos, unfortunately, just hit the DL, but he should return in a week or so and continue to wow baseball fans everywhere. Bourjos is hitting .272 on the season but .412 in his last 10 games before injury. He also has 15 doubles and six triples on the season. 

Peter Bourjos is fun to watch, and his defense is astounding. Give yourself a treat and check him out. 

No. 5- Jeremy Hellickson

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Jeremy Hellickson of the Tampa Bay Rays has been compared to Greg Maddux. The Tampa Bay Rays are sitting on a plethora of pitching, and Hellickson is one of the best.

Jeremy Hellickson is 8-7 on the season for the somewhat surprising Rays. He has an ERA of 3.21, and opponents are hitting just .210 against him. Hellickson also has a WHIP of 1.15. In his last 10 starts he has nine quality starts.

This young right hander will be a star for years to come.

No. 4- Freddie Freeman

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Freddie Freeman is beginning to live up to the hype for the Atlanta Braves.

Freeman is batting .276 and has played nearly every game for the Braves this year. In his last 10 games, Freeman is hitting .324 with 12 RBI and seven runs scored. 

Freddie Freeman is beginning to look comfortable, which can only be good for the Atlanta Braves and their fans. Expect Freeman to have a great second half. 

No. 3- Michael Pineda

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Michael Pineda is a force to be reckoned with.

Pineda made the All-Star team this year and became the first rookie to strike-out two consecutive batters in the All-Star game since 1961. 

In 113 IP this year, Pineda has 113 SO. Michael Pineda has a record of 8-6 with an ERA of 3.03. Opponents are hitting just .198 against him.

The Mariners have something special with Michael Pineda, and he commands respect. 

No. 2- Mike Stanton

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Mike Stanton for the Florida Marlins has enough power to hit the ball to Cuba. 

This slugger has 20 HR, 58 RBI and 47 runs on the season. Stanton strikes fear into opposing managers and is only 21 years old. His average is only .258, but this will only improve as he learns how to hit in the majors.

With the Marlins getting a new stadium and identity in 2012, Mike Stanton will be a star for the next 10-plus years. One can only imagine the numbers he'll put up in an actual baseball stadium.   

No.1- Kansas City Royals

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The Kansas City Royals whole team deserves mention here. They have the deepest farm system in MLB, and you can expect to hear many fresh names to play for the Royals this year.

Although the Royals are 38-55 to this point, their young talent is learning how to play ball at the major league level.

With the 2012 All-Star game in Kansas City, expect to see a handful of Royals.

These guys will be exciting to watch in the near future.