Fantasy Baseball: Top Prospects for 2012

The purpose of this list isn't to name the top overall prospects in baseball, but to name the top prospects that are ready for the majors right now.

The players on this list have shown that they can consistently produce in the minors and are ready for significant playing time in the majors. Some of these players will begin the year as starters, while others will begin the year in Triple-A.

However, they will all receive significant playing time in the MLB in 2012. It is for that reason that Bryce Harper is not included on this list. Although he is widely considered the top prospect in all of baseball, he probably will not receive an extraordinary amount of playing time this year in the majors.

The players on this list should receive Rookie of the Year consideration and will hopefully provide fantasy owners with strong production in 2012.

1. Mike Trout

Statistically speaking, Mike Trout’s major league debut with the Angels was somewhat of a disappointment. After being called up in early July, Trout struggled mightily with the adjustment to major league pitching, hitting only .221 with an OPS of .672.

However, one must take into account that Trout was only 19 when he was called up. Trout has absolutely raked everywhere he’s been. In 91 games for Double-A Arkansas, Trout had an unbelievable slash line of .326/.414/.544, although that may not be the most impressive part of Trout’s game.

Although he has a very thick, muscular build, Trout has tremendous speed, stealing 33 bases in 91 games in Double-A. Trout is listed as the fourth outfielder on the Angels depth chart, although he may begin the season in Triple-A to get more at-bats.

However, if Vernon Wells continues his struggles from last year, do not hesitate to pick up Trout as he will be a force in the Angel lineup for many years to come.

2. Jesus Montero

There is no doubt that Jesus Montero is major league-ready offensively.

After dominating Triple-A pitching last year, Montero earned a promotion into the vaunted Yankee lineup and did not disappoint, hitting .328 with an OPS of .996.

In one of the biggest deals of the offseason, the Yankees sent Montero to the Mariners for Michael Pineda. Although he may lose some offensive value in spacious Safeco Field, he now has guaranteed playing time at DH, while also backing up Miguel Olivo.

It will be difficult for Montero to continue his torrid pace from last year, but with power to all fields, Montero may already be the second-purest hitter on the Mariners roster behind Ichiro.

3. Matt Moore

Moore has been the most dominant pitcher in the minors for the past three years. After having a K/9 above 12 in every year as a minor leaguer, Moore was promoted to Double-A in 2011. Although some thought this would be a struggle for Moore with his somewhat high walk rate, Moore decreased his BB/9 and dominated Double-A hitters with a K/9 of 11.5 and an ERA of 2.20.

A promotion to Triple-A midseason seemed to motivate Moore to make the Rays' postseason roster as he dominated Triple-A competition en route to the big leagues.

In a small sample size, Moore baffled major league hitters and even earned a postseason start for the Rays. Expect more of the same in 2012 for the 22-year-old lefty.

4. Julio Teheran

Some could argue that Teheran belongs ahead of Moore on this list, despite his struggles in the majors last year. As a 20-year-old in Triple-A last season, Teheran showed signs of the dominant force he can be in the future, compiling a 15-3 record with a 2.55 ERA.

There is no questioning the pure stuff that Teheran possesses, with a mid-90s fastball and two well-above-average off-speed pitches in his curveball and changeup. While maintaining a low 1.18 WHIP, Teheran also had somewhat of a large BB/9.

If Teheran can slightly improve his command, he is poised for a year similar to Jeremy Hellickson’s Rookie of the Year campaign.

5. Brad Peacock

This is my sleeper among the group. Although he hasn’t garnered the attention of Moore and Teheran, Peacock put together a fantastic breakout season last year. Between Double-A and Triple-A, Peacock amassed a 15-3 record with a 2.39 ERA and a microscopic 0.99 WHIP.

Peacock’s pure stuff may not be nearly as dominant as Moore or Teheran’s, but what he lacks in stuff he makes up for with precise command.

After being acquired by Billy Beane and the Oakland A’s this offseason, he is already penciled in as the No. 4 starter.

Although there may be an adjustment period to major league hitting, Peacock could be a dark horse candidate for AL ROY.

6. Yonder Alonso

It is easy to see why the Padres insisted on Alonso’s involvement in a deal for Mat Latos this offseason.

Although Alonso is the oldest player on this list, he may be the most refined hitter of the group. After spending three years at Miami, Alonso struggled to find his power stroke coming into the 2011 season.

At 6’2”, 240 lbs, most scouts expected Yonder to consistently hit 20-30 homers a year in the minors before earning a promotion. Last season, Alonso hit 12 homers in only 91 games, earning him a promotion for the final third of the season.

In 88 at-bats for the Reds, Alonso hit .330 with five HRs and 15 RBI. Although the trade to San Diego could diminish his power numbers, it also gives him the inside track to the starting 1B job.

Alonso has proven he can hit and get on base at all levels, and owners can expect a strong rookie campaign, hitting around .300 with 15 HRs.

7. Anthony Rizzo

After being called up in early June, Rizzo struggled to produce at the major league level. Acquired from the Red Sox prior to the 2011 season, Rizzo was having difficulty being consistent offensively. Something must have clicked for 22-year-old lefty in Triple-A for San Diego.

Rizzo earned such an early promotion due to an unbelievably hot start in Triple-A, where he ended up hitting .331 with 26 HRs and 101 RBI in only 93 games. His stock dropped heavily after he hit only .141 for San Diego, but one must remember that he was only 21 at the time.

Theo Epstein drafted Rizzo in 2007 with the Red Sox, and now the two are reunited after the Cubs dealt for Rizzo this offseason. Theo has already stated that Rizzo will begin the year in Triple-A, but with Bryan LaHair as his only roadblock at 1B, expect to see Rizzo in a Cubs jersey before June.

8. Devin Mesoraco

Mesoraco has been one of the Reds' top prospects since he was drafted.

One of the premier hitting catchers in the league, Mesoraco has been dominant the past two seasons. After starting the year in High-A in 2010, Mesoraco finished the year in Triple-A while hitting .302 with 26 HRs between the three levels.

Devin continued his rise to the majors in 2011 by hitting .289 with 15 homers in 120 games while improving his defense behind the plate. Mesoraco earned a promotion for the final 18 games of the season when he struggled to continue the success he achieved in Triple-A.

However, Devin has been a very solid hitter at every level, meaning this was just a transition period to major league pitching. He is listed as the backup to Ryan Hanigan on the Reds depth chart, but it wouldn’t surprise anyone if the 23-year-old earned the starting job in spring training. 

9. Jacob Turner

The Tigers have been historically aggressive with the use of their pitching prospects, and they have continued that trend with Turner.

The similarities between Turner and former Tigers' top prospect Rick Porcello are astounding, both in terms of their statistics and their accelerated development.

Porcello earned the fifth starter role in the Tigers rotation after one season in Single-A as a 20-year-old. Currently, Turner is slotted as the fifth starter in the Tigers rotation after only two seasons in the minors.

Turner has always thrown strikes and induced ground balls, similar to pitching style of Rick Porcello. Between Double-A and Triple-A last season, Turner had a 3.44 ERA with an impressive 1.16 WHIP.

Turner’s ability to command his pitches and keep the ball low in the zone earned him a late-season look. Although he struggled in his three starts for the Tigers, Turner has a pitching style suited for success at the major league level.

One can expect Turner to have some growing pains similar to Porcello in his rookie season, but the righty should be able to maintain an ERA below four and an above-average WHIP.

10. Shelby Miller

This hard-throwing righty is widely considered to be a top-10 prospect entering the 2012 season.

Miller has always had a dominant fastball, but the development of his off-speed pitches allowed him to have a breakout season in 2011.

Between High-A and Double-A, Miller went 11-6 with a 2.77 ERA and a spectacular 11 K/9 in 139 innings.

However, there are still concerns about Miller’s ability to limit his walk total, as he posted an alarming 3.4 BB/9 rate. Miller matches up very evenly with Moore and Teheran in terms of stuff, but his command may be just a tick behind those two dominant pitching prospects.

If the flame-throwing Texan can improve his command, expect Miller to cruise through Triple-A and earn a late-summer promotion with the Cardinals.