2012 MLB Predictions: Rookie Sensations Who Will Impact Playoff Races

With Major League Baseball's shift from older, expensive players to young, cheap, exciting talent, the game has taken off. Rookies have a much greater effect on teams now than they did even five years ago.

This year's crop of youngsters promises to play a prominent role in the success of their respective teams. We all know the names of the top rookies that will, or are expected to, make their debut at some point this season. The only thing we have to do is figure out how impactful they will be when they come up. 

Predicting rookie success in baseball is so difficult because the gap between Double-A or Triple-A competition and the big leagues is so wide that you don't know how fast players will make adjustments. 

That being said, these players have the most overall talent and should be prominent players for potential playoff teams in August and September. 

Mike Trout, CF, Los Angeles Angels

He has been the best prospect in baseball for the last two years—yes, just ahead of Bryce Harper—and got called up last season. 

Originally, it was thought that he had lost his rookie eligibility, but due to some confusing number-crunching, he is still a rookie.  He should be the Angels' center fielder when they break camp, but the team could slot him in left field to keep Peter Bourjos' glove out there. 

Trout is the most complete prospect in baseball right now. He is a five-tool superstar in the making. He could easily end the season as the third- or fourth-best player on this team because of his ability with the bat and glove. 

Matt Moore, SP, Tampa Bay Rays

If you thought Moore was spectacular at the end of last season, just wait until the world gets to watch him for a full season. 

Eventually, the league is going to pick up on tendencies that he has, and he will get hit hard. It happens to every pitcher, no matter how good the stuff is. And his stuff is really good. 

When you put him in a rotation with David Price, James Shields and Jeremy Hellickson, it almost becomes unfair for opposing teams. He could end the season as the best pitcher the Rays have, but he will probably start the season as the No. 4 or 5. 

They say pitching wins in October, and Moore is the best pitching prospect on the planet right now. He and Trout could have an interesting battle for the American League Rookie of the Year award. 

Trevor Bauer, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks

There was some talk about Bauer possibly coming up late last year to pitch for the Diamondbacks in the postseason, but the team decided against it. Instead, they will save their top prospect for the 2012 season.

He threw just 25.2 professional innings last year, though he is already in Double-A. He will not need a lot of time in the minors before he is ready to go. 

The Diamondbacks are fortunate because they have a deep rotation already, so they can save Bauer if/when they need him. He is a machine on the mound with a vast knowledge of how to attack hitters and when to throw certain pitches. 

It won't happen right away, but Bauer will be in Arizona before the end of this season. He could come out of the bullpen in September if the team doesn't want to pile innings on his arm. 

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