2012 Spring Training: MLB Prospects Who Have Turned Heads This Spring

Spring training is an exciting time for baseball fans, as they get their first look at their team for the coming season.

Much of the excitement of preseason games is getting to see your favorite team's top prospects in action against big-league talent.

While the vast majority of those prospects wind up reassigned to minor league camp at some point, it is often not without turning a few heads first.

Here is a look at 36 prospects who have excited their fanbases and turned some heads with impressive performances this spring. The only stipulation to be included on the list is that the player must still hold rookie eligibility.

Note: All prospect rankings refer to Baseball America prospect rankings, both organizational and Top 100.

C Steve Clevenger, Chicago Cubs

Prospect Ranking

No. 22 Cubs prospect

Spring Stats

11-for-35, 3 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI

With incumbent backup catcher Koyie Hill gone, most assumed that top catching prospect Welington Castillo would step into that role and perhaps even push starter Geovany Soto for the starting job.

Instead, Castillo has found himself in a tight race with the soon-to-be 26-year-old Clevenger, a converted middle infielder who had a solid year between Double-A and Triple-A last year, with totals of .319, 8 HR, 54 RBI while handling the staff well.

C Wilin Rosario, Colorado Rockies

Prospect Ranking

No. 4 Rockies prospect
No. 87 MLB prospect 

Spring Stats

13-for-30, 2 2B, 3 HR, 10 RBI

The No. 49 overall prospect entering last season, Rosario struggled a bit in his second full season at Double-A, as his average fell from .285 to .249 and his strikeouts jumped from 57 to 91.

Nonetheless, he is still the Rockies' catcher of the future, and he has plus power for a backstop, slugging 40 home runs over the past two seasons in the minors. Ramon Hernandez was signed in the offseason to catch in 2012, but he is simply keeping the position warm until Rosario is ready.

C Hector Sanchez, San Francisco Giants

Prospect Ranking

No. 10 Giants prospect

Spring Stats

14-for-36, 3 2B, 4 HR, 10 RBI

Sanchez enjoyed a breakout season last year, advancing from High Single-A straight to Triple-A before making his big-league debut at the age of 21.

He had a .285 BA, 12 HR and 84 RBI over 365 at-bats, impressive numbers for any 21-year-old prospect but especially impressive for a young catcher. Should Buster Posey make the move out from behind the dish in the next couple seasons, it could be Sanchez who locks down the position in San Francisco.

1B Chris Parmelee, Minnesota Twins

Prospect Ranking

No. 9 Twins prospect

Spring Stats

13-for-43, 1 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 8 RBI

A first-round pick back in 2006, Parmelee struggled to make consistent contact throughout his minor league career before finally putting things together last year in hitting .287 BA, 13 HR, 83 RBI at Double-A.

The 23-year-old earned a September call-up and hit .355 BA, 4 HR, 14 RBI over 76 at-bats. He should open the season on the Twins' bench, with Ryan Doumit playing first base, Joe Mauer catching and Justin Morneau at DH.

There is a high probability for an injury of some sort to strike among that trio, and that would likely result in everyday at-bats for Parmelee.

1B Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs

Prospect Ranking

No. 3 Cubs prospect
No. 47 MLB prospect

Spring Stats

12-for-33, 2 HR, 5 RBI

Acquired this offseason from the Padres for former first-round pick Andrew Cashner, Rizzo is the Cubs' first baseman and cleanup hitter of the future, and while he will start the season in Triple-A, it is only a matter of time before he finds his way to the majors.

Last season, he struggled over a 128 at-bat call-up with the Padres, hitting just .141, but he absolutely raked in Triple-A, hitting .331 BA, 26 HR, 101 RBI over 356 at-bats. Still just 22, the Cubs will give him time, but once he's ready, expect big things from the young slugger.

2B Alexi Amarista, Los Angeles Angels

Prospect Ranking

Not ranked

Spring Stats

14-for-41, 2 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 3 SB

Second base for the Angels is a position that will be occupied for the foreseeable future after Howie Kendrick signed a four-year, $33.5 million extension, but Amarista could play his way onto the big-league roster one way or another very soon.

The soon-to-be 23-year-old spent all of last season at Triple-A, hitting .292 BA, 4 HR, 50 RBI, 15 SB and earning a September call-up. He may not profile as an everyday player but should be able to carve out a role as a backup infielder.

2B Freddy Galvis, Philadelphia Phillies

Prospect Ranking

No. 6 Phillies prospect

Spring Stats

17-for-62, 3 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 12 RBI

Galvis has been viewed as the heir to Chase Utley at second base for a few years now, but questions remained as to whether or not he could hit enough to hold down the position.

With Utley likely headed for the disabled list with knee problems to open the season, those questions will soon be answered, as Galvis will serve as the team's everyday second baseman until Utley is back. His .274 average this spring isn't eye-popping, but the seven extra-base hits are promising.

2B Steve Lombardozzi, Washington Nationals

Prospect Ranking

No. 7 Nationals prospect

Spring Stats

15-for-49, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI

Lombardozzi made his big league debut last season at the age of 22, hitting .194 over a 31-at-bat stint in Washington after splitting his minor league season between Double-A and Triple-A.

In the minors, he put together a line of .309 BA, 8 HR, 52 RBI, 30 SB, and if Ian Desmond continues to underperform at shortstop, the team could consider moving Danny Espinosa to shortstop and sliding Lombardozzi into the starting lineup, as he has plus offensive tools for a second baseman.

SS Pedro Ciriaco, Boston Red Sox

Prospect Ranking

Not ranked

Spring Stats

15-for-34, 5 2B, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 5 SB

Signed as a free agent this offseason, Ciriaco was formerly a member of the Pirates organization, seeing some big league action with the team in each of the past two seasons and hitting a combined .333 BA, 0 HR, 7 RBI over 39 at-bats.

He is 26 years old and coming off an unimpressive Triple-A campaign last year in which he hit just .231 over 277 at-bats, but with questions surrounding the Red Sox at shortstop he could find his way into some playing time if he produces early in the minors.

SS Zack Cozart, Cincinnati Reds

Prospect Ranking

No. 3 Reds prospect
No. 75 MLB prospect

Spring Stats

19-for-42, 7 2B, 2 3B, 6 RBI

Cozart impressed enough in 11 games last season, hitting .324 BA, 2 HR, 3 RBI, that the shortstop job was his to lose going into camp this year.

He has not only secured the job with a fantastic spring but also looks like he will enter the season hitting second in a very good Reds lineup. He is a dark-horse candidate for NL Rookie of the Year and should be the shortstop in Cincinnati for years to come.

SS Eduardo Escobar, Chicago White Sox

Prospect Ranking

No. 11 White Sox prospect

Spring Stats

16-for-34, 2 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 3 SB

The 23-year-old Venezuelan spent a full season at Triple-A last year, hitting .266 BA, 4 HR, 49 RBI before earning a September cup of coffee.

He's not likely to unseat Alexei Ramirez at shortstop anytime soon, but with Omar Vizquel no longer with the team, his strong spring may very well have won him the team's utility infield spot for the coming season.

3B Matt Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals

Prospect Ranking

No. 12 Cardinals prospect

Spring Stats

16-for-44, 8 2B, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 2 SB

Drafted in the 13th round in 2008, Carpenter has a very good glove (.965 career minor league fielding percentage), and while he does not have prototypical third baseman power, he does have a plus bat.

Last season he hit .300 BA, 12 HR, 70 RBI in a full season at Triple-A and saw seven games of action with the Cardinals when David Freese went down with an injury. He has hit his way onto the team this spring, and with Freese a constant injury risk he could see significant at-bats at some point in 2012.

3B Todd Frazier, Cincinnati Reds

Prospect Ranking

No. 7 Reds prospect

Spring Stats

10-for-41, 3 2B, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 2 SB

Ranked in the Top 100 prospects in both 2009 and 2010, Frazier has simply never gotten a chance with the Reds and finally made his big-league debut last season, hitting .232 BA, 6 HR, 15 RBI over 112 at-bats.

He has plus power and is capable of playing anywhere on the infield, yet he looks to once again be headed for the minor leagues. If Scott Rolen were to go down for an extended period of time, he could be the option to fill in at third base, but for now a utility role is the best he can hope for at 26 years old.

3B Alex Liddi, Seattle Mariners

Prospect Ranking

No. 14 Mariners prospect

Spring Stats

15-for-35, 7 2B, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 2 SB

Signed out of Italy as a 17-year-old, Liddi has launched 68 home runs over the past three seasons in the minors, and despite the presence of Chone Figgins and Kyle Seager at third base already, he looks to have played his way onto the big-league roster.

Last season, in his first action at Triple-A, he hit .259 BA, 30 HR, 104 RBI, and while does not have the best plate discipline (170 Ks, 61 BB in 2011), his power and run production ability are hard to ignore, especially considering he is still just 23.

LF Norichika Aoki, Milwaukee Brewers

Prospect Ranking

International free agent

Spring Stats

16-for-49, 3 3B, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 3 SB

Signed to a two-year, $2.5 million deal out of Japan, Aoki was a three-time batting champion, and while he is no Ichiro, it is hard to ignore his .329 career average in Japan.

He'll open the season as the Brewers' fourth outfielder, but at some point he could push Nyjer Morgan and Carlos Gomez for the starting center field job if he shows the ability to hit for a high average once the regular season starts.

LF Mike Baxter, New York Mets

Prospect Ranking

Not ranked

Spring Stats

13-for-39, 1 2B, 6 RBI, 4 SB

A 27-year-old with just 42 big league at-bats under his belt, Baxter looks to have won himself a bench job with the Mets this coming season after putting together a strong spring.

Injured much of last season, Baxter put together a very strong 2010 campaign as he hit .301 BA, 18 HR, 72 RBI with 30 doubles, 10 triples and 22 steals to boot.

LF Matt Clark, San Diego Padres

Prospect Ranking

Not ranked

Spring Stats

15-for-33, 2 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI

Clark has done nothing but hit since being taken in the 12th round of the 2008 draft, putting up an average line of .280 BA, 25 HR, 94 RBI over the past three seasons.

The outfield in San Diego is crowded, and that will likely mean another season in the minors for Clark, but he has the offensive skills to be a productive bat at the big-league level whenever he finally makes it there.

CF Starling Marte, Pittsburgh Pirates

Prospect Ranking

No. 4 Pirates Prospect
No. 73 MLB Prospect

Spring Stats

13-for-25, 1 2B, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 2 SB

Signed out of the Dominican in 2007, Marte has performed at every level as he has moved through the Pirates, but he enjoyed a breakout year last year in a full season at Double-A.

With a .332 BA, 12 HR, 50 RBI, 91 R, 24 SB line, he displayed true five-tool ability, and while he has been optioned back to the minors, 2012 will likely be the season we see the now 23-year-old make his big league debut.

CF A.J. Pollock, Arizona Diamondbacks

Prospect Ranking

No. 5 Diamondbacks prospect

Spring Stats

12-for-36, 1 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI

The team's first-round pick in 2009, Pollock hit .307 BA, 8 HR, 73 RBI, 36 SB at Double-A last season, and at 24 years old he is close to big-league ready.

While the Diamondbacks outfield is set for the time being, center fielder Chris Young can be bought out of his current contract at the end of 2013 to avoid an $11 million salary hit, and if Pollock can continue to perform, the team may very well part ways with Young one way or another.

RF Collin Cowgill, Oakland Athletics

Prospect Ranking

No. 15 Athletics prospect

Spring Stats

18-for-43, 4 2B, 2 3B, 9 RBI, 4 SB

Acquired from the Diamondbacks this offseason in the Trevor Cahill deal, Cowgill is a bit advanced at nearly 26 years old, but he has five-tool ability and has earned a spot on the Athletics' Opening Day roster as the team's fourth outfielder.

He hit .354 BA, 13 HR, 70 RBI, 30 SB at Triple-A last season, and if Yoenis Cespedes struggles early and earns a demotion, Cowgill could wind up in an everyday role.

RHP Dellin Betances, New York Yankees

Prospect Ranking

No. 2 Yankees prospect
No. 63 MLB prospect

Spring Stats

5 G, 0.00 ERA, 7 Ks, 5 BB, 8 IP

While fellow Yankees pitching prospect Manny Banuelos gets more attention, Betances is far closer to contributing in the Bronx, and while he has already been optioned to minor league camp, he should see the big leagues at some point in 2012.

A starter throughout his minor league career, he could wind up pitching out of the bullpen this season if he does make it to the majors, but in the long run the 24-year-old profiles as a solid No. 3 starter with potential for more.

RHP Brad Brach, San Diego Padres

Prospect Ranking

No. 28 Padres prospect

Spring Stats

9 G, 1.13 ERA, 12 Ks, 1 BB, 8 IP

Drafted in the 42nd round in 2008, Brach has already far out-performed his draft position, posting a 2.22 ERA over four minor league seasons with an 11.4 K/9 mark.

He earned a cup of coffee last September and appears to have locked up a bullpen spot with his strong spring this year, as he has only allowed seven total baserunners over eight innings of work.

RHP Nathan Eovaldi, Los Angeles Dodgers

Prospect Ranking

No. 3 Dodgers prospect
No. 96 MLB prospect

Spring Stats

4 G, 0.84 ERA, 6 Ks, 2 BB, 10.2 IP

Injuries forced Eovaldi into big-league action last season, and he held his own over 10 appearances (six starts), posting a 3.63 ERA and a 1-2 record.

Clearly the Dodgers felt he needed more minor league seasoning, as they signed Chris Capuano and Aaron Harang this offseason to fill out their rotation, but he will be the first pitcher called on if someone is injured and should be a part of the rotation by next season either way.

RHP Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals

Prospect Ranking

No. 7 Royals prospect

Spring Stats

7 G, 1.00 ERA, 11 Ks, 4 BB, 9 IP

Signed out of the Dominican as a 17-year-old back in 2006, Herrera battled through injuries in 2009 and 2010 before making the move from starting to relieving last season, hitting the fast track as he started the year at High Single-A and finished in the Royals bullpen.

Overall, his minor league line was 7-1, 1.60 ERA, 70 Ks, 67.2 IP, and he is the top relief arm in a deep Royals farm system. Still just 22, he has a bright future and should be in the majors to stay at some point in 2012.

RHP Nathan Jones, Chicago White Sox

Prospect Ranking

No. 23 White Sox prospect

Spring Stats

8 G, 1.93 ERA, 15 Ks, 5 BB, 9.1 IP

Drafted in the fifth round in 2007, Jones reached Double-A for the first time last year at the age of 25, so while he is on the fringe of even being considered a prospect, he seems to have turned a corner with a move to the bullpen.

With an 8.4 K/9 mark, he has the stuff to be a solid middle reliever if nothing else, and while he may not break camp with the team, if he continues to pitch at the level he has been this spring, he'll be among the first players called up in-season.

RHP Casey Kelly, San Diego Padres

Prospect Ranking

No. 4 Padres prospect
No. 76 MLB prospect

Spring Stats

4 G, 1.80 ERA, 10 Ks, 1 BB, 10 IP 

Part of the prospect haul the Padres received from the Red Sox for Adrian Gonzalez last offseason, Kelly was drafted in the first round in 2008 as a shortstop.

Last season was just his second full season as a pitcher, and he took a big step forward with an 11-6, 3.98 ERA, 105 Ks line in his second season at Double-A, dropping his ERA down from 5.31 in 2010.

RHP Luis Marte, Detroit Tigers

Prospect Ranking

No. 23 Tigers prospect

Spring Stats

7 G, 0.00 ERA, 9 Ks, 2 BB, 9.2 IP

Signed out of the Dominican Republic, Marte has spent six seasons in the Tigers organization and seemed to take a step forward last season, as he posted a 1.92 ERA over 56.1 innings between Double-A and Triple-A.

He is battling for the team's final bullpen spot, but regardless he will contribute to the big-league club at some point in 2012, as he has terrific stuff and little left to gain from time in the minor leagues.

RHP Brayan Villarreal, Detroit Tigers

Prospect Ranking

No. 15 Tigers prospect

Spring Stats

7 G, 0.00 ERA, 3 Ks, 2 BB, 8.1 IP

A starter for the most part throughout his minor league career, Villarreal has likely secured a bullpen job with what has been a nearly flawless spring.

He has allowed just three hits and walked two over 8.1 innings of work, and after posting a less-than-impressive 5.05 ERA over 66 innings of work at Triple-A last season, the team is hoping he has taken the next step this spring.

LHP Scott Barnes, Cleveland Indians

Prospect Ranking

No. 9 Indians prospect

Spring Stats

3 G, 0.00 ERA, 6 Ks, 1 BB, 7 IP

Originally drafted by the Giants in 2008, Barnes was sent to the Indians for first baseman Ryan Garko at the deadline in 2009.

He split last season between Double-A and Triple-A, and the 24-year-old showed plenty of promise, going 8-4 with a 3.45 ERA and 9.7 K/9. He'll open the season in the minors but could be the first starter turned to if someone goes down with an injury.

LHP Cesar Cabral, New York Yankees

Prospect Ranking

Not ranked

Spring Stats

8 G, 1.93 ERA, 12 Ks, 1 BB, 9.1 IP

A Rule 5 draft pick swiped from the rival Red Sox, Cabral has given the Yankees no reason not to give him a shot at staying on the big-league roster all year and remaining with the team for the long haul.

He was stellar last season between High Single-A and Double-A, posting a 2.95 ERA and 11.5 K/9 over 55 innings of work.

LHP Wei-Yin Chen, Baltimore Orioles

Prospect Ranking

International free agent

Spring Stats

4 G, 3.00 ERA, 9 Ks, 2 BB, 15 IP

Signed to a three-year, $11.3 million contract after pitching last season in the Japanese League, the Taiwan native has effectively pitched his way into the front end of the Orioles rotation for this coming season.

Last season, he went 8-10 with a 2.68 ERA while walking just 31 batters in 164.2 innings of work. At just 26 years old, he still has some upside, and he could wind up being one of the biggest value signings of the 2012 offseason.

LHP Patrick Corbin, Arizona Diamondbacks

Prospect Ranking

No. 9 Diamondbacks prospect

Spring Stats

4 G, 0.84 ERA, 12 Ks, 5 BB, 10.2 IP

While fellow pitching prospects Trevor Bauer and Tyler Skaggs get more attention, and rightfully so, Corbin has shown that he could factor into the team's future rotation plans in a big way as well.

A second-round pick in 2009, Corbin went 9-8 with a 4.21 ERA at Double-A last season, and as a left-hander the 22-year-old has some added value moving forward.

LHP Tommy Hottovy, Kansas City Royals

Prospect Ranking

Not ranked

Spring Stats

7 G, 0.00 ERA, 10 Ks, 0 BB, 8.1 IP

Using the term prospect on the 30-year-old Hottovy may not be appropriate, but there is no question he deserves mention on this list.

Signed as a non-roster free agent, Hottovy was a fourth-round selection by the Red Sox back in 2004, and he made his big-league debut last season. He may not make the club out of spring training, but as a left-hander with a deceptive delivery he could find himself in the Royals bullpen at some point in 2012.

LHP Drew Pomeranz, Colorado Rockies

Prospect Ranking

No. 1 Rockies prospect
No. 30 MLB prospect

Spring Stats

4 G, 0.82 ERA, 9 Ks, 3 BB, 11 IP

The major return from Cleveland in the Ubaldo Jimenez deal last year, Pomeranz will be entering just his second pro season this coming year and could very well make the Rockies rotation out of spring.

He was dominant in 20 minor league starts last year, going 4-3 with a 1.78 ERA and 10.6 K/9. He is one of the most promising pitching prospects in baseball and someone who should emerge as the Rockies' staff ace within a couple seasons.

LHP Robbie Ross, Texas Rangers

Prospect Ranking

No. 15 Rangers Prospect

Spring Stats

6 G, 0.00 ERA, 9 Ks, 1 BB, 7 IP

A second-round pick in the 2008 draft, Ross had the best season of his pro career last year, reaching Double-A and posting a 10-5, 2.34 ERA, 134 Ks line while walking just 33 in 161.1 innings of work.

He has been nearly perfect this spring, allowing just four hits and one walk in seven innings of work, and while the Rangers bullpen is full, the 23-year-old left-hander could work his way into a role at some point this season given the fact that the team has no left-hander in their current projected bullpen.

LHP Hector Santiago, Chicago White Sox

Prospect Ranking

No. 15 White Sox prospect

Spring Stats

6 G, 1.13 ERA, 9 Ks, 4 BB, 8 IP

A 30th-round selection back in 2006, Santiago has come a long way since then, and after impressing in his first year as a starter last year at High Single-A and Double-A, he'll make the move back to relief and likely claim a bullpen spot out of spring training.

He went 9-8 with a 3.60 ERA in 127.1 innings in the minors last year before earning a September call-up and pitching 5.1 scoreless innings over two appearances, allowing just one hit and one intentional walk.