Fantasy Baseball Rankings 2012: Young Studs That Will Shine

With Opening Day on Wednesday, most of us should have some sort of fantasy draft strategy, if you plan to compete. That said, don't ignore what the youngsters can bring to your team this year.

The 25-and-under players that carry upside and value from the early to the middle rounds of your draft are aplenty.

It would seem obvious that the Rookie of the Year Award winners from last year would be here, but I purposely excluded Jeremy Hellickson. Young, non-strikeout pitchers scare me in fantasy, because so much depends on location and changing speeds for them to be effective.

There are too many ups and downs that can befall a 24-year-old hurler that struck out only 117 in 189 IP.

Without the K to fall back on for effectiveness, I would pull back on him, at least until the later rounds. 

Here are four players in that age category that I do recommend. These players will continue their upward trends or have breakout seasons.

Matt Moore (22 years old), Tampa Bay Rays

Moore is a pitching phenom that is carrying on the tradition of studly pitchers in the Rays organization. This 6'2", 205-pound lefty has nasty stuff, and he should boost your K totals, as well as wins, playing for a Rays team that figures to rack up 90 to 100 W's this season.

Last year, in only three appearances, he struck out 15 in nine innings of regular season work. He made two postseason appearances, striking out eight more in 10 innings. I expect that ratio to be better with a full season of work.

But he is only 22, and this will be his first full season, so there should be some caution. I would take Moore in the middle rounds of my fantasy draft.

Starlin Castro (22 years old), Chicago Cubs

Castro is ready to explode as one of the majors' best shortstops. In 2011, he hit .307 with 10 HR, drove in 66 and stole 23 bases. In 2012, I predict those power numbers will balloon to 20 HR and 85 RBI. 

Castro has only just begun to realize his potential at the plate. Castro is worth a selection in the first three rounds, especially if Troy Tulowitzki is already off the board.

Giancarlo Stanton (22 years old), Miami Marlins

One of the coolest names in the business is also one of the best young power prospects. At 21, Stanton clocked 34 HR and drove in 87 in 2011. Stanton is a free swinger, and he still has to learn some discipline, but the 6'5", 250-pound monster is capable of easily eclipsing 40 HR and 120 RBI.

His prospects look even better hitting behind Hanley Ramirez and Jose Reyes. I would take Stanton between Rounds 3 and 5, with the strikeouts as the only drawback.

Craig Kimbrel (23 years old), Atlanta Braves

Obviously, one of the Rookie of the Year Award winners had to be included. The right-handed second coming of Billy Wagner was phenomenal for the Braves last season with 46 saves.

What was most impressive from a fantasy standpoint was the 127 K in 77 IP.

That is beastly, and it isn't crazy to make Kimbrel your first reliever chosen. Depending on your strategy and the flow of the draft, that could be anywhere from the third to seventh round.