Fantasy Baseball Rankings 2012: Young Stars Ready for Breakout Seasons

Breakout stars, come get your MLB fantasy breakout stars.

Here are the young players who are ready, willing and quite able to take that next step in their evolution. Come and get them while the getting is good, because they will not stay long in your draft, and you certainly will not find them on most waiver wires. 

In fact, once the season really gets going, you will have a hard time convincing most owners to trade them for a decent price. 

You can take that cup of coffee and shove it, because these guys are up in the majors for good, and it's time we get used to it. 

1. Brennan Boesch

The Detroit Tigers have one of the best lineups in the bigs and will see yet another slugger emerge by the time the season is over. 

Boesch has shown glimpses of brilliance but faltered in the back half of 2010, and then he had to manage with a thumb injury last season. 

It's time for health and experience to coalesce in the perfect season for the young star. His .283 with 16 home runs and 54 RBI in just 472 plate appearances in 2011 signals a player with 25-30 home-run potential.  

2. Brett Lawrie

The 22-year-old third baseman is ready to flourish ahead of schedule with the Blue Jays. He has a quick bat and will still need to prove that he can handle a full season in the bigs, but his 2011 stint showed flashes of his future. 

Then came this spring training, which only solidified his status as next big thing. Through 33 at-bats, he is hitting a mammoth .545. While he is yet to clear the fence, we know the power is there. 

As long as he is making hard contact, there is reason to peg Lawrie for a big season. 

3. Jose Altuve

The Houston Astros don't boast many fantasy stars, and their lack of offensive prowess has allowed them to take a giant leap of faith on 22-year-old Altuve. 

I am willing to jump on the fantasy bandwagon, as he has a great grasp of the strike zone and surprising pop for such a diminutive middle infielder. 

The fact that he comes with speed and the ability to steal bags is the icing to send us over the moon. He will be the versatile fantasy star you need. 

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