Fantasy Baseball Projections 2012: 5 Rookies Ready to Break out

There are some very exciting young names across the majors leagues, some of whom I’m sure many people have never heard of before, but by the end of this season, you’ll recognize all of these names.

I’ve compiled a list of the top five rookies across major league baseball. There’s a Japanese pitcher shipped overseas to help out one of the defending league champions. There’s also a couple of young fireballers on the list, as well as a couple of young sluggers, who will be sure to add some pop to game.

Check out my top five rookies who will break out this season and let me know what you think.

1. LHP Matt Moore, Tampa Bay Rays

Matt Moore tops my list, and it seems he’s atop many of the top rookie lists out there after his stellar performance against the Rangers in the playoffs last year. He tossed seven impressive innings, and only allowed two base hits to one of the game’s most prolific hitting teams.

In three games last year, the 22-year-old tossed 9.1 innings, surrendered three earned runs (2.89 ERA) on nine base hits. In the postseason, however, he shined. He finished with 10 innings, and he only allowed one earned run on three base hits.

Before making his debut with the Rays, he pitched five seasons in their minor leagues. He compiled a 28-21 record with a 2.64 ERA after allowing 338 earned runs over 497.1 innings pitched. Over his time in the minors, he recorded 700 strike outs as well.

So, yes, his minor league numbers are impressive, but that’s just the minors. He has to prove himself at the major league level, and although he pitched well last postseason, he’ll have to work even harder this year.

Over his three starts this season, he’s allowed 11 earned runs on 20 base hits over his 19.1 innings of work. His numbers are a bit higher this season, but he has an electric arm with great off-speed, breaking stuff. He is definitely one to watch.

2. DH/C Jesus Montero, Seattle Mariners

The Mariners pulled off one of the better deals in the offseason, as they traded for one of the Yankee’s most prized hitting-sensations in Jesus Montero. Everyone is familiar with the Mariners and how their offense has really struggled over the past few years.

Some might remember Montero from last September with the Yankees, as he batted at a .328 clip and smashed four home runs, driving in 12 RBI in the process over just 18 games.

In his minor league career, the 22-year-old hit .308 with 76 home runs and 318 RBI over his five seasons. In Baseball America’s Pre-Season Poll, he was ranked 6 th among top prospects before 2012. Last year, he was ranked 3rd heading into the 2011 season.

Montero definitely can be a great asset to the Mariners lineup, both power and average-wise. Hitting behind Ichiro would also be a plus for him because he’ll get better pitches to look at, and there will be someone on base in front of him more often than with other teams.

He’s definitely someone to look out for in the future.

3. RHP Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers

The Rangers picked up a gem from overseas in the offseason to replace C.J. Wilson. They acquired Darvish from the Nippon Professional Baseball League, where he was one of the most dominant pitchers in history.

Over his seven seasons with the Nippon-Ham, he compiled a very impressive 98-38 record and a 1.99 career ERA. His winning percentage was .710! Over his time in Japan, he recorded 55 complete games in his 164 career starts, including 18 shutouts.

If Darvish can pitch like he did over in Japan, the Rangers will be very happy. So far, the 25-year-old is 3-0 with a 2.42 ERA over his first four outings in the major leagues. He’s surrendered seven earned runs in 26 innings, and struck out 24.

Darvish is definitely one of the top rookies who will break out this season. He’s already won three games in April, and he’ll have one more before the end of the month. He could win anywhere between 13 and 17 games this season for the Rangers, especially the way they’re playing right now.

4. RHP Julio Terehan, Atlanta Braves

The Braves are known for developing great pitchers, and the next great pitcher out of Atlanta’s organization might just be the 21-year-old Julio Teheran.

Last season with the Braves, he started three games and appeared in five overall towards the end of the year. He struggled a bit as he allowed 11 earned runs over his 19.2 innings of work (5.03 ERA), but that was his first taste of the big leagues.

Last season with Triple-A, he finished with a 15-3 record and a very respectable 2.55 ERA over 144.2 innings of work. The only question will be whether or not he can carry that success over to the major leagues.

He began the season with AAA Gwinnett and he’s 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA over his first three outings. He’s allowed just three earned runs, on eight base hits in 12.1 innings pitched. Obviously, he’s succeeding at the minor league level, it's only a matter of time now before he can do the same in the majors.

5. OF Yoenis Cespedes, Oakland Athletics

The Athletics really lucked out when they acquired Cuban-born Yoenis Cespedes in the offseason. He’s been garnered with a great amount of praise already because of his power, but we haven’t seen anything yet.

Last season over just 354 at-bats, Cespedes was somehow able to crush 33 home runs and drive in 99 RBI. Those are very impressive numbers. As one might imagine, his home run total was a new record for the Cuban league.

Not only does Cespedes have power, but he gets on base a lot, which is something the Athletics pride themselves on. Last year, he finished with a .424 on-base percentage, and in his Cuban career, he holds a .403 lifetime mark.

Over his first 18 games with the A’s, he’s already connected for four home runs and driven in 15 RBI. Although his strike out numbers are a bit high (22), and his on-base percentage is lower than normal (.342), he’s still new to the majors and it will take time, maybe months, for him to adjust.

Cespedes will certainly be fun to watch, but he has a lot of hype to live up to. We’ll see if he can achieve the great expectations placed up him by Oakland.