10 MLB Youngsters Who Could Be First-Time All-Stars in 2013

Although the 2012 MLB All-Star Game wasn't particularly exciting or even mildly entertaining, it did feature an unprecedented five rookie participants: Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Ryan Cook, Wade Miley and Yu Darvish.

While it's unlikely that the 2013 event will house rookies with the superstar potential of a Trout, Harper or Davish, it doesn't necessarily mean that there will be a shortage of immensely talented, high-upside youngsters celebrating their first of many All-Star appearances.

As one might have deduced from my Midseason Top 50 Prospects published July 16, the future of baseball remains extremely bright despite the graduation of the aforementioned high-profile prospects. Between now and next year's contest, there will be countless top prospects from my list who will reach the major leagues. And, if they perform as anticipated, these players also could find themselves participating in their first All-Star Game as a rookie.

Wil Myers, OF, Kansas City Royals

Position: OF                       

Height/Weight: 6'3", 205

DOB: Dec. 10, 1990 (Age: 21)            

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 2009, third round (HS: Wesleyan Academy, N.C.)

2012 Stats

Double-A: .343/.414/.731, 25 XBH (13 HR), 30 RBI, 42 K/16 BB (35 G)

Triple-A: .321/.400/.648, 29 XBH (15 HR), 45 RBI, 45 K/25 BB (51 G)

Since entering the Royals system in 2009, Wil Myers has absolutely raked at every stop—excluding his injury-plagued 2011 campaign. Exploding from an upright, balanced stance, the right-handed hitter has quick wrists with outstanding bat control as well as plate coverage that allows him to effortlessly drive the ball to all fields. He has considerably more power to the pull side, but keeps his weight back long enough to still jump the yard to the opposite field.

Myers' plate discipline is advanced beyond his years, and he's comfortable hitting any pitch in any count. Although he's capable of drawing walks, Myers has focused on driving the ball this season, and the results speak for themselves. He'll be nothing more than an average defensive outfielder, although the plus arm that made him a highly touted catching prospect is still there.

Myers is on the verge of a big-league call-up, as he's been knocking on the door all season, waiting to showcase his talent. He's such a natural hitter that, once he arrives, his adaptation to big-league pitching should seem effortless.

Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Chicago Cubs

Position: 1B                       

Height/Weight: 6'3", 220

DOB: Aug. 8, 1989 (Age: 22)           

Bats/Throws: L/L

Drafted/Signed: 2007, sixth round (HS: Parkland, Fla.)

2012 Stats

Triple-A: .342/.405/.696, 43 XBH (23 HR), 62 RBI, 52 K/23 BB (70 G)

MLB: .356/.377/.627, 8 XBH (4 HR), 10 RBI, 6 K/2 BB (15 G)

I know: Rizzo won't exactly be a prospect or rookie at this time next season. But for the sake of this article, I've decided to cut him some well-deserved slack.

Drafted by the Red Sox in the sixth round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, Rizzo's path to becoming the Cubs' future cornerstone has been tumultuous—to say the least. After a strong start to his first full professional season in 2008, Rizzo was diagnosed with limited stage classical Hodgkin's lymphoma. Thankfully, the slugger was issued a clean bill of health, declared cancer-free later that year and went on to post a .828 OPS between Low- and High-A in 2009.

The following year, Rizzo amassed 42 doubles, 25 home runs and 100 RBI while spending the majority of the season at Double-A. In December of 2010, he was traded by the Red Sox, along with Casey Kelly and Reymond Fuentes, to the San Diego Padres for All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.

Assigned to Triple-A to begin the 2011 season, the left-handed hitter owned a 1.159 OPS when he was called up to join the Padres on June 5. After a dynamic first week in the major leagues, Rizzo struggled to adapt to big-league pitching and was ultimately returned to Triple-A Tucson in late July.

And last but not least, just a year after he was shipped across the country to the Padres, Rizzo was traded to the Cubs for flame-throwing right-hander Andrew Cashner.

Possessing some of the best raw power among all minor-league prospects, Rizzo clearly learned that religiously swinging for the fences wouldn't help him stick in a major-league lineup. Prior to the 2012 season, the left-handed hitter employed a long, uppercut swing that prevented him from catching up to above-average velocity and impeded his ability to use the whole field. Furthermore, his bat path led to excessive strikeout totals, essentially negating and obscuring his ability to coax walks and get on base.

However, Rizzo made a significant adjustment in his swing prior to the 2012 season, as he lowered his hands and eliminated some excess movement. Additionally, he placed an emphasis on driving the ball the other way, therefore allowing his hands and wrists to work rather than relying on pure upper body strength. Repeatedly criticized for his inability to hit left-handed pitching, the adjustment in his swing also allows him to track the ball deeper in the zone and drive it back up the middle and to the left side. At the time of his call-up, he was batting .313/.368/.663 in 80 at-bats against southpaws at Triple-A Iowa.

While Rizzo's plus power and vastly improved swing will surely offer flashes of excellence and excitement this season, he is by no means a polished hitter—regardless of how one chooses to interpret his 2012 minor league stats.

He has everyday-starter and occasional-All-Star upside, but he'll need to make continuous adjustments along the way. There's plenty to be excited about with Rizzo—it's just hard to envision him reaching his true ceiling anytime soon.

Tyler Skaggs, LHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

Position: LHP                       

Height/Weight: 6'3", 195

DOB: July 13, 1991 (Age: 21)           

Bats/Throws: L/L

Drafted/Signed: 2009, first round (HS: Santa Monica, Calif.)

  

2012 Stats

Double-A: 5-4, 69.2 IP, 2.84 ERA, 3.46 FIP, .241 BAA, 71 K/21 BB (13 GS)

Triple-A: 2-0, 17 IP, 2.65 ERA, 3.85 FIP, .279 BAA, 12 K/3 BB (3 GS)

Over the last two seasons, Tyler Skaggs has emerged as one of the game's premier left-handed pitching prospects. He's tall and lanky with smooth yet deceptive arm action as well as repeatable mechanics that allow him to pound the knees with his 88-93 mph fastball.

Skaggs may have the best left-handed curveball in the minor leagues, a double-plus offering that keeps right-handed hitters off balance as much as it does lefties. He'll occasionally rush his delivery and lose the pitch to his arm side, but even when he's not throwing it well, it still has enough shape and downward action to generate swing-and-misses.

Skaggs also has a decent changeup that will get better with time, but it honestly doesn't even matter when you have that good of a breaking ball.

It seems as though the Diamondbacks anticipate using him down the stretch of the season, as he was recently promoted to Triple-A for some final seasoning before a late-season, big-league debut. If that ultimately happens and he subsequently earns a spot in the team's 2013 rotation, Skaggs has the potential to be an All-Star in 2013.

Danny Hultzen, LHP, Seattle Mariners

Position: LHP                       

Height/Weight: 6'3", 200

DOB: Nov. 28, 1989 (Age: 22)           

Bats/Throws: L/L

Drafted/Signed: 2011, first round (Virginia)

2012 Stats

Double-A: 8-3, 75.1 IP, 1.19 ERA, 2.84 FIP, .151 BAA, 79 K/32 BB (13 GS)

Triple-A: 1-1, 17 IP, 4.24 ERA, 4.20 FIP, .306 BAA, 22 K/15 BB (4 GS)

The top left-hander in the ultra-talented 2011 draft class, Hultzen also was the most polished—and still is. He already demonstrates advanced command of three pitches—a low-90s fastball, a slider (technically his out pitch) and a changeup—and is effective against right- and left-handed hitters.

Hultzen's success is based upon his ability to locate his fastball on both sides of the plate, especially working inside against right-handed hitters. When he fails to do so, his secondary pitches aren't set up as well and are generally far less effective. Similarly, if they catch too much of the plate, their velocity still provides hitters with enough time to throw their hands at the ball and scatter bleeding hits across the field.

Prior to his promotion to Triple-A, Hultzen didn't allow an earned run in four consecutive starts spanning 24.2 innings while fanning 35 and walking only eight batters. After a rocky Triple-A debut, the southpaw has allowed only one earned run in his last three starts, although his command has been iffy with 10 walks in 14 innings.

Regardless, Hultzen's still on pace to make his big-league debut in the near future while earning a spot in the 2013 starting rotation.

Nick Castellanos, 3B/RF, Detroit Tigers

Position: 3B                       

Height/Weight: 6'4", 210

DOB: 3/4/1992 (Age: 20)                        

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 2010, first round (HS: Archbishop McCarthy, Fla.)

2012 Stats

High-A: .405/.461/.553, 23 XBH (17 2B), 32 RBI, 42 K/22 BB (55 G)

Double-A: .302/.311/.765, 12 XBH (4 HR), 15 RBI, 31 K/3 BB (31 G)

A first-round selection in 2010, Castellanos is, hands down, the Tigers' top hitting prospect. After an anemic start to the 2011 season at Low-A, he went on to slash .312/.367/.436 while playing in 135 games.

Even though he swatted only seven home runs, the right-handed hitter did tally 36 doubles. Given his ability to barrel up the baseball, adding a little loft to his swing should yield more home runs. He struck out 130 times compared to 45 walks, so he'll need to improve that differential this season.

Castellanos is still learning how to play at third, but his range, instincts and above-average arm work well there. He's tall (6'4") with wiry strength and a lot of room to fill out, and having such a phenomenal season only raises his ceiling.

Blocked at third base by Miguel Cabrera in Detroit, Castellanos has seen some time in right field since the bump up to Double-A, suggesting that the outfield may be his quickest path to the major leagues.

Zack Wheeler, RHP, New York Mets

Position: RHP                       

Height/Weight: 6'4", 185

DOB: May 30, 1990 (Age: 22)           

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 2009, first round (HS: East Paulding, Ga.)

2012 Stats

Double-A: 9-4, 101.2 IP, 2.39 ERA, 2.73 FIP, .206 BAA, 95 K/36 BB (16 GS)

Prior to the season, I believed that Wheeler had the potential to take a huge step forward to become one of the top pitching prospects in the game—and he's done exactly that. Some scouts have set his ceiling at a No. 2 starter on a first-division team, but I think that may be selling him short.

Wheeler has a lean, 6'4" frame, a quick arm and clean mechanics. His fastball runs as high as 97-98 mph; however, he usually works in the low-to-mid-90s, with explosive sidearm action on his two-seamer. His curveball has sharp downward break that buckles right-handed hitters, and he also throws a solid-average changeup that should be at least his third above-average offering by the time he reaches the major leagues.

While his command still needs some refinement, he's excelled at Double-A this season and worked deep into games. Consistently working down in the zone while proving to be difficult to barrel up, Wheeler's allowed only one home run while registering a 1.20 GB/FB rate.

Although fellow right-handed pitching prospect Matt Harvey will be called up on Sunday to replace Dillon Gee in the rotation, there are plenty of fans and scouts who believe that Wheeler is more big-league-ready.

Trevor Bauer, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

Position: RHP                       

Height/Weight: 6'1", 185

DOB: Jan. 17, 1991           

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 2011, first round (UCLA)

2012 Stats

Double-A: 7-1, 48.1 IP, 1.68 ERA, .192 BAA, 60 K/26 BB (8 GS)

Triple-A: 4-0, 44.2 IP, 2.82 ERA, .249 BAA, 56 K/22 BB (8 GS)

MLB: 1-1, 13.1 IP, 5.40 ERA, 2.20 BAA, 13 K/8 BB (3 GS)

The first player from the 2011 draft class to reach the major leagues, Bauer won Baseball America's College Player of the Year award and USA Baseball's Golden Spikes Award in 2011. Often compared to Tim Lincecum due to similarities in mechanics, Bauer is more than just that: He's a student of the game who employs a ridiculous work ethic.

Bauer employs a torque delivery that unleashes 92-97 mph fastballs on unsuspecting hitters, although his best pitch, a plus-plus curveball—which is absolutely filthy—is already one of the best among right-handed pitchers. Beyond that, he also mixes in a plus-slider, a reverse slider, above-average changeup and average splitter.

After dominating hitters at Double-A, the hard-throwing right-hander was promoted to Triple-A where he stifled hitters in the Pacific Coast League. After two shaky outings to begin his big-league career, Bauer was superb in his last outing, throwing six scoreless innings of two-hit baseball. He still has some issues to work out regarding his command, but that may ultimately be something that the Diamondbacks have to live with.

Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Kansas City Royals

Position: RHP

Height/Weight: 6'2",185

DOB: March 27, 1990 (Age: 22)

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 2008, first-round supplemental (HS: Highland, Ill.)

2012 Stats

Double-A: 4-2, 38 IP, 3.32 ERA, 2.20 FIP, .191 BAA, 47 K/10 BB (7 GS)

Triple-A: 6-0, 53.2 IP, 2.68 ERA, 3.46 FIP, .276 BAA, 49 K/20 BB (10 G; 9 GS)

A highly athletic right-hander with a projectable frame and clean, repeatable mechanics, Odorizzi has been on the fast track to the major leagues since he was acquired in the deal that sent Zack Greinke to the Brewers prior to the 2011 season.

Odorizzi's fastball scrapes 96 mph and sits at 92-94 with considerable arm-side sink. Additionally, he's improved his ability to locate the pitch to both sides of the plate. His 12-to-6 breaking ball is a sledge with excellent pace and rotation when in the zone. As with his fastball, the right-hander's command of the pitch has improved this season and has been vital toward his success.

He mixes in a slider and a changeup as well, but both offerings lag behind the fastball and curveball and will likely never receive higher than 50 grades. Still, Odorizzi is a strike-throwing machine with an athletic frame and results that suggest he will be a consistent No. 2 starter at worst.

After dominating at Double-A Northwest Arkansas to open the season, Odorizzi has pitched equally as well following a promotion to Triple-A. As with teammate and fellow prospect Wil Myers, it seems as though the right-hander will make his big league debut in the near future.

Oscar Taveras, OF, St. Louis Cardinals

Position: OF                       

Height/Weight: 6'2", 180

DOB: June 19, 1992 (Age: 20)            

Bats/Throws: L/L

Drafted/Signed: 2008, Dominican Republic

2012 Stats

Double-A: .333/.383/.602, 47 XBH (18 HR), 66 RBI, 45 K/26 BB (83 G)

The left-handed hitter takes forceful hacks, but retains the ability to generate hard contact thanks to his ridiculous hand-eye coordination and knowledge of the strike zone. Albeit a violent one, his swing is balanced and smooth, as he generates exceptional torque and, in turn, has the ability to unload on inner-half offerings.

There's nothing more encouraging than a 20-year-old developing his power at Double-A while retaining a high batting average. It's hard to predict which tool will ultimately be his best: hit or power. Although there's a chance that neither ever grades out as a plus, both will at least be above-average and make him successful in the major leagues.

His above-average speed has allowed him to play all three outfield positions so far, but his highest ceiling comes as a corner outfielder. Given his strong arm, I'd be surprised if he doesn't end up in right field. His speed is slightly below average, especially on the basepaths, but it plays up a grade in the outfield due to his instincts.

If he continues to produce at this rate, he may be in store for a promotion to Triple-A later this season and have an everyday job in the Cardinals outfield by mid-2013.

Matt Davidson, 3B, Arizona Diamondbacks

Position: 3B                       

Height/Weight: 6'2", 225

DOB: March 26, 1991 (Age: 21)

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 2009, first-round supplemental (HS: Yucaipa, Calif.)

2012 Stats

Double-A: .263/.372/.494, 40 XBH (18 HR), 49 RBI, 87 K/49 BB (93 G)

A right-handed hitter with strong arms and quick wrists, Davidson has the ability to drive the ball out of the park to all fields. Despite his high strikeout totals of previous years, he actually possesses fairly advanced plate discipline that should help him retain a decent batting average at higher levels. His pitch recognition still needs to improve, but the fact that he's handled the jump to Double-A this season is highly encouraging.

At third base, Davidson has only average range and exhibits sloppy footwork at times. However, he does have soft hands and a plus arm. Realistically, if he can continue to mash and cut down on his strikeouts (to an extent), his defense should be more than tolerable at the major league level.

Lacking a true third baseman, Davidson's big-league arrival can't come soon enough for the Diamondbacks. Once they believe he's ready, expect him to man the hot corner in the major leagues.