MLB Spring Training: 10 Young Prospects To Watch as Spring Training Continues
It's that time of year when birds chirp, the Sun starts to shine and baseball players begin to whack the ball around.
It's MLB Spring Training and us baseball fans couldn't be happier.
Spring training is not only the time for currently rostered players to get back in sync before the regular season, it's also time for fans to catch a glimpse of the next rising stars in baseball, those minor leaguers trying to impress before final lineups are penciled in.
The thing about prospects is they can be your greatest friend you can unleash on your enemy, or your worst enemy you wouldn't dare unleashing on your friends.
The World Series champion San Francisco Giants added two new friends in 2010 that lifted them over the hump, catcher Buster Posey and pitcher Madison Bumgarner.
The Atlanta Braves unleashed outfielder Jason Heyward out into the world.
Here are the 10 prospects to watch for in MLB Spring Training 2011.
10. Wil Myers, OF/C, Kansas City Royals
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Known to be a jack-of-all trades, Kansas City Royals outfielder/catcher Will Myers had a solid 2010 season in the minors last season, hitting .315 with 14 homers, 83 RBI and 70 runs in 447 at-bats.
He was projected more as a catcher coming into the MLB Draft, but the Royals apparently plan to move him to outfield, which could make way for him in 2012.
In the batter's box, he's an explosive hitter with a great eye and plate discipline.
On the field, he has a cannon for an arm.
9. Mike Moustakas, 3B, Kansas City Royals
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Combined in 2010, third baseman Mike Moustakas hit .322 with 36 home runs, 124 RBI and 94 runs in the minors.
In the Triple-A PCL League with the Omaha Storm Chasers, he hit .294 with 15 home runs in only 225 at-bats.
It's no wonder scouts are buzzing about the Royals' farm system with Moustakas ready to enter the Bigs possibly as soon as mid-2011.
Moustakas projects to be a middle-of-the-order constant home run threat in the majors and his powerful bat could make him the next star.
Not to mention his work ethic and strong arm.
8. Eric Hosmer, 1B, Kansas City Royals
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The Royals can't possibly have three prospects in the top 10, can they?
Yes, yes they can.
I know Royals fans have been hearing this from the organization for a long time, but this is as good a time as any to be hopeful for the future.
Eric Hosmer used to be a liability against lefties, batting below the Mendoza line.
Not anymore, as he's actually gotten better against lefties as he's moved up each year in the minors.
It's a testament to his work ethic and his ability to hit to all fields.
He also has plus-power, something that will probably reveal itself this year.
He hit 20 homers in the minors last year, but he hit 43 doubles.
With his improvement against lefties, he figures to be a handful down the line, hitting for both average and power.
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7. Aroldis Chapman, P, Cincinnati Reds
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We all saw what reliever Aroldis Chapman did in limited duty in the big leagues last season with the Reds.
He not only compiled a 2.03 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with 19 strikeouts in just over 13 innings, he threw the fastest pitch ever recorded in the major leagues, at 105 miles per hour.
That wasn't a one-time thing, either. Chapman regularly threw over 100 in his brief stint with the Reds.
The question with him is whether he can learn to control such blistering speed, a question mark ever since his days in Cuba.
But given he was still able to dominate with suspect command last season, if he can learn to stay in control he could become a devastating closer in the near future.
6. Jeremy Hellickson, SP, Tampa Bay Rays
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People are quick to praise rookie pitchers when they come into the big leagues and start dominating.
Of course, that is partly because of them, but it's also because hitters haven't seen them yet.
A lot of rookies take their lumps later in the season and level out.
Jeremy Hellickson deserves the praise he has gotten.
In the minors in 2010, he posted a 2.97 ERA, going 12-3 with 127 strikeouts in 119 1/3 innings pitched.
He was later brought up to the majors, promptly continuing where he left off, posting a 3.47 ERA and a 4-0 record in 36 1/3 innings (10 games, four starts). He struck out 33 batters during this span.
Hellickson aka "Hellboy" was the main reason the Rays were able to deal away Matt Garza this offseason.
He locates his fastball well, has an above-average Major League changeup and his curve has some spike to it. With his command, polish and stuff, he doesn't allow a lot of home runs.
5. Julio Teheran, P, Atlanta Braves
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Julio Teheran, at just 20 years old, is the type of player that can single-handedly force an organization's hand in bringing him up to the bigs, even if they want to slowly work him in.
He's got filthy stuff and three pitches that can make hitters look silly.
His fastball jumps out of his hand and reaches hitters quickly, his curveball is above-average for the major leagues and when he gets his changeup low in the zone it can make hitters look foolish chasing pitches that hit the dirt.
He still needs to develop, at 6'2," 175 pounds, but his delivery is so smooth that he doesn't figure to be one of those pitchers that would have arm problems.
The Braves are probably aiming to bring him up in 2012, but some think he'll make it before then.
4. Domonic Brown, OF, Philadelphia Phillies
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As if the Phillies aren't stacked enough in 2011 on both sides of the ball, they have one of the top prospects in baseball ready to make the jump to the majors with Jayson Werth out of town.
When you're loosely compared to a young Darryl Strawberry or Barry Bonds coming into the bigs, you know you're doing something right.
If read the right way, Domonic's name can conjure up scary thoughts.
When Brown is done in 2011, some pitchers might actually think he's the Devil.
He's got raw power, speed and a zinger of an arm in the outfield—and projects to be one of those athletic threats with multiple tools at his disposal.
Watch out America, here comes Dominic Brown.
3. Jesus Montero, C, New York Yankees
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Jesus Montero's campaign to make the Yankees' squad didn't get off to a great start in 2010 in the minors, hitting below .250.
But in a couple months time, Montero showed why he's one of the hottest prospects in baseball and the most anticipated catcher.
He can hit for average and power, compared by some to former catcher Mike Piazza.
But his comparison to Piazza is two-fold; he has MLB-ready offense, but his defense is questionable and one of the reasons he hasn't been brought up already.
He could play some DH for the Yankees in 2011, but until he shows improvement in his defense he may be held out a bit longer as a full-timer.
2. Mike Trout, OF, Los Angeles Angels
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Why is Mike Trout the No. 2 prospect to watch in 2011?
Well, he hit .341 in the minors last year. He also stole 56 bases. He also finished in the top 10 in Class-A ball in average, steals, OBP and runs scored.
Did I mention he's only 19 years old?
It's not far-fetched for Trout to make the big leagues by the time he hits 20 in August.
His potential is off the charts and could become the Angels' regular All-Star leadoff hitter.
Think Buster Posey, wise beyond his years in terms of plate discipline and pitch recognition.
He also plays a stellar center field and has a great work ethic.
1. Bryce Harper, OF, Washington Nationals
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Washington outfielder Bryce Harper, the No. 1 pick in the 2010 MLB Draft, has nearly been as hyped as Stephen Strasburg in the Nationals organization—and that's saying a lot.
On the cover of Sports lllustrated as a high schooler, Harper only had 35 at-bats in the Arizona Fall League in 2010, but he batted .343 in those at-bats.
He has as much raw power as any of these prospects mentioned and his athleticism and speed project him to be a guy who can cover a lot of ground in the outfield, which is where the Nationals will most likely put him.
With the hype that has followed this kid, it's easy to scoff. I mean, some scouts are saying he has the most power potential of any prospect...ever.
But if he can even remotely live up to the praise that surrounds him, he should be a middle-of-the-order cleanup hitting star for years to come.
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