MLB: 10 Hitting Prospects Already Making an Impact After Their Call-Ups

Every baseball season, top prospects are called up to the "the show" and have no trouble making an  immediate impact at the major league level.

While it is rare for rookies to contribute at a high level during their rookie year, there will always be a select few who are not phased by the increased level of competition.

In 2010, Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants was the latest rookie phenom to make the jump to the major leagues midseason and breeze through the competition all the way to a World Series championship.

To avoid any confusion, impact rookies such as Atlanta's Freddie Freeman and the Angels' Mark Trumbo will not be mentioned in this article since they started the 2011 MLB season in the major leagues.

Here's a list of 10 MLB prospects who have made a name for themselves after their call-ups to the major league.

10. Jesus Montero

All we heard this past trade deadline was how stingy the New York Yankees were when it came to giving up their top prospects via trades.

Well, now we all know why Jesus Montero was one of those "untouchables" in the Yankees farm system.

In just his fourth game in the majors, Montero smacked two home runs at Yankee Stadium and received a standing ovation.

I'll call that making an immediate impact.

9. Eric Thames

If you live outside of Toronto, the only reason you might've heard of Eric Thames before was because of his post-game interview.

Little do you know, Thames is batting .266 with 10 bombs and 32 RBI.

He has also made some athletic catches in the outfield that cracked the top-10 plays on SportsCenter.

Thames just looks like he's having fun out there.

8. Ben Revere

If you can appreciate a speedy outfielder who can cover ground in the outfield like you wouldn't believe, I suggest you keep an eye out for the Twins center fielder Ben Revere.

If you haven't seen this catch before, I promise this video will be worth your time.

7. Jose Altuve

I can envision Jose Altuve being that small and scrappy infielder who will somehow manage to find a way onto a major-league roster until he's 43 years old.

Altuve is everything you want in a middle infielder except for the fact that he's only 5'7" and 155 pounds.

Don't let his size fool you; he has made some of the most impressive plays at second base this season and he wasn't even called up to the majors until July 19.

6. Brett Lawrie

Even though Brett Lawrie has only been in the majors since August 5, he has sure made the most of his time in Toronto.

After being selected with the 16th-overall pick in the 2008 MLB draft, Lawrie was included in the trade that sent Shaun Marcum to the Milwaukee Brewers.

Since Lawrie's call-up, he's been batting .325 with eight home runs and 21 RBI.

Looks like that trade worked out well for both parties.

5. Dustin Ackley

Dustin Ackley has done nothing but prove why he was worth the second-overall pick in the 2009 MLB draft.

After being called up on June 17, Ackley has hit an even .300 with six home runs and 34 RBI.

Don't get mad Mariner fans, but I don't think it's that ridiculous of a statement to call the rookie the best hitter on the team...

4. Josh Reddick

Try to find a Red Sox fan who hasn't already jumped on the Josh Reddick bandwagon.

Don't stress yourself out looking for one because I don't think you will.

Red Sox fans love their rookies who make an immediate impact.  Reddick has done just that by hitting .294 with seven home runs and 28 RBI.

3. Desmond Jennings

Desmond Jennings could be my favorite rookie on this list, solely because he could be the second coming of former Tampa Bay favorite Carl Crawford.

Jennings has everything you want in a baseball player: power, speed and the ability to hit for a high average.

Since being called up on July 23, Jennings has been tearing it up by batting .302 with nine home runs and 21 RBI.

And oh yeah, he's already stolen 15 bases. At 24 years old, Jennings is going to be a very good player for a very long time.

2. Jemile Weeks

Jemile Weeks might not be the same type of player that his brother Rickie Weeks is, but he'll certainly be just as good.

Weeks has shown flashes of the type of player he is capable of becoming with his 21 steals and .303 batting average.

However, he has also shown that he's still a raw talent, committing 11 errors at second base and being caught stealing nine times in 30 attempts.

Either way you look at it, I think it's safe to chalk this up as a successful first season for the young speedster.

1. Eric Hosmer

Eric Hosmer's status as a "call-up" might be a little iffy since he has been in the major leagues since May 6.

However, he has arguably had one of the best offensive seasons of any rookie in MLB, although Braves Freddie Freeman might have something to say about that. 

Hosmer is currently batting .284 with 16 home runs and 66 RBI.

Look out baseball, the Kansas City Royals have some serious young talent that could put them in the postseason mix before we know it.