10 Highly Anticipated MLB Debuts You'll Have to Wait Until 2012 to See

Despite not getting to see these players in 2011, it was for good reason—because they simply aren't ready yet.

That being said, give them the offseason to train, and spring training to work out the kinks, and we will see these minor-leaguers in 2012.

Some may get the call up the road earlier, some later. Nonetheless, receiving that call is the only thing that matters.

So without further ado, here are ten debuts to get excited for in 2012.

Bryce Harper

2011 Stats

Batting Average: .297

Home-runs: 17

Hits: 115

RBI: 58

Despite being only 18 years old, Bryce Harper got up to the Double-A level in 2011.

Expect him to start off there in 2012, and we should see him either just before, or just after the All-Star break.

Tony Sanchez

2011 Stats

Batting Average: .241

Home-runs: Five

Hits: 97

RBI: 44

2011 was Tony Sanchez's third year in the minors, and his first at the Double-A level.

Although the numbers aren't mesmerizing, he'll improve them in 2012, and we should see him at the Big League level around mid-August.

Matt Harvey

2011 Stats

Record: 13-5

ERA: 3.32

Strikeouts: 156

Innings: 135.2

2011 was Matt Harvey's first year in the Mets' farm system and he dominated his fellow minor-leaguers.

And with that in mind, the quicker "the powers that be" think he's ready for the bigs, the better shot the Mets have at competing with the Phillies and Braves of the NL East.

Grant Green

2011 Stats:

Batting Average: .291

Home-runs: Nine

Hits: 154

RBI: 62

Each year Grant Green has been in the Athletics' system he's gotten better and lived up to expectations.

And after spending all of 2011 in Double-A, he'll start there again in 2012, but quickly make his way into Triple-A.

It's safe to anticipate his debut to be around late July or early August for the A's.

Trevor Bauer

2011 Stats

Record: 1-2

ERA: 5.96

Strikeouts: 43

Innings: 25.2

2011 was Trevor Bauer's rookie year in the minors, and although the numbers don't show it, they're not indicative of how much potential he has.

He was drafted by the Diamondbacks this past summer, and after getting two Double-A this year, his MLB debut should happen around late August to help down the stretch in Arizona.

Chad Jenkins

2011 Stats

Record: 9-12

ERA: 3.70

Strikeouts: 118

Innings: 167.2

Toronto Blue Jays farm system starting pitcher Chad Jenkins appears to be ready for the majors after just two minor league seasons.

He's rapidly improved, and if Toronto wants any shot at competing with the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays of the AL East, they could use all the help they can get, including Jenkins.

Shelby Miller

2011 Stats

Record: 11-6

ERA: 2.77

Strikeouts: 170

Innings: 139.2

Despite only being 20 years old, Shelby Miller has matured on the mound very, very quickly.

Now, although he hasn't gotten above the Double-A level, he's performed his best there with a 2.70 ERA, including a 9-3 record and 89 strikeouts.

Pair him with Edwin Jackson next season and St. Louis is back on the rise in the NL Central.

Therefore, expect his debut to be just after the All-Star break.

Kyle Gibson

2011 Stats

Record: 3-8

ERA: 4.81

Strikeouts: 91

Innings: 95.1

Although the numbers don't stick out, 2011 was Gibson's first season at the Triple-A level where he started 18 games.

In 2012, if he drops to Double-A it won't be for long, and he'll get back to Triple-A.

That being said, as long as he improves at that level in 2012, his debut should occur in mid-or-late August for the Twins.

Brett Jackson

2011 Stats

Batting Average: .274

Home-runs: 20

Hits: 118

RBI: 58

If the Chicago Cubs are to ever contend for the NL Central anytime soon, the call-up of Brett Jackson would be of immense help.

In 2011, Jackson spent 67 games in Double-A and 48 games in Triple-A.

Interestingly enough, however, the stats increased in Triple-A. So, with momentum rolling into the offseason, Jackson could be at Wrigley Field by mid or late June.

Zack Cox

2011 Stats

Batting Average: .306

Home-runs: 13

Hits: 158

RBI: 58

In addition to the aforementioned Shelby Miller, the St. Louis Cardinals would love to have Zack Cox in the majors by mid-July of 2012.

To go along with Albert Pujols, Lance Berkman, and Matt Holliday, Cox would learn from some of the best, and quickly become a solid major league ball player.

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report.

And you can follow him on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.