Top Minor League Prospects and the Major Leaguers They Resemble

A number of the best prospects in baseball have gotten a brief taste of life in the big leagues but still have a ways to go as they refine their skills and prepare to make a permanent leap.

With free agency in full swing, fans are already gearing up for next season, something that undoubtedly brings about talk of prospects.

It's hard not to compare your favorite prospects to players we've already seen, and while projecting returns at the highest level is hard to do, that certainly doesn't mean we can't speculate.

Brett Jackson

In Brett Jackson's three seasons in the Chicago Cubs' minor league system, he has emerged as one of the top prospects in all of baseball.

He boasts a strong on-base percentage (.393) and with a decent amount of power (40 HR in 296 games). He's even more valuable when you consider the possibility of his speed at the top of the order.

MLB Comparison: Grady Sizemore

Drew Pomeranz

A first-round selection in the 2010 MLB draft by the Cleveland Indians, Drew Pomeranz showed great promise in 2011.

Making a total of 20 starts with three different clubs, Pomeranz compiled a 4-3 record with a 1.78 ERA, striking out 119 batters in 101 innings.

MLB Comparison: Joe Saunders

Jarrod Parker

After an 11-8 season with the Class-AA Mobile Bay Bears, it appears that Jarrod Parker may be ready to spend some time at the Major League level.

His walk numbers were up and strikeout numbers were down in comparison to the past two seasons, but with a 3.49 composite ERA in the minor leagues, he's shown he can perform.

MLB Comparison: Scott Kazmir

Brad Peacock

2011 was Brad Peacock's strongest season in the minor leagues as he went 15-3 with a 2.39 ERA between Class AA and AAA.

Peacock has a fastball with the potential to reach speeds similar to Stephen Strasburg's, but would need to develop more pitches to really resemble the young ace.

MLB Comparison: Stephen Strasburg

Arodys Vizcaino

In limited action with the Atlanta Braves in 2011, Arodys Vizcaino went 1-1 with a 4.67 ERA in 17 appearances.

He showed the potential to throw multiple pitches effectively while striking out nearly two batters for every walk issued.

MLB Comparison: Madison Bumgarner

Devin Mesoraco

Devin Mesoraco didn't show Cincinnati Reds fans a whole lot in the 18 games he played this past season, as he struggled to a .180 batting average with six RBI in 50 plate appearances.

His minor-league campaign was far more effective, batting .290 with 53 extra-base hits in 120 games.

MLB Comparison: Geovany Soto

Julio Teheran

Heading into 2011 as the fifth-highest rated prospect in the minor leagues, there were great expectations for what Julio Teheran was capable of doing.

He showed a great deal of potential in Class AAA with the Gwinnett Braves this season, going 15-3 in 254 starts with a 2.55 ERA.

Also impressive was the relatively low three walks per nine innings and 122 strikeouts in 144 innings pitched.

MLB Comparison: Ervin Santana

Anthony Rizzo

In 128 at-bats with the San Diego Padres, first baseman Anthony Rizzo showed that he might not yet be ready to fill the void Adrian Gonzalez left.

He batted just .141 with an on-base percentage below .300 but is still considered a prospect that who ultimately have a bright future in the league.

MLB Comparison: Adrian Gonzalez

Manny Banuelos

Manny Banuelos may end up in the New York Yankees rotation sooner rather than later if he continues to progress through the minor league system.

There were some growing pains for Banuelos in 2011 though, as he walked five batters per nine innings and saw his ERA jump a half run when he made the move from Class AA to AAA.

MLB Comparison: David Wells

Shelby Miller

Spending the majority of the 2011 season in Class AA Springfield, Shelby Miller showed great control of his pitches en route to a 9-3 record and a 2.70 ERA.

He strikes out just over a batter per inning and as he continues to hone in on his pitch selection, he will inch closer to major-league play.

MLB Comparison: Jon Lester

Jacob Turner

Jacob Turner's development took a step in the right direction in 201,1 as the young righty began to gain command of pitches beyond his fastball.

This equated to more effective outings and more overall innings, as he averaged nearly seven innings per start. 

MLB Comparison: Rick Porcello

Bryce Harper

As one of the most highly touted offensive prospects the league has seen in recent years, Bryce Harper certainly brings with him a great deal of hype.

He's continued to progress in the Arizona Fall League and will probably receive serious consideration for a place on the 25-man roster heading out of spring training.

MLB Comparison: Chipper Jones

Wil Myers

Currently listed as one of the top outfield prospects in the minor-league system, Wil Myers experienced a bit of a power outage in 2011.

After putting up impressive offensive numbers in 2010, including a .934 OPS, he saw that drop to below .750 this season.

MLB Comparison: Javy Lopez

Jesus Montero

After impressing many with a .328 batting average along with four home runs and 12 RBI in 18 games with the Yankees this fall, it seems a foregone conclusion that Jesus Montero will be with the Yankees in the spring.

The bigger question will be where Montero is used, as a catcher or designated hitter.

MLB Comparison: Miguel Cabrera

Matt Moore

Matt Moore's ability to gain control of his pitches is part of what got him the opportunity to pitch in Class-AAA and even see time with the Rays.

His walks per nine inning were above five in 2009 but he worked them down to less than half that in 2011, all while improving his curveball and, to an extent, the usage of his change-up.

MLB Comparison: Wandy Rodriguez

Kyle Gibson

The second-best prospect in the Minnesota Twins system, Kyle Gibson's return from Tommy John surgery will be gladly welcomed, as the Twins will no doubt be looking for him to fill a middle-of-the-rotation spot.

True to the Twins way, Gibson's pitches tend to induce many ground balls, as you won't see him striking out an overly high number of batters.

MLB Comparison: Jason Marquis

Mike Trout

Mike Trout certainly appears to be the real deal for the Anaheim Angels. He steadily improved his stats this summer as he gained valuable experience before an eventual call-up. 

Batting .326 in 82 games in Class AA, Trout showed some flashes of power, slugging better than .500 with an OPS over .950.

MLB Comparison: Johnny Damon

Zack Wheeler

Zack Wheeler appeared to have the makings of a great strikeout pitcher in 2011, as he punched out batters at better than a 10 strikeout per nine inning clip.

His command did struggle somewhat, however, as he walked more than five per nine innings.

MLB Comparison: Wade Davis

Manny Machado

Manny Machado experienced his share of growing pains in 2011, as the 19-year-old shortstop struggled to bat .256 between 101 games in Class A and Class AA.

He has, however, shown a great deal of promise with the leather and appears to have the makings of a great defensive infielder that can hit for a high average.

MLB Comparison: Edgar Renteria

Jameson Taillon

A first-round pick in 2010, Jameson Taillon has the makings of a great pitcher in this league. The tall (6'6'') righty throws three pitches with great command and has a fastball that touches the high-90s.

When he's not throwing the heat, he relies heavily on his slider and at times a change-up, which has proven to be a plus pitch for him.

MLB Comparison: Josh Beckett