Every spring a new crop of players, featuring some names we have been following since their draft day, bring fans out to ballparks in Arizona and Florida to gawk at the latest can’t-miss kid.
This year is no different, although a couple of the new, young stars looking to make an impact in 2012 have already honed their skills on international fields, forcing their teams to dish out a lot of cake for their services this past off-season.
Here are The Top 10 rookies to watch in 2012.
1. Matt Moore, Tampa Bay Rays
Age: 22 | Postion: Left-handed pitcher
Considered by many scouts to be the top prospect in the game, the 22-year-old, left-hander has already spent time been in the big-league spotlight, having pitched 10 solid innings against the TexasRangers in last year’s ALDS loss. In 2011, he made 27 starts between aingle-A and double-A, winning 12 times with a 1.92 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 4.57. Yet another example of how well the Rays have drafted – especially pitchers – after all those seasons in the basement of the American League.
2. Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers
Age: 25 | Position: Right-handed pitcher
Whether Darvish is really a rookie after five seasons in the Japanese Pacific League is up for debate, but he certainly was the talk of the winter once his services became available. The Rangers more than replaced free agent C.J. Wilson with the 25-year-old right-hander, who posted a 1.72 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 9.5 strikeouts per nine innings pitched from 2007-11 with the Nippon Ham Fighters. He brings with him a seven-pitch arsenal and he might be the deciding factor as the Rangers fight off the Angels in an attempt to return to the World Series for the third straight season.
3. Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
Age: 20 | Postion: Outfielder
With the two-thirds of the Angels outfield – Torii Hunter & Vernon Wells – on the downsides of their All-Star careers, Trout’s quick rise to the Majors was just what this franchise needs. Now that they’ve added Albert Pujols, Trout can get acclimated to the big leagues in the big man’s shadow. While his 40-game tryout a year ago was average at best, Trout’s .338 career average over three minor league seasons show that he can hit. Will be a key if the Angels are to reign in the Rangers and wrestle back the A.L. West, especially if teams try to pitch around Pujols.
4. Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
Age: 19 | Postion: Outfielder
Since the Nationals took him with the first overall pick in the 2010 draft, Harper has been looking to make the leap to the Majors. Still just 19-years-old, Harper slammed 17 home runs in his first pro season while also changing positions from catcher to outfielder. He posted an impressive 1.034 OPS in the 2011 Arizona Fall League, a showcase circuit for the game’s top prospects. He has all the skills to play in the Majors right now, but on Sunday the Nationals decided Harper would be best served to begin the season at triple-A. He might not be there for long.
5. Jesus Montero, Seattle Mariners
Age: 22 | Postion: Catcher/First base/DH
He showed the baseball world what all the fuss was about when he batted .328 with four home runs and 12 RBIa in 18 games with the Yankees last September. With the retirement of Jorge Posada, he was expected to back-up Russell Martin in 2012 but instead he was sacrificed to the Mariners in order to acquire starter Michael Pineda in a late January trade. His bat is far more developed than his defence which is why he’ll start the season as the third-string catcher and first-string DH with the lowly Mariners.
6. Yoenis Cespedes, Oakland Athletics
Age: 26 | Postion: Outfielder
A year ago he set a Cuban League record by blasting 33 home runs to go with 99 RBIs in just 354 at-bats while batting .333. Considered by some to be the best all-around player to get off the island in the past 15-20 years, Athletics GM Billy Beane scored a coup when he added the 26-year-old outfielder in the first week in March. He homered in his first ever spring game just three days after signing and he gives the A’s a power jolt that has been sorely lacking in recent years.
7. Julio Teheran, Atlanta Braves
Age: 20 | Postion: Right-handed pitcher
Short-lived would be how to describe trade talks this past off-season between the Braves and rival teams inquiring about the availability of this young right-hander. As a 20-year-old last season at triple-A, he won 15 games with a 2.55 ERA. He could become a dominant starter — a staple of the great Braves teams of the past two decades — if he can increase his ground ball rate. Even if he starts the season in the minors, Teheran’s stay there will likely be short-lived.
8. Ryan Lavarnway, Boston Red Sox
Age: 24 | Postion: Cathcer
While the Red Sox haven’t been receiving much offence from the catcher position for the past several seasons as Jason Varitek began wearing down, Lavarnway gives Red Sox Nation a reason to be optimistic after hitting 32 home runs with 93 RBIs at two minor league levels in 2011, including a a 1.002 OPS in 61 games at triple-A. He also blasted a pair of home runs with the Red Sox in 17 September games and his right-handed swing seems perfectly suited for playing wall-ball at Fenway Park.
9. Jacob Turner, Detroit Tigers
Age: 20 | Postion: Right-handed pitcher
The Tigers’ top prospect is still just 20-years-old, yet he pitched at three levels (including the Majors) last season. Chosen ninth overall in 2009, Turner was roughed up in three September appearances but the team is hoping he’ll make the Opening Day rotation as the fifth starter. With the offence the Tigers project to possess, they might be able to get by while this youngster learns his way in the Majors and wobbles over some rough spots.
10. Drew Pomeranz, Colorado Rockies
Age: 23 | Postion: Left-handed pitcher
Acquired from the Indians in the Ubaldo Jimenez deal, the former first round pick (fifth overall in 2010) won two of his four starts as a September call-up with the Rockies last season. He rocketed through the minors in his first professional season, posting a 1.78 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 20 starts. While his pitch arsenal is a work in progress, he didn’t look overwhelmed in the Majors last season and is a very skilled young starter with loads of upside.
