Each year there are a handful of rookies that don’t just make the big league roster but have a colossal impact on their team. In 2010 we saw the likes of Buster Posey, Jason Heyward, and Neftali Feliz burst onto the scene. Here are some names to watch this time around:
1. Jesus Montero, C, New York Yankees – His bat is big league ready and he has improved defensively as a catcher. The Yankees will not rush him but with Jorge Posada strictly the DH this year it appears that Montero will get his opportunity sooner rather than later.
2. Aroldis Chapman, LHP, Cincinnati Reds – He was impressive in his limited time with the Reds at the end of last season. His fastball sits at over 100 MPH and he will start the season in the bullpen and could be the closer by seasons end.
3. Freddie Freeman, 1B, Atlanta Braves – The first base job in Atlanta is his for the taking and the 21 year old appears up to the challenge of Major League pitching. He will have his ups and downs over the course of a full season but should put together a solid rookie campaign.
4. Jeremy Hellickson, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays – The Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year in 2010. The Matt Garza trade opened up a spot in the rotation for Hellickson. If not for the young rotation in Tampa last year, Hellickson would have played a bigger factor in 2010.
5. Chris Sale, LHP, Chicago White Sox – He was the first player from the 2010 draft to make it to the Majors. He will most likely start the year in AAA Charlotte as a starter but could be either in the rotation or near the back of the bullpen by mid-season.
6. Domonic Brown, OF, Philadelphia Phillies – Some had him penciled in as the replacement for Jayson Werth in right field, but that will not be until later in the year following a broken bone in his hand this spring. He will start his year in AAA Lehigh Valley where he will refine his approach at the plate.
7. Desmond Jennings, OF, Tampa Bay Rays – The speedster is seen as the replacement for Carl Crawford, He might begin the year in AAA as the Rays will have to find at bats for newly acquired veterans Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez. But will be one of the first call-ups from AAA Durham should an injury occur to any of the outfielders.
8. Dustin Ackley, 2B, Seattle Mariners – The Arizona Fall League MVP, showing his bat is major league ready. He is expected to start the year in AAA Tacoma where he can continue to work on his defense as the Mariners might wait until mid season as to avoid super 2 arbitration status.
9. Mike Minor, LHP, Atlanta Braves – He should be the 5th Starter for the Braves come opening day. If there is one thing the Braves continue to do is develop pitching and expect Minor to be the part of the next wave of young pitching that is on the way.
10. Kyle Drabek, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays – The centerpiece of the Roy Halladay trade a year ago will be given a chance to win a spot in the back of the rotation. He showed he can hold his own in the majors after making 3 starts late last season. I expect him to start the year in AAA Las Vegas as the Jays have no reason to rush him. He should be a regular in the Jays rotation by mid-season.
A few other rookies that could make an impact but most likely will not appear in the Majors until late in the season include:
Eric Hosmer, 1B, Kansas City RoyalsMike Moustakas, 3B, Kansas City Royals
Julio Teheran, RHP, Atlanta Braves
Brandon Belt, 1B, San Francisco Giants
Brett Lawrie, 3B, Toronto Blue Jays
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