Major League Baseball 2013 Preview: Top-5 Rookies In Baseball

Wil Meyers, Tampa Bay Rays, 2012 Minors: 37 home runs, .314 BA, 109 RBI’s, .387 OBP; Analysis: Generally the excitement over a player who hasn’t played a game in the majors should be tempered. But when that player hits .314 with 37 home runs and 109 across two levels in the minors, it’s hard to fight the urge. And why should we? Meyers was the guy the Rays needed to get in the trade that sent James Shields and Wade Davis to Kansas City. He’s the perfect future compliment to Evan Longoria and Desmond Jennings and will have an impact the minute Tampa is ready to unleash him on the league. His skill set (and positional history) reminds me a lot of Dale Murphy, He’s big (6’3″, 205 pounds) and has all the tools needed to be successful, all he needs is for the phone to ring. Projected Stats: .280 BA, 14 home runs, 55 RBI’s; Projected arrival: Early-to-mid May 2013

Julio Teheran, Atlanta Braves,  2012 Minors: 7-9, 5.08 ERA, 97 Strikeouts; Analysis: It’s been two years since Teheran was named the top right-handed pitching prospect in all of baseball. It’s been even sooner since this was the same guy who gave up six home runs in two innings to the Detroit Tigers in spring training. He followed that up with a 2012 in the minors that was less than optimistic for a player with such high expectations. But during winter baseball, Fredi Gonzalez and Frank Wren both said they saw a major difference in the young hurler tossed five, no-hit innings. he had a discussion with Pedro Martinez this past offseason (a pitcher he has been compared to frequently) and seems to have gotten back track. This spring he’s been dominant (14 innings, 18 strikeouts, two earned runs), and appears on track to claim the Braves fifth starter spot from the get go. Projected Stats: 9-9, 3.93 ERA, 123 Strikeouts; Projected Arrival: Opening Day 2013 

Trevor Bauer, Cleveland Indians, 2012 Minors: 12-2, 2.42 ERA, 157 Strikeouts, Analysis: Question: Why does a guy drafted number three overall in 2011 get traded two seasons later? That was my question this past offseason when the Diamondbacks traded Bauer to the Indians. I’m not oblivious to organizational needs, but I just don’t see the logic in trading a pitcher like this, even if you don’t agree with his training method. Hear me now, Bauer will be an ace in this league before too long. In seven innings this spring he’s allowed two earned runs and struck out five batters. This after a cumulative 13-5, 3.00 ERA mark in the minors. He has the ability to throw a fastball as hard as 100 mph, but his normal range is 93-96 mph, with a plus slider and variations of the cut fastball. His cup of coffee last season shouldn’t be considered a precursor to how he will do, because trust me, he will succeed at the major league level in due time. Projected Stats: 7-6, 4.12 ERA, 137 strikeouts; Projected Arrival: Opening Day 2013

Travis d’Arnaud, New York Mets, 2012 Minors: 16 home runs, 52 RBI’s, .333 BA, .380 OBP Analysis: I’ll be honest here, the New York Mets don’t have a whole lot going for them. Their highest paid outfielders are either retired (Bobby Bonilla) or in Seattle (Jason Bay), it isn’t quite known yet if Johan Santana can anchor this staff for a full season, and they’re desperately hoping that Ike Davis can cut down on the strikeouts and raise his supplemental numbers. But one thing is certain, d’Arnaud was a huge pick up for them, and is my early favorite for National League Rookie of the Year. He’s a power guy who hits for average, doesn’t strike out a ton, and defensively is more than serviceable behind the plate. Just last season he threw out 30% of would be base stealers. He’ll probably start the season in Triple-A (more service time issue than anything else), but I expect him to continue his rise and make himself the everyday catcher sooner than later. Projected stats: .260 batting average, 13 home runs, 48 RBI’s; Projected Arrival: May 2013

Gerrit Cole, Pittsburgh Pirates,  2012 Minors: 9-7, 2.80 ERA, 136 strikeouts; Analysis:  The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted a pitcher in the 2011 draft (number one overall) and he’s performed like it. the big righty (6’4″, 220 pounds) has a plus fastball (high: 101 mph, average: 95-96 mph), and a good slider/change-up mix to go with it. He realized early on he needed to hone his talents before signing; which is why he turned down the Yankees back in 2008 when they drafted him to attend UCLA. The move paid off, and it was to the Pirates benefit. They have a future ace on their hands who could contribute as early as 2013. He needs to work on commanding those pitches (as well as the character issues that have been rumored to crop up from time-to-time), but if he is able to do both of those things, there is no question he can succeed in the majors. Projected stats: 4-3, 4.27 ERA, 67 strikeouts; Projected Arrival: June/July 2013.