What do Buster Posey, Madison Bumgarner, Pedro Alverez and Carlos Santana all have in common? You may know the answer if you play fantasy baseball: They all were prospects entering the 2010 MLB season. They also proved that prospects can make an immediate impact in fantasy baseball. Aside from helping fantasy teams in 2010, Posey and Bumgarner helped lead the Giants to the World Series title. Alvarez tore the cover off the ball for the Pirates Pirates down the stretch, while Santana showed his immense talent in Cleveland before going down in August with a knee injury (he should be ready for spring training). If you didn't know their names before 2010, you sure know them now.
The breakout of the future stars mentioned above begs the questions, "Who are the best fantasy baseball prospects for the 2011 season?" There are many bright baseball prospects in the minor leagues, but what makes for a strong fantasy baseball prospect is talent plus opportunity. These five MLB prospects could see lots of actions this season.
- Craig Kimbrel (ATL) … 2010 AAA stats: 23 saves, 1.62 ERA.
- Jeremy Hellickson (TB) ... Went 3-0 with 2.05 ERA for the Rays in August.
- Jesus Montero (NYY) … Smacked 21 HR last season in AAA.
- Domonic Brown (PHI) … Baseball America first team All-Star selection.
- Mike Moustakas (KC) … Launched 36 HR last season in AA/AAA.
- Desmond Jennings (TB) … A Futures Game selection the last two years.
P Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves – As noted in “Fantasy Baseball Sleepers 2011: Closers and Middle Relievers,” the Braves will give Kimbrel every chance to take the ball this season in the ninth inning. The hard-thrower earned a promotion to the Big Leagues with 23 saves, a 1.62 ERA and 1.13 WHIP last season for AAA Gwinnett. But what makes him closer material is that he blew away 83 batters in 55.2 innings. In 21 games with Atlanta, he did more of the same, striking out 40 batters in only 20.2 innings and posting a 0.44 ERA. With Billy Wagner's retirement, the job is Kimbrel's to lose. He may experience some growing pains along the way, but the rookie could save 30-plus games.
P Jeremy Hellickson, Tampa Bay Rays -- The trade of Matt Garza to the Cubs opens the door for Hellickson, a fourth round draft choice of the Rays in 2005. The No. 2 rated prospect by MLB.com, the 23-year-old right-hander was nasty last year in AAA with a 12-3 record, 2.45 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. The scary part is he actually pitched better when the Rays called him up last summer. In four August starts for Tampa Bay, Hellickson went 3-0 with a 2.05 ERA and 0.76 WHIP (he went 4-0, 3.47 ERA, 1.10 WHIP overall). Hellickson is a polished pitcher with poise and command of his pitches. He's a future top-of-the-rotation hurler, but could win 10-12 games as soon as this season.
C Jesus Montero, New York Yankees – Montero, the highest-rated prospect in the Yankees organization by Baseball America (and No. 9 overall by MLB.com), figured to replace aging veteran Jorge Posada behind the plate or at designated hitter as soon as this season. The Yankees, however, signed free agent backstop Russell Martin in the off-season, indicating Montero still may not be ready -- at least, defensively. He hit 289 with 21 HR and 75 RBI last season for AAA Scranton /Wilkes-Barre. The slugging catcher, who often is mentioned in trade rumors, nearly was sent packing to the Seattle Mariners last season in a deal for Cliff Lee. If he ever is traded, or the Yankees make room for him on their MLB roster, Montero will have immediate fantasy value given the lack of hitting catchers in the Majors.
OF Domonic Brown, Philadelphia Phillies – Former Philly outfielder Jayson Werth was one of the big free agent winners in the off-season. He cashed in when the Nationals signed him to a seven-year, $126 million contract. But Brown (the No. 4 rated prospect by MLB.com) was a winner, too, since Werth's departure should open up the door for him to play regularly. Brown didn't do much after the Phillies called him up last July (.210-2-13), but his minor league track record suggests big production in the near furture. Between AA and AAA last year, Brown hit .327 with 20 HR and 68 RBI and stole 17 bases in 93 games. At 6-5, 200 pounds, Brown reminds some scouts of a young Darryl Strawberry. That thought should make fantasy owners drool.
3B Mike Moustakas, Kansas City Royals – The Royals drafted Moustakas second overall in the 2007 Amateur Draft, 12 picks higher than Atlanta's 2010 rookie sensation, Jason Heyward. He may not be as dangerous a hitter as Hayward, yet, but give him some time. A member of Baseball America's 2010 Minor League All-Star Team, the powerful third baseman cranked out MiLB-leading 36 homers and knocked in 124 runs last season between AA and AAA while striking out only 67 times; he also hit .322/.369/.630. According to Baseball America, “Hitters this strong who make contact [that] consistently should be a solid bet to continue hitting for power.” The cash-crunched Royals have nothing to lose by giving him a shot in 2011 and neither do you.
OF Desmond Jennings, Tampa Bay Rays – Jennings has literally been on the fast track to the Majors since being drafted by the Rays in the 10th round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft. Speed is Jennings' best asset (171 career steals in the minors), but he also is a solid base-runner with good strike zone knowledge (he's a career .299 hitter in the minors), two skills that should allow him to be a productive lead-off hitter in the Majors. A five-tools prospect (rated No. 11 by MLB.com), he likely will step in for the departed Carl Crawford in the Tampa Bay outfield in 2011 and be a star in the near future. Draft him mainly for steals this season and stash him in keeper leagues, for sure.
Sources
BaseballAmerica.com. Accessed Jan. 23, 2011.
Baseball-reference.com. Accessed Jan. 24, 2011.
The Official Site of Major League Baseball. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
Adam Martini - Adam Martini is a freelance sports writer based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He has more than 15 years of writing experience, most recently as ...
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