Note: this is a guest post by Hannah Miller from FanDuel.com
In 2012, Mike Trout and Bryce Harper proved that you do not need MLB experience to become key cogs in an offense. Harper turned in one of the best seasons ever for a teenager, while Trout turned in one of the best overall seasons ever. As we get closer to 2013, are there any players poised to possibly be the next breakout star in baseball?
For starters, it is unrealistic to expect the next crop of rookies to make the type of impact those two did. It rarely happens that way. However, there are some top prospects who will get a shot at every day playing time most likely in 2013. Here are three that look poised for possibly big seasons.
Will Myers (Tampa Bay Rays)
The Rays picked up Myers as the centerpiece in the James Shields/Wade Davis trade, and many believe he has all the makings of a five-tool outfielder in the future. Myers is actually older than Trout, but the Royals brought him up a little bit more slowly than the Angels did with their uber-talented outfielder. Like Trout, Myers will more than likely spend some time in the minors before being moved up later in the season for Tampa Bay.
Travis d’Arnaud (New York Mets)
Like Myers, d’Arnaud is changing organizations this offseason, which actually gives him a better shot at playing a lot in 2013. As part of the R.A. Dickey deal, d’Arnaud is now penciled in as the Mets catcher for the future. So will when the Mets officially bring up the catcher who can hit for power and average?
One advantage for d’Arnaud over most other prospects is his age. He is going to be 24 years old on opening day in 2013, so the Mets probably will not waste a ton of time to bring him up. With the Mets probably not going very far next season, he should get plenty of time to learn on the job.
Billy Hamilton (Cincinnati Reds)
This might be going out on a limb a bit, but Hamilton might have the best chance to make a huge impact on a potential playoff team in 2013. The Reds figure to be solid next season with or without him playing every day, but if shows enough consistency at the plate, Hamilton could force his way into the lineup.
Last season, Hamilton played both shortstop and outfield for the Single-A and Double-A affiliates. He is known for his amazing speed though, which could be a game changer. He hit for a solid average and draws walks, but his lack of power and definite position scares some people. If he can find a place to play every day for the Reds, he could change the game each time he is at the plate or on the base paths and put up some serious fantasy baseball numbers. He is never going to be the five-tool, conventional star baseball player, but he could change baseball in his own way.
In 2012, Mike Trout and Bryce Harper proved that you do not need MLB experience to become key cogs in an offense. Harper turned in one of the best seasons ever for a teenager, while Trout turned in one of the best overall seasons ever. As we get closer to 2013, are there any players poised to possibly be the next breakout star in baseball?
For starters, it is unrealistic to expect the next crop of rookies to make the type of impact those two did. It rarely happens that way. However, there are some top prospects who will get a shot at every day playing time most likely in 2013. Here are three that look poised for possibly big seasons.
Will Myers (Tampa Bay Rays)
The Rays picked up Myers as the centerpiece in the James Shields/Wade Davis trade, and many believe he has all the makings of a five-tool outfielder in the future. Myers is actually older than Trout, but the Royals brought him up a little bit more slowly than the Angels did with their uber-talented outfielder. Like Trout, Myers will more than likely spend some time in the minors before being moved up later in the season for Tampa Bay.
Travis d’Arnaud (New York Mets)
Like Myers, d’Arnaud is changing organizations this offseason, which actually gives him a better shot at playing a lot in 2013. As part of the R.A. Dickey deal, d’Arnaud is now penciled in as the Mets catcher for the future. So will when the Mets officially bring up the catcher who can hit for power and average?
One advantage for d’Arnaud over most other prospects is his age. He is going to be 24 years old on opening day in 2013, so the Mets probably will not waste a ton of time to bring him up. With the Mets probably not going very far next season, he should get plenty of time to learn on the job.
Billy Hamilton (Cincinnati Reds)
This might be going out on a limb a bit, but Hamilton might have the best chance to make a huge impact on a potential playoff team in 2013. The Reds figure to be solid next season with or without him playing every day, but if shows enough consistency at the plate, Hamilton could force his way into the lineup.
Last season, Hamilton played both shortstop and outfield for the Single-A and Double-A affiliates. He is known for his amazing speed though, which could be a game changer. He hit for a solid average and draws walks, but his lack of power and definite position scares some people. If he can find a place to play every day for the Reds, he could change the game each time he is at the plate or on the base paths and put up some serious fantasy baseball numbers. He is never going to be the five-tool, conventional star baseball player, but he could change baseball in his own way.
