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Here's my third annual ranking of the top prospects based solely on their expected impact in 2013, a list that factors in expected roles and playing time as well as my expectations for their immediate performance.
For all the talk and hand-wringing about teams overvaluing their prospects, the reality shown on MLB depth charts right now is that there are almost no rookies currently locked into major league jobs for 2013 -- seven, by my count, if we're talking about just every-day position players, starting pitchers and closers, including two Marlins who have their jobs only by default.
There are a number of rookies contending for jobs this spring, of course, but most of the impact we see from rookies in the majors in 2013 will come from players who are called up in May or more likely June as teams attempt to manipulate service time while giving at-bats and innings to "proven veterans" who "play the right way."
As in previous years, I have excluded players coming from other major professional leagues in Japan and Korea. They are rookies but are too experienced to consider alongside rookies who have come up through MLB farm systems.
For all the talk and hand-wringing about teams overvaluing their prospects, the reality shown on MLB depth charts right now is that there are almost no rookies currently locked into major league jobs for 2013 -- seven, by my count, if we're talking about just every-day position players, starting pitchers and closers, including two Marlins who have their jobs only by default.
There are a number of rookies contending for jobs this spring, of course, but most of the impact we see from rookies in the majors in 2013 will come from players who are called up in May or more likely June as teams attempt to manipulate service time while giving at-bats and innings to "proven veterans" who "play the right way."
As in previous years, I have excluded players coming from other major professional leagues in Japan and Korea. They are rookies but are too experienced to consider alongside rookies who have come up through MLB farm systems.
20a. Adeiny Hechavarria | SS, Miami Marlins
Hechavarria probably will win the every-day shortstop job, play great defense and hit absolutely nothing all year.
20b. Rob Brantly | C, Miami Marlins
Brantly is penciled in as the Marlins' starting catcher, but he is a terrible receiver and has neither power nor patience at the plate. (His high on-base percentage in the majors was inflated by the 10 walks he drew in 59 plate appearances while batting eighth; he had three walks in the other 54 times he reached the plate.) He will get playing time early in the season but could lose the job to Jeff Mathis, who can't hit but can handle the job's defensive aspects.
Other names to watch: Jose Fernandez, RHP, Marlins (long shot to appear before September).
Hechavarria probably will win the every-day shortstop job, play great defense and hit absolutely nothing all year.
20b. Rob Brantly | C, Miami Marlins
Brantly is penciled in as the Marlins' starting catcher, but he is a terrible receiver and has neither power nor patience at the plate. (His high on-base percentage in the majors was inflated by the 10 walks he drew in 59 plate appearances while batting eighth; he had three walks in the other 54 times he reached the plate.) He will get playing time early in the season but could lose the job to Jeff Mathis, who can't hit but can handle the job's defensive aspects.
Other names to watch: Jose Fernandez, RHP, Marlins (long shot to appear before September).
Keith is obviously still mad he was banned from this site
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