The Time Is Now

As baseball season approaches, fans might start to wonder who the next Ryan Braun or Geovany Soto is. Who is that next big thing that springs onto the scene as a rookie and never looks back? David Price is a good example of who’s next in Major League Baseball. Problem is, he made the Rays playoff roster and now is a household name. I am here to inform you of the lesser known players who have a chance to make an immediate impact in the 2009 season.

Matt Wieters – Catcher – Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles traded away their best catcher to the Reds for Ryan Freel and two other minor leaguers. When they closed the book on Hernandez, they opened the door for 22-year old Matt Wieters. Wieters was the 5th overall pick in the 2007 draft. He only has one season of professional baseball under his belt but he showed he is ready to make the jump. Between high A Frederick Keys and AA Bowie Baysox, Wieters played in a combined 130 games and hit an astonishing .355. His on base percentage was .454. And he can field his position as well. At Georgia Tech, he would take off the catcher’s equipment and close out games. His fastball reached 98 miles per hour. It looks as if he has a gun behind the plate. With Gregg Zaun recently signed by the team, Wieters might begin the year in AAA. However, it won’t be long before he is up with the Orioles.

Andrew McCutchen – Outfielder – Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates number one prospect might not have to wait much longer for his shot. The Pirates outfield situation features one All-Star and a bunch of unknowns. McCutchen’s athleticism has been featured in his four seasons in the minors. If you’re wondering who he could resemble, look no further than Tampa Bay Ray B.J. Upton. Upton has pure talent and athleticism and struggled early on in his Major League career. Look what kind of player he has become. McCutchen will get a hard look by the Pirates organization this season because he can’t remain in the minors for too long, but he still needs to play every day.

Matt LaPorta – First Baseman/Outfielder – Cleveland Indians
LaPorta was the prized gem that was included in the CC Sabathia trade from the Brewers. LaPorta played first base for the Florida Gators, but when the Brewers drafted him, they moved him to outfield. Regardless of what position he is best suited to play, his bat shows scouts that he is ready for Major League pitching. In just 302 at-bats in AA Huntsville last season, LaPorta knocked out 20 home runs and drove in 66 runs. With LaPorta’s experience in the outfield, it gives the Indians another option on where they can play the young man when they decide it is his time.

Colby Rasmus – Outfielder – St. Louis Cardinals
Rasmus had an outside shot to win a spot in the Cardinals outfield last season. He didn’t get a spot and wound up in AAA. The 22-year old struggled in AAA Memphis, so it seems that the Cardinals made the right decision keeping Rasmus in the minors. But with his rare blend of offensive approach, baserunning, and defense Rasmus might not be able to be kept down much longer.

Alcides Escobar – Shortstop – Milwaukee Brewers
Alcides is the top prospect in the Brewers’ system. Such a prospect is he that the Brewers were listening to offers for All-Star shortstop J.J. Hardy. The deals eventually fell through, but it showed that the Brewers are high on Escobar. You should be too. Escobar’s strong point of his game is his defense. So it’s interesting to note that he hit .328 with 34 stolen bases in 131 games for AA Huntsville last season. A speedster who showed rapid improvement on the offensive side of his game, just might be impossible for the Brewers to hold back. If Rickie Weeks has another let-down of a season, expect Escobar to be waiting right behind him. Hardy would move to second and Escobar would be the shortstop.

Dexter Fowler – Outfielder – Colorado Rockies
When the Rockies agreed to trade Matt Holliday to the Oakland Athletics, they had to have a good idea of what they were doing. They sure did. Dexter Fowler is, by no means, Matt Holliday. But the Rockies are moving different directions and Fowler is the future to the Colorado outfield. For the AA Tulsa Drillers, Fowler hit .335 and 31 doubles. With little outfield depth, the Rockies will most likely give Fowler a starting job in 2009. It is his to lose. Expect him not to lose it.

Rick Porcello – Starting Pitcher – Detroit Tigers
Thank God that this prospect is a pitcher because the Tigers seem pretty happy with their lineup. Porcello could be next year’s Clayton Kershaw. At the age of 19, Porcello—in his first season of professional baseball—compiled and 8-6 record with a 2.66 ERA in high A ball. With pitching clearly a problem on Detroit’s roster, if Porcello repeats last years’ success, he could soon find himself on the Major League roster by mid-season.

Nick Adenhart – Starting Pitcher – Los Angeles Angels
The only thing holding Adenhart back is the fact that the Angels have five capable starting pitchers already. Adenhart, 22-years old, will most likely come out of the bullpen if he finds his niche in 2009. He will likely start the year at AAA Salt Lake but injuries can come at the most in-opportune times.

This is just a shortened list of many players who could make an impact next season. I chose these players because of their chance to play in the upcoming 2009 season. There is a full list of 327 prospects found here. I got a lot of my information from this site and it could provide you with information to impress your buddies with.