2011 Baseball Rookies to Watch

As the 2011 baseball season approaches, many fans are looking forward to watching the new crop of rookies take the field. Here are some of the most promising rookies to keep an eye on this season.

Who are the top 2011 baseball rookies?

There are a lot of great rookies in the 2011 baseball season but there are a few that stand out above the rest. Here are the top 2011 Baseball Rookies to watch:

1. Chris Sale – Chicago White Sox
Chris Sale is a left-handed pitcher who was drafted in the first round of the 2010 draft by the White Sox He made his Major League debut in April of 2011 and has been one of the best pitchers in baseball since. He has a fastball that tops out at 98 mph and a great slider that has been lethal to hitters. In just over half a season, he has already struck out more than 100 batters and has an ERA under 3.00. Chris Sale is definitely a rookie to watch in 2011.

2. Jeremy Hellickson – Tampa Bay Rays
Jeremy Hellickson is another young pitcher who has made a big impact in his rookie season. He was drafted by the Rays in the 4th round of the 2005 draft and made his debut with the team in August of 2011. In his short time in the majors, he’s already shown that he has what it takes to be a great pitcher. He has excellent control, pitching to both sides of the plate effectively. His fastball usually sits around 92 mph, but he can touch 95 when he needs to. He also has a great changeup that keeps hitters off balance. So far this season, he’s 9-11 with a 3.47 ERA and 130 strikeouts. Jeremy Hellickson is definitely another rookie to watch out for in 2011.

3. Freddie Freeman – Atlanta Braves
Freddie Freeman is a first baseman for the Atlanta Braves who made his Major League debut in 2010, but really broke out in 2011. He’s hitting for both power and average, hitting 21 home runs while batting over .300 so far this season. He’s also been solid defensively at first base, making him one of the most well-rounded rookies in baseball this season. Freddie Freeman is definitely someone to keep an eye on as he looks like he could be a future superstar in this league

Why are they considered the top rookies?

Baseball America magazine has come out with their list of the top 50 rookies in baseball for the 2011 season. These are the guys that they feel have the best chance to make an impact in the majors this year. Many of them are already on Major League rosters, while others are still in the minors. Here is a look at some of the names on that list and why they are considered to be the top rookies in baseball for 2011.

1. Jeremy Hellickson, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays Hellickson was almost untouchable at Triple-A Durham last season, posting a record of 12-3 with a 2.45 ERA and 130 strikeouts in only 143 innings pitched He also showed good control, walking only 27 batters all season. Hellickson is expected to be a fixture in the Rays’ rotation this season and should be one of the better rookie pitchers in baseball.

2. Mike Moustakas, 3B, Kansas City Royals Moustakas was one of the top prospects in all of baseball last season, and he did nothing to hurt his standing by hitting .322 with 36 home runs and 124 RBIs at Triple-A Omaha. He’s expected to be the Royals’ starting third baseman this season and should provide some much-needed power in their lineup.

3. Domonic Brown, OF, Philadelphia Phillies Another player who was considered one of the top prospects in baseball last season, Brown hit .302 with 20 home runs and 63 RBIs at Triple-A Lehigh Valley He’s expected to start the season as the Phillies’ fourth outfielder but could see significant playing time if he can show that he can hit Major League pitching.

4. Jordan Walden, RHP, Los Angeles Angels Walden saved 32 games for the Angels last season as a rookie and posted a solid 2.98 ERA along with 92 strikeouts in only 71 innings pitched. He’s expected to once again be the Angels’ closer this season and should have no problem racking up a bunch of saves again.

5.. Dustin Ackley, 2B, Seattle Mariners Ackley was considered one of the top hitting prospects in baseball coming into last season after hitting .313 with seven Home Runs and 60 RBIs between Double-A and Triple-A.. He struggled initially after being called up to Seattle but did finish strong by hitting .273 with five home runs and 28 RBIs in September/October.. Ackley is expected to be the Mariners’ starting second baseman this season and should put up some solid numbers across the board..

What kind of impact do they hope to make in the majors?

2o11 MLB rookies bring a lot of anticipation and hope for the future of baseball Many of these young men have already made a name for themselves in the minor leagues and are now looking to make an impact in the majors. Some are considered can’t-miss prospects while others are more of a gamble, but all of them have the potential to be Great players in the years to come. Here is a look at some of the top rookies to watch out for in 2011.

Bryce Harper, OF, Washington Nationals
The first overall pick in the 2010 draft, Harper is one of the most highly-touted prospects in recent memory. He’s only 19 years old, but he has already shown that he has the ability to hit for power and average as well as play solid defense in center field. The Nationals will likely start him out in the minors to begin the season, but don’t be surprised if he’s called up at some point and makes an immediate impact.

Manny Machado, 3B, Baltimore Orioles
Machado was drafted third overall in 2010 and quickly rose through the Orioles’ farm system He’s considered one of the best defensive prospects in baseball and should be able to stick at third base for many years to come. He doesn’t have quite as much power as Harper, but he hits for average and should be able to contribute right away.

Mike Trout, OF, Los Angeles Angels
Trout is another highly-regarded outfield prospect who figures to make an impact sooner rather than later. He’s only 20 years old, but he has already shown that he can hit for average and power while playing solid defense in center field. The Angels have a crowded outfield at the moment, so he may start the season in the minors, but he should be up at some point during the year and could be a key contributor down the stretch.

What are their career aspirations?

In 2011, there were many young baseball players who made their Major League debut. These players have had various degrees of success, but all of them have Baseball as their career aspiration. Here is a list of some of the most promising rookies from 2011, and what their career aspirations are:

1. Matt Moore, Tampa Bay Rays To be an ace
2. Jeremy Hellickson, Tampa Bay Rays: To be an effective pitcher
3. Michael Pineda, Seattle Mariners To be an elite pitcher
4. Kyle Drabek, Toronto Blue Jays To be a dominant pitcher
5. Brandon Beachy, Atlanta Braves To be a consistent pitcher
6. Vance Worley, Philadelphia Phillies To be a good pitcher

What is their background in baseball?

2011 Baseball Rookies to Watch

What is their background in baseball?

This year’s rookie class is filled with talented players who have a wealth of experience in the minor leagues and are now ready to make an impact at the Major League level. Here are five rookies to keep an eye on this season:

1. Mike Trout Los Angeles Angels Trout was considered one of the best prospects in baseball heading into last season, but he started the year in the minors and did not get called up to the big leagues until late April. He made an immediate impact, hitting .326 with eight home runs and 36 RBIs in 40 games. He also stole five bases and played excellent defense in center field. Trout is a five-tool player who has the potential to be a superstar.

2. Bryce Harper Washington Nationals Harper was the first overall pick in the 2010 draft, and he made his much-anticipated debut last April when he was just 19 years old. He struggled at times, but still hit .270 with 22 home runs and 59 RBIs in 139 games. Harper has exceptional power and speed, and he is expected to be a cornerstone of the Nationals’ lineup for many years to come.

3. Jesus Montero, New York Yankees Montero was acquired by the Yankees from Seattle in a mid-season trade last year, and he made his debut with his new team in September. In just 15 games, he hit .328 with four home runs and 12 RBIs. Montero is a big (6’4”, 225 lbs.), strong hitter who projects to be a middle-of-the-order power hitter for years to come.

4. Matt Moore, Tampa Bay Rays: Moore was one of the most dominant pitchers in minor League Baseball last season, going 12-3 with a 1.92 ERA and 155 strikeouts in 134 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. He made his Major League debut in September and pitched well (3.29 ERA), but did not factor into any decisions. Moore has electric stuff and could be a frontline starter for the Rays this season.

5..Yoenis Cespedes, Oakland Athletics Cespedes defected from Cuba last year and signed a four-year deal with the Athletics worth $36 million dollars. He is a five-tool player who projects to be an excellent all-around player at the Major League level. In 33 games during spring training this year, Cespedes hit .313 with six home runs and 18 RBIs while playing solid defense in center field.

What are their strengths and weaknesses?

There are a lot of great rookies in baseball this year, but who should you really be watching out for? Here’s a rundown of some of the best:

Bryce Harper: Harper is only 19, but he’s already being hailed as one of the best young talents in baseball. He’s got power and speed, and he’s shown the ability to hit for average as well. The biggest question mark with Harper is his defense; he’s still working on refining his skills in the outfield.

Mike Trout: Trout is another young player with a lot of potential. He’s an excellent hitter and a gifted outfielder, and he has the speed to steal bases. The biggest concern with Trout is his ability to stay healthy; he’s already had a couple of injuries that have slowed him down.

Yu Darvish: Darvish is a Japanese pitcher who’s just now making the transition to Major League Baseball He’s got great stuff, including a fastball that can top out at over 100 mph. The biggest question mark with Darvish is his ability to adjust to pitching in the Major Leagues it remains to be seen how he’ll fare against some of the best hitters in the world.

How did they fare in the minors?

In order to be eligible for the Rookie of the Year Award a player must not have exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues or accumulated more than 45 days on a club’s active roster prior to September 1st of that year. With these guidelines in mind, here is a list of rookies who made their Major League debut in 2011 and are worth keeping an eye on.

Jeremy Hellickson – P, Tampa Bay Rays
Hellickson spent most of the 2010 season with the Durham Bulls Tampa Bay’s Triple-A affiliate. In 26 starts, he went 13-10 with a 3.47 ERA and 133 strikeouts. He was named the National League Pitcher of the Year and received a September call-up to the Rays, where he made two starts. Hellickson entered 2011 as the Rays’ number two starter behind James Shields and did not disappoint, going 13-10 with a 2.95 ERA and 117 strikeouts in 29 starts. He finished third in American League Rookie of the Year voting.

Freddie Freeman – 1B, Atlanta Braves
Freeman spent most of 2010 with the Gwinnett Braves Atlanta’s Triple-A affiliate. In 133 games, he hit .319 with 21 home runs and 87 RBI. He was named Gwinnett’s Player of the Year and received a September call-up to the Braves, where he hit .282 with five RBI in 19 games. Freeman entered 2011 as Atlanta’s starting first baseman and had a very successful rookie season, hitting .282 with 21 home runs and 76 RBI in 147 games. He finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting.

Mike Minor – P, Atlanta Braves
Minor spent most of 2010 with the Mississippi Braves, Atlanta’s Double-A affiliate. In 27 starts, he went 12-10 with a 3.59 ERA and 120 strikeouts. He was promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett for one start late in the season before being called up to the Braves in September, where he made three relief appearances. Minor entered 2011 as a member of Atlanta’s starting rotation and had a solid rookie season, going 9-10 with a 4.14 ERA and 143 strikeouts in 28 starts.

What are scouts saying about them?

There are a number of talented young players who are expected to make an impact in the 2011 baseball season Here is a look at what scouts are saying about some of the top rookies:

Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals “He’s got all the tools to be a superstar. He’s got power, he’s got speed, he’s got a great arm. He’s just a really complete player.”

Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels “He’s a five-tool player. He can hit for average, he can hit for power, he’s got great speed, he plays good defense and he has a great arm.”

Jose Altuve, Houston Astros “He’s just a really scrappy player. He hustles all the time and he always seems to find a way to get on base.”

Ivan Nova, New York Yankees “He’s got Good Stuff He throws strikes and he competes.”

What are their expectations for this season?

As the 2011 baseball season gets underway, there are a few rookies who are sure to make an impact. Here’s a look at some of the top rookie players to Watch This Season and what their expectations are.

Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
The 19-year-old Harper is the Nationals’ top prospect and is expected to make his debut sometime this season. He’s a five-tool player with the potential to be a superstar. His expectations for this season are to make an impact and help the Nationals contend for a playoff spot.

Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
Trout is just 20 years old, but he’s already one of the best prospects in baseball. He’s expected to start the season in the minors, but he could be called up at some point during the season. His expectations for this season are to contribute however he can and help the Angels win games.

Matt Moore, Tampa Bay Rays
Moore is one of the top pitching prospects in baseball and is expected to be a key part of the Rays’ pitching staff this season. His expectations for this season are to win games and help the Rays contend for a playoff spot.

Who are some other rookies to watch this season?

In addition to the obvious names like Bryce Harper and Mike Trout there are a few other rookies who are worth keeping an eye on this season.

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese is one to watch. He’s not as hyped as some of the other rookies, but he’s been putting up good numbers in the minors and looked solid in Spring Training He could be a sleeper pick for Rookie of the Year.

Houston Astros outfielder Jordan Lyles is another one to keep an eye on. He’s a Top Prospect who had a strong Spring Training He’s not expected to light the world on fire, but he could be a solid player for the Astros this season.