These are not the top prospects in baseball, but the one's you need to know for your fantasy draft. Whether these players start in the big leagues or the minors, at some point of 2011 they will help you win your fantasy leagues.
1. Jeremy Hellickson- Hellickson got the August Call up and impressed enough for the Ray's to be confident enough to trade Matt Garza in the offseason. Last season in 36.1 innings Hellickson went 4-0 with a 3.47 Era. He struck out almost 1 batter an inning and should have a Phil Hughes like year.
2. Aroldis Chapman- Where ever Chapman pitches he will still be valuable. Last year he struck out 19 batters in 13.1 innings in the big leagues. Numbers like that will make him valuable even as a middle reliever. In some leagues I've even drafted him instead of some lower level closers. Draft Aroldis and hope he becomes a starter or a closer this year.
3. Freddie Freeman- After tearing up Triple A last year, Freeman is the Braves starting first basemen. I look for Freeman to put up James Loney type numbers with more upside. He will probably bat sixth in the potent Braves lineup and should be able to drive in a ton of runs.
4. Domonic Brown- Brown would probably be number 1 on this list if he didn't break his hand a couple weeks ago. He was in line for the starting right field job, but after the injury it opens up for competition. If Ben Francisco impresses in Brown's absence it could trickle down for the whole season. He is still worth drafting and stashing him for a while.
5. Jesus Montero- Montero is rated as my number 1 prospect in baseball. Catcher is one of the most important positions in baseball, and the Yankees could have a stud for the next ten years. The 21 year old ripped up Triple A last year and I feel he had a legitimate shot to win the catching job over Russell Martin this spring training. Unfortunately he has not hit this spring training, and Martin has stayed healthy. He will either begin as the Yankees backup or start in Triple A.
6. Michael Pineda- The Mariners have come out and said that Pineda is the favorite for the Mariner's number 5 starter. Last year between Double and Triple A Pineda had a 3.36 Era and 154 K's in only 139 innings. He is a power pitcher and playing in spacious Safeco Field will definitely help his ERA and Whip.
7. Kyle Drabek- Drabek was the main prize that came over for Roy Halladay and he impressed in Double A last season. He had a 2.94 ERA in 162 innings. Drabek can hit 96 or 97 on the gun but he is not really a strikeout pitcher. He should be the Blue Jays 4th or 5th starter to begin the season. Drabek won't always be a great play but should put up good numbers against the weaker AL teams.
8. Mike Moustakas- I was really excited for Moustakas this spring training, until I heard that the Royals are likely to leave him in Triple A for half the season to save an arbitration year. This may be one of the reasons why Royal fans are sick of their team. Moustakas would definitely be the Royals best option at third base, but they don't have intentions to win right now. I am still stashing him until his June call up.
9. Brandon Belt- Belt emerged last year as one of the best prospects in baseball. Last year in 136 games he batted .352 with 43 doubles, 10 triples, and 23 home runs. He had a .455 obp and 112's while stealing 22 bases. I don't see the Giants being able to keep him in the minors very long and moving Huff to the outfield to make room for Belt might make sense sooner rather than later.
10. Dustin Ackley- Ackley didn't hit very well in his first season in the minors, but we credit that to him trying to learn a new position at second base. He could either start the year in Triple A or as the starting 2nd basemen as the Mariners and if you are in a deep league you should keep an eye on him. He was a great player for North Carolina and we don't think his hitting skills eroded some quickly.
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