The 2013 Harper or Trout

The 2012 season has been exciting for many reasons, but one of them has been the tremendous play of some of the game’s best young superstars. Bryce Harper and Mike Trout were two of the prospects that many baseball fans knew were coming, but guys like Wade Miley and Todd Frazier have impressed as well.

However, who are some of the players that could be the next big-time rookies? In the following list, I have picked players that have a good chance of not only making their team’s Major League roster in 2013 but could have the opportunity to start for a majority of the season.

Adam Eaton, OF

Team: Arizona Diamondbacks

Drafted: 2010, 19th Round, 571st overall

MLB.com prospect ranking: unranked

Eaton’s minor league statistics are astounding. Also, he holds a very similar skill set as Mike Trout. In 130 AAA games this season he went .375/.456/.523 with 44 stoles bases and 130 runs scored. I think that he will be the starting CF for the DBacks next year, and he could provide a major spark for that club.

Dylan Bundy, P

Team: Baltimore Orioles

Drafted: 2011, 1st Round, 4th overall

The sky is the limit for Bundy (the 2nd overall prospect on MLB.com), and he very well could have a shot at making the Orioles’ starting rotation next year. In this, his first professional season, he shot all the way from A ball to the Major League club in less than one full season. He projects to be the Orioles’ top pitcher in the next few years, and his great fastball and curveball could completely shackle AL opponents next season.

Nolan Arenado, 3B

Team: Colorado Rockies

Drafted: 2009, 2nd Round

MLB.com prospect ranking: 27th

The Rockies definitely need to shake things up next season, and bringing Arenado into the fold could do just that. He is a solid overall hitter and could fit nicely behind Tulo and Cargo in the lineup. He is one of the Rockies’ top prospects, and they could use his production to try and fashion a big comeback year in 2013.

Travis d’Arnaud, C

Team: Toronto Blue Jays

Drafted: 2007, 1st Round, 37th overall

MLB.com prospect ranking: 11th

He was impressive in AAA this season. In only 67 games, he hit 16 HRs with 52 RBIs while going .333/.380/.595. Needless to say, this kid can rake, and the Blue Jays need more lineup help so that they can compete in the AL East. Travis d’Arnaud could be the answer and he could be one of the best hitting catchers in baseball in a relatively short period of time.

Wil Myers, OF

Team: Kansas City Royals

Drafted: 2009 3rd Round, 91st overall

MLB.com prospect ranking: 3rd

He is one of the most exciting prospects in all of baseball, and he has Royals fan salivating at his minor league numbers. In only 99 AAA games this year, he hit .304/.378/.554 while hitting 24 HRs and 79 RBIs. That is not a typo. He could help the Royals surprise the AL Central in 2013.

Tweet to @MLBFanCave and @KyleOKC using the hash tag #MLBFC and tell us which prospect you think could be the next phenom.