| By Marc Hulet |  | By 03-16-2013 |
Every team can use a solid shot in the arm during a long, grueling six-month (or longer) season, and the right rookie can do just that.
Last week, we reviewed the American League West.
Today, we continue our in-depth look at possible 2013 MLB rookie contributors with a focus on the National League Central.
Get out your notepads.
St. Louis Cardinals
Rookie: Shelby Miller
Position: Starting Pitcher
Roadblock/Competition: Joe Kelly
2012 Starter: Joe Kelly (1.0 WAR)
Buzz
Miller received a scare early in spring with some shoulder soreness but he's back and throwing well with no reported lingering issues. He's currently battling Joe Kelly for the fifth spot in the starting rotation but may have the edge. Kelly (like Trevor Rosenthal who has already been shifted back to the bullpen after receiving early consideration for a starting role) may be better-suited to a relief role where he can focus on his mid-90s sinker. Miller has a more diverse repertoire and is more likely to hold up to the rigors of starting but he needs to do a better job of avoiding the long ball. He will likely go to Triple-A if he failed to stick as the No. 5 guy.
Rookie: Trevor Rosenthal
Position: Relief Pitcher
Roadblock/Competition: Eduardo Sanchez
2012 Starter: Fernando Salas (0.4 WAR)
Buzz
Rosenthal was the recipient of a bump in velocity in 2012 when he moved from the starting rotation to the bullpen. His success in the 'pen almost convinced the organization to move him back to his original role in hopes that his new-found success would carry over. Keeping him in the bullpen for now is a smart move because the Cardinals have an impressive collection of pitching prospects nearing the major leagues, including Shelby Miller, Michael Wacha, Carlos Martinez, and Tyrell Jenkins.
Rookie: Oscar Taveras
Position: Outfielder
Roadblock/Competition: Carlos Beltran
2012 Starter: Carlos Beltran (3.6 WAR)
Buzz
I recently ranked Oscar Taveras as the second best prospect in all of baseball when I released my annual Top 100 Prospects list at FanGraphs. Just 20 years old, the Dominican native has uncanny hitting abilities for such a young player. After spending 2012 in Double-A and then the off-season succeeding again veteran players in the Dominican Winter League, Taveras may be less than a year away from establishing himself in the majors -- if St. Louis can find a spot for him. He should hit for both power and average, and has an all-star-caliber ceiling.
Rookie: Kolten Wong
Position: Second Baseman
Roadblock/Competition: Matt Carpenter/Daniel Descalso
2012 Starter: Daniel Descalso (0.5 WAR)
Buzz
Even after parting ways with Skip Schumaker, who saw significant time at the keystone in 2012, St. Louis has solid depth at second base. The downside to that, though, is that all the big league options (Matt Carpenter or Daniel Descalso) have modest projections. Wong, a former first round pick, would likely perform as well -- if not better -- than either player. The Hawaii native performed well at the Double-A level in 2012 and is coming off a successful performance in the Arizona Fall League.
Rookie: Matt Adams
Position: First Baseman
Roadblock/Competition: Allen Craig
2012 Starter: Allen Craig (3.1 WAR)
Buzz
A year ago, Adams had a shot at winning the starting first base gig but ultimately lost out to a collection of Matt Carpenter, Lance Berkman and then Allen Craig, who went on to have a breakout season before earning a new five-year contract with the club. The young first baseman appears headed back to Triple-A for a second stint but the good news for Adams is that Craig has been somewhat injury prone throughout his career so an opportunity could be right around the corner. His best hope for consistent playing time, though, may be a trade -- perhaps as part of a package for shortstop depth.
Chicago Cubs
Rookie: Kyuji Fujikawa
Position: High-Leverage Reliever
Roadblock/Competition: Carlos Marmol
2012 Starter: Carlos Marmol (0.2 WAR)
Buzz
I don't consider Fujikawa to be a true rookie, as he has 12 years of experience while playing in Japan. The 32-year-old hurler should step right into a key role in the Cubs bullpen and Japanese relievers have a history of pitching very well during their first seasons in North America. If he gets off to a fast start, the right-hander could wrestle the closer's gig away from the enigmatic and inconsistent Carlos Marmol.
Rookie: Arodys Vizcaino
Position: RP/SP
Roadblock/Competition: Travis Wood/Scott Feldman
2012 Starter: Chris Volstad (0.2 WAR)
Buzz
Vizcaino, who was acquired from Atlanta last season, could be an interesting player for the Cubs in 2013. He's returning from Tommy John surgery and will no doubt begin the year in the minors. Prior to the surgery, there were concerns that he might be best-suited for relief work but his changeup has gotten better and Chicago has less starting pitcher depth than Atlanta did. As a result, the Cubs will likely look to have Vizcaino re-establish himself as a starting pitcher.
Rookie: Brett Jackson
Position: Centerfielder
Roadblock/Competition: David DeJesus
2012 Starter: David DeJesus (1.7 WAR)
Buzz
Jackson got his feet wet at the big league level in 2012 but will likely head back to the minors in 2013 after the big league club improved its outfield depth with the acquisitions of Nate Schierhotlz and Scott Hairston. Some added time at Triple-A could definitely help the toolsy prospect because his contact issues need to be addressed.
Rookie: Josh Vitters
Position: Third Baseman
Roadblock/Competition: Ian Stewart/Luis Valbuena
2012 Starter: Luis Valbuena (0.9 WAR)
Buzz
Big things have been expected of Vitters since he was selected sixth overall during the 2007 amateur draft. Unfortunately, his aggressive nature works against him at the plate. The approach hinders his natural talent, and lowers his ceiling significantly. There have also been concerns about Vitters' ability to stick at third base due to a lack of range. If he can show some improvements in this area then the California native could develop into an impact player, but that likelihood is getting smaller and smaller.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Rookie: Gerrit Cole
Position: Starting Pitcher
Roadblock/Competition: Jeff Karstens
2012 Starter: Jeff Karstens (1.7 WAR)
Buzz
The first overall pick of the 2011 amateur draft, Cole reached Triple-A in his first pro season. He'll likely open 2013 back at that level as he looks to improve the command of his over-powering fastball. Cole has the ceiling of a No. 1 starter if he can add some polish. Cole should be the first prospect in a wave of high-ceiling starters that also includes Jameson Taillon, and Luis Heredia.
Rookie: Kyle McPherson
Position: Starting Pitcher
Roadblock/Competition: Jeff Karstens
2012 Starter: Jeff Karstens (1.7 WAR)
Buzz
McPherson doesn't have the ceiling of Cole but he's more polished at this point with solid control. He has a good one-two punch with his fastball and changeup but his breaking ball needs to become more consistent. Currently, he projects to develop into an innings-eating fourth starter.
Milwaukee Brewers
Rookie: Wily Peralta
Position: Starting Pitcher
Roadblock/Competition: Mark Rogers
2012 Starter: Shaun Marcum (1.4 WAR)
Buzz
I'm not the world's biggest Peralta fan, but he could be a revelation in the Brewers rotation when some of the other underwhelming 2013 options are considered. The right-hander has a sturdy frame and a low-to-mid-90s fastball. His secondary stuff shows flashes of dominance but both his command and control have to improve for him to reach his potential. He could have an up-and-down 2013 season.
Rookie: Tyler Thornburg
Position: Starting Pitcher
Roadblock/Competition: Wily Peralta
2012 Starter: Shaun Marcum (1.4 WAR)
Buzz
Thornburg flashes promising stuff but his unorthodox delivery raises questions about his ability to command the ball consistently enough to reaching his ceiling as a starter. He'll be given every opportunity to stick in the starting rotation but he could end up hitting his stride as a late-inning reliever.
Cincinnati Reds
Rookie: Tony Cingrani
Position: Starting Pitcher
Roadblock/Competition: Mike Leake/Aroldis Chapman
2012 Starter: Mike Leake (1.5 WAR)
Buzz
The Reds have some enviable pitching depth -- especially if Aroldis Chapman makes the expected move from the bullpen to the starting rotation. The loser in that move would be Cingrani who was already in tough against Mike Leake for the fifth spot in the rotation. The young lefty also has to keep an eye over his shoulder for fellow pitching prospect Daniel Corcino, who arguably has a higher ceiling.
Marc can be reached at hulet@prospectinsider.com. Follow him on Twitter here.
rookie-watch:-nl-central
Comments
The following 1 comment(s) for this article are shown below:
| 1. By: Shawnuel on 03-17-2013 13:09:11 Sweet overview, Marc! Two of baseballs better systems in this division with St. Louis and Pittsburgh, though Theo should have the Cubs system repaired in no time. Marte is not technically a rookie but definitely is a part of that systemic strength. Really like Gregory Polanco and Alen Hanson as well. Taillon may be a hair UNDER-valued as well. St. Louis' top end talent and depth is just sick. Man that team pisses me off! : ) |
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