By now you've seen the lists that rundown the top 100 fantasy baseball prospects. But, unless you are in a seriously deep dynasty league, there is little chance of you drafting anyone listed below the top 20. More likely, you are focusing on the top 10 prospects with the hopes that one or more may be a September call-up that you can stash away on your roster for a late season push or as a keeper for next season.
With that in mind, here are my six prospects to watch out for over the next three years:
IMMEDIATE IMPACT
Aroldis Chapman, P, CIN
Nicknamed the "Cuban Missile," Chapman was a stud on the Cuban National team, with a career ERA of 3.74 and opponents hitting only .226 against him. Clocked as high as 105 mph, Chapman had 365 strikeouts in 328 inning pitched, but also allowed 203 walks. Working against him is the long layoff after being suspended following a failed defection attempt. Working for him is that batters are more likely to be hit by him, than to get a hit off him. He may start 2011 working our of the pen, but will develop into a dominant starter. Either way, he can help your team right away.
Domonic Brown, OF, PHI
The Phillies' top prospect in 2009 and the top MLB prospect in 2010 according to Baseball America, Brown will be the starting RF in 2011. When in 2011 is a mystery, following a successful surgery to remove his hamate bone (hand). It will be at least a month before Brown can swing a bat again, but once he does, opposing pitchers be forewarned: this guy can hit.
Others of note: Jeremy Hellickson, Kyle Drabek, Eric Hosmer, Desmond Jennings, Michael Pineda
ALMOST READY
Bryce Harper, OF, WAS
It is hard to believe that this kid is just that, a kid. Only 18 years old, Harper was the first pick of the 2010 draft and is the top prospect going into this season. He was impressive in a brief stint in the Arizona Fall League, and will likely rise through the minor-league system quickly. A late 2012 call-up is certainly not out of the question, and once in the majors, he could be a 45 HR, 20 SB guy.
Mike Trout, OF, ANA
At 19 years old, Trout was the youngest player ever to be named the Topps/Minor League Player of the Year last season. The future table-setter of the Angels, Trout has all the skills to hit .300 and steal 50 bases, but is still a year or so away and has the likes of Vernon Wells, Torii Hunter, Bobby Abreu and highly-touted Peter Bourjos ahead of him.
Others of note: Julio Teheran, Will Myers, Matt Moore, John Lamb
LONG-TERM TARGET
Shelby Miller, P, STL
Miller was the first high school pitcher selected number one overall in nearly 20 years (bonus points if you knew that Brian Barber was the last one). Hopefully, Miller fares better than Barber, who had a career record of 5-8, with a 6.77 ERA and 59 strikeouts. Miller's 98 mph fastball and power curve indicate he will. Expect to see him in the rotation by late 2012.
Martin Perez, P, TEX
Perez features a four-seam fastball to go along with a sharp breaking curve and a change-up. He doesn't have the velocity to overpower hitters, but his pitches have good movement. Given enough time to mature, Perez could be in the bigs by 2013.
Others of note: Manny Machado, Jameson Taillon