2012 Fantasy Baseball: Rookies - Top 10 Hitters

2012 Fantasy Baseball Rookies are based on a standard single season redraft mixed AL/NL fantasy baseball league for the 2012 season. Scoring settings include: runs scored, home runs, RBI, stolen bases, and batting average - (R, HR, RBI, SB, AVG). ( ) = players age.

Fantasy Baseball Rookies are based on players who have rookie status in the MLB entering the 2012 season.

2012 Fantasy Baseball: Rookies - Top 10

1. Jesus Montero - Sea - C/DH (22)

A pure offensive talent, Montero's bat and run producing ability will give him an opportunity to play everyday in the Seattle Mariners lineup during the 2012 season. With sketchy defensive skills as a catcher, Montero will see the majority of his at bats as the DH for the Mariners in 2012. Offering 20 plus home run and 80 RBI potential to go along with a .300 batting average hitting ability, Montero should be considered a favorite to win the AL rookie of the year award in 2012.

2011 Minor League Triple A Stats: 420 AB, 52 R, 18 HR, 67 RBI, 0 SB, .288 AVG

2011 Major League Stats: 61 AB, 9 R, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 0 SB, .328 AVG

2012 Stat Projections: 75 R, 22 HR, 80 RBI, 0 SB, .290 AVG

2. Mike Trout - LAA - OF (20)

At just age 20, Trout played in 40 games and tallied 123 at bats in the Angels lineup last season. However since he did not pass the 130 at bats mark in the majors in 2011, Trout still has his rookie eligibility in tack for the 2012 season. As one of the top prospects in the minor leagues over the last three seasons, Trout will have a great opportunity to take over as the Angels starting center fielder in 2012. Offering a solid combination of power and excellent speed, Trout could tally 15 home runs and 30 stolen bases as a rookie during the 2012 season.

2011 Minor League Double A Stats: 353 AB, 82 R, 11 HR, 38 RBI, 33 SB, .326 AVG

2011 Major League Stats: 123 AB, 20 R, 5 HR, 16 RBI, 4 SB, .220 AVG

2012 Stat Projections: 70 R, 15 HR, 50 RBI, 30 SB, .275 AVG

3. Yonder Alonso - SD - 1B/OF (24)

As one of the top hitting first base prospects in the minors over the past three years, Alonso enters the 2012 season with an opportunity to finally take over as an everyday major league starting first baseman. With the starting 1B job his for the taking in San Diego, Alonso is an advanced hitting and experienced rookie who could easily make a run at rookie of the year honors in the NL for the 2012 season. Expect Alonso to hit in the middle of the Padres' lineup and become a factor as a power hitting run producer who can also hit for a .300 batting average.

2011 Minor League Triple A Stats: 358 AB, 46 R, 12 HR, 56 RBI, 6 SB, .296 AVG

2011 Major League Stats: 88 AB, 9 R, 5 HR, 15 RBI, 0 SB, .330 AVG

2012 Stat Projections: 75 R, 18 HR, 85 RBI, 5 SB, .290 AVG

4. Devin Mesoraco - Cin - C (23)

As one of the best hitting catcher prospects in the minor leagues during the 2011 season, the 23 year old Mesoraco will be given an opportunity to take over as the Cincinnati Reds everyday starting catcher as rookie in 2012. Offering an excellent power hitting bat, Mesoraco has plenty of potential to tally 15 plus home runs during the 2012 season. Fantasy baseball teams will definitely want to target Mesoraco has a high upside catcher pick in their fantasy baseball drafts this season.

2011 Minor League Triple A Stats: 436 AB, 60 R, 15 HR, 71 RBI, 1 SB, .289 AVG

2011 Major League Stats: 50 AB, 5 R, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 0 SB, .180 AVG

2012 Stat Projections: 50 R, 15 HR, 55 RBI, 0 SB, .270 AVG

5. Tyler Pastornicky - Atl - SS (22)

After a breakout season in 2011 while playing at both Double A and Triple A, Pastornicky enters the 2012 season with an excellent opportunity to claim the Braves starting shortstop job. Having yet to make his major league debut, Pastornicky is still considered major league ready and will be relied upon to contribute significantly in the Braves offensive lineup in 2012. Offering 30 stolen base potential and excellent on base skills, Pastornicky could become a solid run scoring option as an ideal #2 hitter in the Braves lineup.

2011 Minor League Double A Stats: 355 AB, 50 R, 6 HR, 36 RBI, 20 SB, .299 AVG

2011 Minor League Triple A Stats: 104 AB, 15 R, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 7 SB, .365 AVG

2011 Major League Stats: NA

2012 Stat Projections: 80 R, 8 HR, 55 RBI, 25 SB, .275 AVG

6. Bryce Harper - Was - OF (19)

The most highly talked about prospect in the MLB entering the 2012 season, Harper who is only 19 years old, could find himself as the youngest player in the majors at some point during the 2012 season. With a mid-season call up very likely for Harper in 2012, fantasy baseball teams will likely overpay for Harper to begin the 2012 season, but could very easily be rewarded abundantly over the second half of the season. Offering an excellent combination of power and speed, Harper's future is today's version of Matt Kemp.

2011 Minor League Single A Stats: 258 AB, 49 R, 14 HR, 46 RBI, 19 SB, .318 AVG

2011 Minor League Double A Stats: 129 AB, 14 R, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 7 SB, .256 AVG

2011 Major League Stats: NA

2012 Stat Projections: 30 R, 8 HR, 35 RBI, 10 SB, .280 AVG

7. Zack Cozart - Cin - SS (26)

Entering the 2011 season as a duel threat offensive player who was coming off of a 2010 minor league season at Triple A that resulted in 17 home runs and 30 stolen bases, it only seemed reasonable to expect Cozart to be given an opportunity to make his major league debut and eventually start in the Reds lineup at some point during the 2011 season. Finally getting the call in early July, Cozart took over as the Reds starting shortstop and immediately made his presence felt at the plate as he racked up 2 home runs to go along with a .324 batting average over just 37 at bats. Unfortunately his major league showcase was cut short as he endured a freak injury that caused him to undergo elbow surgery and miss the remainder of the 2011 season. Now entering the 2012 season, Cozart is positioned to take over as the Reds everyday starting shortstop, and he should provide a solid combination of power and speed in the Reds lineup as a rookie this year.

2011 Minor League Triple A Stats: 323 AB, 57 R, 7 HR, 32 RBI, 9 SB, .310 AVG

2011 Major League Stats: 37 AB, 6 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 0 SB, .324 AVG

2012 Stat Projections: 80 R, 15 HR, 60 RBI, 10 SB, .280 AVG

8. Anthony Rizzo - ChC - 1B (22)

After a huge breakout showing at the plate to begin the 2011 season at Triple-A, Rizzo seemed like a guaranteed bet to succeed whenever he would get the call to the majors to make his debut. Unfortunately when Rizzo did make his major league debut in early June for the Padres last season, he struggled mightily to adjust to major league pitching. Entering the 2012 season having been traded to the Chicago Cubs, Rizzo is the clear first baseman of the future in Chicago. However at just age 22, Rizzo may begin the 2012 season in the minors rather than in the Cubs everyday lineup. Yet based on Rizzo's power hitting and run producing potential, the rebuilding Cubs will likely want to give their potential franchise player plenty of playing time at some point during the 2012 season.

2011 Minor League Triple A Stats: 356 AB, 64 R, 26 HR, 101 RBI, 7 SB, .331 AVG

2011 Major League Stats: 128 AB, 9 R, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 2 SB, .141 AVG

2012 Stat Projections: 45 R, 12 HR, 50 RBI, 5 SB, .265 AVG

9. Wilin Rosario - Col - C (23)

One of the top power hitting young catchers in the minors during the 2010 and 2011 seasons, Rosario made his major league debut with the Rockies in September last season, and immediately showcased his power hitting ability as he belted out 3 home run in just 54 at bats in the Rockies lineup. With a clear path for playing as a rookie during the 2012 season, Rosario has plenty of upside to put up between 15-20 home runs in 2012. If you want a potential player comparison, Rosario's stat line as a rookie in 2012 could look similar to what JP Arencibia's rookie stat line was in 2011. High power hitting and run producing ability, to go along with a possible below standard batting average.

2011 Minor League Double A Stats: 405 AB, 52 R, 21 HR, 48 RBI, 1 SB, .249 AVG

2011 Major League Stats: 54 AB, 6 R, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 0 SB, .204 AVG

2012 Stat Projections: 45 R, 16 HR, 55 RBI, 0 SB, .260 AVG

10. Nolan Arenado - Col - 3B (21)

After a breakout 2011 season at Single A, Arenado is on the fast track to becoming the Colorado Rockies everyday starting third baseman. At just age 21 and with no minor league experience above Single A, Arenado should start the 2012 season playing at either Double A or Triple A, and if he plays well there, a mid-season major league call up is definitely possible. Possessing an increasing power hitting ability, Arenado could excel in Colorado when his time comes.

2011 Minor League Single A Stats: 517 AB, 82 R, 20 HR, 122 RBI, 2 SB, .298 AVG

2011 Major League Stats: NA

2012 Stat Projections: 20 R, 10 HR, 35 RBI, 1 SB, .290 AVG

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