Top MLB rookies to watch in 2011

2010 was an exciting year for Major League Baseball. With a rookie class that included Neftali Feliz, Buster Posey, Jason Heyward, Jaime Garcia, and Austin Jackson among others, it is difficult to remember another year in recent memory that produced so many outstanding rookies.

All in all, it makes for a difficult task for the rookies of 2011 to follow up.

That said there are many impact rookies that should see significant time in 2011 and have a decent chance to challenge the 2010 class for supremacy.

Desmond Jennings - OF - Tampa Bay Rays

It almost goes without saying that the Rays and their fans have certainly seen the last of Carl Crawford in Tampa Bay without wearing a visitor's uniform. Then again, the Rays also knew that they had his successor in Desmond Jennings ready to step up into the void.

Certainly, Jennings isn't as polished a hitter as Crawford and hasn't really come into his power yet, but the 24-year-old is a career .299 hitter before slumping to .278 in 2010. However, Jennings makes solid contact and isn't afraid to take a walk. He also absolutely flies on the base paths; both are solid traits for a player projected to hit near the top of the order. Jennings is also a plus defender, which could result in pushing B.J. Upton to left field to open up center.

Freddie Freeman - 1B - Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves take a lot of pride in their player development program and they rightfully should, as they have a history of developing solid and mature major league players. The 21-year-old Freeman is the next player in that line.

He got his first limited taste of the big leagues in 2010, but didn't do much with it, hitting just one home run and batting .167 over the course of 24 at-bats. Still, he's the future at first base for the Braves, as evidenced by his .319 batting average, 18 home runs, and 87 RBI at Triple-A prior to his call-up. The recent acquisition of Dan Uggla will allow Freeman to hit in a more pressure-free spot in the line-up, enabling him to relax and get into a rhythm at his own speed.

Mike Moustakas - 3B - Kansas City Royals

A solid corner infielder is a piece that the Kansas City Royals have struggled to develop since George Brett. They thought they had that player in Alex Gordon, but he never reached his potential and is now an afterthought in the organization. The reason he's an afterthought is the rapid development of Mike Moustakas.

The Royals have been smart with Moustakas, letting him develop over the course of four minor league seasons rather than rush him to the majors. It all clicked for him in 2010, when across two levels, posting a combined .322 batting average with .999 OPS, 41 doubles, 36 home runs, and 124 RBI. His defense at third still needs a little bit of work, but his bat is going to push for that improvement to occur at the major league level.

Kyle Drabek - SP - Toronto Blue Jays

When John Farrell took the managerial job in Toronto this off-season, there is no doubt it had to do with the exciting young pitching staff that the Jays have built north of the border.

That staff gets even more exciting when you start counting in Kyle Drabek as a possible early call-up. The 23-year-old son of former Pirates star Doug Drabek was a major centerpiece of the Roy Halladay trade with Philadelphia and he went out in 2010 and showed why, posting a 14-9 record with a 2.94 ERA and 132 strike-outs over 162 innings at Double-A New Hampshire. If Dustin McGowan or Jesse Litsch continue to struggle to return to the rotation, that may open up the spot early for Drabek in the back end of the rotation.

Michael Pineda - SP - Seattle Mariners

Mariners General Manager Jack Zduriencik said earlier this off-season that doesn't foresee both Pineda and Dustin Ackley cracking the opening day roster. However, for all the hype going to Ackley at this stage, Zduriencik made sure that fans knew that Pineda would have a spot in the rotation. That's not a shot against Ackley's potential. It was just an affirmation to how electric Pineda is going to be.

Over 25 starts and 139.1 innings across both AA and AAA, Pineda lit up opponents to the tune of 11-4 with a 3.36 ERA and 154 strikeouts. Pineda has solid control, with an excellent fastball and a good feel for a slider, change-up, and cutter, and best of all, he keeps the ball on the ground.

Jesus Montero - C - New York Yankees

It didn't go without notice when the Yankees told Jorge Posada that he would be the team's primary DH in 2011. A team like the Yankees doesn't a 16-year veteran with the track record of Posada without an heir apparent in the fold. That's where Montero comes in.

The Yankees have resisted the urges to trade the talents catcher for years and it is going to pay off for them in 2011. The 20-year-old Montero brings with him a tremendous bat, as showcased by his .289 average, 21 home runs, and 75 RBI at AAA last season. He may not remain at catcher for his entire career, as he struggles with throwing out base runners and allowed 15 passed balls a year ago, but his immediate future will be at the position in pinstripes in 2011.

Domonic Brown - OF - Philadelphia Phillies

Like Jennings, Domonic Brown is going to benefit from the departure of a top free agent, in this case Jayson Werth, and he's going to make sure his team doesn't miss a beat. At 23-years-old, Brown has been itching for his chance for the past two seasons and finally a spot will open up for the top prospect in the Phillies system.

A .327 batting average with 20 home runs, 68 RBI, and 17 stolen bases will play well in the Philadelphia line-up in 2011. He's also a plus fielder with a good arm that will slot well into either corner outfield position for the Phillies. He actually compares fairly well to Jason Heyward in size, statistics, and potential.

Sources:

- Desmond Jennings, Baseball-Reference.com

- Freddie Freeman, Baseball-Reference.com

- Mike Moustakas, Baseball-Reference.com

- Kyle Drabek, Baseball-Reference.com

- Michael Pineda, Baseball-Reference.com

- Jesus Montero, Baseball-Reference.com

- Domonic Brown, Baseball-Reference.com

More from this contributor:

- Jason Heyward: The Great Non-White Hope

- Red Sox Still A Bridge Too Far