Fantasy Baseball 2011: Mike Moustakas, Bryce Harper and More Prospects

Spring Training battles are just beginning, yet that doesn't mean there isn’t plenty to talk about in terms of prospects trying to win jobs.  Let's take a look at some of the latest news:

• Is Domonic Brown the favorite to win the Phillies right field job?  According to Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly (click here for the article), manager Charlie Manuel virtually said as much before backtracking.  He was first quoted as saying Brown, "is kind of the first choice there."  Then he clarified the statement later on saying, "By 'first choice' I mean I want to put him out there and play him a lot. He’s going to get a lot of at-bats [in Spring Training]."  Brown will battle with Ben Francisco and John Mayberry Jr., but it appears to be just a matter of time before Brown takes over full time.  Brown hit .327 with 20 HR and 17 SB in just 343 AB, splitting time between Double- and Triple-A in 2010.  He is viewed as one of the premiere prospects in the game and is a must-own option in all formats, though you want to try and get him as a reserve, just in case he starts the year at Triple-A.
• Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star said in an online chat (click here to view) that it is unlikely Eric Hosmer will be brought up prior to September if at all.  There's nothing earth-shattering here, considering the team has Billy Butler and Kila Ka'aihue in place at first base for 2011.  Hosmer hit .338 with 20 HR between Single- and Double-A, but has just 195 AB above Double-A.  In time, he will be a must-own option, but for now, he should be left for long-term keeper league owners.
• In the same chat, Dutton noted that 3B Mike Moustakas could reach the Majors by June.  Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if he reached Kansas City before then.  Moustakas reached Triple-A in 2010, hitting .293 with 15 HR and 48 RBI (overall, he hit .322 with 36 HR and 124 RBI).  He is one of the premiere prospects in the game as we head into 2011, and with Pedro Feliz and Wilson Betemit the only people standing in his way, it is just a matter of time before he becomes a fantasy force.  He is worth drafting in all formats immediately, especially considering he plays a weak position.
• Jon Heyman of CNNSI recently said (via Twitter), "riggleman just said he doesn't completely rule out bryce harper, 18, reaching majors this yr if he thrives 'at every level'."  It seems hard to believe that the Nationals would rush the 2010 first overall pick, considering his age.  Could he get a taste of the Majors in September?  That’s possible, but I wouldn’t go into the season expecting anything more than that.
• The Rockies top offensive prospect, C Wilin Rosario, is said to be about 75 percent recovered from ACL surgery, according to Jim Armstrong of The Denver Post (click here for the article).  The article says Rosario, "could stay at extended spring training before being assigned to Double-A Tulsa or Triple-A Colorado Springs."  With Chris Iannetta slated to open the year behind the plate, Rosario wasn’t going to be a factor early on.  However, given how impatient the team has been with Iannetta in the past, seeing Rosario reach the Majors would not be surprising.  He hit .285 with 19 HR and 52 RBI in 270 AB at Double-A in 2010, and if he does reach the Majors, he will be a good play in all formats.  Keep him on your radar, though right now he should only be drafted in the deepest of formats.

What are your thoughts on this news? 

**** Make sure to order your copy of the Rotoprofessor 2011 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide, selling for just $5, by clicking here. ****

Make sure to check out our other Prospect Reports as we wrap up 2010 and head toward 2011:

• Ackley, Dustin
• Archer, Chris
• Britton, Zach
• Chisenhall, Lonnie
• Cousins, Scott
• Iglesias, Jose
• Kipnis, Jason
• Lawrie, Brett
• Mesoraco, Devin
• Pineda, Michael
• Ramos, Wilson
• Revere, Ben
• Taylor, Michael

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