As we approach Spring Training, it’s time to look ahead to some of the prospects who could make a splash in the season ahead. Here’s BBRT’s top ten, based not on the long term, but on the potential to have an impact in 2013. 
1. Wil Myers, OF, Tampa Bay … 6’3”, 205 pounds, age 22
The power-hitting Myers should be in the Rays’ line up on opening day. In 2012, in 124 games split at AA and AAA, Myers hit .314 with 37 homers and 105 RBI. He’s hit at every level, with a .303 average over four minor league seasons.
2. Shelby Miller, RHP, Saint Louis – 6’3”, 195 pounds, age 22
Don’t let Miller’s 11-10, 4.74 line at AAA fool you. Over his last ten AAA starts, Miller went 7-2, 2.88, with 70 strikeout in 59 1/3 innings. Then, in a late season call-up, he got in six games for the Cardinals, giving up just 2 runs and striking out 16 in 13 2/3 innings. BBRT is confident the hard-throwing Miller is ready of a full year in the majors.
3. Jurickson Profar, SS, Texas … 6’, 165 pounds, age 20
The young switch hitter (who got in 9 games with the Rangers last season) has shown power, speed and great defense minor league career – three-season totals: .276, 30 homers, 150 RBI, 47 steals. The Rangers have Elvis Adrus and Ian Kinsler up the middle, but BBRT looks for Profar to get time in at SS and 2B (Kinsler to the OF?) during 2013.
4. Dylan Bundy, RHP, Baltimore – 6’1”, 195 pounds, age 20
Bundy, who last season moved from class A to the majors (a pair of late season appearances for the Orioles) has been known to top 100 mph with his fastball, In his first minor league season (2012), he pitched at three levels, going 9-3, 2.08 with 119 strikeouts in 103 2/3 innings pitched. A solid – consistent – spring should be enough to keep him with the Orioles. Otherwise, look for a mid-season call-up. Also expect the Birds to be cautious with Bundy’s innings.
5. Oscar Taveras, OF, Saint Louis – 6’2”, 180 pounds, age 20
With plate discipline beyond his years, Taveras is another youngster to watch in spring. Despite his young age, he has four minor league seasons under his belt, running up totals of .321, 40 homers, 243 RBI and 29 stolen bases. Last season, he hit .386 in 78 games at Class A, and .321 (leading the Texas League) in 124 games at AA. The only thing holding back Taveras may be the Cardinals’ wish to delay his free agency for a year. BBRT expects to see him in St. Louis at some point during the season.
6. Trevor Bauer, RHP, Cleveland – 6’1”, 185 pounds, age 22
Great stuff, but some say he needs to harness his emotions and his command. While his MLB debut with the Diamondbacks was a disappointing 1-2, 6.06 in four starts, he did strikeout 17 in 16 1/3 innings. In two minor league seasons, Bauer has gone 13-4, 3.00 with 200 strikeouts in 156 innings. BBRT is betting the move to Cleveland serves him well – and that he will crack the Indians rotation either out of spring or by the All Star break.
7. Avisail Garcia, OF, Detroit – 6’4”, 240 pounds, age 21
BBRT is higher on Garcia than some other observers. Despite being only 21, Garcia has five minor league seasons under his belt (.281, 37 home runs, 242 RBI, 72 steals). In 2012, he went .299-14-58 with 23 steals in 122 games at A/AA. What is worrisome are his 95 strikeouts in 481 at bats. What impresses BBRT is his late-season call up to the Tigers, when he hit .319 (15 for 47) in 23 games – and followed it up by going .261 in 12 post-season contests. Major league pitching seemed to handcuff his power a bit – his only extra base hit was a double in the post season – but Garcia showed considerable poise. He may not be in the line-up every day, but BBRT expects him to be with the Tigers.
8. Billy Hamilton (OF) Cincinnatti – 6’1”, 160 pounds, age 22 Lot of folks – heads turned by Hamilton’s 155 stolen bases in 132 minor league games last season – rate him higher than BBRT. He does have a strong track record (pun intended) with 320 steals in four minor league seasons – to go along with a .289 average, seven homers and 130 RBI. No doubt, with his speed, Hamilton can be an MLB game-changer. BBRT is cautioned by two things: 1) the need for more plate discipline (he struck out 113 times in 512 minor league at bats last year; 2) whether the outfield of Jay Bruce, Ryan Ludwick and Shin-Soo Choo offers the Reds the opportunity to keep Hamilton in the minors one more season to further develop his batting eye and plate discipline.
9. Travis d’Arnaud (C) New York – 6’2”, 195 pounds, age 23
D’Arnaud appears to be a solid defensive catcher with a good bat, who came to the Mets in the R.A. Dickey trade. In six minor league seasons, he hit .286, with 66 home runs and 289 RBI. In the offense-heavy AAA Pacific Coast League last year, he rapped .333 with 16 home runs and 52 RBI. A knee injury that shortened his 2012 season may be of some concern, but the Mets appear confident he’s healthy. BBRT is betting the Mets will want to show a return sooner-rather-than-later from the Dickey trade, which means d’Arnaud makes the majors soon-rather-than-later.
10. Take your pick, BBRT sees a trio of hurlers with potential for 2013.
Tyler Skaggs (LHP) Arizona, 6’3”, 195, age 21
Taijuan Walker (RHP) Seattle – 6’4” 210 pounds, age 20
Gerrit Cole (RHP) Pittsburgh – 6’4”, 220 pounds, age 22
