Top Prospects in National League Central Division – Part 2
With Milwaukee Brewers moving positively for the designated hitter Mat Gamel and Chicago Cubs looking to strengthen their fielding department with outfielder Brett Jackson, other clubs in National League Central including the Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh
Pirates and World Series Champions St. Louis Cardinals are also moving towards the 2012 season, with some new faces.
Cincinnati Reds performed somewhat better to get 79 wins, but it was not enough to beat extremely dangerous Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals. The club failed to maintain their consistency, which cost them some bad defeats. However, there was one
player, who broke down all limits during his mere 88 at-bats in 2011 season. Left-handed, first baseman, Yonder Alonso launched five home-runs, scored nine runs, earned 15 RBIs and made 29 hits with a .330 batting average.
With his brilliance despite limited appearance, Alonso has proved he is already ready to take charge at the big league level in 2012 season. However, the only hurdle in his way, like the Chicago White Sox prospect Dayan Viciedo has, is a final place where
he will display his abilities. Being a first baseman has created problems for him, as Joey Votto is strong at the position and it will land Alonso in competition with Chris Heisey for the starting left field during Spring Training. However, Alonso can use
his bat to get Heisey out of the competition.
The World Series title has eliminated the St. Louis Cardinals from the search of prospects, but it definitely has created some trouble for the new faces. However, Shelby Miller, the young energetic pitcher has enough under his belt to justify his promotion
at the big level. The right-handed ball thrower crushed his league-fellows between single-A and double-A in 25 starts. Miller struck-out 170 batters in just 139.2 innings and posted 11-6 record with a 2.77 ERA. It provides him the confidence to consider him
sitting along Albert Pujols, subject to approval of arbitration offer and Chris Carpenter.
Cardinals will provide him a chance in Spring Training to align his balance at the Major League level. The 21-year-old right-handed pitcher was drafted in the first round of the 2009 MLB Amateur draft by the Cardinals, but since his inception in minor league,
the Texas native, has improved his quality. In 2010 he played 24 games with single-A Quad Cities and went for 7-5 with 3.62 ERA and in this past season, he made rapid progress from low-A to high-A and then double to Triple-A. Until now, he has played 51 games
and posted 18-11 with a 3.17 ERA. There is no any doubt on his promotion to big league level after coming spring training.
Pittsburgh Pirates have good history introducing excellent prospects at minor level in last few years. This time however they have to take any one of the following at the big league level. Pirates were at number four this past season and their management
is of little concern about the consistent bad performances. A spark can be seen in Jameson Tallon, Josh Bell, Kyle McPherson and Gerrit Cole but none of them has shown abilities to be considered for the 2012 season.
These moves will not only create competition inside the clubs but also promote inter-league contests between new comers. However, this year, brilliant players will become the part of Major League baseball, no matter in which League.
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