Top 5 Young MLB Players to Watch

Hello, all! Today marks the first of the mid-season baseball blogs that I will be doing this week. In this edition of the blog, I will give you 5 young MLB players to watch in the

second half of this season. So here we go…

　

#5) Anthony Rizzo - Chicago Cubs

Rizzo has been in the league the shortest of the five guys I’m going to list. This is the reason he is ranked at #5. Rizzo is one of the players that I believe Theo Epstein is going to try to turn the Cubs’ fortune with. In just 48 at bats, he has recorded 17 hits amounting to a .354 average. In those 17 hits, 4 are bombs. He’s slugged in 9 RBI’s, and I believe he is going to be a great player in the future for Dale Sveum’s Cubbies.

#4) Eric Hosmer - Kansas City Royals

The 22-year old Hosmer has struggled a bit this year only hitting for a .231 average. I think he is a bright spot for the Royals’ great future they have talent wise. Hosmer hit .293 last season in 128 games. He’s become the Royals’ everyday first basemen, and I think he is the face of the future for the Royals’ franchise.

#3) Bryce Harper - Washington National

The Nats’ possibly made the most anticipated call-up of a minor league player in the history of the league this season. Harper has already been compared to Pete Rose by many baseball analysts. He’s hit .282 with 8 homers already this season. I think Bryce Harper will win the Rookie of the Year in the National League this season unless he plays awful in the second half or gets injured. (I surely, surely do NOT hope that happens.) Let’s face it folks, the guy is fun to watch, and he hustles harder than most of the players that play the game.

#2) Allen Craig - St. Louis Cardinals

Craig would be an All-Star in Kansas City right now, I believe, had he not been ridden by the injury bug this season. He’s hitting .313 with 13 homers and has driven in 44 runs this year. The Cards have greatly appreciated having Craig back in the line-up, as he has provided a bat with tremendous pop and a glove that has a lot of utility and versatility.

#1) Mike Trout - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Mike Trout is an easy pick for the American League Rookie of the Year. Many people have Trout as their American League MVP! He has been simply outstanding for the Angels, and in many ways, he has resurrected their season. He’s provided a bright light over the shadow cast by Albert Pujols’ disappointing start. In the first half, he hit 12 homers and drove in 40 runs. He’s led the Angels within striking distance of the seemingly unstoppable Rangers. What impresses me about Trout is how much of a complete player he is. He can hit the baseball, field his position, and run the bases. It doesn’t get much better than that folks, and he has an amazing career ahead of him.

So there you have my top 5 young players to watch in the second half of this season. Tonight is the home run derby. I think Carlos Beltran goes to his roots in Kansas City and puts on a show in front of the crowd. I have to pick Robinson Cano as my dark horse in the derby. As always follow me on twitter @griffaldo or email me at JCGriffin13@yahoo.com . Thanks for reading!