5 MLB Prospects Ready to Blossom in 2013

This is a guest post submitted by Ally Silva. Ally played all kinds of sports growing up and adamantly follows everything sports now, particularly Chicago sports. She works with Phoenix Bats, a company that creates world-class wooden bats for amateur and professional ball players around the world. Ally loves writing on different sports topics and is very grateful to be able to contribute here.

Major League Baseball saw a new crop of rookies make a sparkling debut during the 2012 season. Led by former MLB prospects Mike Trout and Bryce Harper, these promising youngsters showed that baseball still shines as a sport that gives fans ongoing thrills with new faces replacing older veterans whose time has passed.  There are quite a few young prospects that promise to deliver in the 2013 season as well. Here are five MLB prospects to watch this spring and summer.

1. Travis d’Arnaud: New York Mets

The New York Mets took a big chance this offseason, trading reigning Cy Young Award-winner R.A. Dickey to the Toronto Blue Jays for catching prospect Travis d’Arnaud. The risk could pay off in a big way for the Mets.  D’Arnaud hit .333 with 16 HR and 52 RBI before a knee injury cut short his season in Triple-A last year. D’Arnaud has also been praised for his abilities behind the plate and a strong throwing arm as well. The Mets may well have landed a player who could be a leader for years to come.

2. Jarred Cosart: Houston Astros  

At just 22 years of age, Houston Astros pitching prospect Jarred Cosart had a breakthrough season in 2012, posting a 3.30 ERA in 20 starts at the Double-A and Triple-A level. Cosart features a solid four- pitch repertoire with developing plate command. Cosart is in a battle for the final spot in the Astros’ starting rotation this spring. He got off to a solid start, delivering two scoreless innings in his spring debut against the Philadelphia Phillies. A few more efforts like that could have Cosart heading north with the Astros in April.

3. Zack Wheeler: New York Mets  

The New York Mets have a great stable of young pitchers in their organization. Zack Wheeler heads that list. Wheeler posted a 3.26 ERA in 25 starts at the Double-A and Triple-A level last year. Much like Jarred Cosart, Wheeler also impressed in his first spring outing, pitching two scoreless innings against the Washington Nationals in Grapefruit League play.  Wheeler could join fellow prospect Matt Harvey in the Mets’ rotation if he continues to impress this spring.

4. Mike Zunino: Seattle Mariners  

The Seattle Mariners selected University of Florida catcher Mike Zunino with the fourth overall pick in the 2012 MLB draft. Zunino hit the ground running in his professional debut, hitting .360 with 13 HR and 43 RBI in just 44 games last season. The Mariners traded away catcher John Jaso and failed to bring back Miguel Olivo, giving Zunino a unique opportunity to vie for a roster spot during spring training. If Zunino continues to shine offensively, he’ll do more than just take up a roster spot.

5. Jedd Gyorko: San Diego Padres  

When Jedd Gyorko was drafted by the San Diego Padres, they envisioned a player who could be their third baseman of the future. However, with incumbent Chase Headley having a breakout year in 2012, Gyorko is trying to find his way as their future second baseman.  Gyorko hit .324 with 24 HR and 83 RBI in 92 games at the Triple-A level last season, so the Padres would love to add his bat into a lineup in need of power. An impressive spring training could see Gyorko make a successful transition at the major league level. 

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5 MLB Managers Who Will Be on Hot Seat in 2012

5 MLB Managers Who Will Be on Hot Seat in 2012

The life of a manager in Major League Baseball is never one of complete security.

When teams are wallowing in mediocrity, general managers generally aren’t likely to fire everyone on the 25-man roster, so the manager serves as the sacrificial lamb. Oftentimes, it’s not the manager’s fault, but it’s job on the line anyway when his team isn’t performing to expectations.

In 2012, there are a number of managers who will be looking over their shoulders if their teams get off to a cold start.

1. Brad Mills: Houston Astros

The sale of the Houston Astros to businessman Jim Crane was finally approved by MLB late last year. Crane brought in new general manager Jeff Luhnow, and the two decided to retain current manager Brad Mills, in spite of the Astros’ horrid 2011 season during which they lost a franchise-record 106 games.

Mills will likely be on a short leash as the Astros make their way through the 2012 season with a roster of unproven youngsters looking to make their mark. Mills will be judged on how those youngsters develop and grow together as a unit, and if the development starts off to slowly, Mills could be gone in short notice.

2. Dusty Baker: Cincinnati Reds

Dusty Baker is entering his fifth season as skipper of the Cincinnati Reds, and he leads a team with the highest payroll in franchise history ($81 million). Much is expected from the Reds after GM Walt Jocketty upgraded with pitchers Mat Latos, Ryan Madson and Sean Marshall.

After last year’s disappointing outcome following an NL Central Division title in 2010, Baker will be gone if the Reds stumble out of the gate in 2012.

3. Jim Tracy: Colorado Rockies

Despite the fact that Colorado Rockies manager Jim Tracy was given an “indefinite” contract extension last month, no one should think that his job is safe.

Tracy took over from the fired Clint Hurdle in 2009, guiding the Rockies to a playoff berth after being ten games below .500. However, since that time, the Rockies have gotten progressively worse each year, finishing last season with just 73 wins.

The extension certainly looks nice, but GM Dan O’Dowd had no problem jettisoning Hurdle mid-season in 2009, he’ll have no issue doing the same with Tracy if the Rockies again disappoint.

4. Don Mattingly: Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers will likely have a new owner in place by late April/early May. With new ownership comes a new way of doing things, and a completely new regime.

Current manager Don Mattingly could very well be on the outs when new ownership hits the ground running, especially if the Dodgers are under .500 at the time.

5. Eric Wedge: Seattle Mariners

With the exception of the 10-year run for Lou Piniella from 1993-2002, the shelf life for managers in Seattle isn’t long. In fact, seven managers have followed Piniella in nine seasons, including current manager Eric Wedge.

Wedge won just 67 games last season with a team loaded with young, unproven players. Wedge’s time in Seattle may not last long either if that young talent doesn’t develop and gel as a team.

This is a guest post submitted by Mike Wright. Mike played all kinds of sports growing up and adamantly follows everything sports now that he is too old to contribute at a high level. He currently works with The Phoenix Bats Company, a company that creates world-class wood bats, such as their famous maple bats, for amateur and professional ball players around the world and loves writing on different sports topics.

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