FanHouse BetterKnowaProspect

Wondering which young players could have an impact in the majors this year? Let MLB FanHouse guide the way in Better Know a Prospect. In this edition we look at three players from the Minnesota Twins.

Jose Mijares, RP: Returning from a broken arm last season, Mijares started at the very bottom and worked his way to the top, exceeding expectations every stop of the way. He dominated across four levels of play, beginning with a stint in Rookie league all the way up to 10 phenomenal innings (0.87 ERA, 0.29 WHIP) in the big leagues. Surely he should be able to ride that wave of success into a regular big-league job in 2009, right?

Wondering which young players could have an impact in the majors this year? Let MLB FanHouse guide the way in Better Know a Prospect. In this edition we look at three players from the Detroit Tigers system.

Rick Porcello, SP: There's no denying that Porcello is one of the top pitching prospects in the game, but is the 20-year-old right-hander seriously in contention for a big-league roster spot in just his second year as a professional? That's what GM Dave Dombrowksi is telling folks, putting Porcello on equal footing with the likes of Nate Robertson, Dontrelle Willis and Zach Miner heading into spring training.

Wondering which young players could have an impact in the majors this year? Let MLB FanHouse guide the way in Better Know a Prospect. In this edition we look at three players from the slowly rebuilding Pittsburgh Pirates minor league system.

Andrew McCutchen, CF: It feels like McCutchen's been in the Pirates' system forever, but he just turned 22 in October. That means he spent all of last year as a 21-year-old holding his own in his first full-season stint at Triple-A. He didn't flash much power, but he put up a .372 on-base percentage and drew more walks than he had at any other level in the minors. The Pirates will probably send him back to Triple-A to start 2009 in hopes that the power he showed at the lower levels of the minors shows back up, but it'd be pretty surprising for him to not make his Pittsburgh debut in 2009. On top of his promising bat, he's a true center fielder who would allow Nate McLouth (who's glove doesn't nearly warrant the Gold Glove he won in 2008) to move to a corner position.

Wondering which young players could have an impact in the majors this year? Let MLB FanHouse guide the way in Better Know a Prospect. In this edition we look at three players from the underrated Cincinnati system.

Chris Valaika, SS: The biggest knock on him is that he doesn't have great plate discipline. Valaika hit .306 in the minors, but he's never drawn more than 35 walks in a season, so if he can't keep hitting for a high average it will be tough for him to be valuable. On the flip side, he has the defensive chops to stick at short and good pop for a middle infielder. Considering incumbent shortstop Alex Gonzalez struggled to stay healthy last year and you can make the same criticisms of his game, Valaika could get a shot at the major league level sometime this year.

Wondering which young players could have an impact in the majors this year? Let MLB FanHouse guide the way in Better Know a Prospect. In this edition we look at three players from the world champion Philadelphia Phillies.

Carlos Carrasco, SP: Carrasco could be a major player in deciding who takes the National League East crown in 2009. He won't be in the big leagues before the All-Star break, most likely, but if any of the Phillies starters get hurt or falter he'll be ready to step in during the second half. Carrasco has several good pitches, led by a changeup, but no great ones. He pitched well in a six-start Triple-A cameo at the end of 2008, including 46 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings. He did give up eight unearned runs, an illustration of his propensity for letting innings get away from him when things go badly, but a half-season of polish should have Carrasco ready for the Show.

Wondering which young players could have an impact in the majors this year? Let MLB FanHouse guide the way in Better Know a Prospect. In this edition we look at three players from the New York Yankees who could help the bullpen this season.

Mark Melancon, RP: A first-round talent with questions about the health of his arm, Melancon fell to the Yankees in the ninth round of the 2006 draft. He wound up needing Tommy John surgery, but has recovered his velocity and command. He throws hard and has an above-average curveball, which he used to strike out 22 batters in 20 Triple-A innings in 2008. He's unlikely to break camp with the Bombers, but could provide a boost to the bullpen around mid-season. If all breaks right, Melancon will be in the mix to replace Mariano Rivera as the team's closer one day, if not, he should still be an effective relief pitcher.

Wondering which young players could have an impact in the majors this year? Let MLB FanHouse guide the way in Better Know a Prospect. In this edition we look at three players from the San Diego Padres' minor league system.

Wade LeBlanc, SP: The 24-year-old made four starts last year in the majors, and the results weren't pretty. In fact, he also put together a terrible 5.32 ERA in Triple-A. The saving grace was that the Pacific Coast League is notorious for being offense-happy, and he still managed to strike out more than one batter per inning. In the lower levels of the minors, LeBlanc had solid success. Throwing lefty in spacious Petco Park never hurt anyone, and the Padres desperately need rotation help. For better or worse, you're going to be seeing LeBlanc this season in San Diego.

Wondering which young players could have an impact in the majors this year? Let MLB FanHouse guide the way in Better Know a Prospect. In this edition we look at three players from the Chicago Cubs' minor league system.

First of all, let's get one thing straight here. The Cubs are pushing all their chips to the center of the table this season. It's now or never, as far as they are concerned. In turn, they are much more likely to trade prospects for veterans to plug holes created by injuries or ineffectiveness.

Wondering which young players could have an impact in the majors this year? Let MLB FanHouse guide the way in Better Know a Prospect. In this edition we look at three players from the Texas system, arguably the very best in the game.

Elvis Andrus, SS: He can't even legally drink yet, but there's a chance Andrus could break camp as the Rangers' starting shortstop. His bat isn't fully developed -- he put up a .295/.350/.367 line last year at Double-A Frisco -- but he was young for the level and more power could come. More importantly, the glove is ready for the majors right now. Acquired in the Mark Teixeira trade two seasons ago, it's clear the Rangers are preparing for Andrus' arrival sooner rather than later. That's why they are moving Michael Young to third base. Joaquin Arias might start the year ahead of him on the depth chart, but the year probably won't end that way.

Wondering which young players could have an impact in the majors this year? Let MLB FanHouse guide the way in Better Know a Prospect. In this edition we look at three players from a Washington system that can't develop pitchers quickly enough.

Garrett Mock, RP: Mock had an impressive 41 innings with the Nationals last summer and enters camp with a strong chance of earning a spot on the Opening Day roster. A starter in the minors, he shifted to the bullpen upon arrival in the majors and posted a 2.42 ERA in that role. He also had 46 strikeouts and gave up just 17 hits in 26 innings. He walked too many batters, but his other qualities should be enough to ensure he gets regular work on a Nationals staff that remains one of the worst in the major leagues.