A soul-soothing, mid-May dusk settled over Baltimore City the night the baseball world stood still.
On 333 West Camden Street, at the Orioles’ swank, monolithic brick and wrought-iron ballpark, New York Yankees fans stood with hands cupped over mouths, still shocked by what just occurred on the infield.
Yankees captain Derek Jeter had just combined with Robinson Cano to turn one of the most electrifying double plays ever seen in baseball history. The play was so unbelievable, Yankee faithful could not help but stand and present ovation.
Even some Orioles fans could not help but rise to their feet and join rival visiting fans, at the sight of 36-year-old Jeter flying through the dust-filled air like the most graceful bird.
Excitement soon turned to horror soon after however.
After the dust settled, Jeter, who led baseball in hitting at the time (thus erasing a disappointing past summer), lay motionless with his face in the dirt near second base. New Oriole Vladimir Guerrero, who slid hard into second base in a vain attempt to break up the double play, stood over Jeter, worried like a father would be for his own son. With great urgency, Cano joined Guerrero in waving for medical staff to tend to this fallen hero.
Amidst a silent stadium, a large huddle of medics swooped down upon Jeter to see what injury may very well have finally dethroned this baseball legend once and for all. Depressing thoughts invaded the minds of baseball’s faithful, as the man who had given the game so many great memories, was carefully loaded onto a stretcher and hauled away inside an ambulance.
As the ambulance disappeared into the sunset, many in the ballpark asked the most difficult question, “Could this be the last time we see Jeter play a big league game?”
Even bigger the question many asked, “Who could possibly fill the shoes of such a legendary shortstop?”
The answer to this question came over the loudspeaker, via the somber voice of the home announcer.
“Replacing Derek Jeter at shortstop, No. 12, Eduardo Nunez.”
“Eduardo Nunez?” asked one Orioles fan, sitting back down to watch the rest of the game. “Who the heck is that?”
“I don’t know,” said a nearby Yankees fan. “But he sure as hell ain’t Jeter.”
While the above story is fictional (hopefully), it points to a pivotal shift in the game of baseball. With the rise of exciting big league players like Stephen Strasburg, Buster Posey and Jason Heyward, plus the advent of new names like Bryce Harper, Mike Trout and Brandon Belt, we are witnessing the passing of the torch from the unfortunate steroid era to a new era of baseball led by an exciting crop of ballplayers rising through the ranks with frequency never before seen.
In the past, prospects rose from the minor leagues like water trickling from the faucet, but during the past year, baseball has been flooded with a plethora of young players who will either replace present legends or bring stability at key positions for several teams for years to come.
This article will highlight five of these young players. Among these five players, you will not find popular, media-driven names like those above, nor will you find names like Mike Moustakas, Jeremy Hellickson or Jose Iglesias (who may soon stabilize the shortstop position in Boston). Nor will you find a profile on Nunez taking over shortstop while Jeter moves to center field (this has been covered).
These are young players and prospects who have potential to come from virtually nowhere to eventually leave their mark on the game.
Francisco Cervelli, C, New York Yankees
The Yankees are in a precarious pickle when it comes to the catching position.
Jorge Posada is within a few years of retirement. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman already told Posada he needs to switch to DH to extend his career. This leaves Russell Martin, who some say has the inside track to become the Yankees’ catcher of the future.
Others argue it is only a matter of time before Jesus Montero storms the field and takes the fortified position. Then there is Austin Romine, who, when blended with Martin and Montero, leaves soon-to-be 25-year-old Francisco Cervelli in a challenging predicament.
Cervelli performed fairly well behind the plate in his first pseudo full season in the bigs last year. In 93 games, Cervelli hit .271 and communicated well behind the dish. From an intangibles perspective, Cervelli exemplified a scrappy style of play baseball fans around the nation loved and respected.
The Yankees would be wise to give him the inside track to the starting catcher position. Let Cervelli prove his worth in one full season. If he does not perform as well as Martin, Montero or Romine, the Yankees can always trade him.
But as of now, it seems if the Yankees put Cervelli in a consistent “You’re our guy,” environment, he will eventually become a memorable figure in baseball history. Even if he does not pan out in the Big Apple, Cervelli is one of those guys many big league clubs would love to have.
Ozzie Martinez, SS/2B, Florida Marlins
The name just rings don’t it?
Then why did this 23-year-old shortstop for the Florida Marlins not make the cut on Major League Baseball’s top 50 prospects list for 2011?
Frankly because this 23-year-old, 11th round pick in 2006, slipped through the cracks after nearly losing his life. In a case of mistaken identity, Martinez was shot three times during a drive-by shooting in his homeland of Puerto Rico in September 2009.
Miraculously, Martinez survived the shooting and returned to the field in 2010. Grateful to be alive, a rejuvenated Martinez had an outstanding season, overshadowed only by Mike Stanton’s rise to prominence. In 130 games at Jacksonville, Martinez hit .302 (156 hits in 516 at-bats) and flashed leather consistently enough to earn Southern League All-Star honors and selection to the Future’s game.
In recognition of Martinez’ performance, the Marlins called him up in September. In 14 big league games, filling in for an injured Hanley Ramirez, Martinez hit .326 (14 hits in 43 at-bats). With second baseman Dan Uggla now in Atlanta, it would not be a surprise to see Martinez and Ramirez form an electrifying infield duo for the Marlins in the near future.
Ryan Adams, 2B, Baltimore Orioles
Ryan Adams enjoyed his best season as a professional ballplayer in 2010.
This 24-year-old, first round 2006 draft pick hit a respectable .298 with 15 homeruns and 68 RBI for the Bowie Bay Sox in the Double-A Eastern League. Adams garnered 2010 EAS All-Star honors and was also selected to the Arizona Fall League Rising Stars game.
With Brian Roberts’ recent history of injuries, Adams, who is slated to begin the 2011 season at Norfolk (AAA), may earn his way into the majors if he can maintain his sharp play.
Austin Hyatt, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies
There is no doubt the Philadelphia Phillies have the best starting rotation in baseball. Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels represent a powerful force countered potentially on paper only by the Milwaukee Brewers.
However, the Phillies do have a challenge at the fifth starter position. Right now, Joe Blanton is slated to be the fifth starter. Blanton is by no means a poor pitcher, as the 6-foot-3, 245-pound veteran right-hander is 72-60 lifetime with a 4.30 ERA. If he stays healthy along with the other four juggernauts in the Phillies’ rotation, the team will have an outstanding season.
However, should the injury bug strike the Phillies’ starters, 24-year-old right-hander Austin Hyatt could eventually slip into the Phillies’ rotation.
Hyatt has virtually come out of nowhere to become one of Philadelphia’s top pitching prospects. This 6-foot-2, 185-pound hurler was drafted by the Phillies in the 15th round (467th overall) of the 2009 MLB Draft.
During the past two years of professional ball, Hyatt has undoubtedly impressed and surprised many. Between Wilmington and Reading (AA), Hyatt compiled a 15-5 overall record with an ERA under 2.60. He has struck out a staggering 270 batters, while walking just 58 in 205 innings of work. Hyatt was honored as the Florida State League Most Valuable Player for his outstanding pitching.
Should Hyatt continue his outstanding performance, he may very well find himself battling for a starting spot in the big leagues in the very near future.
Adam Wilk, LHP, Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers, if healthy and focused, also have one of the finest rotations in baseball. With Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Rick Porcello, Phil Coke and Brad Penny as Motown’s starting five, it is hard to imagine pitching prospects other than Jacob Turner or Andy Oliver making a dent in the Tigers’ rotation any time soon.
But this is where Adam Wilk enters the equation to make things interesting.
Wilk, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound lefty was drafted the 11th round in 2009 by the Tigers out of Long Beach State. A decent college pitcher, Wilk stormed through the early parts of the minor leagues in 2010, using excellent command and throwing for strikes at will changeup as his calling card.
In two years between instructional league and Erie (AA), Wilk has dominated his opponents. In 41 starts, he has a 15-6 record with an ERA under 2.50. In 240 innings of work, he has given up just 63 earned runs. More impressively, Wilk has struck out an eye-popping 181 batters and walked just 31. If Wilk keeps up his sound pitching, the Tigers will have no choice but to hear his pounding on the big league door, at least as a relief pitcher.
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