Can't Miss Prospects?

Early in this baseball season, we have been treated with the presence of not one...but two "can't miss prospects"; Jason Heyward of the Atlanta Braves and Stephen Strasburg (soon to be) of the Washington Nationals. Fantasy baseball managers and collectors alike are dying to get a piece of these two players before they become instant legends as has been predicted by most.

Heyward, a 20 year-old outfielder, was able to make the Braves' opening day lineup, which has no doubt pumped up the hype even further than when he was named Baseball's Top Prospect before the 2010 season. When Heyward stepped to the plate for his first major league at bat he launched a long home run off Cubs' starter Carlos Zambrano, confirming his greatness with the jumping-to-conclusions crowd. At 6'5" and 250 lb., Heyward is an imposing physical specimen and his power potential is through the roof. Most are looking forward to a prolific career out of the young slugger.

Strasburg, on the other hand, has yet to make it to the big show. The 21 year-old right-hander has been clocked at over 100 MPH which has helped fuel the hype that he had garnered pitching (and dominating) for San Diego State University. Drafted number one overall in the 2009 Draft by the Washington Nationals, Strasburg immediately became the next big thing in baseball. He has looked good in his short minor league sample size and it is quickly seeming as though he has nothing left to prove at that level. Most expect a call up within the next month or so and anything short of domination will be sure to disappoint.

Prospecting collectors are sure to think of former top prospects like Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez, Joe Mauer, Chipper Jones, and Derek Jeter as they shell out hundreds for rookie and autographs of these two phenoms. They would be smart to remember prospects like Todd Van Poppel, Ben McDonald, Brien Taylor, Cliff Floyd, Ruben Rivera, Ben Grieve, and Rick Ankiel as they are click on "Buy it Now". Who am I kidding?... collectibles of these guys are gonna be selling like hot cakes and I want in on it too.

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