The following article is a guest column by DraftStreet.com, a site which offers free and cash fantasy baseball games. It is a look at some of the stars of the 2010 MLB draft, who are already making their mark in the big leagues.
The 2010 amateur draft was only three years ago, but four of the top 13 picks made it to the 2013 All-Star Game. The Mets’ Matt Harvey started the game for the National League and Washington’s Bryce Harper started in center field. The White Sox’ Chris Sale was the only pitcher besides Harvey to pitch two innings. Baltimore’s Manny Machado is having a breakout season and just turned 21 on July 6.
Bryce Harper, OF – Washington Nationals (first pick in 2010 draft)
Harper hit 13 HR over the last two months of the 2012 season and batted .330 in September to win the NL Rookie of the Year with 22 HR, 59 RBI, 98 runs, 18 steals and a .270 BA in 139 games. He got off to a great start in 2013, hitting .344 in April with nine HR, 18 RBI and 18 runs. But Harper hit just .193 in 18 games in May before going on the disabled list with bursitis in his knee. Harper did not return until July 1 and hit just .196 In 14 games in July before the break. Harper was healthy enough to play in the All-Star Game and finish second in the Home Run Derby, so cash fantasy baseball owners can hope that he regains his form and has another strong finish. Harper turns 21 in October.
Manny Machado, 3B – Baltimore Orioles (third pick)
Machado hit .262 with seven HR in 191 AB in 2012, but hit .310 in the first half with seven HR, 45 RBI, 57 runs (ninth-best in the AL) and six steals. He was second in MLB in hits to Miguel Cabrera. Machado leads MLB with 39 doubles and is on pace to threaten the all-time doubles record of 67.
Matt Harvey, SP – New York Mets (seventh pick)
Harvey, 24, was the youngest pitcher to start an All-Star game since 23-year-old Dwight Gooden did so in 1988. His 2.35 ERA is tied for third-best in MLB while his 0.915 WHIP is the second-best. Harvey leads the NL with 147 strikeouts. Expect him to have starts skipped occasionally to limit his innings. He is still a good bet for cash fantasy baseball owners, though.
Chris Sale, SP – Chicago White Sox (thirteenth pick)
Sale, now 24, joined the White Sox just weeks after being drafted. He pitched out of the bullpen in 2010 and 2011, picking up 12 saves. Sale became a starter in 2012 and went 17-8 with a 3.05 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 192 strikeouts. In 2013, Sale is 6-8, but his 2.85 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 131 strikeouts all rank in the top five among AL pitchers.
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