Rookie Madness Weekend...

By Corey R. Cunningham

This weekend featured 3 rookies from around the league. Two of the three rookies all is familiar with in Mike Trout of the Angels and Bryce Harper of the Nationals. Another Nationals rookie made his debut this Sunday afternoon against the Dodgers, Tyler Moore.

Harper debuted Saturday against the Dodgers and went 1-3 with a 2B and an RBI. Harper who batted seventh in the lineup also played LF during the game. Harper came into Sundays game batting seventh and started in CF making a great catch against the center field wall with a ball crushed by Juan Uribe. Harper then made a shift from CF to LF during the late innings due to substitution issues. Harper faced a south paw Sunday in Chris Capuano, Bryce went 1-3 with a BB and a K.

Tyler Moore made his debut Sunday against Chris Capuano as well, and he received his first MLB hit of his career with a sharp single. Moore also crushed a ball in his first AB of the season, yet just a routine fly short of the outfield wall. Moore who was in AAA Syracuse just Saturday playing a double header received a call to play Sunday, with Jayson Werth being a late scratch before the game and Michael Morse still out. Tyler Moore was not available on yahoo fantasy sports before the game started, yet I am not sure he is worth a pickup just yet. If he stays in the MLB he might just be a fourth OF. In 2010 and 2011 Moore crushed 31 HR a piece in High A Potomac and AA Harrisburg. He had a total of 84 HR, and 336 RBI during his 5 year minor league career. Keep Moore in mind, and he may get another couple of looks during the week as well.

Mike Trout made his second start of the season for the Angels on Sunday at Cleveland against veteran RHP Derek Lowe. Trout went 0-3 Sunday with a walk in the game. For the second straight game, Trout batted in the lead off position, however, failed to produce for the second game in a row. Trout yesterday went 0-4 with a K. It is hard to judge production just on a game or two alone, however, Trout who batted over .400 in AAA.

Give Trout, Harper, and Moore a chance to produce. However, adding them to your roster if available is tough for prospects who might get the ticket back to AAA. I think Harper is the safest of the 3. Trout should get the starting nod in 2013 and spend the rest of his career in the MLB, Moore perhaps will get another week, then demoted again, and as for Harper, I believe if he can keep his plate discipline, he should be just fine to add to your roster.