Wil Myers, one of the top prospects in baseball was expected to get the call from Kansas City towards the end of 2012. Instead, the team decided to leave him in the minors to get a little more seasoning.

He doesn’t get the hype that Bryce Harper or Mike Trout received, but the 21-year-old could make a huge impact and be one of the top rookies in 2013. Myers was named Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the year for his efforts in 2012. Just to give you an idea of how prestigious that award is, here is a list of notable major leaguers that have captured the award.

1983- Dwight Gooden

1985- Jose Canseco

1988- Tom Gordon

1990- Frank Thomas

1993- Manny Ramirez

1994- Derek Jeter

1997- Paul Konerko

2001- Josh Beckett

2003- Joe Mauer

2007- Jay Bruce

2008- Matt Wieters

2009- Jason Heyward

2010- Jeremy Hellickson

2011- Mike Trout

Taking a look at his minor league numbers shows the progress Myers has made over the last four seasons, especially in 2012.

2009 (Rk): 19 R, 5 HR, 18 RBI, .369 AVG, .427 OBP

2010 (A, A+): 70 R, 14 HR, 83 RBI, .315 AVG, .429 OBP

2011 (AA): 50 R, 8 HR, 49 RBI, .254 AVG, .353 OBP

2012 (AA, AAA): 98 R, 37 HR, 109 RBI, .314 AVG, .387 OBP

Just because he was chosen in the third round of the 2009 major league baseball amateur draft, that didn’t mean he wasn’t a prime talent. MLB.com had good things to say on Myers when he was chosen in 2009.

“Myers is a very intriguing high school athlete with tools aplenty. His swing needs some work, but he's got the bat speed and strength to hit and hit for power in the future. He's played all over the field and has shown the versatility to handle it. He may deliver the most value from behind the plate, where his above-average arm and agility would play well. He hasn't played that much behind the dish, making it a little difficult to assess his skills there. The team that thinks he can handle the tools of ignorance might be the one to take him early.”

Like Harper, Myers was drafted as a catcher but converted to an outfielder as he began his journey through the minor leagues. Other than Myers, the only notable major leaguer to come out of the third round in 2009 was Kyle Seager of the Seattle Mariners. Seager burst onto the scene in 2012 and had 20 home runs, 86 RBI and 13 stolen bases in his first full season with the Mariners.

What we don’t know is when he’ll be up with Kansas City, but I do expect him to make a push for a roster spot in spring training. It would be hard to believe the Royals would want to run with Jeff Francoeur in right field, because they already have a ton of young talent all over the field. Salvador Perez behind the plate, Eric Hosmer at first base, Mike Moustakas at third base, Alcides Escobar at shortstop, Alex Gordon in left field, Lorenzo Cain at centre field and Billy Butler as the regular designated hitter.

The Royals could possibly trade Myers because they are in need of an ace at the top of their rotation, but those are just rumors and it is entirely possible that they continue to develop the young talent. The club is trying to trade Francoeur, but teams are worried after he hit .235 in 2012. That number is a career worst for Francoeur, who hit .237 in 2010 and .239 in 2008. I would like to think that if the Royals trade Francoeur, it’ll be Myers’ job to lose if he performs well in spring training.

In addition to the BA Minor League Player of the year honor, Myers is quite decorated for a 21-year-old.

2010- MID Mid-Season All-Star

2010- Baseball America Minor League All-Star

2010- MiLB.com Organization All-Star

2011- TEX Mid-Season All-Star

2011- Futures Game Selection

2011- AFL Rising Stars

2011- AFL All-Prospect Team

2012- TEX Player of the Week

2012- Futures Game Selection

2012- PCL Mid-Season All-Star

2012- PCL Post-Season All-Star

2012- USA Today Minor League Player of the Year

2012- Baseball America Minor League All-Star

2012- Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year

2012- Topps Minor League Player of the Year

2012- Topps PCL Player of the Year

Mac can be found on the forums as dmvincent, and you can also follow him on Twitter @MacVincent1.

More from Mac:

• Shelby Miller or Trevor Rosenthal?
• Buying low on an ace: Adam Wainwright

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