The 2009 season looks to be a breakout year for many rising stars in the minor leagues.

Many players got a taste of the big leagues in 2008 but are looking to stake their claim during the 2009 season.

The players below are the highest rated hitters in the minor leagues who look to make a fantasy impact in the near future. Many players will be pushing for a spot in the 2009 season while others are still in the distance.

These rankings are ever-changing and will be updated frequently. Feel free to voice your opinion in the comments below.

Rank* Name Team Position Age** ETA*** 1 Matt Wieters Baltimore Orioles C 22 2009 The best catching prospect in years. Hit .355 with 27 HRs in first pro season. 2 Colby Rasmus St. Louis Cardinals OF 23 2009 Bad start and injury ruined last season. Still a top prospect. 3 Cameron Maybin Florida Marlins OF 22 2009 He still needs development but could be a complete package. 4 Nate Schierholtz San Francisco Giants OF 25 2009 This guy is an extra-base hit machine. Ready for the majors. 5 Dexter Fowler Colorado Rockies OF 23 2009 Multi-tooled outfielder with speed and slight power. 6 Travis Snider Toronto Blue Jays OF 21 2009 Tons of power but must watch K:BB ratio. 7 Andrew McCutchen Pittsburgh Pirates OF 22 2009 Not as big on him as others. Not hitting for power in minors. 8 Matt LaPorta Cleveland Indians OF 24 2009 Key piece of Sabathia trade. Hits for power. 9 Mat Gamel Milwaukee Brewers 3B 23 2009 Hits for average and power. Might need a new position with his butter fingers. 10 Steve Pearce Pittsburgh Pirates OF 25 2009 Slugger waiting to secure a spot on Pirates roster. 11 Brandon Wood Los Angeles Angels SS 24 2009 A perennial top prospect. Needs to hit for average in the bigs. 12 Pablo Sandoval San Francisco Giants C 22 2009 Showed flashes of brilliance in '08 playing 1B, 3B, and C in the majors. 13 Jesus Guzman Oakland Athletics 3B 24 2009 Smart, productive, and experienced hitter. 14 Kila Ka'aihue Kansas City Royals 1B 25 2009 Can't find a much better hitting prospect. Too many 1Bs in KC. 15 Aaron Cunningham Oakland Athletics OF 22 2009 Could be a 15/30 player in the bigs. 16 Lou Montanez Baltimore Orioles OF 27 2009 Can hit for power and average. Has been maturing in the minors. 17 John Raynor Florida Marlins OF 25 2009 Some pop to go with the lightning. 54 steals and13 dingers in 2008. 18 Jamie D'Antona Arizona Diamondbacks 3B/OF 26 2009 This guy can straight up hit. 19 Josh Whitesell Arizona Diamondbacks 1B 26 2009 Waiting for his shot in the majors. Can hit for power and average. 20 Max Ramirez Texas Rangers C 24 2009 Saw big league time last year. Good power at position. 21 Emilio Bonifacio Washington Nationals 2B 23 2009 Speedster will little else to offer. 22 Tug Hulett Seattle Mariners 2B 26 2009 Productive hitter with decent power/speed combo. 23 Kyle Blanks San Diego Padres 1B 22 2010 Big power hitter waiting on Adrian Gonzalez. 24 Wilkin Ramirez Detroit Tigers OF 23 2010 Power and speed are still developing. 25 Eric Young Colorado Rockies 2B/OF 23 2010 Speed demon had 119 steals over the last two seasons. 26 Brandon Allen Chicago White Sox 1B 22 2010 Power potential is there. 29 Hrs in '08. 27 Chris Coghlan Florida Marlins 2B 23 2010 Another Florida speedster pushing for a shot in the majors. 28 Drew Sutton Houston Astros 2B 25 2010 20/20 from a premium position. 29 Alcides Escobar Milwaukee Brewers SS 23 2010 Complete player could see time in '09 if JJ Hardy is traded, 30 Elvis Andrus Texas Rangers SS 21 2010 Lots of speed but very little power. 31 Drew Stubbs Cincinnati Reds OF 24 2010 Great speed but must work on lowering K-rate. 32 Hank Conger Los Angeles Angels C 21 2010 Power and production at a premium position. 33 Beau Mills Cleveland Indians 1B 22 2010 Great power potential with a decent eye. 34 Lars Anderson Boston Red Sox 1B 21 2010 Great eye with increasing power. 35 Angel Salome Milwaukee Brewers C 22 2010 One of the top producers at his position. 36 Carlos Santana Cleveland Indians C 22 2010 The most productive minors catcher last season (117 RBI) 37 Cedric Hunter San Diego Padres OF 21 2011 Solid all-around numbers. Moving his way up. 38 Mark Trumbo Los Angeles Angels 1B 23 2011 Could be a power force but must improve K:BB ratio. 39 Matt Downs San Francisco Giants 2B 25 2011 Mature hitter still looking for his break. Good power/speed. 40 John Shelby Chicago White Sox OF 23 2011 If patience improves will be a speed/power player. 41 Christopher Carter Oakland Athletics 1B 22 2011 Awesome power potential but needs to mature at the plate. 42 Mike Moustakas Kansas City Royals SS 21 2011 Powerful SS making his way through the system. 43 Fernando Martinez New York Mets OF 20 2011 Maturing hitter who is high on all prospect charts. 44 Ben Revere Minnesota Twins OF 20 2011 Contact hitter hits for average and runs well. 45 Michael Stanton Florida Marlins OF 19 2011 39 Hrs for an 18 year-old in Class A. 46 Carlos Triunfel Seattle Mariners SS 19 2011 Developing power to compliment speed. 47 Logan Morrison Florida Marlins 1B 21 2012 Improving already good AVG but still working on power. 48 Greg Golson Philadelphia Phillies OF 23 2012 Sad to say 130 Ks in '08 was an improvement from '07. 49 Jason Taylor Kansas City Royals 3B 21 2012 Power/speed/walks all there but must work on contact hitting, 50 Jason Heyward Atlanta Braves OF 19 2013 Working his way through the minors. Good overall hitter.

* - Only players projected to be in the majors in 2009 are ranked according to value. All others are randomly ranked based on ETA. ** - Age is calculated based on age at the start of the 2009 season *** - Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) to the major leagues.