Top 12 for '12: New name at No. 1

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Note: The top 12 fantasy prospects (players currently in the minor leagues) for 2012 are below. These rankings are a bit different from other prospect rankings, as they are strictly for 2012 fantasy purposes. Not only do talent and recent performance play a role, but potential paths to the big leagues are also factors. All young players in the minors are eligible, including those in "prospect purgatory," those who have exceeded rookie status but are still young, unproven commodities.

Last week, I warned of a potential slow time for call-ups as teams prepared to wait for September roster expansions. Instead, nearly half of last week's 12 have showed up in the big leagues over the past two weeks.

The Chris Getz injury created a much-needed opening for red-hot second baseman Johnny Giavotella, and we had an entertaining afternoon matchup between two of the top pitchers on the list in the Arizona Diamondbacks' Tyler Skaggs and the Miami Marlins' Jacob Turner. Ethan Martin spent just a couple of days in the big leagues but is back at Triple-A, while on Thursday the San Francisco Giants called up Francisco Peguero to replace the injured Justin Christian.

New names are needed, and new names are found, but the pickings are getting a bit thin.

To see Kevin's updated top 12 prospects for 2012, you must be an ESPN Insider.

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