Pondering rookies part I - considering ages

Garrett Jones provided some sock as a rookie with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2009, but he was also 28 years old.

Collecting baseball cards, I'm trying to apply definitions as far as being able to tell whether or not particular rookie players are going to be good or not - I've heard of top prospects, but what about the other players coming up through the minor leagues to get some extended playing time in the Major Leagues?

Three basic things I look for and will try to outline as far as being able to eyeball rookies who will have the best long-term success - include age, role and potential.

Age -

If a player is still in the the minor leagues entering the age of 25 or older, it probably means he isn't a top prospect - if a player is a MLB rookie at 25 or older, it means there maybe more injury concerns, thus limiting potential. There are always going to be exceptions to the rule, but MLB players who debut at 25 or older probably will not have the long term success at the Major Leagues.

If a player is still in the minor leagues entering the age of age 24, it probably means it is close to make or break as far reaching the Major Leagues - if a player is a MLB rookie at 24, it means it probably means it took some time to eliminate holes in his game and a team may have a solid player, but the potential for being a star shrinks.

If a player is still in the minor leagues entering the age of 23, the player still has some time to put together a season warranting an eventual call-up, especially if he is in AAA or AA - if a player is a MLB rookie at 23, it seems like ideal age for a player who has put his time in the system, to come up and still develop into a star.

If a player is still in the minor leagues entering the age of 22, the player still has some time to put together a season warranting an eventual call-up, especially if he is in AAA or AA already - if a player is a MLB rookie at 22, it seems like ideal age for a player who is going to be pretty good and is at least destined to make one all-star game.

If a player is still in the minor leagues entering the age of 21 or younger, the player is basically unproven and maybe reports from experts at Baseball America is what to go on - now if a player is already a MLB rookie at 21 or younger, it seems like ideal age for a player who is going to be pretty good as a potential all-star type talent, probably even better.