By IVES GALARCEP
The 2013 MLS Draft didn’t have as much star power as some past years, at least in the eyes of many scouts, but that doesn’t mean this year’s rookie class is necessarily weak.
A strong class of Homegrown Player signings, coupled with a solid crop of high first-round picks, has this year’s class of rookies looking like a deep group that could really blossom in years to come.
As far as the rookies who could have an impact in 2013, here is SBI’s Pre-Season MLS All-Rookie Team, along with our Top 10 rookies for the 2013 season, and Top 30 rookies based on long-term potential:
SBI PRE-SEASON ROOKIE BEST XI
SBI PRE-SEASON TOP TEN MLS ROOKIES
1. Gyasi Zardes, LA Galaxy
2. Andrew Farrell, New England Revolution
3. Erik Hurtado, Vancover Whitecaps
4. Kyle Bekker, Toronto FC
5. Kekuta Manneh, Vancouver Whitecaps
6. DeAndre Yedlin, Seattle Sounders
7. Carlos Alvarez, Chivas USA
8. John Stertzer, Real Salt Lake
9. Deshorn Brown, Colorado Rapids
10. Ryan Finley, Columbus Crew
SBI ROOKIE CLASS LONG-TERM PROSPECT RANKINGS
1. Gyasi Zardes, LA Galaxy, F
2. Kekuta Manneh, Vancouver Whitecaps, F
3. Walker Zimmerman, FC Dallas, CB
4. Andrew Farrell, New England, RB
5. Erik Hurtado, Vancouver Whitecaps, F/RM
6. Kyle Bekker, Toronto FC, CM
7. DeAndre Yedlin, Seattle Sounders, RB
8. Mikey Lopez, Sporting KC, DM/CM
9. Eriq Zavaleta, Seattle Sounders, CB
10. Carlos Alvarez, Chivas USA, AM
11. Bryan Salazar, Houston Dynamo, F
12. DeShorn Brown, Colorado Rapids, F
13. John Stertzer, Real Salt Lake, CM
14. Carlos Salcedo, Real Salt Lake, CB
15. Dillon Powers, Colorado Rapids, DM/CM
16. Scott Caldwell, New England, CM
17. Blake Smith, Montreal Impact, LM/LB
18. Wil Trapp, Columbus Crew, DM
19. Dillon Serna, Colorado Rapids, CM
20. Santiago Castano, New York Red Bulls, GK
21. Michael Seaton, D.C. United, F
22. Steven Evans, Portland Timbers, CM
23. Armando Moreno, New York Red Bulls, F
24. Jason Johnson, Houston Dynamo, F
25. Emery Welshman, Toronto FC, F
26. Dylan Tucker-Gangnes, Portland, CB
27. Maxim Tissot, Montreal Impact, LB
28. Taylor Kemp, D.C. United, LB
29. London Woodberry, FC Dallas, RB
30. Tommy Muller, San Jose Earthquakes, CB