American League: Who Will Shine in Five Years?

(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

It is 2009 and the start of a new MLB season. The sun is shining and the diamond is ready to be marched on by the baseball team armies. Opening Day is fast approaching and soon the numbers will reveal who are the top-level players of 2009. 

They will dominate the league, and have the opposing pitchers or hitters quaking with fear. 

In baseball, a sport where a mere 20 hits over 165 games can separate a good hitter from a great hitter, these elite level players will seem to be on-base every time they bat, and if they are not on-base it might as well be because they blasted the ball out of the park. 

Looking down the road, I pose this question: In five years from now, when many of today's stars are out of their prime, who will be the elite stars of both the American and National Leagues?

Comments and feedback are welcome. Enjoy.

American League: Infielders

Miguel Cabrera

Entering the 2009 at just 25 years of age, Cabrera has as much upside as any player in the game. 

More was expected of him in his first AL season with Detroit, but it is likely his production will greatly pickup in 2009. In five years, Cabrera could dominate the league as a 30-year-old, and a change to a more hitter-friendly park will aid in his mastery.

Ian Kinsler

Yet to have a completely healthy season, Kinsler is only 26 years of age and possesses the tools to dominate the league for years to come. Kinsler has the power and speed combination to hit 30 home runs and steal 40 bases, and have some brilliant seasons at second base. 

If he remains on Texas, Kinsler's power numbers will not fluster, as the park is a hitter's paradise.

Evan Longoria

In part-time 2008 duty, Longoria showed why he was chosen third overall in the 2006 draft. Longoria is only 23 years old and already could have people talking MVP in his first full season. 

Five years from now, Longoria will be 28 years old and in his prime. Will the Rays be able to hold onto the young star when he asks for a large contract, or will he fall into the hands of the big dogs and finish off his career as a Yankee?

Wherever Longoria ends up, he will produce like an unstoppable force.

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