The 2009 baseball season is right around the corner!
Okay, so no it's not. But I can dream can't I? Especially when my team is in 2nd to last place?
Oh well, I'm going to look ahead anyway because I've seen some good things from some young players this year and I'm already salivating from the thought that I can get these guys late in my draft next year. (Or even off the waiver wire!)
C - Jeff Clement, Seattle Mariners
Hard to believe that a guy hitting .178 would be a sleeper for 2008 but simply put, he's the best option. Matt Wieters (Baltimore Orioles) probably won't be a regular at the start of next season, Ryan Doumit is already a top 5 catcher, and JR Towles has played even worse than Clement.
It's more likely that his gaudy AAA numbers will start to show up by next season than it is that he'll be a career .178 hitter with a HR every 25 at bats. Remember, nobody hit more home runs in a high school career than this guy. Nobody.
1B - Chris Davis, Texas Rangers
Mark who? The trade at least year's deadline sending Mark Teixeira to Atlanta for a bounty of prospects looks even better for the Rangers considering they got Chris Davis already solidified at the first base position, and looking very much like he could be an All-Star as soon as 2009.
Through 33 games and 122 at-bats, Davis already has 11 HR, 22 RBI, 27 R, and 9 doubles. That's a home run every 11.09 at bats. In a 162-game season those numbers project out to 54 dingers, 108 RBI, 132 runs scored, and 44 doubles. Teixeira's career high in home runs? 43.
2B - Ian Stewart, Colorado Rockies
Unsure what role, if any, Stewart could have with the Rockies next season, but as it stands he is with the big league club and does have 2B eligibility. With the way he is playing, you'd think the Rockies would find a place for him by next year. Which means you should too.
In his last 15 games, Stewart is hitting .392 with a .500 on-base percentage, has 15 RBI and scored 10 times. Over a full season he could easily hit above .300 with over 100 RBI and over 100 runs scored, which for a second baseman means he's at the elite-level.
3B - Andy LaRoche, Pittsburgh Pirates
What I thought would be a loaded position, really wasn't.
Evan Longoria is already established. Chase Headley is in a pitcher's park and has not been impressive. Mike Moustakas (Royals) Josh Vitters (Cubs) and Mat Gamel (Brewers) may not be ready by next year. And who knows what to make of Brandon Wood (Angels)?
LaRoche at least should get the opportunity to play every day and could benefit from the change of scenery. The lineup is really young, be also really talented.
SS - Mike Aviles, Kansas City Royals
Why isn't this guy one of the hottest topics in the baseball world right now? If he played for the Red Sox or Yankees, trust me, he would be.
But I'll be like the rest of the world and not talk about him. I'll just project out his numbers through 52 games for a 162-game season.
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