MLB Predictions: Prince Fielder, Tim Lincecum and Others Who Must Rise In 2011
As the 2011 Major League Baseball season is just over two months away, it's appropriate to start thinking about the key pieces for every team this season.
While we saw the Giants win the World Series with a pitching-heavy formula, their championship counterparts, the Texas Rangers, road Josh Hamilton's bat the majority of the way there.
Every team has high expectations coming into the season, and here is a list of players who will have to produce in order for their teams to meet them.
Be prepared for some surprises, as several big-name players have changed teams.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Justin Upton
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After signing a massive contract before the start of his 2010 campaign, many expected Upton to break out in 2010.
Upton had a solid year but didn't provide the stability the Diamondbacks needed in the middle of the lineup, as his bat was rather streaky.
In order for Arizona to even have a shot to compete, Upton must tear it up in the middle of the order this season. The pitching staff is already bad enough with Ian Kennedy and Joe Saunders being their best starters.
Upton must boost the offense after a horrid team effort last season and prove he's worth the big contract he signed.
Look for the five-tool star to raise his power numbers and hit closer to .300 this season.
Atlanta Braves: Tommy Hanson
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Hanson greatly underperformed last season, finishing with a record of 10-11.
He was picked by many to contend for the National League Cy Young Award and possesses outstanding potential.
Hanson has perhaps one of the best curve balls in the league, and he must anchor the top of the pitching staff behind Derek Lowe.
The Braves offense will speak for itself with Hayward, Prado and new acquisition Dan Uggla.
Tommy Hanson has star potential, and Atlanta's playoff aspirations hinge on his success.
He has to win at least 15 games.
Baltimore Orioles: Nick Markakis
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For a middle-of-the-order man, Markakis had horrible numbers last season.
He hit for average at .297, but it will be up to Markakis to boost his home run and RBI totals hitting in front of the dangerous Mark Reynolds.
Markakis will be setting the table for the rest of the Baltimore offense.
The Orioles have Brian Roberts and Adam Jones hitting in front of Markakis. Look for a rebound season.
Mark Reynolds strikes out an awful lot, but look for him to take some pressure off Markakis with his base-clearing potential.
Markakis should hit around 20 HR's, and his production is critical.
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Boston Red Sox: Josh Beckett
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The options are endless for this team, but Josh Beckett stands out the most.
Beckett was at an all-time low last season, and he even spent time in the minor leagues due to his struggles.
He will be pitching with the run support of perhaps the best offense in the league this season.
Beckett must find a way to keep the location of his pitches down in the strike zone and pitch at least six innings on a frequent basis.
I still think he's a stud, and his best years are definitely not in the past.
His stability will be key after winning just six games last season. Boston's bullpen is suspect, so they'll need every last bit from the starting rotation.
If Josh Beckett can return to his 2009 form, look for the Red Sox to be playing in the World Series.
Chicago Cubs: Matt Garza
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He's new to the Cubs this season, but I'm sure Chicago couldn't be happier to have him.
Garza provides a young, fresh arm near the top of the Cubs rotation, as he won 15 games in 2010.
Keep in mind, Garza pitched very well in the AL East last season.
Look for Garza to be a monster behind Ryan Dempster in the Cubs rotation, and consider him a dark horse to contend for the Cy Young.
He means everything to a Cubs team that is dying to win, and hopefully he provides the spark Chicago needs.
Chicago White Sox: Gordon Beckham
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He's so important to the White Sox because of the idea of wasted potential.
Beckham was one of the most highly touted youngsters in the game at the beginning of 2010, and he simply flopped.
A .250 average with 50 RBI won't cut it for a team that passed on several trade offers to keep him.
Beckham has been moved to second base, which should make his defensive duties easier, but he needs to hit.
The White Sox lineup is weak near the bottom because of Beckham, and the youngster needs to live up to expectations.
He'll be key for Ozzie Guillen's offense, as the pitching speaks for itself these days in Chicago.
Cincinnati Reds: Mike Leake
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Leake dazzled after beginning his season 5-0 last season.
He was on a limited inning count for the majority of his rookie campaign, but it might be time for him to climb a few spots in the rotation this season.
Leake is currently fourth on a young and raw Reds pitching staff that would love to build off their success in 2010.
Mike Leake has a chance to be the best starter for the Reds in 2011, and with no intentions of holding him back, I think the Reds are expecting big things from him this season.
Look for Leake to go deep into games as he manages his pitch count well, and he could win 13-15 games this season.
Cleveland Indians: Carlos Santana
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He's the young corner stone of the Cleveland organization and at such a young age.
The Indians have a less than reputable roster for 2011, so Santana's success shines even brighter with the fact that "The Tribe" could lose 100 games.
He has star potential, with a rocket arm and great bat speed.
Santana tore his ACL in a freak collision at home plate in 2010, and I look for him to continue coming out of his shell this season.
Grady Sizemore will most likely test the free agent waters after this season, and Shin-Soo Choo is almost 30 years old, so the Indians should be selling the talents of Santana for the city to see.
Santana could make a transition from catcher to first base in order to preserve his body, and I expect him to possibly win the Rookie of the Year Award this season.
Colorado Rockies: Carlos Gonzalez
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"Car-go" signed a massive contract after his stunning campaign in 2010. He finished near or in the top five in most major hitting categories in the National League. You can bet the Rockies will rely on him to keep the pulse of the offense going.
Gonzalez is a five-tool star outfielder with MVP-type potential, and without his emergence last season, the Rockies wouldn't have competed for a playoff spot.
Carlos now faces the pressure of a sophomore slump, but playing in a hitter's park like Coors Field works in his favor.
He's arguably the team's best hitter along with Troy Tulowitzki, and Gonzalez is the most skilled player mentioned in this countdown thus far.
Expect big things from him.
Detroit Tigers: Magglio Ordonez
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"Mag Pipes" rakes in the cash at close to $20 million a season, but his numbers haven't lined up with his current contract.
The pressure for Ordonez is not in the area of playing well but rather staying healthy.
He had very good numbers in just 84 games last season, but the Tigers need his veteran leadership in the outfield with youngsters Brennan Boesch and Austin Jackson still developing their talent.
The Tigers have a sweet middle-of-the-order with the new addition of All-Star catcher Victor Martinez, so Ordonez might hit a few spots lower in the order.
He's got to be healthy for at least 120 games this year, because he's clutch with the bat and tears up AL Central pitching.
Florida Marlins: Javier Vazquez
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Vazquez was dreadful as a Yankee last season, posting a 10-10 record with a 5.32 ERA.
There's a theory that Vazquez has always pitched better as a National League pitcher, and he'll get his chance to prove he's still a valuable asset to a pitching staff.
The NL East is familiar territory for Vazquez, as he had a great season with the Braves just two years ago.
Vazquez is slotted as the second man in the Marlins rotation, and with both Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco on board, Florida has quite a pitching staff.
He is almost guaranteed to have better numbers than last year since he's escaped the AL East, but Florida needs lots of wins from him.
It's time for a comeback!
Houston Astros: J.A. Happ
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After being traded to Houston in the Roy Oswalt deal last season, Happ probably knew he'd have a permanent spot in the Houston pitching staff. He battled for the fifth spot while in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia was reluctant to give him up, and we see that Happ's ceiling is extremely high.
It will be up to the young, up-and-coming phenom to work his way up a weak rotation with Wandy Rodriguez as the ace.
Happ was injured much of last year, making only 16 starts, but he can definitely provide some push to a lowly Astros team.
Look for some great off-speed pitching from him, as he won't woo anybody with his fastball.
Regardless, Happ is now a prized piece in Houston, and the front office can expect a solid season from him.
Kansas City Royals: Billy Butler
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Butler signed a four-year, $30 million contract this week.
He's been by far the most productive hitter for the Royals over the last two seasons, as a .300 batting average is almost guaranteed for this number three hitter.
Unfortunately, the Royals don't have much professional talent left after trading young star pitcher Zack Greinke to the Royals, so Butler is really the only man with big expectations besides Joakim Soria.
Butler and Soria should represent the Royals on the American League All-Star team this season only because the Royals are guaranteed a candidate.
Butler is a very good player, and expect around 20 homers and 90 RBI from him.
He'll represent the minimal signs of life for this offense in 2011.
Los Angeles Angels: Dan Haren
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Haren for some reason had a down year last season, even after being traded to the Angels from a Diamondbacks team which provided minimal run-support.
He's considered an ace on almost any other staff in the league, but Haren is pitching behind Jared Weaver for the Angels.
It is fair for the Angels to expect at least 16 wins from Haren, which will require him to bring down his walks and pitch count.
An ERA near 4.00 with a WHIP of 1.27 won't endear Haren to Los Angeles fans, as his team is loaded with talent and can expect to make a serious playoff push.
The pressure is on Haren to turn heads at the top of the rotation, as he'll have a clean slate and can return to his old great form.
The Angels should rely on him this season.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Matt Kemp
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Without question, Kemp regressed more than any other player on the Dodgers in 2010.
The power numbers were still there, but his average dipped nearly 50 points last season, and Frank McCourt considered trading him.
Kemp's potential is through the roof, and he fields his position very well in the outfield, but he needs to set the table for Andre Ethier.
He only reached base at a rate of .310, so Kemp has a lot of room to improve in 2011.
Expect Kemp to knock in close to 100 RBI's, hit around 30 HR's and steal 20 bases. He must raise his average, or he may not be a Dodger for much longer.
Milwaukee Brewers: Prince Fielder
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Sirens flashed for the majority of Fielder's 2010 season.
He hit just .261 and only drove in 83 runs.
Fielder recently avoided arbitration with a one-year deal to stay with the Brew Crew, but rumors continue to swirl about his chances of being traded to the American League.
As recent as 2009, Fielder was able to balance being arguably the best power hitter in baseball, while at the same time hitting close to .300.
Not many people should doubt that he will be back to his old form in 2011, but he definitely is under some pressure.
The Brewers' offense obviously must pick up in order for Fielder to drive in more runs.
The addition of Zack Greinke to the pitching staff will result in more wins for the team, and with a solid offense, the Brewers will compete for the playoffs.
Prince will reign again.
Minnesota Twins: Justin Morneau
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It's too bad the Twins lost Morneau so early in 2010.
He was having an MVP-caliber season, and if he performs anywhere near the limited numbers of 2010, expect the Twins to be the favorites to win the AL Central again.
Morneau isn't exactly under any pressure, he just needs to stay healthy and the Twins will have a potent lineup.
He's often forgotten when discussing the best first basemen in the league, but he's truly a monster.
Morneau is the ideal clean-up hitter, with the ability to bomb 40 home runs, while also hitting .340.
How much more can you ask?
New York Mets: David Wright
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Before blaming Citi Field for his low power numbers, one must remember how many times he struck out in 2010.
Clearly, Wright's hitting woes are mental, because a .283 average is rather low for the star who struck out 161 times.
Wright is one of the best players in baseball with defensive abilities at third base that nobody has ever seen, but he has to get the sweet swing back.
The Mets payroll is through the roof compared to how many games they win, but maybe Wright gets them back on track this year.
David must worry about getting on base before he thinks about the long ball, and hopefully a healthy Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes will make things easier for him in 2011.
New York Yankees: A.J. Burnett
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The Yankees overpay all of their "key" free agents, but Burnett is way overpaid and was one of the biggest disappointments in all of baseball last year.
A 10-15 record with a 5.26 ERA? Really?
The emphasis on Burnett rebounding in 2011 is even more important when considering that workhorse and long-time Yankee Andy Pettitte is considering retirement.
Burnett is sure to hear more boos if he continues on this ugly path in the Bronx, so he has to battle the demons and rise to the occasion.
On the plus side, Burnett is still young, and his contract offers him tons of time to improve.
But remember, the Yankees expect to win immediately with no exceptions.
Oakland Athletics: Brett Anderson
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Brett Anderson is part of an Oakland pitching rotation that is young but so talented.
He missed some time last season due to injury, but now is his time to follow in teammate Trevor Cahill's footsteps and break out in 2011.
Anderson has an incredible arm, and the 22-year-old southpaw will play a big part in the youth movement taking place in Oakland.
The team is never filled with big names, but Anderson should be watched closely as he develops into a star.
The pitching staff will most likely carry Oakland the entire season, and with both Gio Gonzalez and Rich Harden there too, look out!
Anderson's success in 2011 hinges on his health.
Philadelphia Phillies: Jimmy Rollins
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Rollins is still widely considered to be an All-Star shortstop, but the fact of the matter is that he's 32 years old.
When he's in the lineup and playing everyday, the Phillies have a top half of the order that mixes power and speed perfectly.
He struggled massively last season even when he was not bothered by nagging injuries, as he didn't even hit .250, but J-Roll has less pressure on him because of the expectations of the pitching staff.
He obviously won't be expected to have tons of steals and nice power numbers, but Rollins' batting average needs to float around .300, and his glove is badly needed by the defense.
He needs to stay healthy too.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Pedro Alvarez
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The baseball audience saw flashes of just how much power Pedro Alvarez has. Now, he needs to accompany it with less strikeouts and a better average.
Alvarez shouldn't feel pressured because the Pirates probably won't be playoff contenders, but a good showing this season will prove that maybe the Pittsburgh front office does know what they are doing.
Alvarez is one of several budding youngsters with massive expectations on the team, along with Andrew McCutchen, Garrett Jones and Jose Tabata.
If he can improve his plate discipline, it'll be a giant step forward in his development process.
San Diego Padres: Matt Latos
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Latos was a stud last season until a late injury that drastically cut his innings count.
If he can retain his stamina, which seemed to be the problem last season, Latos might prove to be the ace of the Padres' staff for years to come.
The team surprisingly contended for the playoffs last year, with Latos playing the major role in their success.
He's intimidating on the mound, but it is not a good sign when you're worrying about your pitching arm at the age of 23.
San Francisco Giants: Tim Lincecum
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"Big-Time Timmy Jim" isn't on this list because he had a bad year last season but rather because he didn't pitch to his full potential.
He leads the National League in strikeouts almost every year, has two Cy Young Awards and won a World Series last season, but there's more for the taking.
Lincecum will most likely be the best pitcher in the National League this season if he avoids having a month like last August (0-5, 7.82 ERA).
He must keep his fastball down in the strike zone, especially because his velocity has dipped since 2009.
Regardless, Lincecum is the pride and joy of the Giants, but most people know he's better than the story his 2010 stats tell.
Seattle Mariners: Chone Figgins
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After being so excited by the acquisition, the Mariners got minimal production from the usually consistent lead-off man Chone Figgins in 2010.
His batting average dipped almost 40 points compared to 2009, and since he's nothing special in the field, Figgins was basically dead weight.
He needs to do what's expected of a guy hitting first or second in the order and get on base so he can use the explosive speed he possesses.
Look for Figgins to begin the season batting low in the lineup, but he better earn the contract he was given because the Mariners don't have much else to look forward to besides Felix Hernandez.
Ichiro is beginning to be an old man.
St. Louis Cardinals: Jaime Garcia
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The 24-year-old Garcia turned heads in his rookie campaign last season.
After finishing 13-8 with a phenomenal 2.70 ERA, the Cards hope Garcia can replicate his effort in 2011.
If Garcia can improve, he'll sweeten an already strong rotation with both Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright at the top.
Garcia doesn't "wow" anybody with his velocity, which makes it a little bit more difficult to gain command of hitters. He only struck out 132 batters in 2010.
Hopefully he controls the game well this season because his degree of success could dictate St. Louis' playoff fate.
Tampa Bay Rays: B.J. Upton
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Upton could possibly be one of the most over-valued players in baseball at this current time.
Considering he batted lead off for a good portion of the Rays' games the past few seasons, he might be the worst lead-off hitter in baseball when looking at his numbers.
He's hit a combined .250 over the past three seasons, and although both his power and steals numbers are nice, he doesn't reach base enough.
The Rays probably should have dealt him to the Red Sox when they could have, now that the team might be rebuilding.
Upton often presents poor effort in the field and a bad attitude. This season is most likely his final straw to shape up.
Texas Rangers: Colby Lewis
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Only because he's the ace of the Rangers' pitching staff, he's got to step up the most.
Just when we thought the Rangers finally obtained some pitching to accompany their perennially dangerous lineup, Cliff Lee left for Philadelphia.
Lee's departure automatically results in direct pressure on every Texas starter, and the acquisition of Brandon Webb is nice but he hasn't pitched in about two years.
Lewis has to do better than his 2010 regular season record of 12-13, but it's going to be hard to place high expectations on this team after losing their ace in the off-season.
Toronto Blue Jays: Adam Lind
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Lind simply had a nightmare of a season in 2010.
After crushing the ball while batting .305 in 2009, Lind hit just .237 in 2010!
He even failed to top a .300 OBP, and the Blue Jays dragged the entire year with him hitting in the middle of the order.
It's up to Lind to prove that his 2009 season was no fluke, because he crushed fantasy owners' hearts all across the world last season.
The Jays are known for hitting the long ball, and although Lind had 23, his struggles far outweighed anything else he produced.
Washington Nationals: Jayson Werth
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He signed an unbelievably mind-blowing contract with the Nationals in the off-season.
Werth was very consistent with monster power numbers over the past two seasons with Philadelphia, and an even better hitter in the playoffs.
Several people suggest he was over payed, but the Nationals need to fill seats while Strasburg and Harper develop.
Werth will provide the Nationals with a higher average in the middle of the line up compared to slugger Adam Dunn.
He must make Washington fans happy and continue to hit well. He also has a cannon for an arm in right field.
Werth is now 31, but did he deserve such a big contract? We'll find out soon enough.
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