2010 MLB Predictions: The “Key” Player for Each National League West Team

Next up in my “Key” player series is the “Key” player for each National League West team.

Remember, my definition of a “Key” player is a player who might have been injured or had a down year last year, and if he can come back to normal or exceed expectations, his team would be much better off.

Here the “Key” players for each National League West team.

Colorado Rockies: Jeff Francis

It wasn’t too long ago that Jeff Francis was the ace of the Rockies. In 2007, Francis won 17 games and finished ninth in the NL Cy Young voting. Since then, Francis has undergone shoulder surgery and hasn’t pitched since 2008.

The Rockies have a good, but not great pitching staff going into 2010. If Francis can come back from his injury and somewhat resemble his 2007 form, the Rockies’ staff will go from good to great.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Chad Billingsley

In the first half of last season, Billingsley was 9-4 with a 3.38 ERA. In the second half, he was 3-7 with a 5.20 ERA and was completely useless to the Dodgers in the playoffs.

If the Dodgers are ever going to make the World Series, it’s going to be because of guys like Billingsley, not Vicente Padilla. It’s time for Billingsley to prove his value in 2010.

San Francisco Giants: Aubrey Huff

In 2008, Huff hit .302 with 32 home runs and was fifth in the American League in OPS (.912). Last year, Huff was a disaster.

Huff will go into the season as the Giants’ cleanup hitter, so the pressure is on. The Giants need all the offensive help they can get, and it starts with the reemergence of Huff.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Brandon Webb

There is no bigger key to any team’s season than what Webb is to the Diamondbacks. He is THE Key of Keys.

When Webb is healthy, he is a top-10 pitcher in baseball. In the three years prior to his injury last year, Webb won a Cy Young and finished second twice. That is beyond impressive.

I don’t think Webb will ever be the same because he had shoulder surgery, but he can still be a darn good pitcher. If the Diamondbacks can get anything out of Webb this year, they might be the surprise of baseball.

San Diego Padres: Chase Headley

When the Padres traded third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff to the Oakland A’s, they basically said to Headley, “Your time is now.” Headley is entering his fourth season in the majors, so his time better be now.

Like the Giants, the Padres are offensively challenged and need guys like Kyle Blanks and Headley to reach their potential. If the Padres can get 20 home runs out of Headley, he will provide protection for Adrian Gonzalez and make the Padres’ lineup a lot better.

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