MLB Spring Training: 50 Players Worth Traveling to the Cactus League to See
Finally...It’s baseball season.
Last year I experienced my first spring training and it was truly one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I got the chance to chat with Buster Posey, Bruce Bochy, Barry Zito and Jeremy Affeldt. I ran into Dave Flemming, Jon Miller and Shawon Dunston in the parking lot.
I saw newcomers Aubrey Huff and Mark DeRosa take their first hacks in the black and orange. I saw the eventual Rookie of the Year, Posey, try to master first base.
For every team, there’s an All-Star or a new offseason acquisition. There’s an X-factor or a can’t-miss prospect. There’s a guy who can throw 100 mph and another who can hit a ball 500 feet.
And if there isn’t? Well at least there’s someone like that on the opposing team.
In Arizona, 15 teams play within one hour of one another. This year we’ve got the two reigning MVPs, a reigning Cy Young award winner and both reigning Rookie of the Year recipients.
Here are 50 players worth traveling to the Cactus League for:
Honorable Mention, Pt. 1
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Yes, there are more than 50 players worth traveling to Arizona for. My original list exceeded 100. Here are some players who just missed the cut:
Brandon Belt, San Francisco, 1B prospect
After Buster Posey broke out in 2010, Giants fans are looking for Belt to be this year’s breakout candidate. Belt tore up the minor leagues last season and has a great shot at a midseason call-up to San Francisco this year.
He will be given the opportunity to make the Opening Day roster in spring training but he will need to be absolutely stellar. The thing is, he is capable and he’s already torched the Arizona ballparks in 2010’s Arizona Fall League.
Johnny Cueto, Cincinnati, SP
The Reds handed Cueto a four-year extension this past offseason and are expecting him to deliver in 2011. Already a lock for the Opening Day rotation, Cueto has great stuff and has improved his win totals and ERA in each of his seasons with the team.
The 24-year-old has struggled with command in the past and will look to put that behind him in 2011.
David DeJesus/Hideki Matsui/Josh Willingham, Oakland, OF
The A’s bolstered their lineup this offseason with a trio of extremely capable outfielders. All three hitters are upgrades at their positions from last season and could find themselves batting 3-4-5 in the A’s new lineup.
DeJesus was the team’s biggest acquisition this offseason and is a high-averge hitter. Matsui is 36 and at the tail end of his career, but will still make for a great DH. Lastly, Willingham gives the team an all-around, right-handed threat that will slot in perfectly behind the lefty Matsui.
Honorable Mention, Pt. 2
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Kyle Blanks, San Diego, OF
Coming off of Tommy John surgery last season, Padres outfielder Kyle Blanks will certainly be limited this March as he continues his rehabilitation process, but is still worth a glance at this year’s spring training.
At 6’6”, 260 pounds, Blanks is one of the most physically imposing hitters in the major leagues and projects to be a middle of the lineup presence for the Padres in the very near future. Capable of hitting 500-foot moonshots when healthy, Blanks is doubtful to be lineup ready come Opening Day, but will nonetheless get the chance to show his power potential in batting practices late in spring training.
Aubrey Huff, San Francisco, 1B
Huff was a very pleasant surprise for the Giants in 2010, leading the world champs in nearly every offensive category. As great as he was on the field, he was just as important as a clubhouse guy, leading the stretch run with his infamous "rally thong" and teaming up with Pat Burrell to be the Giants’ equivalent of the Bash Brothers.
Huff’s signing with the Giants in 2010 was more of a temporary fix for the team and his offensive output was quite unexpected. Expectations are high with a new contract extension, and young Brandon Belt will be breathing down his neck this year. Expect Huff to come out playing hard this spring training.
50. Jhoulys Chacin, Colorado, SP
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...Because They've Got That X-Factor Look to Them (Group K)
Twenty-three-year-old Jhoulys Chacin was simply phenomenal in his rookie season in 2010. Bursting onto the scene with a 9.04 K/9 while limiting opposing batters to a .227 average, Rockies fans are thrilled for what their new pitching talent may do for an encore.
Chacin’s above-average ground-ball rate is a testament to great fastball command and a changeup that graded out as the best in the organization last season. As Chacin develops his breaking pitches further, he could rise up to a second ace in the Rockies' rotation.
For now, though, many still view Chacin as a place-holder in the rotation for Christian Friedrich and Tyler Matzek. A 2010 repeat in 2011 would certain solidify Chacin’s role on the team.
49. Starlin Castro, Chicago (NL), SS
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...Because They've Got That X-Factor Look to Them (Group K)
Already, Cubs sophomore shortstop Starlin Castro is one of the best hitting shortstops in the game.
On top of it, he can’t even legally drink alcohol in the United States yet.
Castro was nothing short of remarkable last season, batting .300 on the year after smashing two home runs and driving in six in his debut game. The youngster is expected to begin the year batting second in the lineup, and all eyes will be on him this year to replicate his 2010 output.
Cubs fans, meet your future. Did I mention he’s only TWENTY!?
48. Jonathan Sanchez, San Francisco, SP
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...Because They've Got That X-Factor Look to Them (Group K)
When Jonathan Sanchez is on his A game, he’s arguably the Giants best pitcher. Seriously.
He’s got some of the best pure stuff in the Giants’ rotation: a 93 mph fastball that sneaks up on hitters, one of the top sliders in the entire game and a nasty split-finger with great movement. When he’s got all of his pitches going for him, he’s unhittable; Sanchez led all pitchers last season in batting average against.
But then again, he’s inconsistent and runs up his pitch count early in the game with walks; he actually led the league in walks last season.
What makes him a must-see, though, is his ability to pitch himself out of jams. Of course he gets knocked out of games early occasionally, but to see Sanchez strike the side out after loading the bases up is an incredible sight. His stuff is that good.
For a great breakdown of Sanchez in 2011, check out this article.
47. Dustin Ackley, Seattle, 2B Prospect
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...Because They've Got That X-Factor Look to Them (Group K)
All eyes will be on Mariners’ prospect Dustin Ackley this spring training as he tries to continue his success in Arizona, and earn the starting second baseman job.
The last time Ackley spent some time in Arizona, he hoisted up the Arizona Fall League MVP award.
Ackley is one of the top pure-hitting prospects we’ve seen in a few years and has the makings of a top second baseman in the league for years to come. With the Mariners unlikely to contend this season, it’s doubtful that Ackley will begin the year in Seattle, as it will just burn up his service time clock, but you can bet Ackley is going to put on a display this March.
If called upon, Ackley could be a top-of-the-order catalyst. He’s a batting champion in the making, and gives Mariners fans something to look forward to in 2011.
46. Shaun Marcum, Milwaukee, SP
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...Because They're Quietly, Really Good (Group J)
The Brewers have never been known for having great starting pitching. Well, they are now in 2011, and that is something for Milwaukee fans to be excited about.
Shaun Marcum is one of the most underrated pitchers in the game. For three full seasons, Marcum’s been buried in the AL East, where he’s posted respectable numbers each year.
Marcum’s not the type of pitcher that will blow hitters away, but he is very crafty with his off-speed pitches and does a great job limiting baserunners.
After the Brew Crew dealt away top prospect Brett Lawrie for him back in December, fans are going to expect Marcum to deliver in 2011.
45. Daniel Hudson, Arizona, SP
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...Because They're Quietly, Really Good (Group J)
Twenty-three-year-old Daniel Hudson led the majors in WHIP last season, beating the likes of Adam Wainwright, Cliff Lee and Tim Lincecum. On the season, his WHIP was just a couple base hits below one per inning at 0.997, but after joining the Diamondbacks, Hudson posted an astonishing 0.841.
The new leader of this young Arizona staff, Hudson was 7-1 with 1.69 ERA and .183 batting average against after being acquired from Chicago at the 2010 trade deadline. Down the stretch, Hudson gave Diamondbacks fans something to cheer about and expectations will be as high as ever in 2011.
He may not be able to replicate his league-leading WHIP from last season, but Hudson looks to be Arizona’s future rotation leader and could take that role as early as this season.
44. Heath Bell, San Diego, RP
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...Because They're Quietly, Really Good (Group J)
Heath Bell was one of the top closers in the National League last season.
After finishing second in the NL with 47 saves out of 50 opportunities, Bell enters the season as the relief ace for arguably baseball’s best bullpen.
After rumors swirled near last year’s trade deadline, Bell was surprisingly not moved this offseason. If the Padres fall out of contention and middle relievers Luke Gregerson and Mike Adams continue to excel, Bell could be shopped around before hitting the free agency market in 2012.
Spring training may be the opportunity for you to firsthand see the closer who may either ruin your chances or lock up your bid during the 2011 stretch run to the playoffs.
Nonetheless, Bell is one of the most intimidating and electric relief pitchers in the game. His 94 mph fastball was the fastest it’s been in three seasons last season and helped him to a career-high 11.06 K/9.
43. Trevor Cahill, Oakland, SP
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...Because They're Quietly, Really Good (Group J)
At just 22 years old, Trevor Cahill made the American League All-Star team last July.
Considered by many to be the ace of the Athletics’ young rotation, Cahill is out to prove in 2011 that last year was not a fluke. While many naysayers (including myself) point to his league-low BABIP (Batting Average on Balls in Play) and low strikeout rate (5.40 K/9), Cahill simply is a pitch-to-contact type of thrower.
He has an outstanding arsenal of pitches, including at least two breaking balls, three variations of a changeup and a two-seam sinker that he throws nearly half of the time. It’s those pitches that have made it extremely difficult for batters to get good wood on the ball.
As opposing teams better understand Cahill’s stuff, he could regress to a middle-of-the-rotation starter, but for the time being, Cahill has been the young A’s rotation leader and will look to build on his successful campaign this year.
42. CJ Wilson, Texas, SP
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...Because They're Quietly, Really Good (Group J)
Last season, Rangers pitcher CJ Wilson made a very successful jump from bullpen to starting rotation with a solid 3.35 ERA and 15-8 record.
He was the Rangers’ silent leader for most of the season, and was easily the team’s best starter before Cliff Lee came over in July. Wilson was nothing short of remarkable late in the season, winning seven consecutive decisions from mid-July to the end of August and was a large reason why the Rangers made the postseason.
With Lee out of town, Wilson enters the 2011 season as the rotation leader, with all the pressure that comes with it. Wilson is certainly a talented and crafty pitcher, consistently posting a great groundball rate with high strikeout potential, but will need to deliver another ace-like season for the Rangers to win an improved AL West.
41. Matt Cain, San Francisco, SP
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...Because They're Quietly, Really Good (Group J)
Over the past couple seasons, Matt Cain has proven to be one of baseball’s best young pitchers. Entering 2011, Cain is just 26, right around the age when pitchers enter the peak of their careers.
Yes, what I am implying is that the man who threw 21.1 scoreless innings in the 2010 postseason and who had a 1.084 WHIP and .218 batting average against in 2010, could improve.
He may not have the extreme strikeout rates that fans ogle over, but it’s difficult to find fault with a pitcher as consistent and efficient as Cain is.
40. Brett Anderson, Oakland, SP
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...Because They're Quietly, Really Good (Group J)
The Athletics’ young rotation is, by itself, enough of a reason to head down to the Cactus this March.
Despite rotation mate Trevor Cahill garnering the All-Star selection in 2010, 23-year-old southpaw Brett Anderson may very well be the best of the bunch.
An elbow injury hampered Anderson all season in 2010, but when he was on the hill, he was dominant with a 2.80 ERA. All eyes, especially the medical staff’s, will be on Anderson this March to make sure his elbow issues are behind him coming into the season.
Anderson is a pleasure to watch, flashing one of the league’s best sliders that he throws early and often (31 percent), and a mid-to-low 90’s fastball that he pounds the zone with consistently. With a great groundball percentage and solid strikeout rate, Anderson has the makings to be a Cy Young candidate for years to come.
39. Buster Posey, San Francisco, C
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...Because They're Quietly, Really Good (Group J)
In Buster Posey’s first season with the San Francisco Giants, he earned the trust of one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, batted .305 with 18 home runs, took home the National League Rookie of the Year award despite playing just 108 games, batted cleanup, and if that wasn’t enough...brought the World Series trophy home to San Francisco for the first time in franchise history.
Needless to say, expectations are a little high for the sophomore backstop in 2011.
Nonetheless, Posey has earned all of these wild and improbable expectations after responding to all of the challenges thrown at him during his rookie campaign.
Posey has some of the game’s best hitting mechanics and has demonstrated the ability to drive the ball to all fields. With his pure ability and veteran professionalism demonstrated at such a young age, Posey should remain an elite MLB catcher for the next decade.
For a breakdown of Posey in 2011, check out this article.
38. Matt Kemp, Los Angeles (NL), OF
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...Because 2011 Is Going to Be a Bounce-Back Year (Group I)
Entering the 2010 season, Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp was expected to perform at an elite, MVP level. As the season progressed and Kemp found himself in cold streaks and constant battles with bad luck, it wasn’t his ability that was questioned, but his desire.
A five-tool, 30 HR/30 SB threat, Kemp oozes athletic ability and has the potential to be one of the game’s greatest outfielders, but 2010 was a huge disappointment for the 26-year-old.
His batting average fell 50 points, his defense was horrid, he was caught stealing on 15 of 34 attempts, and his strikeout total set a club record. He was benched after a heated argument with former bench coach Bob Schaefer and even former third base coach Larry Bowa said that he simply doesn’t play hard.
Kemp will bounce back in 2011, though. He’s acknowledged the fact that he needs to be a team leader. He reported to Arizona early to work with new coach and baserunning expert Davey Lopes. He’s even gone as far as to say he’s going to hit 40-40 in the 2011 campaign.
Simply put, Kemp is focused and hungry entering the 2011 season. He’s determined to return to his 2009 levels, possibly even surpass them.
37. Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco, 3B
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...Because 2011 Is Going to Be a Bounce-Back Year (Group I)
Giants’ third baseman Pablo Sandoval hit a home run on his first swing in his first batting practice at this year’s spring training.
After taking the league by storm in 2009 with a .330 average, 25 home runs and 90 RBI, Sandoval’s 2010 campaign was one of the year’s biggest disappointments across the majors. All season long, he battled weight issues, off-the-field problems, and struggled at the plate so much that the front office toyed with demoting him to Triple-A Fresno.
Down to 240 pounds, (that’s THIRTY-EIGHT pounds lighter than he ended 2010), Sandoval is determined to return to 2009 form and more importantly solidify his role as the team’s third baseman this season. Although we may never see him put up the numbers that we did two seasons ago, a return to those “Kung-Fu Panda” days are at least more likely in 2011.
36. Tanner Scheppers, Texas, RP/SP Prospect
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...Because Great Pitches Make Great Pitchers (Group H)
In 2010, 22-year-old Neftali Feliz burst onto the major league scene, taking over closer duties for the eventual American League champion Rangers and earning Rookie of the Year honors. The team’s third best prospect according to Baseball America, 24-year-old Tanner Scheppers could make a similar impact in 2011.
With uncertainty in the 3-4-5 slots of the rotation, the Rangers are toying with the idea of moving Feliz back into a starter’s role. Although the Rangers are expected to try extending Scheppers into a starter this March also, he certainly has the pure stuff to be an elite closer for years to come.
In 2010, Scheppers struggled a bit in Triple-A, especially during his stint working as a starter, but was effective as a reliever demonstrating great command and elite strikeout potential. His 11.62 K/9 as a reliever in 2010 is due in large part to an electric fastball that hit 99 mph on three consecutive pitches at last year’s Futures Game and an above-average power curve.
Although the Rangers are still trying to stretch him into a future starter, Scheppers is major-league ready and should be viewed as a strong candidate to take over as closer if Feliz makes the jump.
35. Carlos Marmol, Chicago (NL), RP
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...Because Great Pitches Make Great Pitchers (Group H)
Chicago Cubs closer Carlos Marmol led all pitchers in 2010 with a 15.99 K/9.
In 10 of his 38 saves, every out came on a strikeout (including a 5 K, 1.2 IP performance and a 4 K, 1.1 IP).
My last statistic of absurdity: He struck out 41.6 percent of the total number of batters he faced.
Disgusting.
Marmol uses two pitches, a mid-90s fastball that stays high in the zone and a mid-80s slider with great movement away from right-handed hitters that he threw 59 percent of the time in 2010. His slider is clearly his out pitch and yet no one can hit it with two strikes.
He can be a little wild (which keeps batters on their toes) and allows a decent amount of walks, but Marmol is still one of the best closers in the game.
34. Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle, RF
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...Because They're Hall of Fame Bound (Group G)
Mariners right fielder Ichiro Suzuki is an international superstar and a clear-cut first ballot Hall of Famer.
Since entering the league in 2001 at the age of 27, Ichiro has just led the league in base hits seven of the 10 seasons, earned an All-Star selection and batted over .300 (with over 200 hits) every season, and stole over 30 bags in all but one. Basically you could say he has been one of the best and most consistent players in the game.
At the age of 37, Ichiro is certainly nearing the end of his career and yet is still taking over 700 plate appearances and remains the focal point of a lackluster Seattle offense. Ichiro is a generational hitter and the MLB is definitely lucky to have seen him make the jump.
33. Omar Vizquel, Chicago (AL), SS/3B
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...Because They're Hall of Fame Bound (Group G)
Forty-three-year-old Omar Vizquel may be one of the most surprising names on this list, and likely has the least potential impact of all the players mentioned for the 2011 season.
He is arguably the greatest defensive infielder of this entire generation and plays the game with such enthusiasm and joy that he is a must-see in person. Everyone knows that he is a great fielder, as indicated by his 11 Gold Glove awards, but to watch him take infield practice or field grounders between innings is pure entertainment.
It’s unlikely that Vizquel picks up more than 100 plate appearances this season and this March could be his 23rd and last spring training of his career, but Vizquel will still be one of the White Sox’s most fit and eager players.
I would not be surprised to see Vizquel as a manager down the line, but for now it's worth every penny to see him field a ground ball.
32. Jarrod Parker, Arizona, SP Prospect
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...Because I Want to Meet You Before You're Famous (Group F)
Diamondbacks non-roster invitee Jarrod Parker is the future ace of the Arizona staff.
Despite missing the entire 2010 season due to Tommy John surgery, 22-year-old Parker was given the opportunity to open March in major-league camp. Although unexpected to open the season with the big league club, Parker could very easily force his way into the rotation by midseason with an impressive first half at Triple-A Tucson.
Parker’s 2010 surgery has been deemed "very successful" by many Arizona front-office execs with the team and GM Kevin Towers has said Parker will be given the opportunity to compete for an Opening Day rotation slot this spring.
He has a great, front-of-the-rotation pitch arsenal featuring an explosive mid-90’s fastball, a solid change and a two-plane breaking, hard slider that could rate as one of baseball’s best in a couple seasons.
Expect Parker to generate a lot of buzz this spring training and to force his way into a midseason promotion this season.
31. Eric Hosmer, Kansas City, 1B Prospect
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...Because I Want to Meet You Before You're Famous (Group F)
The future looks incredible for Kansas City baseball and one of the biggest reasons is top prospect, 1B Eric Hosmer.
The 21-year-old, non-roster invitee flashed his remarkable ceiling last season leading the High-A Carolina League with a .354 batting average to go along with a very respectable 20 homers across High-A and Double-A.
With great size and great mechanics, Hosmer profiles to be a 3-4-5 hitter, with tremendous power upside to all fields. Despite the fact that the Royals are set at 1B (Billy Butler) and DH (Kila Ka’aihue) entering the season, Hosmer will certainly earn a few looks this March and could force his way into Kansas City late in the season with a solid major league camp and a stint at Triple-A Omaha.
This March, the Royals may try him out a little in left and right field to see if he can make an earlier impact, but it’s his impressive hitting ability that has fans ecstatic for his promotion.
30. Michael Pineda, Seattle, SP Prospect
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...Because I Want to Meet You Before You're Famous (Group F)
There’s something exciting about watching a 6’5”, 245-pound man-child firing 100 mph fastballs.
Just 22 years old, Mariners top pitching prospect Michael Pineda has already pitched three full seasons of minor league ball in the Mariners organization, and after dominant 2010 campaigns at Double-A and Triple-A, Pineda has his sights on Seattle in 2011.
The young Dominican righty has answered every challenge thrown at him over the past two seasons, averaging 9.93 strikeouts to 1.93 walks per nine innings across four minor league levels.
Pineda has a great mid-90s fastball that he can rev up to 100 along with an average slider and above-average changeup. His delivery gets a lot of power from his legs, and his max-effort pitching mechanics bring an element of deception to his pitches (it also may cause arm trouble in the future, i.e. surgery).
For now, though, he locates his pitches extremely well, is an intimidating presence on the mound and could be a great second ace to complement Felix Hernandez in the very near future. And by near future I mean he’s fighting for a rotation spot as early as this season.
29. Mike Trout, Los Angeles (AL), OF Prospect
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...Because I Want to Meet You Before You're Famous (Group F)
An Angels non-roster invitee and the consensus top prospect in all of baseball, Mike Trout has a ton of hype surrounding him entering spring training 2011.
While many fans are calling for the 19-year-old to make the Opening Day roster, Trout is still a very raw talent and is unlikely to make a splash in Anaheim until September, possibly not even until 2012.
Last season, Trout dominated Low-A and High-A ball with a combined .341 average with 56 steals, and will look to force the organization’s hand yet again in 2011. Although he is expected to begin the year at Double-A, another great season would certainly warrant a big league call-up in September and by 2012 at the latest.
Trout, one of the fastest players in all of baseball, has blistering 80 speed on the 20-80 scouting scale that helps him steal bases, extend hits into doubles and triples, beat out infield dribblers as well as improve his overall range in the outfield.
But unlike most true speedsters, he also has exceptional bat control, great plate discipline and has shown the ability to spray line drives to all fields.
He’ll be a top-of-the-lineup stud for years to come but could first use just a little more experience in the minors.
28. Elvis Andrus, Texas, SS
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...Because I'm Expecting Big Things From You in 2011 (Group E)
Despite a mediocre sophomore season, shortstop Elvis Andrus could easily become the American League’s top shortstop for the Rangers in 2011 at just 22 years old. In fact, Andrus has the natural skills, ambition and swagger to be just that for the next decade.
Despite the Rangers’ decision to bat him second in 2011, Andrus’ fantastic plate discipline, great bat speed and ability to swipe bags make him a prototypical top-of-the-order hitter.
As he showed in last year’s ALDS and ALCS, Andrus thrives in the spotlight, swiping seven bags and batting .333. He’s a difference-maker, an X-factor and at just 22 years old, Andrus will only continue to improve in the upcoming seasons.
In his first two seasons, Andrus has mostly played off of natural talent and instincts. As he becomes a smarter base runner and develops a little power (he added ten pounds of muscle this offseason), he will join an elite class of shortstops like Hanley and Tulo. It’s just a matter of how soon.
27. Chris Carter, Oakland, OF Prospect
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...Because I'm Expecting Big Things From You in 2011 (Group E)
While the Athletics’ outfield may look full this season with Coco Crisp, and the previously mentioned DeJesus, Willingham and Matsui, none of the four are on the books for 2012.
This spring training, outfield/1B prospect Chris Carter will attempt to force the Athletics management to give him a look as early as this season and will at the very least give the fans something to look forward to in 2012.
Standing 6’5”, 230 pounds, Carter is the Athletics’ top power hitting prospect and projects to be a middle-of-the-lineup bat capable of hitting 30-40 home runs per season. He’s already displayed massive power potential in the minor leagues, posting ISOs of .271 at Triple-A Sacramento in 2010 and .310 in High-A Stockton in 2008.
Like many power hitters, Carter has a tendency to jump at a lot of off-speed and breaking pitches, resulting in high strikeout rates, but he has certainly shown the ability to crush the ball even without getting good wood on the ball.
He will certainly be a welcomed addition to the Athletics lineup when he makes the jump full-time.
26. Luke Gregerson, San Diego, RP
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...Because I'm Expecting Big Things From You in 2011 (Group E)
San Diego Padres reliever Luke Gregerson’s 2010 season could be summed up in one word: “unhittable.”
Last year, not only did Gregerson set the MLB record for holds (equivalent to a save for a middle reliever), but he also posted a 10.23 K/9 and career low 2.07 BB/9 all the while limiting opposing hitters to a measly .169 batting average. Unhittable.
Should the Padres decide to deal closer Heath Bell in 2011, expect to see Gregerson fill the role with ease and instantly become one of the game’s top relief aces.
Gregerson has a nasty slider (top-five in the majors according to pitch-type linear weights) that he threw a ridiculous 59 percent of the time in 2010. He is willing and able to throw it on any count and often sets up his fastball with the slider, and not the more-common other way around.
Sitting on an unhittable slider is no fun for hitters, and Gregerson has used it effectively to become a strikeout machine and arguably the best non-closer relief pitcher in the game.
I am not sure how, but with ex-Padre Trevor Hoffman, the best closer of all time, hanging out in Peoria this spring, Gregerson could become even better in 2011.
25. Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco, SP
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...Because I'm Expecting Big Things From You in 2011 (Group E)
Modern baseball analysis suggests that young pitchers should not up their innings by more than 30 innings from season to season (see Verducci Effect).
Twenty-one-year-old Madison Bumgarner upped his count by 73 in 2010, albeit for a good cause.
In his final start of the year, Game 4 of the World Series, Bumgarner threw a three-hit, eight-inning shutout, planting his name in history books as well as the brains of baseball fans across the country.
After a midseason call-up, Bumgarner showed incredible poise beyond his age and pitched well enough down the stretch to supplant Barry Zito from the postseason rotation.
Since being drafted in 2007 with a fastball and no secondary pitch, the young southpaw has developed a solid four-pitch repertoire including a very effective curveball that he learned just this past season. Bumgarner does a great job of mixing pitches, getting ahead in counts and pounding the strike zone.
Most of all, with rotation mates like Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, Bumgarner will be able to continue to develop under pitching coach Dave Righetti without the added pressure of “saving a rotation” or ending losing streaks that many young pitching prospects have to deal with.
To say the least, he’s in a great situation in San Francisco.
24. Carlos Santana, Cleveland, C
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...Because I'm Expecting Big Things From You in 2011 (Group E)
Indians catcher Carlos Santana’s season-ending collision at home plate last August was one of the most gruesome injuries I have ever seen.
For most ballplayers, knee surgery rehabilitation can take anywhere from six months to over a year. Luckily for the Indians, Santana’s rapid recovery got him back 100 percent by the time pitchers and catchers reported to Arizona.
Prior to the collision, Santana posted an incredible rookie campaign including an .868 OPS, good for third among catchers.
Despite nearly suffering a career-ending injury, the 24-year-old switch hitter enters the 2011 season with great expectations. Santana has the ability to become one of the league’s best all-around catchers over the next couple seasons, having already shown the ability to call the game and produce at a high level at the dish.
I fully expect Santana to return to the 3-4-5 slot in the lineup and be one of the Indians’ leading run producers this year. With LeBron’s spurning of the city and the Browns’ lackluster 2010 season, Santana has become Cleveland’s last beacon of hope.
From what I can tell, Santana is very eager to earn some cheers in 2011.
23. Zack Greinke, Milwaukee, SP
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...They're the Consistent All-Stars (Group D)
This offseason, the Milwaukee Brewers went from playoff dark horse to NL Central favorite with a little pitching rotation bolstering led by former Cy Young winner Zack Greinke. For the first time in his career, Greinke has the opportunity to play for a playoff contender, and his addition to the top of the rotation gives the Brew Crew a great chance to win now.
Greinke relies on a solid four-pitch arsenal, including a mid- to high-90s fastball, changeup, slider and curveball that has three distinct speed variations.
Greinke is extremely effective and does a fantastic job mixing his pitches, throwing all three of his off-speeds 10-15 percent of the time. Over the past three seasons, Greinke has limited opposing batters to a .246 average while posting above-average groundball rates and an elite strikeout rate (8.37 K/9).
Remember just two years ago, Greinke graced the cover of Sports Illustrated with the caption, “The Best Pitcher in Baseball.”
Finally out of Kansas City, the time to shine is now for the 27-year-old righty, and Milwaukee fans are buzzing over what could be in 2011.
22. Shin-Soo Choo, Cleveland, of
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...They're the Consistent All-Stars (Group D)
Cleveland outfielder Shin-Soo Choo is easily one of the most underrated players in MLB.
Providing Gold Glove-caliber defense in right field while consistently leading the Indians in all offensive categories, Choo is one of the most well rounded outfielders in the game. He has flown completely under the radar for the past couple of seasons simply because the team has played so poorly.
The 28-year-old native of South Korea has batted .300-plus in each of his first three full-length seasons and is capable of both driving in and scoring 80-100 runs batting out of the second or third lineup slot.
After leading the Korean national team to gold at the Asian Games, Choo enters 2011 eager and more relaxed than ever before.
Side note: With the victory at the Games, Choo not only brought gold home but also earned exemption from his mandatory two-year service in the Korean military (Korean law states that all men have to serve two years in the military before age 30 unless there are extraordinary circumstances or honorary exemptions).
If Korea had not won, Choo would not be in an Indians uniform this season.
21. Brian Wilson, San Francisco, RP
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As crazy as San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson is, one might expect him to slot a little higher on this list.
First, let me briefly breakdown the type of offseason Wilson has had:
1. He appeared on George Lopez in a sailor’s outfit, 2. he marched into the Twitter office in San Francisco with the World Series trophy in hand and demanded a twitter account be made for him, 3. he has been driving an old police car to Scottsdale Stadium every day and he announces his arrival by loudspeaker as he pulls up, and 4. recently, Wilson hung out with crazy Charlie Sheen.
Despite all of the antics, Wilson is still one of baseball’s elite relief aces. He’s a little odd, but he has the wild factor that makes him excel at the game’s most pressured position. He will battle every single hitter and goes into every at-bat with the belief that he will get the out.
A pure power pitcher, Wilson relies almost completely on his mid- to high-90s fastball (61 percent) and low-90s cutter (35 percent) that became his strikeout pitch in 2010, and the pitch that froze Ryan Howard for the last out in the NLCS.
In years past, Wilson was hesitant with his cutter/slider, but last season, it became a pitch he could use in any count. The pitch’s effectiveness and Wilson’s confidence in it certainly showed as his K/9 rate upped to a career high 11.21.
Expect Wilson to be just as nasty on the field and just as prominent in the media in 2011.
20. Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee, SP
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In each of the two past seasons, 25-year-old starter Yovani Gallardo has been the only Brewers starter to post a sub-4.00 ERA and the only pitcher to combine for more than 15 wins between the two seasons (he’s won 27).
One of the game’s best young pitchers, Gallardo has simply been overlooked due to the lack of talent surrounding him in the Milwaukee rotation. With the previously mentioned Greinke and Marcum joining the Crew in 2011, Gallardo is primed for a massive breakout this season.
The young righty is already an elite strikeout pitcher, posting K/9 rates of 9.9 and 9.7 in the past two seasons, good for second both seasons among National League starters.
In 2010, Gallardo continued his growth towards becoming a true rotation ace, decreasing his walk rate from 4.6 BB/9 in 2009 down to 3.6 BB/9 while substantially increasing his first-pitch strike percentage.
He does a good job getting ahead in the count and punched out nearly 50 percent of the hitters that he got two strikes on last season (the league average is 40 percent). Gallardo primarily uses a solid fastball-curveball combination, attacking hitters early with a low- to mid-90s heater and finishing them off with a 12-6 curve that garners an above-average whiff rate.
Pitching for a team that should finally make a splash in 2011, Gallardo could finally receive the recognition he deserves this season. Much like Ubaldo Jimenez rose to prominence in 2010, I’m anticipating a similar scenario for Gallardo in 2011.
19. Andre Ethier, Los Angeles (NL), OF
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...They're the Consistent All-Stars (Group D)
For the first six weeks of the 2010 season, Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier played like a man possessed and looked like a legitimate NL MVP candidate. As of May 15, he led all three Triple Crown categories with a .392 average, 11 homers and 38 RBIs.
That same unfortunate day, however, Ethier fractured his pinky in a freak accident during batting practice. When he returned two weeks later, he was a different hitter and played the rest of the season at less than full strength.
He still managed to post a solid campaign with a .292 average, 23 homers and 71 RBI, but the Dodgers are expecting the left-handed 28-year-old to be even better in 2011. Fully rested and recovered, Ethier is ready to add his name to the list of the league’s elite hitters.
Off the field as well, Ethier has voiced his desire to be a team leader in the clubhouse this spring, and manager Don Mattingly has challenged him to take on a “Derek Jeter-like” role for the Dodgers. If you think about it, the Dodgers have been without a true team leader for quite a few seasons now.
I fully expect LA to return to NL West contention in 2011, and Ethier will certainly be at the forefront of the charge.
18. Gordon Beckham, Chicago (AL), 2B
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After taking home the hardware as the Sporting News’ and Players Choice American League Rookie of the Year in 2009, Chicago White Sox 2B Gordon Beckham experienced a rough sophomore slump in 2010.
Bottoming out with a .199 average in June and playing his way out of the lineup, Beckham finally bounced back late in the season, playing like the budding star that he is. As frustrating as the first half of the season may have been, Beckham certainly became mentally stronger from his three-month slump and enters 2011 eager to prove that his struggles were nothing more than temporary.
In the past two seasons, the 24-year-old University of Georgia alum has displayed above-average power for a middle infielder and showed in the second half of last season why he projects to be the number two hitter for the Sox for years to come. In the back half of 2010, Beckham batted .310, nearly 100 points better than his first half numbers.
Recently, Beckham told the media that he has been ready to play since December, showing just how excited he is to put his rough sophomore campaign behind him and give the fans of the Windy City something to look forward to for the future.
17. Mike Moustakas, Kansas City, 3B Prospect
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The second-highest prospect on my list, Kansas City’s third baseman of the future, Mike Moustakas, is another huge reason why the Royals farm system earned Baseball America’s top ranking in this offseason.
Unlike fellow top prospect Eric Hosmer, Moustakas’ path to the majors appears to have clear skies with no proven veteran currently occupying the hot corner for the Royals. Once he’s ready, Moustakas will almost certainly be given the green light by the organization. It could come as early as Opening Day.
In 2010, the 22-year-old from Southern California led the minor leagues with 36 home runs splitting time at Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha. If you weren’t impressed yet, he also drove in 124 runs and batted .322.
Down the line he projects to be an All-Star caliber, well-rounded hitter consistently posting .280-.300 averages while hitting 30-40 balls out of Kauffman. The Royals are on the upswing with a great crop of prospects coming up over the next couple seasons, and it all begins with Moustakas.
16. Jered Weaver, Los Angeles (AL), SP
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In 2010, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim ace Jered Weaver took another stride towards joining baseball’s list of elite starting pitchers.
Despite sporting a mediocre 13-12 record, Weaver led the majors in strikeouts with 233 while posting a 1.074 WHIP and 3.01 ERA, good for third and fifth respectively among starters in the American League. As a fly ball pitcher that played with a range-lacking outfield behind him in 2010, Weaver’s numbers (as great as they are) only slightly tell the tale of just how masterful he was last season.
Weaver’s success stems from his ability to throw and effectively mix five major league average- to above-average pitches. All three of his off-speed pitches were thrown over 13 percent of the time and his plus-changeup and curveball became great out pitches.
While none of his pitches are overpowering (his four-seamer tops out at 92), Weaver is one of the game’s most crafty hurlers.
While it is certainly enjoyable to watch a pitcher blast a 100 mph fastball past a hitter, I’d take Weaver’s deceptive delivery and 9.35 K/9 every day.
15. Neftali Feliz, Texas, RP/SP
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The 2010 American League Rookie of the Year recipient, Texas pitcher Neftali Feliz is amidst one of the Cactus League’s biggest storylines of 2011.
After finishing third in the American League in saves with 40 and anchoring the team’s bullpen all the way to the World Series in 2010, this spring the Rangers are attempting to stretch him out into a starter.
After pitching out of the rotation his entire minor league career, Feliz, equipped with a 100 mph fastball, was named closer just weeks into the 2010 season. The 22-year-old excelled, displaying both the confidence and pure ability to cap off wins for the Rangers starters.
Even before Cliff Lee flocked to Philadelphia this offseason, it became clear that Rangers management saw more value in getting 180 innings, pitching every fifth day, rather than 70 innings as the closer. While he is certain to struggle a little early on, Feliz has tremendous upside as a starter and could be a top-of-the-rotation arm once he develops better secondary pitches.
In 2010, Feliz relied on his triple-digit fastball 83 percent of the time (93 percent in October), an indication that he needs to work on his curveball and changeup more this March. So far, reports out of Surprise, Ariz., on Feliz’s development have been positive, including one that Rangers catcher Mike Napoli’s knees buckled swinging at one of Feliz’s breaking balls in an intersquad exhibition.
All eyes will be on Feliz this March, and no matter whether he exits camp as a reliever or starter, he will still be one of the game’s most electric young pitchers.
14. Mat Latos, San Diego, SP
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In 2010, the San Diego Padres surprised analysts across baseball, leading the NL West for much of the season and remaining in playoff contention until the last day of the season. A major factor in the team’s success was the emergence of 23-year-old Mat Latos.
Excluding his horrendous last five starts, Latos pitched a Cy Young-caliber season, posting a 2.21 ERA and 0.96 WHIP, which would have been tops in the majors in each category.
Despite his rough stretch at the end of 2010, Latos enters the 2011 campaign as the Padres’ clear rotation ace and one of the team’s lone remaining bright spots. Even if Heath Bell leaves mid-season, following Adrian Gonzalez out of San Diego, Padres’ fans can be certain that Latos will be around for the long haul.
At 6’6”, 225 pounds, Latos is already becoming one of the league’s top power pitchers. He overpowers hitters with a mid-90s fastball and a filthy slider that he throws 23 percent of the time, yet keeps them guessing by periodically mixing in a breaking ball and changeup that he can confidently throw on any count, in any situation.
What makes Latos special, though, and a future Cy Young candidate for years to come, is his swagger. His ability is unquestionably exceptional, but I attribute much of his success in 2010 to his overwhelming confidence in himself and his ability to throw his pitches.
The Padres have a gem on their hands.
13. Jay Bruce, Cincinnati, OF
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...Can't-Miss Talent (Group B)
For three seasons now, baseball fans, fantasy baseball owners and the Reds management have been waiting for the season that Reds outfielder Jay Bruce breaks out and belts 30-40 home runs. I have a feeling that 2011 will be the year.
With an ISO consistently in the .200’s, the 23-year-old lefty slugger has some of the best, untapped power in the major leagues. Rated as a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale in 2008, Bruce has shown flashes of his power potential in the majors but has struggled with consistency and putting together a complete season.
In 2010, Bruce was rather average for the first half of the season before blasting 15 home runs and 29 RBI over the final two months (that’s a 50-plus home run pace). Coming off of last season’s late success, Bruce hopes to discover his power stroke this March and become one of the Reds’ top run-producers alongside 1B Joey Votto.
With the Brewers and Cardinals likely to compete with the Reds for the NL Central crown this season, a dominant campaign by Bruce could be the deciding factor. Expect big things in 2011.
12. Joey Votto, Cincinnati, 1B
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...Can't-Miss Talent (Group B)
From one Red to another, it definitely goes without saying that reigning National League MVP Joey Votto was nothing short of spectacular in 2010.
In just his third full-length season, the Reds first baseman was a Triple Crown threat all season long, finishing second in batting average (.324), and third in both home runs and RBI (37/113). Over his three seasons in Cincinnati, Votto has developed into one of the league’s top first basemen, hitting for both high averages (.314 career) and solid power (.958 career OPS).
Votto has phenomenal hitting mechanics, demonstrating the patience, pitch selection and bat speed to be an elite hitter for years to come. Interestingly, Votto’s power is primarily to left and left-center, despite the fact that he is a left-handed hitter.
He does a great job waiting on the ball and drove 19 of his 39 home runs the opposite way last season. To further the point, Votto posted a surreal .500 opposite-field ISO in comparison to a .305 pulled ISO and a .324 up-the-middle ISO.
Still a young player, Votto enters spring training 2011 eager to improve his game on all levels. Not only do fans expect big things again from the 27-year-old, but Votto himself does as well. After his breakout year led the Reds to the NL Central title, you can bet Votto is ready to bring another crown, and potentially another trophy, home in 2011.
11. Justin Upton, Arizona, of
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It’s hard to believe but Justin Upton is already entering his fifth season in the majors in 2011. It’s even harder to believe that he is still just 23 years old.
After earning an All-Star nod in 2009 and batting .300 while hitting 26 home runs, Upton’s hyped-up 2010 campaign was a large disappointment. He scored less, drove in less, batted a lower average and struck out a career-high 152 times. It was not a good year.
Coming into 2011, however, Upton feels refreshed and excited to have the opportunity to put the 2010 season behind him.
Over the offseason, Upton hit the gym hard, strengthening his left shoulder that gave him problems last season, and hit the batting cages even harder, working with hitting coach Don Baylor to retool his swing in hopes of reducing strikeouts. The former Rockies hitting coach, Baylor is credited with "retooling" Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez’s swings. Just saying.
Most of all, reports say that Upton entered camp with the proper mindset for the first time in his career. At just 23, Upton has become the face of the Arizona franchise and has felt all of the added pressure that comes with it. This year, Upton reported to camp a full week early and appears focused and ready for Opening Day.
From a pure talent standpoint, Justin Upton is arguably the best hitter in the game, however, now, five years after making his major league debut, the fans have still only seen flashes of his potential.
Down the line, Upton could very well be a consistent National League MVP contender and lead the Diamondbacks to the postseason, but Arizona fans are more eager to see what happens in 2011.
10. Aroldis Chapman, Cincinnati, RP Prospect
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...Can't-Miss Talent (Group B)
The top prospect on my list, Reds relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman caught the attention of the entire baseball world in 2010.
The 23-year-old lefty from Cuba burst onto the scene last year with his jaw-dropping 105 mph fastball and a remarkable 12.83 K/9 rate. In the future, Chapman projects to be a top-of-the-rotation starter, but for now he will continue to develop his arm out of the Cincinnati bullpen and will likely serve as a set-up man to closer Francisco Cordero in 2011.
While it’s his blazing fastball that gets the large recognition, Chapman’s secondary pitch, an 87 mph slider that he threw 25 percent of the time in 2011, is as nasty as his fastball is fast. He easily has one of baseball’s best two-pitch combos and will look to build on his highly successful, yet brief, campaign when he limited opposing hitters to a .196 batting average.
It is unclear when exactly the Reds will give Chapman a shot at the rotation, but for now the fans just want to see him pitch as often and as fast as possible.
9. Ryan Braun, Milwaukee, OF
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...Can't-Miss Talent (Group B)
When it comes to discussing who the top outfielders are in the game, Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun is a name that consistently comes up.
Winner of three straight Silver Slugger awards, the 27-year-old Braun is one of baseball’s most well rounded hitters. Capable of batting .300 with 30 home runs and 100-plus RBI on a very consistent basis, the University of Miami product is a crucial component to the Brewers lineup and will largely impact their run at the NL Central crown in 2011.
After last year’s “down” season in which he amassed a .304 average with 25 home runs and 103 RBI, Braun looks fully prepared to return to his elite power numbers in 2011. The bolstering of the Brew Crew’s rotation has not only improved one of the National League’s worst pitching staffs but also gave players like Braun an extra kick of motivation in their offseason programs.
With the team management showing interest to compete in 2011, an inspired Braun added five pounds of pure muscle to his legs this offseason and says that this is the strongest and most explosive he has ever felt before.
Braun’s attitude and the Brewers’ attitude going into 2011 is as optimistic as ever before, and 2011 could be a great season for the right-handed slugger and the city of Milwaukee.
8. Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles (NL), SP
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Pitching in a division with the likes of San Francisco’s Tim Lincecum and Colorado’s Ubaldo Jimenez often makes it easy for other pitchers to be overlooked.
Well, 22-year-old Clayton Kershaw managed to stand out in 2010, posting a sub-3.00 ERA, averaging more than a strikeout per inning and limiting opposing batters to a .211 average, good for fifth among all starting pitchers.
Kershaw’s pure “stuff” ranks up there with the best, featuring a solid mid-90s fastball, a plus-curveball that he has slowly shied away from over the past couple seasons, and a slider that garnered an absurd 19 percent whiff rate last season.
Kershaw has developed tremendously as a pitcher in his first three seasons in Los Angeles and has taken the steps from being good to a great.
After a rewarding offseason, Kershaw looks to come back strong this March and to avoid the high walk rates that plagued him last April and occasionally throughout the season.
The young southpaw knows he has more to improve on but he has shown that he is certainly able to make the jump from greatness to the elite here in the near future. It could be as early as the 2011 season.
7. Prince Fielder, Milwaukee, 1B
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...The Best (Group A)
Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder can crush the ball.
With the Brew Crew looking like solid contenders in 2011 thanks to a new pitching staff, this likely being Fielder’s last hurrah in Milwaukee, and the fact that a big 2011 would result in a big multi-year payout in free agency next offseason, you could say that there are plenty of factors pointing to Fielder crushing the ball even more in 2011.
Like Braun, Fielder also “slumped” to 32 homers and 83 RBI in 2010, his lowest totals since his first full-length season in 2006. Last season, the big story behind Fielder’s struggles was a significant drop in his home-run-per-fly-ball rate (to 18 percent), rather inexplicable. As his rate climbs back to his career average (21-plus percent) or even higher in 2011, so too will his power statistics.
If Fielder expects to be paid like the top 1B he believes he is, another 155-plus game campaign with solid numbers should certainly do to the trick. His job rehearsal for next season begins with spring training.
6. Ubaldo Jimenez, Colorado, SP
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...The Best (Group A)
After a breakout 2010 season that earned him a third-place finish in the National League Cy Young voting, all eyes will be on Colorado ace Ubaldo Jimenez to see if he can duplicate or even surpass last season’s numbers in 2011.
Throughout the first half of 2010, the 27-year-old from the Dominican Republic looked simply unbeatable going an astounding 15-1 with a 2.20 ERA and 1.047 WHIP heading into the All-Star break.
Going 4-7 the rest of the season, Jimenez did not break through the sanctified 20-win barrier as expected and became an afterthought as the Halladays, Lincecums and Wainwrights shined down the stretch.
This spring, Jimenez is determined to prove that he belongs in the select class of elite pitchers. When he was on his A-game last season, it was clear that he could be one of the best pitchers in the league, but poor mechanics and the inability to throw first-pitch strikes in the second half (just 52 percent after 62 percent in the first half) exposed his flaws.
Ubaldo has a great five-pitch repertoire highlighted by his 98-mph sinking heater that rated as the second-best fastball in all of baseball last season according to pitch-type linear weights, a high-80s slider, and high-70s changeup.
After last season, little doubt is left in my mind that Jimenez can become elite. Entering his prime years, the Rockies ace should continue to make the necessary improvements and yet again make a run at the National League Cy Young in 2011.
5. Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado, OF
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...The Best (Group A)
In 2010, Rockies left fielder Carlos Gonzalez made a name for himself as one of the toolsiest and most electrifying players in the game.
One of just two players to hit 25 homers and swipe 25 bags last season, CarGo not only brings a incredible blend of speed and power to the game, but also consistently hits for a high average (.336 last year) while providing Gold Glove-caliber defense in the outfield.
Just last season, CarGo was a serious Triple Crown candidate, finishing first in average, second in RBI and fourth in home runs.
With an extremely high strikeout rate and low walk rate, Gonzalez certainly has aspects of his game that can use improvement, but at age 24, he fortunately still has time to further develop.
With really just one full season under his belt, there is still an edge of ambiguity about what to expect from him in his encore season. After working his tail off last offseason, CarGo says he’s even more prepared entering the 2011 season to become the full-fledged superstar that he is capable of being.
There’s really nothing the kid can’t do. All eyes will be on him in 2011.
4. Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado, SS
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...The Best (Group A)
Troy Tulowitzki is an All-Star, a Gold Glove award winner, a Silver Slugger recipient, one of the best power hitting middle infielders in the game and most of all, the face of the Colorado Rockies. As such, he was locked up through 2020.
Tulo and Carlos Gonzalez form easily the best young duo in the entire majors and will be difference-makers both on and off the field for the next decade.
The 26-year-old shortstop out of Long Beach State has shown both incredible leadership and athletic prowess in his young career with Colorado and has become one of the top big leaguers in this modern era.
As memorable as CarGo’s breakout season was in 2010, Tulo was the one who delivered the god-like performance down the stretch, smashing an incredible 14 home runs over 16 games while batting .394 to single-handedly lead the Rockies back into contention.
In the field providing stellar defense, at the dish hitting 30-plus home runs batting cleanup, in the community representing the organization…Tulo is special.
He’s got future MVP written all over him.
3. Josh Hamilton, Texas, OF
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Despite missing most of September, Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton brought home the American League MVP trophy in 2010, and after coming up short in the World Series, he is ready for his encore.
As incredible as he was last season batting .359 with 32 homers and 95 RBI, everyone from manager Ron Washington to Hamilton himself say 2010 was no career year. With the added confidence from leading his team to the World Series, Hamilton is excited for the 2011 season and will be a key factor in the team’s overall success again.
He’s already set his goals for the 2011 season: match/improve on his individual numbers (.300/30/100) and get the Rangers back to the postseason.
Last year, the 29-year-old former top prospect became the five-tool superstar that the league has been waiting for, and there’s no reason to expect him not to be as phenomenal this year. In just one season, Hamilton has easily become the most feared hitter in the game next to Albert Pujols.
You can bet that a Rangers exhibition and watching Josh Hamilton at batting practice is on my list of things to check out during my trip to Arizona this March.
2. Tim Lincecum, San Francisco, SP
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As dominating as Roy Halladay is, and Adam Wainwright was, there is no one in the National League as electric as San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum.
The two-time Cy Young award winner and reigning World Series MVP struggled a bit in 2010, but down the stretch and into the postseason, Lincecum was in top form.
After a horrendous August (0-5, 7.82), The Freak responded with an 11.2 K/9 rate down the stretch, limiting opposing batters to a .201 average, and continued his dominance into the playoffs with a .188 batting average against and 10.5 K/9.
Still motivated by his August struggles, Lincecum came into camp ahead of schedule, and even threw three innings of no-hit ball yesterday in his second exhibition game.
After leading the National League in strikeouts each of the last three seasons, the 26-year-old righty looks poised for a bounce-back, monster season.
1. Felix Hernandez, Seattle, SP
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Coming in at the top of the list is the Seattle Mariners’ reigning AL Cy Young award winner and, in my opinion, the top pitcher from the 2010 season, Felix Hernandez.
Last year, 24-year-old King Felix was unstoppable, posting a league-leading 2.27 ERA, a 1.057 WHIP and 232 strikeouts that were both good for second best in the American League. Of the 34 games that Hernandez pitched in, 30 were quality (min. 6 innings of 3 ER or less).
An easy 20-game winner on most teams, he went 13-12 on the season with the Mariners.
At just 24 years old when the season begins, King Felix is a full three years from most pitchers’ peak years. He’s already been in the league for five-and-a-half seasons now. Over the past two seasons, Hernandez has really excelled and that will continue on in 2011.
He has a great pitching repertoire featuring a mid- to high-90s heater and curveball that rates out as 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale, in addition to an above-average slider and changeup. Hernandez will continue to develop over the next couple seasons and with the way he is pitching now, it is scary to think that he could improve even more.
