2011 Breakout Rookies

With the incredible success of rookies in 2010, you have to wonder who will be this year’s Buster Posey or Jason Heyward. Which pitcher will dominate like Neftali Feliz and Jaime Garcia?  2010 proved that rookies are key to success in the major leagues.  The class of 2011 has a tough act to follow, but there are several players with the talent to put up the same kind of numbers as the 2010 rookies.

Domonic Brown, OF, Philadelphia Phillies

There is a reason that Brown was placed as the top prospect many lists by midseason.  Brown’s unique combination of speed, contact and power gives him the potential to be a great outfielder in this league for years to come.  Brown came up in late August last year and showed potential, but was hurt by a lack of at bats, hitting only .210 in a Phillies uniform.  However, Brown’s numbers will not stay as bad as they were last year with his first taste of major league pitching.  The Phillies have plainly said that Brown is their future star.  Now, with the signing of Jayson Werth by the Nationals, it is only a matter of time before Brown takes over right field in Philadelphia.

Aroldis Chapman RP/SP, Cincinnati Reds

Chapman should go without even mentioning.  The guy has an arm that is absolutely electric, unlike anything that people have seen over the last few decades.  His one question mark comes in his role.  Will he be a starter or a reliever?  After watching him blow that fastball by most major league hitters and following it up with an absolutely wicked slider, it is not a stretch to think that he could become a top major league pitcher.  Chapman has obvious value as a starting pitcher with his incredible strikeout rate (19 in 13 1/3 innings as a reliever) and the potential for wins on a good young Reds team.

Desmond Jennings, OF, Tampa Bay Rays
Jennings has been pegged as the next Carl Crawford, and seems like a shoo-in to win a starting outfield job after Crawford’s departure.  Jennings is a prototypical leadoff hitter.  He hit .299 in the minors and is a demon on the bases.  Last year combined between Triple-A Durham and a brief stint with the Rays, Jennings stole 39 bases in 45 attempts.  The one part of Jennings game that separates him from his predecessor is the lack of power in Jennings game.  If you are looking for home runs, look elsewhere because Jennings had only 3 for Durham in 399 at bats.  Still, in the Rays offense, hitting in front of Longoria and Upton, Jennings should be a good source of runs and steals.

Mike Moustakas, 3B, Kansas City Royals
Moustakas is Kansas City’s third baseman of the future.  He has the tools to be a .300 hitter with the potential to hit thirty homers and drive in one hundred runs every year.  The lefty has a smooth swing and absolutely destroyed Double-A pitching last year.  The only question that remains is when the former second overall pick will be called up to permanently take the royals starting third base job.  Moustakas has unlimited potential and could become one of best third basemen in baseball, but he will probably start out at AAA Omaha before making an appearance with the Royals.

Welcome/ Offseason Review

This blog is devoted to Major League Baseball, in its entirety.  There will be no focus on one single team, although, as a staunch Phillies fan, some bias will show through.  I will report on the big stories and the big games every week.  Baseball is my passion.  I study the sport more than anything else.  As a baseball enthusiast, I promise to keep my hometown bias out of it as much as I can.

         Why care about baseball?  Baseball is the one sport that best combines individual matchups with a team effort.  This is the sport where strategy is evident on every pitch and every swing.  There is a reason baseball is known as the national pastime, much to the chagrin of the many football supporters throughout the country. 

         I decided that for my first official post that I would look at some of the offseason moves that will shape the league this year.

Cliff Lee to the Phillies: The most hotly watched fall drama was the Cliff Lee saga.  Lee was clearly the best pitcher to move this offseason.  Given his previous success in Philadelphia, Lee should once again be considered one of the top fantasy pitchers.  His command and use of the whole strike zone make it hard for hitters to pick up on what Lee is going to do.  This leads to a good amount of strikeouts.  Playing on the Phillies, Lee should get the opportunity to get plenty of wins this year, especially since he will be going up against the opponent’s number two starter. 

Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford to the Red Sox: There is no argument that the Boston Red Sox had the best offseason in the majors.  Gonzalez, who has tremendous opposite field power, should see his numbers soar outside of the caverns of Petco Park.  His home run totals and RBIs will rise greatly with his ability to hit the ball over the Green Monster.  Also, he finally has an offense to work with, unlike the Padres had put around him.  Crawford will also benefit from the quality lineup he is placed into.  However, his numbers will not rise as much.   The Red Sox look like the team to beat this season.

Zach Greinke to the Brewers: Greinke gets a big boost in the form of some run support, finally.  He should see his win total rise greatly if he can continue his recent success.  Also, the Brewers have put together a nice top three in their rotation combining Greinke with Yovani Gallardo and Shaun Marcum.   If their pitching can produce like they have in the past, then the Brewers could pose a very big threat to the Cardinals and the Reds in the NL Central.