MLB - Young Players To Watch - Part One

Part of baseball's appeal is the fantasy element as thousand of baseball fans attempt to play GM. Given the Americans' love of statistical data, there's already an industry devoted to the fantasy world in the NFL, MLB, NBA and the NHL.

For novices, the key is in identifying the young players who can make an impact for little cost. So over the next two days I am previewing a list of young players to watch for the coming season:

Matt Wieters (Orioles) - Probably the number one young catcher in MLB. He’s very tall for a catcher but has a fine baseball brain and offensively is very promising. He projects to be a slugger in the Mike Piazza mould. He’s in line for a mid season call-up and could help your team out at the catching position.

Rich Hill (Orioles) - Not a prospect as he has threeseasons behind him but I just can’t ignore that curveball. Maybe he’s Barry Zito in disguise but it was only two seasons ago his fastball was clocked at 92mph with excellent command. Since then, he just can’t seem to locate that fastball. A nice pickup by the Os in my opinion as he’s still young and surely he can get back to where he was two years ago. He dominates Triple A and for him, there’s nowhere to go if he proves a bust in the majors.

Clay Buchholz (Bosox) - Is he overhyped? To a degree he is but there’s no doubting he has the stuff to be a number one starter. The question is: can he iron out his mechanics by throwing all his pitches from one set mechanics? I’m no expert but he looks to have several actions for different pitches and surely that must be why he had trouble last season. He’s unlikely to make the starting rotation early on unless Brad Penny struggles.

Michael Bowden / Daniel Bard (Bosox) - Not seen them at all but if reports are anything to go by, he compares favourably with Masterson and Buchholz in terms of potential and stuff. Bard is the hard throwing reliever whilst Bowden is a starter. Both are pitchers to keep an eye on for next season.

Phillip Hughes (Yankees) - Was hailed the new Roger Clemens but he’s had a few injuries and he’s only 21. He’s been written off but he’s got the stuff to compete in MLB but does he have the ability to stay healthy and prove he can be durable. It’s hard to forget he’s just twenty one years old and those in keepers league have a gem of a pitcher for the next season and beyond. He won’t find it easy to crack the rotation unless Joba is moved into the bullpen.

David Price (Rays) - Everyone knew about him when he came up but few could envisage his K-Rod-like impact on the post-season. A left-handed power pitcher is quite rare and he has the physical size to sustain his success.  He’s been sent down for now to prolong his arbitration years but he’ll get the fifth starter job once that period has expired. Should the Rays rotation be set, look for a move to the bullpen or a trade for the incumbent of the fifth spot.

Wade Davis (Rays) - Among the top starters the Rays had been stockpiling. Along with McGee and Price, he’s been feted by scouts for his fastball and surely he’s ready to play a part. Obviously, with a stacked rotation, he’ll find it tough to break through. Should he break through, it’s likely via injury to Kazmir or Price with Sonnatine losing his place a possibility, given how straight his fastball is and hitters will surely try to sit on that fastball leading to an inflated ERA and a call-up for Davis!

Yonder Alonso (Reds) - A power hitting first baseman, he’ll likely struggle to dislodge Joey Votto who enjoyed a good season in his first year. Unless he changes position or the Reds decide to trade him, he’ll likely start in the minors. He’s worth keeping an eye on for 2010 and beyond.

Jeff Niemann (Rays) - Part of the first round class of 04 that has yielded Justin Verlander, Jered Weaver, Homer Bailey, Neil Walker, Billy Butler, Stephen Drew, Josh Fields, Glen Perkins, Phil Hughes and Blake DeWitt who are all major leaguers. As amazing that class of 04 was, Niemann joins the likes of Phillip Humber, Mark Rogers, Wade Townsend, Thomas Diamond and Eric Hurley as highly talented hurlers who have struggled with injuries. At twenty six old, the time is now. The fact that he’s out of options means he’ll definitely be in the majors this season. The problem is the stacked rotation and should the Rays have a need for a trade, he’ll likely be a bargaining chip.

Nick Adenhart (Angels) - Much hyped Angels prospect who flopped in his debut season. He’s unlikely to crack the rotation but he’ll need to improve his command. He has the stuff to succeed but like many young pitchers, he’ll need to find that command and consistency to succeed at the highest level.

Jeff Samardzija (Cubs) - Much hyped Cubs prospect who rejected a football career as a wide receiver in favour of pitching for the Cubs. He cost $11m and so far has promised a quick return in investment for the Cubs. He’ll likely start the season in the bullpen but he has the potential to be a starter with his heavy sinker.

Jose Arredondo (Angels) - With the departure of K-Rod, this young fireballer had been tipped as his successor. Instead the Angels signed Brian Fuentes giving Arredondo more time to settle into the bullpen alongside Scott Shields as the primary setup men. In deep leagues, he’ll help out as a cheap price but don’t expect plenty of saves from him.

Howie Kendrick (Angels) - A superb hitter at the 2nd base position. He doesn’t possess a ton of power, but his batting average should hover around .300 and his ability to hit to all areas of the field should translate into doubles.

Joey Devine (As) - Though the As made Ziegler the closer after the trade of Huston Street, Joey Devine, like Arredondo garnered strong considerations. A former first round pick with the Braves, he rose quickly through the minors, but like Craig Hanson (Pirates), he struggled with his command. The As made a shrewd move acquiring Devine from the Braves and were promptly rewarded by a more confident showing from the hurler.

Gio Gonzalez (As) - A highly regarded leftie who has been used as trade chips by the WhiteSox and the Phillies before landing in the Bay area in the Blanton trade. His stuff has always wowed scouts but his command and consistency has been spotty at times. He did well at times but he has to improve his control. Walking 25 batters in 34 innings contributed to a bloated WHIP of 1.68 is akin to starting an inning with a man on base!

Daric Barton (As) - With the arrival of Jason Giambi, he’ll likely find his time limited. He follows the As philosophy of patience and as a young hitter, should benefit from extra time in the minors with regular playing time.

Tommy Hanson (Braves) - Much hyped prospect who came to prominence as the major chip in the proposed Jake Peavy trade. He’s a hard thrower with outstanding strikeout numbers. He’s proved himself in the minors and whether he breaks into the rotation is dependant on injuries and his performances at the start. Given the Braves’ track record of playing young talent, he should definitely see time at MLB level.

Come back tomorrow when I will continue my look at young players to watch for the coming season

Giant_Causeway