MLB Young Players To Watch - Part Two

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. Today I bring you part two of "young players to watch for the coming season":

Mat Gamel (Brewers) - Most likely to play a part this season for the Brewers. He’s similar to Ryan Braun in that they’re both third basemen in the minors and they’re not defensively sound at the position. His bat is on par with Braun’s and that will parlay into a call-up this season, as like with Wieters and Price, their clubs want to activate the service clock later in the year.

Lars Anderson (Bosox) - Following the Sox’s failure to sign Teixeira and doubts surrounding Lowell, Lars’ left handed swing could be the solution to the Sox’s troubles with Big Papi, Varitek and Lowell’s offensive decline placing more emphasis on pitching. To take the pressure off, they could move Youkilis to third and promote Anderson, as that was the original plan for Teixeira. Much depends on how the veteran bats perform and even so, Epstein’s past flirtation with Todd Helton could make Anderson a risky pick this season.

Max Scherzer (Dbacks) - 100mph fastball coupled with slider screams reliever but the Dbacks will persevere with him as a starter. He’ll have to learn to manage his pitch count efficiently and refine his secondary pitches as the season wears on.

James McDonald (Dodgers) - Yet another hyped prospect from the Dodgers production line. Kershaw was the number one prospect in the system but McDonald wasn’t far behind. By all reports, he doesn’t have the overpowering fastball to be a no.1 but his mental strength and his command makes it all the more likely he’ll succeed. He’ll likely start the season with the Dodgers and he’ll be interesting to watch behind the likes of Kuroda and Kershaw who both does not possess the overpowering fastball to balance the rotation. Hitters do need to be kept on their toes and if they start getting used to the off-speed stuff, McDonald could experience growing pains later in the season.

Scott Elbert (Dodgers) - Another top prospect from the Dodgers. He was, at one time, hailed as a sure fire no.1 starter. He’s had injury problems but working in the bullpen last season is a sign of things to come. As for possibly starting a game this year and beyond, the Dodgers are stacked with so many young lefties such as Kershaw and Miller, he could be moved into the bullpen to form a one-two punch with Jonathon Broxton.

Greg Miller (Dodgers) - From the same generation of Cole Hamels, Gavin Floyd and Edwin Jackson. All three and Miller were the top pitching prospects at the time and all three but Miller has made the major league. Miller has had several injury problems but as a leftie, the Dodgers will bide their time with him. As I remember him, he had great control but his fastball wasn’t overpowering which is surprising for a tall guy. He’s unlikely to make the majors but worth keeping an eye on in the minors.

Danny Murphy (Mets) - Came from nowhere last year to contribute to the Mets’ season. He showed a good batting eye and flashes of power. Jerry Manuel, the Mets manager has already given the left field job to him and continues to praise his swing, his make-up.

Gaby Sanchez (Marlins) - The Marlins traded Mike Jacobs who hit over twenty HRs last year to accommodate this young 1st baseman. He’s 25 and compares to Joey Votto in that they’ll hit for average.

Travis Snider (BlueJays) - Long been considered a sure-fire major league bat. He’s only young but he looks the type of player the BlueJays can build their future around. Whether he’ll get called up is debatable with Rios, Wells and Lind occupying the OF slots.

Cameron Maybin (Marlins) - A key chip in the Miguel Cabrera trade to Detroit. He has long been highly regarded as a five tool prospect and with the Marlins, he has found himself in the mix for a starting job. He has patience but must continue to improve at the plate to fulfil his immense potential.

Lou Marson (Phillies) - This fella rivals Wieters for the title of top young catcher as he projects as an offensive catcher. He’s some way off the majors but worth keeping an eye on.

Eric Hurley / Thomas Diamond / Matt Harrison (Rangers) - I’ve grouped them as the same as all three has been highly regarded and given the state of the Rangers pitching, barring injuries, they should see some time in Texas.

Taylor Teagarden / Max Ramirez / Jarrod Saltamacchia (Rangers) - These three are all catchers and the envy of most MLB teams. Not many teams have a bona fide legit catching prospect but the Rangers possesses three. Max Ramirez is the weakest of the three in defensive skills but his bat projects as both a power and contact hitter. Taylor Teagarden saw time last year and showed good numbers but his bat is reputed to lag behind the other pair. He is, though, the best of game callers of the three. Jarrod Saltamacchia, acquired from the Braves in the Teixeira trade is perhaps the most attractive of the three. His switch hitting abilities, allied with his power potential and good defensive skills make him the likeliest candidate to win the starting catching job.

Elvis Andrus (Rangers) - A much hyped prospect acquired from the Braves along with Saltamacchia. His glove work at the shortstop position is not in question. At just 20, his bat may need more seasoning in the minors before the inevitable call-up.

Carlos Gonzalez (Rockies) - Sent to Rockies in the Holliday trade. His bat compared favourably with Carlos Quentin when the pair were among the top prospects with the D-Backs. We all saw how well Quentin did with the Chisox but Quentin is three years old older. Gonzalez showed so-so numbers in his first season with the As hitting .242 and striking out far too often (81 in 300 at bats). With a bit more experience, he should become a solid major league outfielder as he matures.

Ian Stewart (Rockies) - Highly regarded third baseman who was blocked by Garrett Atkins and subsequently tried in the outfield and at 2nd base. He showed excellent improvement in his season last year posting good OBP numbers. With Atkins at third and some other highly touted prospects competing for a spot in the outfield, where ever he plays, his bat is one to watch out for in 2009.

Rick Porcello (Tigers) - Porcello fell to the Tigers in the draft thanks to Scott Boras’s contract demands and he promises to be everything the inch the pitcher he was projected to be. The Tigers drafted him out of high school and put him on the fast track to the majors. Now just 20, whether or not he sees time in MLB is dependant on how well the team is doing. Having just written off $14m releasing Gary Sheffield, the Tigers are likely watch their pennies and look to prolong Porcello’s arbitration years rather then start his service clock on a losing season.

Josh Fields (Chisox) - He was for so long, highly regarded but was blocked by the presence of Joe Crede at the third base. Now Crede has departed via free agency, Fields will get the chance to show what he’s capable of. His 2007 numbers was promising in that he showed good flashes of power but he must improve his contact rate and look to take more walks.

Trevor Cahill / Brett Anderson / Henry Rodriguez (As) - All three are among the upper echelons of high ranking pitching prospects with Billy Beane envisioning Cahill/Anderson far better then his famed big three of Hudson, Mulder and Zito. Having stacked the offence with some shrewd signings, and a very good bullpen to boot, Beane may decide to turn to one or both pitchers to bolster a rotation that has questions to answer. Both may be young but given the track record of the As in developing pitchers, they are certainly at the right clubs. Henry Rodriguez is a reliever with the potential to become as shut down closer. Not many hurlers can reach triple digit on their fast ball and at just 22 yr old, he has plenty of time to harness his command.

Wandy Rodriguez (Astros) - He’s not a prospect but he’s worth keeping an eye out for. If you look at his home/road split and the stuff he possesses, the one pitcher he compares with is the Angels’ Ervin Santana who enjoyed a breakout season last year after two years of struggling with schizophrenic home/road splits. Given Rodriguez’s home games are in a hitters’ park, he could be the breakout candidate this year. With the arsenal of pitches he possesses, the problem can only be mental and given he’s a year closer to his prime years and possesses enough experience, one can only hope he has matured in the off-season and self corrected his problems.

Giant_Causeway