Young Players to Watch 2010 - Part Two

By Giant_Causeway

Today I will conclude my preview of the 'Young Players to Watch 2010'.

Madison Bumgarner (Giants) - He's the one prospect the Giants have hung their hats onto. Whilst they were willing to trade Tim Alderson who was more of a control pitcher, they steadfastly refused to consider moving Bumgarner. In 2009, when Randy Johnson suffered injury problems, they needed an arm to slot into the rotation alongside luminaries such as Cain, Lincecum, Zito and Sanchez. In the midst of the wild card chase, they turned to Bumgarner and he didn’t disappoint. Granted it was only San Diego he faced but he showed enough in that first start he can progress into an elite starter.

Chris Carter (Athletics) - He’s been in three organisations already with the Diamondbacks, White Sox both using Carter as an expendable trade bait before he found a home in Oakland. Like Gio Gonzalez, he has a similar career path and projectile in terms of ceiling and at 23 yrs of age, the time is now. He must do battle with Daric Barton for the first base position but should see playing time at the big show in 2010.

Jhoulys Chacin (Rockies) - This young pitcher could quite possibly hold the key to the Rockies’ rotation. With the impressive Jimenez set to head the staff and the likes of Cook and Hammel both looking solid, the key to the Rockies lies in the effectiveness of the two lefties in De La Rosa and former ace Jeff Francis who is returning from injury. Both are no locks to perform effectively and the Rockies will turn to the young Venezuelan Joulys Chacin. In 2008, he led the minor leagues with 18 wins serving notice of his potential. In 2009, he pitched at three levels from AA to the majors and impressed. In the majors he showed plenty of potential and if he reduces his walks and show improved command, he has the ability to join Jimenez atop the Rockies rotation for the foreseeable future. There’s really plenty to like about this young man. He’s aggressive showing no fear in pitching inside the plate, he possesses 4 plus pitches and has no issues with his mechanics. He really is one to watch in 2010.

Drew Storen (Nationals) - As a general rule, I’m not a fan of using a first round draft pick to recruit a reliever. Plenty of teams have used their top picks on college arms only to be burned. Storen has shown plenty though in his time in the minors signing quickly rather then following Strasburg in holding out for the money. He performed superbly well and the acid test comes in 2010. Can he sustain his performance? Will his mid 90s fastball and repertoire hold up in the biggest show of all? With Strasburg as their projected ace of the future and Bryce Harper a presumptive catcher of their future in the 2010 draft, will Storen hold up his end of the bargain and prove he can be their closer of the future?

Phillippe Aumont (Phillies) / Kyle Drabek (Bluejays )/ Michael Taylor (Athletics) - I’ve grouped these three names as one as all were key chips in the Lee/Halladay blockbuster trade. For the Phillies, this is essentially a swap of Kyle Drabek for Phillippe Aumont and the trade off is the reason to keep an eye on this young hurler. Like plenty of young pitchers, he has the fastball but does he have the secondary pitches to unbalance hitters as well as the mental capacity to succeed in a more hostile environment? He also has health concerns but at 21 years, he has plenty of time to fill out his 6 ft 7” frame. Given the Phillies essentially paid for the guarantee of Halladay for extra years with downgrades of young talents from Drabek, D’Aunard, Taylor for the Mariners’ less heralded group of prospects and of course, the loss of Lee, Phillies fans and the GM will hope Aumont can make fans forget the loss of those top three prospects and of course, Halladay replicating or bettering Lee’s 2009 performances with the Phillies.

Drabek has long been highly regarded and immediately heads the Jays’ farm system and he should be ready for the big show later in the year or in 2011. Michael Taylor was the 5 tools outfielder who made the Athletics and Bluejays happy with his availability ensuring a straight up trade involving Brett Wallace, coveted by both clubs. For me, the slight losers in this blockbuster trade are the Phillies mainly because of the young talent involved to ultimately nab Halladay. Whilst on the surface, there were no losers with all four clubs involved getting what they wanted, we have to remember the true cost of Halladay. On top of the multimillion dollar extension, do not forget the 4 prospects they sent to the Indians for Lee in Carrasco, Knapp, Donald and Marson. Ultimately, for Halladay and the Mariners’ package for Lee in Ramirez, Aumont and Gillies, the Phillies gave up 7 prospects. Of the 7, Drabek, Taylor, D’Arnaud figure to hurt whilst Carrasco, Marson, Donald and Knapp all have excellent chances of progression into good ballplayers given time. All 7 prospects as well as the return the Phillies received in the Lee trade are worth keeping an eye on in gauging the true winners and losers of this masterpiece of a 4 team blockbuster trade.

Logan Morrison / Gaby Sanchez (Marlins) - Last year I had tabbed Gaby Sanchez as the likely Marlins first baseman but he went through an injury at a critical period in Spring training and subsequently spent the season at triple A instead. He was 25 then and the time was now for him then. Nothing’s changed in terms of his skill set and the need to establish himself in the majors. But the problem is the presence of Logan Morrison a left handed hitter who is 4 years his junior and much more “toolsy” then Sanchez with better defence and a more consistent contact rate. Which young first baseman will win the job? This is one battle I’ll be watching with plenty of interest. The Marlins could conceivably find room for both thanks to Morrison’s versatility in the outfield and regardless of what happens it’s well worth keeping an eye on both players.

Jason Heyward (Braves) - This guy is one hell of a player if you believe the hype. At just 20 years it’s asking a lot for one so young to produce power to an outfield that contains Nate McLouth, Miguel Cabrera and Matt Diaz. That is simply what the Braves fans are praying Braves management will do. He’s been highly regarded from the moment the Braves scouted him for the draft and as a local product, there’s added pressure in some ways that the likes of Joe Mauer and Jeff Francoeur only know. So far he’s shown maturity and physically stands up well to inspection at 6 ft 4” and weighing more then plenty of major leaguers all the while showing plenty of muscle! Is he ready? Well, he doesn’t have an awful lot of at bats in the minors but the likes of Albert Pujols and more interestingly, Andruw Jones (a Braves product) didn’t hang around long in the minors before they proved themselves in MLB. If he hits, then the Braves management will have no fears in pushing him aggressively as they showed with Andruw Jones, Brian McCann, Tommy Hanson and countless other young stars.

Josh Bell (Orioles) - He was acquired straight up along with a secondary player in the George Sherrill trade showing how badly the Orioles wanted Bell as their projected third baseman of the future. The Dodgers needed a closer/setup man and the Orioles wanted an elite prospect in return. They rate his bat high enough for a practical swap. He’s also an excellent defender at the hot corner and should Atkins and Tejada fail to produce or encounter injuries, look for the Os to add Bell to the growing list of young talent finding their way to Camden Yards.

Jonathon Niese (Mets) - Last season he started well for the Mets before he succumbed to the injury curse that afflicted the ball club. With Minaya standing pat on his pitching rotation, Niese has the chance to stake his claim for a starting position. He’ll likely compete with Fernando Nieve and any new signings for the fifth spot in the rotation and he has as good a chance as any. He can be compared to the Brewers’ Manny Parra but he has the aid of pitching in a pitchers park at Citi Field and it wouldn’t surprise me if he posted sub 4.00 ERA numbers should he win that last rotation spot.

Jesus Montero (Yankees) - Another catching prospect but one whose bat is much more highly regarded then Carlos Santana, Tyler Flowers and Buster Posey. Should he overcome doubts about his long term ability to man the catcher position (due to his size) and the presence of young prospects in Fernando Cervelli and Austin Romine, he can become the best hitting power catcher since Mike Piazza. Yes, Joe Mauer, Victor Martinez and Brian McCann all deserve respect but asides from Martinez, are they really a clean up hitter in most line-ups? Like Brett Wallace above, it appears his bat is not in question, it’s whether his defence can survive the MLB examination. For now, he’s likely tabbed for an extra season in the minors but if Posada encounter injury troubles and Cervelli proves Jose Molina Mark II, then there’s every chance the Yankees could turn to Jesus Montero.

Mark Melancon (Yankees) - He’s not quite the young precocious reliever that Joba Chamberlain was when he first burst on the scene but he still contributed to the Yankees’ World Series triumph with 13 appearances from the bullpen. What’s eye-catching is his numbers in particular his K/9 and B/9 in his major league stay. Contrast that to his minor league numbers and there is every reason to believe he can improve on his debut season 3.86 ERA and quite possibly emerge as a bona fide eighth innings option. He’s been highly regarded for quite some time and didn’t disappoint in 2009. If he improves his command meaning his K/9 jumps back up around the 8-9/9 mark and his BB/9 climbs down from 5.51/9 to 1.5/9 that should parlay into a dominating and productive season for Melancon.

Austin Jackson (Tigers) - The key chip in the Curtis Granderson trade. He has long been well hyped along with another ex-Yankee prospect in Jose Tabatha but like Tabatha, found himself traded away from the Yankees. He’s the type of players who divides scouts as his defence and hitting ability still does not convince despite some good numbers. He hasn’t shown a ton of power in the minors but his all round game looks solid with speed, contact rate other valuable tools. The big question should he find himself in the majors, can he hit major league pitching? He can hit Triple A pitching at a very respectable .300 clip but benefited from a very high BABIP. At 23 years he has plenty of time to develop his game and with Johnny Damon, Carlos Guillen, Magglio Ordenez, Ryan Raburn all vying for playing time and at bats, all Jackson can do is continue to improve his game as well as handle Triple A as he has done so far in his career. Even if he doesn’t find himself in Detroit, he’s still well worth keeping an eye on.

Desmond Jennings (Rays) - Like the Braves’ Jason Heyward, there’s been plenty of hype surrounding Jennings who has been compared to current Rays’ left fielder Carl Crawford. The main reason for his high rating is the potential for stolen bases. Like Crawford, he won’t give you a ton of power but he’ll maintain good contact rate and prove a menace on the bases. With Upton, Crawford and a plethora of useful bats contending for the right field position, the path to the majors look blocked this season and at the age of 23, the time is now. The question: Can he ready himself as the eventual successor to Carl Crawford who is approaching his final season before free agency?

Jeremy Hellickson (Rays) - He’s been on my radar for a long time and at 22 years of age, he is ready. The problem? Mr. Shields, Price, Garza and Niemann who comprises the Rays rotation leaving Hellickson to battle it out with Wade Davis (see earlier article). Which one would I choose? For me, Hellickson would be my unanimous choice. He has nothing left to prove in the minors having dominated at all levels. He’s been compared to Greg Maddux by some with impeccable control and his repertoire are clearly all above average. The numbers are all there and the only thing he has left to prove is whether he can handle major league line-ups. Will he get the chance in 2010? I hope so!

Todd Frazier (Reds) - A very versatile player who can play shortstop, corner infield and the outfield and can even pitch! At 24 years of age, he’ll need to continue to progress with his career and the time is now. His playing history is very interesting and he has shown he can handle the big show with an impressive college career after rejecting the chance to sign with the Rockies in 2004. In 2007, he was the first round supplemental draft picks for the Reds and has held his own in the minors. Is he ready? I believe so and the only question is whether Dusty Baker will give youth a chance or will he return to his tendencies of using veterans over youth.

Freddie Freeman (Braves) - Like Jason Heyward, he’s been highly regarded by the Braves, though not on the same level as Heyward. He is still projected as the first baseman for the long term but perhaps not quite ready at the tender age of just 20 hence the signing of Troy Glaus. He has an excellent glove, hits for average and power and just need time to mature and develop his all round game. He’s well worth keeping an eye on for 2011 and beyond.

Ian Desmond (Nationals) - A highly regarded middle infielder who can play both shortstop and second base. I find it strange, in the dawning of a new era in Washington, the Nationals prefer to sign Adam Kennedy rather then this talented young player. He’ll definitely see time in the majors this season and if his debut season is anything to go by, he’ll likely emerge as one of the building blocks the Nationals can start building their future around.

Alcides Escobar (Brewers) - The Brewers traded JJ Hardy to the Twins to make room for this young shortstop. Like Elvus Andrus of the Rangers, it is whether he could hit major league pitching. Like Andrus, their glove is not in question. From a limited sample in 2009, Escobar showed flashes of potential but in the longer term, must show he can take walks and improve his OBP and also show aggression on the basepaths. He doesn’t rate an elite shortstop for me but simply a useful defensive shortstop, a slightly better offensive version of the Tigers’ Adam Everett, based on his 2009 showing. Can he improve his all round game?

Starlin Castro (Cubs) - This is one shortstop that has been well hyped and even ranked as the Cubs’ top prospect by Baseball America at the tender age of 19 years of age. Quite an impressive achievement considering recent first round draft picks like Brett Jackson, Josh Vitters and top pitching prospect Andrew Cashner are all considered to be lesser talents then the slightly built Dominican. Amazingly he is being considered for the Cubs at just 19 years. He’s shown he has the glove, range to hold his own defensively though seemingly having trouble with double plays. His bat is already impressive though as he matures, real power and patience should play itself out. Is he really ready? My gut instincts says no and he’d benefit from another season in the minors. I’ll be watching Castro with real interest and should he make it to the show, baseball fans will be hoping he can more then hold his own then become another Chicago false dawn like the likes of Corey Patterson and Bobby Hill all those years ago.

Nick Noonan (Giants) / Dustin Ackley (Mariners) / Scott Sizemore (Tigers) - These trio of second basemen are well worth keeping an eye on with Ackley the most highly regarded player of the trio. As a bonafide top draft pick, much is expected of Ackley who has every chance of breaking through to the majors within the next year. Scott Sizemore is slated to become the Tigers’ everyday second baseman following the departure of Placido Polanco. He has good all round makeup and should hold his own in Detroit. Nick Noonan won’t be at the show this year at just 21 years and with Freddy Sanchez blocking his route to the majors for the foreseeable future, it’s interesting to see whether he can develop himself in the next couple of years. He’s not well regarded as many of his peers but he has good contact skills and his glove at the second base position is more then adequate. He’s well worth keeping an eye on for 2012 and beyond.

That concludes the list of Young Players to Watch in 2010! There’s no doubt plenty of other deserving young players who I’ve omitted but for now keep an eye out for these young stars and you may just be witnessing the start of greatness.

Giant_Causeway