Ross Parcel
Mr. Fantasy Freak
May 9th Rookie Update
Around mid-May, players start to settle in to their roles and what you see is what you are going to get, as far as statistical categories. This includes rookie players. There has not been a more-hyped class of rookies than this year in quite some time. So let us get into it!
I decided to pick ten rookie players that have not necessarily been star-struck by the big parks and bright lights of a Major League yard. They say the biggest leap in baseball is the one from Triple-A to the major leagues. A lot of young players with talent go back and forth between these two classifications before they finally find their home. For some, it is the big leagues. For most, though, they become career minor leaguers and bounce around organizations. These guys, though? They look to stay:
1. Will Middlebrooks, 3B, Boston: I know this is a weird way to start, with a guy who just received the call. But General Manager Ben Cherington and company expect a lot from this young man. The Red Sox number one prospect, according to MLB.com, has come up and delivered quite an offensive punch. In four games, and twenty-one at bats, he has put up this stat line:
.381 AVG, 3 HR, 9 RBI’s.
2. Drew Smyly, LHP, Detroit: The organization’s number three prospect heading into the year has come on the scene with electric stuff. Winning the number five spot in the rotation with the injury of Doug Fister, it is safe to say that Smyly is going to stay if he keeps hitters at bay like he has.
1-0, 1.61 ERA, 29 K’s in 28 IP.
3. Yoenis Cespedes, OF, Oakland: The big-splash signing from the Dominican Republic, has not surprised with his power at all. The average, which wasn’t really promising anyway, has stayed slightly below average so far. For Billy Beane and the Oakland Athletics, this was a steal. This guy has elite power and will tap into other parts of his game as he gets more settled in.
.245 AVG, 5 HR, 21 RBI’s.
4. Rafael Dolis, RHP, Chicago Cubs: The converted position player has come along to win the closer role. And by winning the closer role, I mean that it was given to him when Marmol got injured. Dolis had a huge fastball that will reach triple digits at times. He also has a nasty, late-breaking slider that is his out pitch. Look for him to contend for the closer role this season and for years to come.
2-2, 2.95 ERA, 5 K’s in 18.1 IP.
5. Zack Cozart, SS, Cincinnati: The 26-year-old probably would have won the shortstop job for the second half of the 2011 season if it were not for an elbow injury that needed Tommy John. Luckily, this was on his left arm, his non-throwing arm, and should not affect him too much. Look for him to solidify himself as a shortstop on a contending Reds team.
.271 AVG, 3 HR, 7 RBI’s.
6. Matt Carpenter, 3B/1B, St. Louis: Carpenter has always put up big numbers in his minor league career, and with the loss of a certain first baseman named Albert, and an oft-injured Lance Berkman, Carpenter is getting his chance to show what he can do at the big league level. The Cardinals are getting younger and more athletic, and proving haters wrong left and right. Expect Carpenter to stay and keep putting up stats.
.263 AVG, 1 HR, 14 RBI’s.
7. Wilson Rosario, C, Colorado: The young catcher has been pretty solid so far, being second banana to Roman Hernandez. He has shown good power and a deadly arm from behind the plate so far. He is only 23, so he has time to improve his plate discipline and overall defense. The power potential is definitely there, though.
.227 AVG, 4 HR, 8 RBI’s.
8. Felix Doubrant, LHP, Boston: With all of the struggles of the veteran pitchers, like Jon Lester, that Boston has had to deal with, this young lefty has shown that he belongs so far. His ERA is a little high, at 5.29. But he has been solid for a 24-year-old in a big city. He is only going to get better.
2-1, 5.29 ERA, 32 K’s in 32.1 IP.
9. Bryce Harper, OF, Washington: Of course, I am obligated to talk about Harper. He has shown real maturity so far for a 19-year-old. We all know the talent is there. But what I am worried about it how he is going to handle struggles. This kid has never failed in his life. Time will tell how this 5-star player turns out. Either way, he has a lot of years roaming Nationals Park.
.308 AVG, 0 HR, 3 RBI’s.
10. Jarrod Parker, RHP, Oakland: The Athletics have been patiently waiting for this young man, 23, to earn his way to the bigs. Park had Tommy John in 2010, but appears to have put that behind him. He has only had two starts, but they have both been solid.
1-0, 1.38 ERA, 9 K’s in 13 IP.
Mr. Fantasy Freak
May 9th Rookie Update
Around mid-May, players start to settle in to their roles and what you see is what you are going to get, as far as statistical categories. This includes rookie players. There has not been a more-hyped class of rookies than this year in quite some time. So let us get into it!
I decided to pick ten rookie players that have not necessarily been star-struck by the big parks and bright lights of a Major League yard. They say the biggest leap in baseball is the one from Triple-A to the major leagues. A lot of young players with talent go back and forth between these two classifications before they finally find their home. For some, it is the big leagues. For most, though, they become career minor leaguers and bounce around organizations. These guys, though? They look to stay:
1. Will Middlebrooks, 3B, Boston: I know this is a weird way to start, with a guy who just received the call. But General Manager Ben Cherington and company expect a lot from this young man. The Red Sox number one prospect, according to MLB.com, has come up and delivered quite an offensive punch. In four games, and twenty-one at bats, he has put up this stat line:
.381 AVG, 3 HR, 9 RBI’s.
2. Drew Smyly, LHP, Detroit: The organization’s number three prospect heading into the year has come on the scene with electric stuff. Winning the number five spot in the rotation with the injury of Doug Fister, it is safe to say that Smyly is going to stay if he keeps hitters at bay like he has.
1-0, 1.61 ERA, 29 K’s in 28 IP.
3. Yoenis Cespedes, OF, Oakland: The big-splash signing from the Dominican Republic, has not surprised with his power at all. The average, which wasn’t really promising anyway, has stayed slightly below average so far. For Billy Beane and the Oakland Athletics, this was a steal. This guy has elite power and will tap into other parts of his game as he gets more settled in.
.245 AVG, 5 HR, 21 RBI’s.
4. Rafael Dolis, RHP, Chicago Cubs: The converted position player has come along to win the closer role. And by winning the closer role, I mean that it was given to him when Marmol got injured. Dolis had a huge fastball that will reach triple digits at times. He also has a nasty, late-breaking slider that is his out pitch. Look for him to contend for the closer role this season and for years to come.
2-2, 2.95 ERA, 5 K’s in 18.1 IP.
5. Zack Cozart, SS, Cincinnati: The 26-year-old probably would have won the shortstop job for the second half of the 2011 season if it were not for an elbow injury that needed Tommy John. Luckily, this was on his left arm, his non-throwing arm, and should not affect him too much. Look for him to solidify himself as a shortstop on a contending Reds team.
.271 AVG, 3 HR, 7 RBI’s.
6. Matt Carpenter, 3B/1B, St. Louis: Carpenter has always put up big numbers in his minor league career, and with the loss of a certain first baseman named Albert, and an oft-injured Lance Berkman, Carpenter is getting his chance to show what he can do at the big league level. The Cardinals are getting younger and more athletic, and proving haters wrong left and right. Expect Carpenter to stay and keep putting up stats.
.263 AVG, 1 HR, 14 RBI’s.
7. Wilson Rosario, C, Colorado: The young catcher has been pretty solid so far, being second banana to Roman Hernandez. He has shown good power and a deadly arm from behind the plate so far. He is only 23, so he has time to improve his plate discipline and overall defense. The power potential is definitely there, though.
.227 AVG, 4 HR, 8 RBI’s.
8. Felix Doubrant, LHP, Boston: With all of the struggles of the veteran pitchers, like Jon Lester, that Boston has had to deal with, this young lefty has shown that he belongs so far. His ERA is a little high, at 5.29. But he has been solid for a 24-year-old in a big city. He is only going to get better.
2-1, 5.29 ERA, 32 K’s in 32.1 IP.
9. Bryce Harper, OF, Washington: Of course, I am obligated to talk about Harper. He has shown real maturity so far for a 19-year-old. We all know the talent is there. But what I am worried about it how he is going to handle struggles. This kid has never failed in his life. Time will tell how this 5-star player turns out. Either way, he has a lot of years roaming Nationals Park.
.308 AVG, 0 HR, 3 RBI’s.
10. Jarrod Parker, RHP, Oakland: The Athletics have been patiently waiting for this young man, 23, to earn his way to the bigs. Park had Tommy John in 2010, but appears to have put that behind him. He has only had two starts, but they have both been solid.
1-0, 1.38 ERA, 9 K’s in 13 IP.
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