EARLY EARLY SEASON PREDICTIONS BREAKOUT PLAYERS, DISSAPOINTING PLAYERS.....

by bartonboi on Jan 28, 2008 6:17 PM EST Comment 53 comments

Breakout Players:
Jeremy Hermidia-builds on last seasons second half performance to put up up .310 22 hr 108 rbi season
Carlos Quentin- benifets from trade to white sox and hitter friendly confines of cellular field to put up line of .290 25 hr 100 rbi
Rickie Weeks- comes in to the season with healthy wrist and valuable experience puts up .300 20 hr 80 rbi and 30 sb and thanks ryan braun and prince fielder for batting in front of them
Dallas Mcpherson fresh off two year 7 million dollar with Giants rewards them with .286 31 hr 109 rbi's and a whopper sized 123 so ( i wish)
Joba Chamberlain/Phil Hughes form nasty 1/2 punch Joba goes 17-9 3.12 era 185 ip 175 so Hughes 16-9 3.4 era 175 ip 145 so
Matt Garza the righthanded Scott Kazmir goes 18-7 3.21 era 181 so

Dissapointing Players
Carlos Silva goes 4- 11 4.8 era in 112 ip before neededing tommy john surgery
Andrew Jones fresh offhis 2 year 36 million contract becomes slower in cf which leads him to be replaced by the woefull juan pierre goes on to hit .214 18 hr 68 rbi's while platooning with Andre Eithier which leads to Ned Colleti being fired

I'll have more predictions later gtg feel free to add your own and comment

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Comments

Hermida and Rickie

I agree with. actually I think Hermida will hit more HRs... like 25-30

BOSSMAN will make believers over the few doubters left.

by daveh33 on Jan 28, 2008 6:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

What?

Who are the 108 guys Hermedia knocks in?? The OBP after Hanley for Florida is terrible.

by ByANose on Jan 28, 2008 8:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Uggla and Maybin

...Its "Hermida" . not Hermidia.

also, I dont necessarily think he's going to bring in 108 [exactly]... I meant that I see him doing 30 HRs and 100 RBI

by daveh33 on Jan 28, 2008 10:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

mine

Jeff Francouer .305 30 120
Felix Hernandez 18-7 3.35 195
Matsuzaka 20-7 3.54 215
Hanley Ramirez .335 34 110 45(A-Rod JR.)

Dissapointments
Jay Bruce .252 12 55 130 K's
Joba Chamberlain 12-10 4.75 150 K's
Jose Reyes .277 9 60
Edgar Renteria .282 10 60
Cameron Maybin .235 16 55 28 140 K's

by Bravesin07 on Jan 28, 2008 6:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I would object

to calling Joba/Hughes a 1-2 punch, as they will most likely slot somewhere in the 3-5 range in that rotation. Though I wouldn't say their projected records there are out of the question, both going under 3.5 is a stretch for me.

Here are mine
Josh Fields hits .500 in ST with 10+ homers, Sox trade Crede, he strikes out 200 times, while playing a horrible 3b.

Pat Burrell wins MVP after putting up a .290/.430/.610 line, and driving in 130 runs.

Alex Gordon is who we thought they were.

Pedro Martinez posts a sub-3 ERA while not throwing above 85 all season.

Randy Johnson wins his 300th game on the last day of the season.

Hank and Hal have a fight to the death over Kei Igawa.

by ajake57 on Jan 28, 2008 6:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

+1

On Burrell MVP.

Lord that gets me off so much

by Hot Lunch on Jan 29, 2008 11:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Joba

I'd be pretty surprised if the Yanks let him go from 110IP to 185. If they do that and he gets hurt, Girardi will be Dusty Baker Jr.

by Dfarth on Jan 28, 2008 6:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Dusty Baker Jr.

so is this a prediction that J.T. Snow will have to save Girardi from imminent danger?

(yes, yes -- i know his name is Darren, not Dusty Jr.)

by bleedjaxblue on Jan 28, 2008 6:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

For me

Pitcher: Dustin McGowan for the AL and Cole Hamels for the NL

Hitters: Robinson Cano for the AL (will take the crown from Utley for the best second baseman in baseball) and Jose Reyes for the NL ( will take the crown from Jeter as the best SS in New York)

by NYYLover1000 on Jan 28, 2008 6:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re:

Are any of those really breakouts. Reyes is already one of the best players in baseball. Hamels went 15-5 with 177K in 183IP with a 3.39ERA and a 1.12WHIP (in a really tough park). Cano is already one of the top 5 2B in the game...Not too bold of predictions there...

by Dfarth on Jan 28, 2008 8:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well maybe your definition of

breakout is different from mines.

Second Jose Reyes finish the year terribly and alot people were saying how Reyes is not the best SS in his own division, he's overrated and etc. I think Reyes has something to prove and this is the year tha Reyes will have a MVP year and finish like in the top three in the MVP voting watch.

Cano to me has had some impressive years but I think this the year he will really "breakout". Remember he was inconsistent in the first half last year.

As for Hamels, I kind of expected Hamals to do that well and this year I picked him for my CY winner so that is why he's my breakout guy.

by NYYLover1000 on Jan 28, 2008 9:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No doubt.

How close was Johan Santana to making your breakout list NYL?

Send your top 50-100 prospects to slurveone@yahoo.com!!!

by slurve on Jan 29, 2008 12:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

ha ha ha

by NYYLover1000 on Jan 29, 2008 1:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd be surprised if any of those happen.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Jan 28, 2008 7:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

what?

"Matt Garza the righthanded Scott Kazmir goes 18-7 3.21 era 181 so"

18 wins on the Rays? I just can't see it. Garza had 67 ks in 83 innings in 2007. You expect him to make the jump to 181 just like that? The most realistic possibility is a 3.21 era to me, and even that is very doubtful.

Marcello on Tim Lincecum's 2008: "Yeah, he only pitched 180 innings last year, who knows if he can handle 200?!?!??"

by realityconquest on Jan 28, 2008 8:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ditto on Kazmir...

Look at what he has done already and he is just 24. Check his 2nd half stats in 07- phenomenal.
He will have a monster year.

by butkussayers on Jan 29, 2008 12:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Jason Kubel...

puts up a year in line with his talent, and is a very, very good DH.

by DJSkillz on Jan 28, 2008 8:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Kubel

Puts it all together with health and PT. 300/360/500.

by daking on Jan 29, 2008 12:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Um

Good Years
Khalil Greene (going on nothing, and hoping he clicks, don't knock me if I'm wrong lol)
Jeremy Hermida
Daric Barton
Matt Laporta
Adam Lind
Lastings Milledge
Kevin Mulvey
Jesus Flores
Gio Gonzalez
Ryan Doumit
Tim Lincecum
Ryan Zimmerman
Phil Hughes
David Price

Bad Years
Homer Bailey
Carlos Gomez (sorry bravesin07)
Cameron Maybin (maybe not in regards to power, but I don't see him hitting above 260 this year,)
Adam Jones

More to come later

by sagecoll on Jan 28, 2008 9:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Blalock

i think he has a bounce back year, has too much talent to not produce. produced at a 290/350/540 clip last year when he was healthy after a couple down years, i think he bounces back and has a full year of the production he showed last year.

by taggartd on Jan 28, 2008 9:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

if he has another shipment....

of performance enhancers, possibly.

he's a user.

by DJSkillz on Jan 28, 2008 10:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

per curiousity

How are you so sure of this? I noticed that you mentioned this in another thread.

I've heard whispers as well, and I'm wondering where you've received your confirmation.

by GuyinNY on Jan 28, 2008 10:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Stephen Drew

Me thinks he takes a good step up in 2008

by bluechipper on Jan 28, 2008 9:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'd love for that to true ...

I dig Drew, but last year was horrific until the last 3-4 weeks of the season ...

Paul Householder, Gary Redus, Tommy Lawless, Duane Walker ... prospects rawk!

by design28 on Jan 29, 2008 12:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm my opinions

Breakouts

Hitters
Luke Scott .286/34/117 seriously
Ryan Garko .297/28/106
Jarrod Salatalamachia (SP?) .285/22/88
Adam Jones .278/17/70 20SB's (With Baltimore)

Pitchers
Felix Hernandez 19-6 3.21ERA with 211K's
Tom Gorzelanny 15-8 3.40ERA 165K's
AJ Burnett 18-9 3.34ERA 189K's (better Toronto d-fence)
Matt Lindstrom 3-4 2.77ERA 26 saves as he takes over closer role in late May

by dlpme77 on Jan 28, 2008 10:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

My picks

Breakouts:
Geovany Soto - end of last year was not a fluke, this kid can hit
Dan Haren - not exactly a breakout when he's thrown over 200 innings and made 34 starts for 3 straight years, but IMO his progression is on the verge of greatness. LOVE that the k's are going up with more work
Daisuke Fukudome - Hideki Matsui clone
Brian Duensing - secures a spot out of ST when Liriano is not ready and sticks all year.

Baseball Instructor - www.frozenropes.com

by HuskerBob on Jan 28, 2008 11:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

givin love...

To the former Nebraska pitchers!

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Jan 28, 2008 11:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Duensing

His chances just got alot better for breaking camp with the big club.

Baseball Instructor - www.frozenropes.com

by HuskerBob on Jan 29, 2008 6:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Duensing

So what is it that you like so much about this guy? Just curious.

Ted Williams: .406

by bodyiq on Jan 29, 2008 9:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Mostly just a homer call

But I think there is alot to like about him. His stuff is underrated because he doesn't flash the 90+ fastball. His change is plus plus and his slider is solidly above average. I'd also watch for significant progress with his curveball this year. I know he's working hard on it and if he can get more consistent with it that gives him 4 ML average or better pitches.

My impression of him is that he's intelligent enough to know what he can't do. He knows he's not a double digit strike out guy but I think he also knows his stuff is good enough to pitch to contact aggressively.

At Nebraska, Joba and Komine were the ones the press loved, but it was Duensing I always had the most confidence in. I've never seen him get hit well at any level all the way back to high school, there's alot to be said the guy that succeeds wherever he is.

Baseball Instructor - www.frozenropes.com

by HuskerBob on Jan 29, 2008 10:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Fair enough

I'll keep a close eye on the situation with him. I tend to like guys like this that have to "throw aggressively to contact".
BTW: Which frozen ropes are you from?
I'm in No.Va and there is one close by. Grew up in Rochester (NY) so I still follow the Twins farm.

Ted Williams: .406

by bodyiq on Jan 30, 2008 3:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Omaha

Baseball Instructor - www.frozenropes.com

by HuskerBob on Jan 30, 2008 4:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Breakout

Tim Lincecum. I know our posters here are shocked that I would suggest such a thing. :)

by sharksrog on Jan 29, 2008 2:28 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Some sleeper picks

Jeff Keppinger - could compete for the batting title given the AB's
Joe Dillon - if the Brewers can find a spot for him he'll produce
Scott Hairston
Dan Johnson - if the A's give him a shot at DH I could see him surprising with 30 HR
Luke Scott - I think he'll hit great in Camden

Kevin Slowey
Joe Thatcher
Hayden Penn - assuming he can stay healthy

by Sigur Ros on Jan 29, 2008 2:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Why so high on Scott?

gogotabata: "I'm like the biggest Walden fan around here (adult division)..."

by siddfynch on Jan 29, 2008 10:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well....

I just like his consistent production, he mashed at the minor league level and his produced the past two seasons, and has done so legitimately, his PRops has matched his OPS pretty closely. Now he's moving into a hitter friendly environment. I expect him to have at least one big season before it's all said and done.

I'm an Orioles fan, albeit a disgruntled one (is there any other kind?) so there may be an element of bias. What do you think of him?

by Sigur Ros on Jan 29, 2008 10:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

moving INTO a hitter friendly environment?

minute maid is a pretty decent home park for any hitter

by Wheelhouse on Jan 29, 2008 12:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Using 2007 park factors for HR

Camden is third in the majors at 1.228 and Minute Maid comes in at 1.049, there seems to be at least some discernible difference.

by Sigur Ros on Jan 29, 2008 5:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

People tend to forget

About that death valley in CF at Minute Maid Park. They have the deepest CF in all of baseball, though the hill and the pole do keep things interesting at times for the D.

by guru4u on Jan 30, 2008 10:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think of him

that he put up great peripherals in 2006 and 2007, but has not been able to shake the platoon tag, for whatever reason. He rarely plays against lefties, and thus his production is really held down - yet, I'd be really interested to see what he could do with daily PT.

Will he escape the platoon role with Baltimore?

gogotabata: "I'm like the biggest Walden fan around here (adult division)..."

by siddfynch on Jan 29, 2008 12:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I could see him getting 600 PA's this year

Simply because the Orioles only have one RH outfielder in Jay Payton and he will likely be manning center after the departure of Corey Patterson.

by Sigur Ros on Jan 29, 2008 5:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My breakout players

I think this goes along the lines of everyone else's post...my breakout players are:

Player A
Player B
Player C

(all on my fantasy team)

My busts:

Player D
Player E

(guys on my least favorite MLB team or guys I couldn't trade for in the offseason.

Sound about right?

by goose102977 on Jan 29, 2008 10:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

sourpuss

by nevin on Jan 29, 2008 11:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My bad

You are right....sorry. Just some of these posts are transparent.

Anyway, I guess I will choose Casey Kotchman. He will be 25 years old, hitting in a great lineup and, if he stays healthy, could approach a .300-20-85 line. Not too bad.

by goose102977 on Jan 29, 2008 11:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

CHRIS YOUNG

How can no one mention him? 32 bombs and 27 steals as a rookie?

I see him improving dramatically in 2008. I predict a .260/.350/.530 type line with somewhere around 38 homers and 32 steals.

by ScottAZ on Jan 29, 2008 10:42 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

BA & OBP

His power is true.
How about getting that average up though. Any chance?

Ted Williams: .406

by bodyiq on Jan 29, 2008 8:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

mine

I think Soto mimics McCann; come up for second half, hit pretty darn well, and rocks the Casbah in the follow up full year.
McGowan.
Manny Corpas.
Weeks.
I think Garza has a great year, but more like 15 wins, not 18. Competition's too tough and the pen's too bad.
Francoeur draws >50 BB, makes The Leap.
So does Verlander.
Bucholz.
(Guys like Bucholz, McGowan, Hamels, Hughes, Joba, Garza will still be overshadowed by the utter dominance of guys like Bedard, Johan and Beckett).

by nevin on Jan 29, 2008 11:04 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

My Boys

Kinsler - 28 Bombs

Betemit - 25 Bombs as supersub

Snosh Hamilton - 37 Bombs

Volquez - 3.7 ERA

Lord that gets me off so much

by Hot Lunch on Jan 29, 2008 11:29 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Shields and Kazmir...

Both had incredible second halves. The baseball world realizes that Shields has the best change from the right side since Greg Maddux.
Kazmir becomes one of the top five pitchers in baseball. Check his career stats and he just turned 24. Surprisingly he has a .547 career winning %.

by butkussayers on Jan 29, 2008 12:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Millertime

No one has mentioned Andrew Miller. He will definitely have a rotation spot.

by bucklin12 on Jan 29, 2008 3:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

i think

this is just the top of my head

melky cabrera
conor jackson

brian bannister
john danks
adam wainwright

will all have solid years

Oakland A's 4 Life

by manny59 on Jan 29, 2008 3:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Corey Hart---Micah Owings

Corey Hart gets 550 AB's----.295 30--95---with 32 steals!!!
Micah Owings-----gets 30 starts 14-9 3.65ERA 1.24Whip 150 K's

I especially like Owings after his strong second half----and going against everyone else's #5 starter!! And not that it matters fantasy wise, but he may turn out to be the best hitting pitcher since Babe Ruth! there was even talk of playing him some at 1B this year.

by bobbym on Jan 29, 2008 7:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Well, because I'm biased...

I really like Edwin Encarnacion's chances of busting out this season. If the Reds stop jerking him around, he's gonna rake, and he's managed to develop into a pretty solid defender. Still a few too many routine errors, but he has a flair for the spectacular and a ridiculously strong arm. At the plate, I think a .310/.370/.500, 20 HR, 35-40 2B, 100+ RBI season has a pretty good chance of happening.

by Geki on Jan 30, 2008 12:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs