Minor League Ball: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:



Around SBN: Citi Field: Where Homeruns Go To Die Bar-right-arrows



Sophomore AL Outfielders

A lot of rookie or pseudo-rookie outfielders burst onto the scene in 2007 and cemented their status in starting lineups.  While their hype was in full force in the latter days of the 2007 season, a lot of the hype has died on these guys.  I'm wondering what you'd project for them for 2008, and/or the future.  I decide to throw in my guesses, which are really mostly based on gut instinct than anything else, but it should at least make for some interesting discussion

Jack Cust - Three True Outcomes player finally made a big splash in the big leagues with a ridiculous power surge, followed by severe cold and hot streaks the rest of the way.  Is he an Adam Dunn-lite?  or will his high K rate hurt his average too much for him to be an everyday player?  

My guess:  Hits .240s with 25+ homers in 400 ABs, loses PT in 09 and becomes platoon hitter despite high OBP and SLG%

Josh Hamilton - Former troubled prospect finally put it together last season, putting up huge numbers before being brought down by injury.  Move to Texas may not have big impact on #s, but has raked in ST and seems to be over injuries for now.  

My guess:  Injury free:  Hits .290s with 28 HRs, establishes himself as upper-tier OF for a few years before injury problems cause him to spend sizable chunks of time on DL. 

Josh Fields - Came through mid-season and had a huge power surge despite a low average.  Surprisingly demoted to Triple-A, at least until Crede gets moved somehow.  My guess is he comes back up soon since he has nothing left to prove, and he could play OF if a spot opens up.  

My guess:  stagnates in Triple-A, is ok but not as great when he gets second chance, .255 16 HRs in 350 ABs, may not secure job for 2009 (may move to DH) but eventually becomes solid regular though never hits 30 HRs in a season, 

Franklin Gutierrez - Long-time prospect was consistently impressive in major league stint, hitting for some power, average, and speed.  I don't think anyone considers him a fluke, but the question is how much of the power, the average, and the speed will he have.  

My guess:  .270  20 HRs 12 SBs with decent run production, stays a roughly average regular for a few years with one really good year but a quick decline.

Travis Buck - Oakland's Leadoff man has been a solid run producer when in the lineup, but he has proven to be somewhat brittle or just unlucky.  Maybe he shakes it off this season.  Has ability to hit for .290 average and doubles power with maybe 10 HRs and a handful of Stolen Bases, but I doubt there's a lot of upside here.  I think David Dejesus would be an OK comp if only Buck played center.

 My guess:  Manages 450 injury-free ABs, .285, 9 HRs, 5 SBs, moved to center after Denorfia/Sweeney struggle or becomes one of the better 4th OFs in the game, with injuries interfering with chances to win starting role.

Carlos Quentin - Former top prospect laid egg in bigs, but in a great hitting environment now.  Unfortunately he can't do much hitting from the pine, needs some sort of opportunity to get ABs.  I don't feel this is the year for his breakthrough, though it may never happen if he doesn't get regular playing time.

 My guess:  Gets opportunity for some ABs, hits for power but not average, gets blocked again, starts 2009 in a platoon or a backup, traded to a team that can give him more PT and then he puts together a solid but not spectacular season, never really breaks through 

 

Feel free to include any interesting players I didn't mention.

Star-divide

 

0 recs | Comment 4 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

If Hamilton

is fully healthy, he'll have those numbers by the beginning of August. His power is absurd. Unfortunately, his immune system doesn't work. Drugs have killed it. Hopefully, he'll stay healthy, but odds are against it.

by Tyler on Mar 31, 2008 6:33 PM EDT   0 recs

Immune system

From what I have read the biggest effect of drugs (especially intravenous) have on the immune system is for HIV patients. The other key thing I've read is that the levels (which are elevated) return to a normal level when the patient is no longer taking heroin. This can take months to return to a normal level I think.

Based on that I don't think the 5 years of hard drug use had a huge impact on his immune system. I think it had a huge impact while he was taking and that impact is lessening now. I doubt it will go back to 100% but I don't see him as a big injury risk any more.

by pedrophile on Mar 31, 2008 7:40 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hamilton

The biggest thing that predicts a big year for me is how he fared versus LHP last year and how he hit some big HR's in spring against LHP. It was only spring but it was a sign that he will be just fine against LHP and that Texas intends on playing him against both instead of platooning him.

by pedrophile on Mar 31, 2008 7:42 PM EDT   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Minor League Ball: Where the Future of Baseball is Discussed

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Dewey_finn_small
Dewey's Top Fantasy Keepers
Dewey_finn_small
Young Pitcher Abuse
Dewey_finn_small
Trevor Cahill > Brandon Webb?
41291692_small
21-30
41291692_small
11-20

Recent FanPosts

Small
Fantasy Minor Leaguers Draft Help
Small
2009 REVISED TOP PROSPECT LIST
Small
Video on Koji Uehara-1/2 pitches are hangers!
Small
BP STL Top 11
Small
BA WAS Top 10
Small
Minor League Roster Question
Depaulbluedemons_small
Community Prospect List: Positional Rankings
Batmanbaseball_small
Community Prospect List: #118
Small
1B Rankings?

Post_icon New FanPost All FanPosts Carrot-mini


Site Meter
Site Meter