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Young AL position players with role questions

Hey so I figured I'd do a post on this, as last year I took Travis Buck instead of Carlos Quentin at the draft because I didn't think Quentin would be a starter, and I almost lost the season from it.  I think there are some difference makers with unclear roles this year as well, so let's take a look at some of the more intriguing ones (in no particular order).

1.  Brandon Wood - One of my favorite prospects, he had a promising year in Triple-A in 2008, the best since his amazing 2005 campaign, but the Angels aren't making room for him with Aybar slated to start at SS and Figgins at 3B.  Even though he tanked in the DWL, he quietly did well in his second stint in the majors, and Reagins said he still can fight for a spot at either SS or 3B.  With enough ABs, he can hit quite a few homers despite poor avg and k numbers, and his massive power at SS can make him very valuable given the opportunity, which he still deserves as he's only 24.

2.  Jed Lowrie - Originally thought as the frontrunner for the SS job in Boston, recent reports suggest Lugo is likely to have the starting role, assuming he doesn't get traded, pushing Lowrie to a utility role.  Lowrie was just okay as a fill-in, but apparently was playing through a wrist injury, and with a good opportunity could hit for solid avg and power numbers.

3.  Travis Buck - Had an abysmal 2008 campaign after a promising but injury-packed 2007 season.  However he showed his power at the end of 2008, though the numbers are masked by the poor overall showing.  He is still competing for ABs in the As OF and if healthy, could make a splash by hitting .280 to .300 with 15-20 HRs.  He may also be able to play center, but I wouldn't count on it given his injury tendencies.  His biggest competition is Cust if Barton takes ABs from 1B/DH and Aaron Cunningham, who will also compete with Sweeney in CF.

4.  Kila Kaaihue - Had a monster season at Triple-A at 24 years old, but is now being blocked by the Jacobs acquisition which leaves Butler taking whatever spot Kaiihue could have occupied.  May start off in the minors until an opportunity opens, but if he finds a role you can catch lightning in a bottle with him.  Ryan Shealy is also in the mix, and he has potential too, but no room.  Thanks a lot Dayton.

5.  Ryan Garko - A bit of a stretch to call him "young", he struggled in 2008 and lost what was a rather secure starting role to the Shoppach/Martinez combo with Hafner DHing.  He says he'll play OF, but there isn't much of an opening there either except if Francisco tanks in LF, but LaPorta is still waiting in the wings.

6.  Wladimir Balentien - A OF prospect with enormous power potential, did not impress much in a 2008 showing, now with the Jr. signing will have more trouble finding ABs.  Could conceivable take ABs in CF or RF if Gutierrez falters, but he'll need to impress to claim a role and improve his bad K tendencies.

7. Daric Barton - had a poor showing in 2008, now Giambi can play 1B with Cust at DH so he really needs to impress to get a role back.  Lack of pop or positional versatility really hurts him here, I feel Buck has a better shot at getting ABs in the majors.

8.  Brett Gardner - showed his wheels in 2008 but hit very poorly, but will still probably compete with Melky in 2009 for the CF job.  Melky is more well-rounded and also young, so whoever the winner is can be valuable.  Not sure if Swisher will swoop in to take ABs or if he'll just compete with Nady.

9.  Mark Teahen - A solid player who has been pushed out of a role by bigger power hitters, Teahen is willing to play 2B in order to try to get ABs.  He may have to move around the diamond a bit to pick up ABs though, and he hasn't followed up the offensive potential he flashed in 2006 despite being 27 this season.

10.  Dayan Viciedo - Only 20 years old, a hard prospect to judge, and many say he's not ready, but he is a candidate to take over at 3B for the White Sox.  Fields and Betemit will also be in the picture and could take the starting role, with Viciedo seasoning in the minors, but the opportunity is still there if he impresses in ST.

 

There's some other interesting players i wanted to include, like Teagarden, MaxRam, Getz, among others, but there wasn't room.  What do you think of these players' chances of finding a regular role, and how will they produce?

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