AL Rookies

By Mike Dietrich

Hello All and welcome to the second part of Rookies to watch.  Today we will cover the American League.

New York Yankees
Even though Igawa is a rookie and should win 12 games, Philip Hughes is the guy and warrants stashing him until the soon to be Carl Pavano injury.

Boston Red Sox
Dustin Pedroia has wrapped up the 2nd base job.  He hit .305 at AAA and should score a lot of runs in that lineup.  Everyone of course has heard of that other rookie Dice K.

Toronto Blue Jays
Adam Lind may not make the tem now but will be a key player midway through the year.  He hit .350 24 Hr’s at 2 levels last year and in 60 AB’s with the Jays he hit .367.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Delmon Young and Elijah Dukes are the 2 to watch.  Young has the everyday spot and will produce based on his minor league stats (.317 11 69 and 23 SB’s).

Baltimore Orioles
They do not have anyone close to the major but keep an eye on Brandon Erbe who throws 98 mph and averages 1 K per inning at low A ball last year.

Detroit Tigers
Andrew Miller SP who was the 6th pick of the draft last year will be sent to AA to go back to being a starter.  With his mid-90s fastball and top-notch slider, he projects as a No. 2 starter.

Chicago White Sox
Josh Fields will end up at 3B this year and produced nicely at AAA last year (.305 19-70 and 28 SB’s.  He can also play QB in a pinch for the Bears since he starred at OSU.

Cleveland Indians
Adam Miller might become the difference in the pennant race in the summer.  He produced at AA last year (15-6 2.75 ERA 157/43 K/BB ratio)

Minnesota Twins
Matt Garza will be looking at the 3rd spot in the Twins rotation.  He flew through 3 levels last year (14-4 2.00)   He got a dose of the major last year and is poised to dominate this year.

Kansas City Royals
Alex Gordon is the guy and maybe the #1 rookie in all of baseball.  He is a 20/20 guy with average to boot.  He has locked up the everyday job in KC.

Texas Rangers
Edison Volquez has all the stuff to dominate but the Rangers just have to decide whether he is a RP or SP.  With over 1 K per inning at AAA I can see him becoming a fixture in the Ranger bullpen.

Seattle Mariners
Adam one a converted pitcher should show up this year and display his all around skills he showed in AAA last year (.287 17-70).

Oakland A’s
Travis Buck OF has hit at least .302 at each of his four pro stops and .328 overall.

Los Angeles Angels
Brandon Wood is ready and proved so at AA last year (.276 25-83-25)  It looks like he will be moved from SS but has the talent to adjust.

Thanks for reading!  Next up is a look at possible players at the end of your draft.

admin

See Full Bio