Five MLB newcomers will be household names by the end of the 2010 season.
Every year baseball comes and goes leaving us with names worth remembering. Last year left us with names like David Price (Rays), Josh Johnson (Marlins), Dustin Pedroia/Jacoby Ellsbury (Red Sox), Zack Greinke (Royals), Joey Votto (Reds), and Tim Lincecum (Giants). JOCKpost has considered five players that have a good chance of being house-hold names come this time next year.
1.) Jason Heyward, OF, Atlanta Braves
Anyone who follows the game of baseball at all should know who this guy is. If you are a Braves fan you probably already own his jersey. It’s time to move over Chipper Jones and welcome in the new era of Braves baseball.
Yes, he is that good. If yesterday’s win over the Cubs was any sign of Heyward’s future, it is going to be a damn good one. In his first major league at bat, with the score tied 3-3, Heyward jacked a three run shot off of Carlos Zambrano to give the Braves a 6-3 lead. He went on to finish the game 2-5, 4 RBI, 2 R, and 1 SO. I have a feeling he will not be in the seven slot too much longer.
The 14th overall pick of the 2007 draft is not spectacular at one thing; he is just really good at four or five different aspects of the game. Look for him patrolling RF for a very long time in Atlanta.
I’m sure Bobby Cox wishes this guy would have come around about 10 years ago, because this may be the missing piece to the championship puzzle they have been looking for.
2.) Stephen Strasburg, SP, Washington Nationals
If you know who Jason Heyward is, then I know you know who Strasburg is. ESPN creamed their pants all last year over this guy while in college at San Diego State.
Although he is starting the season in the minors, let’s not forget he is playing for the NATIONALS! This team’s starting line up is so bad Strasburg could come right in and be the ace of the club.
I will cut John Lannan some slack, the Washington ace was facing the Phillies on Monday and when your team can only put up one run for you it is difficult to win any game. Strasburg could be a very nice one-two punch for the Nats in the future.
His arsenal includes mid 90 to low 100mph fastball mixed in with a nasty slider/curve. If he can come in and be a 10-game winner for the Nationals, that should be considered a very good thing. Put some offense around this guy and he may be handed a Cy Young in the future.
3.) Aroldis Chapman, SP, Cincinnati Reds
Any Reds fan knows this could be an amazing deal that could brighten the struggling clubs future, much like the deal that brought in Edinson Volquez, or be a major flop and complete waste of money like Eric Milton … or about 90% of the deals Cincinnati has made in the past 20 years.
For optimism’s sake, let’s just say Chapman could be the missing piece for the Red’s starting five. He will begin his career in AAA, but if there are any signs of struggles for the Red’s ace Aaron Harang or veteran Bronson Arroyo, look for Chapman to be making his major league debut sooner than later.
The 22 year old Cuban was expected to be picked up by a team that doesn’t care about payroll (Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers) but the Reds were able to swoop in and sign him to a 6 year contract.
A 6′ 7″ left handed pitcher that has been seen throwing the ball 103mph does not come along everyday, so look for the Reds to take their time calling him up. He has shown some control issues, but he clearly has the making of a player that will have a successful career.
4.) Brian Matusz, SP, Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles, much like the Nationals, have not had much to cheer for lately. Brian Matusz may give a reason to give Baltimore fans to at least go to one out of every five games.
He was the first pitcher taken in the 2008 draft and has had a short stint in the majors, without much success. It appears he is finally ready for a career in the bigs.
Matusz will make his first start of the season on Thursday against Tampa Bay. Granted, you cannot take a whole lot from spring training numbers, but striking out 10 batters over four innings is still pretty impressive for a young pitcher. He can come at you with a low 90′s fastball, great changeup, slider, and sharp curve ball.
Much like Strasburg, let’s not put too much criticism into his record at the end of the season considering he plays for the worst team in the best division in baseball (AL East).
5.) Carlos Santana, C, Cleveland Indians
Another bright spot for a struggling team comes in Carlos Santana. With the departure of Victor Martinez last season the Indians have a gaping hole at catcher. It is yet to be determined how good young starting catcher Lou Marson will be, but Santana will be waiting in the wings to snag the position, should it come open.
Cleveland has to wait and see how he will recover from his off season hand surgery during a steady playing schedule. While his defense is suspect, he makes up for it at the plate.
Santana was the 2008 California League MVP and 2009 Eastern League MVP where he hit 23 home runs and recorded 90 walks. Being in a city that demands excellence (but is never repaid), look for Santana to be a popular player come seasons end.
No word on his guitar playing abilities.
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Kyle Blanks of the Padres is one to watch. And FYI…Pedroia was a rookie in 2007 as was Ellsbury…and David Price has been a joke thus far
i am excited to see Mike Leake for Cincy as well, I have heard he has some nasty stuff on the mound
Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates will lead Pittsburgh in almost every offensive category this year. And this will only be his first FULL season in the majors!!