Young Blood

[Just Admit It Pete]

I want to talk about the young- on the edge players- these in particular but you can add more for discussion. Please add more for discussion.

Jason Lane- Worth a pickup in a keeper league free agent draft? Does Ward to L.A. give him a chance to start? Some say he is the next berkman, anyone convinced of that?

Mike Cuddyer- Again worth it for keeper leagues? Does this guy have any speed potential to go along with what I see as a mediocre .280 25, 75 for an OF?

Felipe Lopez- Worth keeping for 04 or 05? Last season they were saying he is the next Tejada?

Fransisco Rodriguez- Have we seen enough yet?

Dewon Brazelton, Juan Cruz, Olvio, V. Martinez, anyone else ?

[bonecrusher17]

What about Kurt Ainsworth of SF? Anybody got anything on him?

[djacks]

These are just my opinions on differnt things I have read about these players:

Jason Lane: plays above his tools, meaning he's not going to be near as good as Berkman. Borderline starter in the majors.

Felipe Lopez: if he were going to be as good as Tejada, he'd be starting in Toronto. He's not, on both counts.

Juan Cruz: I had high hopes for him last year, but he stunk it up. Will be a middle reliever for the forseeable future.

Victor Martinez: Sleeper alert! This guy can rake! Is probably a year or two away from making a real impact but could be the best hitting catcher in baseball by '05/'06.

I don't know enough about the other guys listed. What about Ken Harvey, Brandon Larson, and Brando Phillips? Also, what's the latest on Ryan Anderson? A few years ago he was the next RJ, is going to come back from his surgery?

[djacks]

I like Kurt Ainsworth also! Could be a solid pitcher this year if he makes the rotation in SF.

[SirStanley]

Ryan Anderson is throwing without pain. He will probably start the season in AAA Tacoma and would not likely be called up during the 2003 season. IF he stays injury free this year and does well at AAA he will have a great shot at the major league club in 2004.

[shizzlemynizzle]

Juan Cruz: I still think he has a bright future. He's got a great arm if he can just stay healthy, keep his confidence, and learn to pitch at this level.

Jason Lane: Biggio just got extended, Berkman isn't going anywhere, and Hidalgo is making too much money to sit or trade. Merced was resigned to be the 4th outfielder, so I'd rather see Lane in New Orleans getting 500 AB's than riding the pine in Houston. He does have some talent, but like djacks mentioned he has been tagged as an "overachiever".

I also think Martinez is a year away, not sure about Lopez.

djacks - I like Ainsworth and Phillips too. On Sportscenter they were talking about who would fill the remaining rotation spots for the Mariners after Garcia-Moyer-Piniero, and there was no mention of Anderson.