"Impact Rookies" thread

[Inukchuk]

I've looked for it, but I can't find it. Is there a thread discussing which rookies/ young players have locked up starting jobs this year? I figure I can look at depth charts, but I'm not sure how often they're updated. If there is no thread discussing it, I figure that this would be a good one to do so...

[Steve-o]

Not including the Japanese imports, Dice-K, Iwamura, and Igawa, here is a decent list I just threw together for the hitters (I will try and update comments about them shortly):

Corey Hart, OF Mil – The fastest guy on the brewers (at least in the 60) with good power. A legit 15/15 candidate with the potential to reach 20/20. Will probably bat 5-6 in the brewers lineup.

Chris B. Young, OF Ari – Another potential 20/20 guy. He is fairly well known. Average may be a concern. I believe he will bat at the top of the order.

Carlos Quentin, OF Ari – Power and average guy. Should bat towards the end of the order.

Andre Either, OF LAD - Not really a rookie, but should be included in this list. Another average guy who will hit at the end of the order

Kelly Johnson, 2b Atl – Has never played second base before. Will bat leadoff. Has some speed and some power.

Scott Thorman 1b, Atl – Has some power, but may K too much. Will likely bat towards the end of the order

Ben Zobrist, SS, TB - Decent speed, decent K rate.

Kevin Kouzmanof, 3B, SD – A power hitter. Don't know how petco will effect his numbers.

Nelson Cruz, OF Texas – A power guy whose average will be hurt by the amount he Ks.

Dustin Pedroia, 2B Bos - High average guy. Another fairly well known prospect.

Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Col – possible 15/10 guy with a decent average.

Chris Iannetta, C Col – Good average and power from a catcher. May platoon.

Alex Gordon, 3B, KC - I am tired of writing this, and everyone knows who this guy is.

Hunter Pence, OF Hou – Doesn’t have a guaranteed job, but is a very good hitter and is one to watch.

[Koby Schellenger]

Miguel Montero will have a shot at winning or at least splitting catching duties in Arizona.

[jbones733]

Jason Hirsch, Mike Pelfrey & John Danks are 3 young pitchers who might win the 5th starter job, prob be up & down but all 3 project to be pretty good

[Steve-o]

Just found this list...

New starters by position

Going through our updated/projected depth charts, here are the guys we have highlighted as entering their first full season as a starter in the big leagues. There are some potential further hidden gems here:

Catchers -- Gerald Laird, TEX; Chris Iannetta, COL; Josh Bard, SD.

First basemen -- Casey Kotchman, LAA; Ryan Shealy, KC; Scott Thorman, ATL; Ryan Garko (maybe), CLE; Larry Broadway (maybe), WAS.

Second basemen -- Howie Kendrick, LAA; Kelly Johnson, ATL; Dustin Pedroia, BOS.

Shortstops -- Troy Tulowitzki (maybe), COL; J.J. Hardy, MIL.

Third basemen -- Alex Gordon (maybe), KC; Andy Marte, CLE; Wilson Betemit (maybe), LAD; Kevin Kouzmanoff, SD.; Ryan J. Braun (maybe), MIL.

Outfielders -- Delmon Young, TB; Chris Duncan, STL; Carlos Quentin, ARI; David Dellucci, CLE; Jason Kubel, MIN; Chris B. Young, ARI; Nelson Cruz (maybe), TEX; Josh Fields (maybe), CHW; Chris Burke, HOU; Corey Hart, MIL; Shane Victorino, PHI; Terrmel Sledge, SD; Eric Reed (maybe), FLA; Nook Logan (maybe), WAS; Sammy Sosa (maybe), TEX.

Starting pitchers -- Daisuke Matsuzaka, BOS; Jonathan Papelbon, BOS; Adam Wainwright, STL; Kei Igawa, NYY; Brandon McCarthy, TEX; John Maine, NYM; Braden Looper, STL; Mike Pelfrey (maybe), NYM; Robinson Tejeda, TEX; Shawn Hill, WAS; Micah Owings (maybe), ARI; Jason Hirsh (maybe), COL; Yusmeiro Petit (maybe), FLA; Sergio Mitre (maybe), FLA; John Danks (maybe), CHW; Fausto Carmona (maybe), CLE; Joe Kennedy (maybe), OAK; Kyle Davies (maybe), ATL.

Closers -- Takashi Saito, LAD; Joel Pineiro (maybe), BOS; Brendan Donnelly (maybe), BOS; Octavio Dotel, KC; Salomon Torres (maybe), PIT; Seth McClung (maybe), TB; Henry Owens (maybe), FLA; Matt Lindstrom (maybe), FLA.

[05worldserieschamps]

Steve-O, alot of those Guys are not rookies. (ex: Octavio Dotel)

Here's my list:

Catchers
1. Chris Ianetta
2. Miguel Montero
3. Gerald Laird

First Base
1. Casey Kotchman
2. James Loney
3. Scott Thormon

Second Base
1. Howie Kendrick
2. Dustin Pedroia
3. Alberto Callaspo

Third Base
1. Alex Gordon
2. Andy LaRoche
3. Ryan Braun

ShortStop
1. Troy Tulowiski
2. JJ Hardy
3. Eric Aybar

Outfield
1. Delmon Young
2. Chris Young
3. Carlos Quentien
4. Ryan Sweeney
5. Hunter Pence

Starting Pitching (not including Dice K)
1. Phillip Hughes
2. Homer Bailey
3. Jason Hirsh
4. Tim Lincecum
5. John Danks

[Steve-o]

Steve-O, alot of those Guys are not rookies. (ex: Octavio Dotel)

Yeah. The sportsline list was new starters by position, whereas my list above were mainly rookies (I think I had one who was not - kinda like JJ Hardy). Still thought it was pertinent to the discussion.

[leal72]

this is probably better than starting a new thread.

Where does Lastings Milledge fit in this discussion or does he? Don't think he's is considered a rookie in the eyes of MLB but he was pretty hyped up from I remeber last season.

[acsguitar]

Eric Reed

[Dmville]

I'm thinking Ryan Theriot will be getting an everyday shot as a MI for the Cubs at some point before the end of the year, likely before the end of May IMO. Derosa and Izturis just don't cut it. Whichever one falters or gets hurt first will have to battle to get his job back.