in 2010 we saw Jose Bautista explode basically out of nowhere with a monster season. then in 2011 we saw Michael Morse put up some big numbers. so who has the chance to put up big numbers in 2012 after not being very productive or a regular starter before 2012?
Chris Davis, BAL, 1B - We've seen this guy mash in the minors and just look overmatched in the big leagues for the better part of the last three years, but he still has massive talent to hit for power and did manage to bat .276 in his 123 AB with Baltimore last year. He only smashed 2 dongs, driving in 13 in 31 Games, but maybe he'll somehow manage to shadow Mark Reynolds and find his power stroke, even if it's while batting .230. Like everybody who will eventually be posted here, you have to consider him "highly unlikely, but possible" -- that's the whole point.
Bryan LaHair, CHC, 1B - His PCL power combined with his age make his minor league numbers a lot less impressive, but power is power, and last I checked, the wind still blows out in Wrigley, which means he could make a splash if the cards fall the right way for him. To an even lesser degree, the change in scenery could be nice for teammate Ian Stewart, but if he wasn't able to do it in Colorado, I have little reason to believe he'll do it in Chicago.
Mike Moustakas, KC, 3B - He wouldn't be 'out of no where' because everybody knows him and what he's capable of (think Carlos Gonzalez 'breaking through' in 2012 -- it didn't shock anyone, but it took until then), but after a modest 2011 by all measures, Mous could begin to reach his potential as soon as this year, at the ripe old age of 23. Butler had a tremendous second half, Gordon was a monster all season, a full year of Hosmer and suddenly Mous becomes a cog in a potentially potent, if not inconsistent, lineup.
Pedro Alvarez - Heard from a source that he's been lifting and conditioning this past offseason which has resulted in some decent weight loss (10-20 lbs) and cut some body fat. Hopefully this translates. He does need to learn how to take a walk though. But the power potential is there.
Brent Morel. He hit .224 with eight HRs from Sept. 1 on, except that came with a .186 BABIP and a 14.6 walk percentage. Maybe he got lucky, or maybe he just flashed something a la Jose Bautista circa 2009, when he also enjoyed a ridiculous power spike.
Inukchuk wrote:Juan Francisco? Guy's got great power, and he could get some PT at 3B with Rolen's durability issues. He's fond of the K, but his pop is legit...
Not that it'd be his first fantasy relevancy, but Nolan Reimold had one heck of a September after he re-joined Baltimore, to the tune of .281, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 16 R, and 6 SB, and he did it with a .271 BABIP. Not that he's a 40 HR threat, but he could become a five tool fantasy option if he pulls his stuff together.
bigh0rt wrote:Not that it'd be his first fantasy relevancy, but Nolan Reimold had one heck of a September after he re-joined Baltimore, to the tune of .281, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 16 R, and 6 SB, and he did it with a .271 BABIP. Not that he's a 40 HR threat, but he could become a five tool fantasy option if he pulls his stuff together.
Yeah - technically he doesn't belong in this thread considering the skillset, but I think he could be the AL version of Hunter Pence if he can get some consistency.
If Lillibridge gets a starting role at some point, I wouldn't be surprised to see him have a breakout power year considering what he did in limited time last season. The most difficult part might be getting that starting job, though.
2011 ISO power (>150 PA): Giambi: .344 Napoli .311 *former Blue Jay Bautista: .306 Granderson: .290 Lawrie: .287 Stanton: .275 Fielder: .267 Beltre: .265 Braun: .265 Kemp: .262 Reynolds: .262 Longoria: .251 A. Jones: .247 Lillibridge: .247 Morse: .247 Cruz: .246
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by SpecialFNK » Wed Jan 25, 2012 5:32 pm 
