By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media
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Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515 |
To help pass the time between now and the start of the 2012 Major League Baseball season I am going to be examining a different team every day. Starting with the Astros, working toward the Phillies. I will give you my projected starters, breakout and bust players, each team's X-Factor and top prospect.
PROJECTED LINEUP
CF Chris Young
2B Aaron Hill
RF Justin Upton
LF Jason Kubel
C Miguel Montero
1B Paul Goldschmidt
3B Ryan Roberts
SS Willie Bloomquist
P Ian Kennedy
**Stephen Drew (likely to miss Opening Day)
PROJECTED ROTATION
Ian Kennedy
Daniel Hudson
Trevor Cahill
Joe Saunders
Josh Collmenter
PROJECTED BULLPEN
Closer - J.J. Putz
Set-up - David Hernandez
Closer - J.J. Putz
Set-up - David Hernandez
Top Prospect - Trevor Bauer (RHP)
Breakout
Paul Goldschmidt - After hitting 65 home runs in the minors over the last two seasons the 24-year first basemen did not seemed fazed to be in the middle of the D'Backs playoff stretch down the stretch. Sure, the batting average hoovered around .250, and will likely again, but Goldy has enough power to put 30 balls in the seats during his first full year in Zona.
Bust
Paul Goldschmidt - After hitting 65 home runs in the minors over the last two seasons the 24-year first basemen did not seemed fazed to be in the middle of the D'Backs playoff stretch down the stretch. Sure, the batting average hoovered around .250, and will likely again, but Goldy has enough power to put 30 balls in the seats during his first full year in Zona.
Bust
J.J. Putz - Most people will say he is healthy now, but the years between saving 40 games for Seattle and last year were covered in D.L. stints. At 35 year-old I just not sold he can stay on the field for another 162 game straight. I look for Putz' ERA to beef up from last year and have to hold off David Hernandez for the closing gig.
X-FACTOR
Ian Kennedy - The reason the Diamonbacks came out of nowhere is not because Manager of the Year Kirk Gibson hit all the right buttons. It is because Ian Kennedy became an ace out of nowhere. Kennedy needs to prove his stellar season was not a fluke by repeating his performance in 2012. He, Daniel Hudson and Trevor Cahill could be a terrific trio or a forgettable front line.
Ian Kennedy - The reason the Diamonbacks came out of nowhere is not because Manager of the Year Kirk Gibson hit all the right buttons. It is because Ian Kennedy became an ace out of nowhere. Kennedy needs to prove his stellar season was not a fluke by repeating his performance in 2012. He, Daniel Hudson and Trevor Cahill could be a terrific trio or a forgettable front line.
LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 94-68
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| Justin Upton will win an MVP. Is is this year? |
PROJECTED FINISH: 2nd in the National League West
***THANKS FOR READING MY TEAM BY TEAM OUTLOOKS TO HELP PASS THE TIME
***THANKS FOR READING MY TEAM BY TEAM OUTLOOKS TO HELP PASS THE TIME
Check back tomorrow for the Texas Rangers
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