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
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
3B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Mike Morse
RF Jayson Werth
1B Adam LaRoche
C Wilson Ramos
CF Roger Bernadina
P Gio Gonzalez
PROJECTED ROTATION
Gio Gonzalez
Jordan Zimmermann
Stephen Strasburg
Edwin Jackson
Chien-Ming Wang
Gio Gonzalez
Jordan Zimmermann
Stephen Strasburg
Edwin Jackson
Chien-Ming Wang
PROJECTED BULLPEN
Closer - Drew Storen
Set-up - Tyler Clippard
Closer - Drew Storen
Set-up - Tyler Clippard
Top Prospect - Bryce Harper (OF)
Breakout
Wilson Ramos - Traded to the Nats for Matt Capps a few years ago, Ramos will become the catcher the Twins thought he would be. They really did not want to move him, but did so once they locked up Joe Mauer long term. He's not going to put up gaudy numbers, but his offense should rival some of the top backstops in the game.
Wilson Ramos - Traded to the Nats for Matt Capps a few years ago, Ramos will become the catcher the Twins thought he would be. They really did not want to move him, but did so once they locked up Joe Mauer long term. He's not going to put up gaudy numbers, but his offense should rival some of the top backstops in the game.
Bust
Ian Desmond - How long will it take for coach Davey Johnson to realize that not only is Desmond the cause of a lot of defensive woes, but his offense is not nearly enough to make him a mainstay atop the lineup. Desmond will either being hitting eighth or coming off the bench by the end of the season.
X-FACTOR
Bryce Harper - I think the Nationals would actually love Harper to earn the Opening Day spot in right field and move Jayson Werth to center field, but for now I'll keep Roger Bernadina in the starting lineup. When Harper does get the inevitable call-up his offensive contribution may be the difference between the playoffs or another year going home at 162 games.
LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 80-81
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| Will Strasburg be the ace everyone expects him to be? |
PROJECTED FINISH: 4th in the National League East
***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 Toronto Blue Jays
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