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
LF Alex Gordon
2B Johnny Giavotella
1B Eric Hosmer
DH Billy Butler
3B Mike Moustakas
RF Jeff Francouer
C Salvador Perez
CF Lorenzo Cain
SS Alicedes Escobar
PROJECTED ROTATION
Jonathan Sanchez
Luke Hochevar
Bruce Chen
Aaron Crow
Felipe Paulino
PROJECTED BULLPEN
Closer - Joakim Soria
Set-up - Jonathan Broxton
Closer - Joakim Soria
Set-up - Jonathan Broxton
Top Prospect - Bubba Starling (OF)
Breakout
Eric Hosmer - It will be his age 22 season and Hosmer has a chance to become one of the elite as his position immediately. Very similar to the Reds' Joey Votto, Hosmer has power to all fields and defense to go with it. Hosmer should blast 30 homers this season and be the cornerstone of the Royals rise to relativity.
Eric Hosmer - It will be his age 22 season and Hosmer has a chance to become one of the elite as his position immediately. Very similar to the Reds' Joey Votto, Hosmer has power to all fields and defense to go with it. Hosmer should blast 30 homers this season and be the cornerstone of the Royals rise to relativity.
Bust
Salvador Perez - While the Royal locked up their catcher at a very cheap price for the next five years, it should be interesting how Perez handles the pressure of playing with a long term deal. After 39 big league games at 21 years-old, Perez basically gets stamped as part of the core youngsters. A lot will be asked from him by the fans and I'm not sure he can handle the pitching staff so soon and hit at even an above average level for a major league catcher.
X-FACTOR
Jonathan Sanchez - While most believe the Royals young hitters will excel this season and the bullpen will be solid, the main question is the starting rotation. If they can get anything out of guy like the former Giant Sanchez, the Royals could be hosting an all-star game where the outcome means something to them. Sanchez needs to regain his command from 2010 if he wants to become the ace of K.C. and help the contend for the A.L. Central title.
Jonathan Sanchez - While most believe the Royals young hitters will excel this season and the bullpen will be solid, the main question is the starting rotation. If they can get anything out of guy like the former Giant Sanchez, the Royals could be hosting an all-star game where the outcome means something to them. Sanchez needs to regain his command from 2010 if he wants to become the ace of K.C. and help the contend for the A.L. Central title.
LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 71-91
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| Will Joakim Soira save more wins than ever this season? |
PROJECTED FINISH: 3rd in the American League Central
***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 Pittsburgh Pirates
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