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
2B Darwin Barney
SS Starlin Castro
CF Marlon Byrd
LF Alfonso Soriano
C Geovany Soto
3B Ian Stewart
1B Anthony Rizzo
RF David Dejesus
P Matt Garza
PROJECTED ROTATION
Matt Garza
Ryan Dempster
Paul Maholm
Chris Volstad
Randy Wells
SS Starlin Castro
CF Marlon Byrd
LF Alfonso Soriano
C Geovany Soto
3B Ian Stewart
1B Anthony Rizzo
RF David Dejesus
P Matt Garza
PROJECTED ROTATION
Matt Garza
Ryan Dempster
Paul Maholm
Chris Volstad
Randy Wells
PROJECTED BULLPEN
Closer - Carlos Marmol
Set-up - Kerry Wood
Closer - Carlos Marmol
Set-up - Kerry Wood
Top Prospect - Brett Jackson (OF)
Breakout
Anthony Rizzo - They said this kid had light-tower power when he was traded for Adrian Gonzalez, but with the Padres he struggled. Clearly playing in San Diego is no easy task and for a 21-year old kid trying to prove to the fans, teammates, and coaches they made the right move. He did way too much and it turned out to be way too little. His one homer and .141 batting average in 49 games in not pretty, but a move to the Windy City could be a quick way to get him back on track. Bryan LaHair, who is out of options, may start the first month at first base, but it should be Rizzo's home for the next decade after that.
Bust
Darwin Barney - It was a solid 143 hit season from the 2007 fourth round pick of the Cubbies, but a lot of peripherals and sabremetrics suggest a drop off in production for Barney. It was a strong season for a 26 year-old rookie, but many, including myself, see that as possibly and unfortunately his career year.
Darwin Barney - It was a solid 143 hit season from the 2007 fourth round pick of the Cubbies, but a lot of peripherals and sabremetrics suggest a drop off in production for Barney. It was a strong season for a 26 year-old rookie, but many, including myself, see that as possibly and unfortunately his career year.
X-FACTOR
Paul Maholm - Whether it is Randy Wells, Chris Volstad, Travis Wood or Maholm the lovable losers need one or two starting pitchers to step up and become a trusted member in the rotation behind Matt Garza and Ryan Dempster. They need guys to eat up and innings so closer Carlos Marmol and the bullpen do not get taxed. Maholm has started 26 games or more for the last six years and has had stints where he looked like a major league pitcher. Same could be said for the other three names I mentioned. Maholm could really benefit from a fresh start and so could the Cubs.
Paul Maholm - Whether it is Randy Wells, Chris Volstad, Travis Wood or Maholm the lovable losers need one or two starting pitchers to step up and become a trusted member in the rotation behind Matt Garza and Ryan Dempster. They need guys to eat up and innings so closer Carlos Marmol and the bullpen do not get taxed. Maholm has started 26 games or more for the last six years and has had stints where he looked like a major league pitcher. Same could be said for the other three names I mentioned. Maholm could really benefit from a fresh start and so could the Cubs.
LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 71-91
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| Starlin seems like a star in the making |
PROJECTED FINISH: 5th in the National 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 Baltimore Orioles
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