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 Erick Aybar
2B Howie Kendrick
1B Albert Pujols
DH Kendrys Morales
RF Torii Hunter
LF Vernon Wells
C Chris Iannetta
3B Alberto Callaspo
CF Peter Bourjos
PROJECTED ROTATION
Jered Weaver
Dan Haren
C.J. Wilson
Ervin Santana
Garrett Richards
PROJECTED BULLPEN
Closer - Jordan Walden
Set-up - Scott Downs
Closer - Jordan Walden
Set-up - Scott Downs
Top Prospect - Mike Trout (OF)
Breakout
Howie Kendrick - With the signing of Albert Pujols and the imminent return on Kendrys Morales the Angels just added two 100 RBI guys to their lineup and no one will benefit more than the two-hole hitter and second basemen. Kendrick should reach base enough this year to score 115 runs and he could even get into the long ball act and hit 20 dingers this season.
Bust
Howie Kendrick - With the signing of Albert Pujols and the imminent return on Kendrys Morales the Angels just added two 100 RBI guys to their lineup and no one will benefit more than the two-hole hitter and second basemen. Kendrick should reach base enough this year to score 115 runs and he could even get into the long ball act and hit 20 dingers this season.
Bust
Vernon Wells - Luckily the Angels have a handful of players fighting for playing time because it is only a matter of time until Wells sees the number of his at-bats shrink.With five major league outfielders in the organization Wells does have time to slump. His giant contract is not going to save his this year. They will have to put his wallet on the bench.
X-FACTOR
Jordan Walden - The 10 blown saves he committed in 2011 is not going to cut it this season. Goals are way to high to let back end of the bullpen hold them back. He still has the potential to be elite and the Angels need him to be. Or else they will be buying a ninth inning guy at the trade deadline.
Jordan Walden - The 10 blown saves he committed in 2011 is not going to cut it this season. Goals are way to high to let back end of the bullpen hold them back. He still has the potential to be elite and the Angels need him to be. Or else they will be buying a ninth inning guy at the trade deadline.
LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 86-76
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| Albert Pujols heads west |
PROJECTED FINISH: 1st in the American 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 Cincinnati Reds
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