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 Elvis Andrus
2B Ian Kinsler
DH Michael Young
LF Josh Hamilton
3B Adrian Beltre
RF Nelson Cruz
C Mike Napoli
1B Mitch Moreland
CF Julio Borbon
PROJECTED ROTATION
PROJECTED ROTATION
Derek Holland
Yu Darvish
Colby Lewis
Neftali Feliz
Matt Harrison
Yu Darvish
Colby Lewis
Neftali Feliz
Matt Harrison
PROJECTED BULLPEN
Closer - Joe Nathan
Set-up - Mike Adams
Closer - Joe Nathan
Set-up - Mike Adams
Top Prospect -Jurickson Profar (SS)
Breakout
Elvis Andrus - Entering his fourth major league season the kid is only 23 year-old. Andrus' numbers have gradually improved each season and this year he has a chance to put up his best numbers yet. Andrus' improved plate discipline which should allow him to walk more and strikeout less, which should help for a giant spark in batting average. I expect him to score 100 runs for the first time in his career, hit around .290 and steal 45 bases. His power may improve as well and he could flirt with double digit souvenirs.
Bust
Elvis Andrus - Entering his fourth major league season the kid is only 23 year-old. Andrus' numbers have gradually improved each season and this year he has a chance to put up his best numbers yet. Andrus' improved plate discipline which should allow him to walk more and strikeout less, which should help for a giant spark in batting average. I expect him to score 100 runs for the first time in his career, hit around .290 and steal 45 bases. His power may improve as well and he could flirt with double digit souvenirs.
Bust
Nelson Cruz - Forget about the nightmares replaying for Nelson Cruz, who misplayed the decisive out of the World Series, the right fielder has a dream of playing a full season that I believe will never come true. For 100 games you can count on light-tower power, but for the 62 (maybe more) Cruz will spend more time in the trainer's room. Eventually the Rangers will realize they cannot count on the quickly aging Cruz.
X-FACTOR
Yu Darvish -In order for the Rangers to make it three straight trips to the World Series, and make this attempt the charm, they need some one to step up and become the Cliff Lee of 2010 or C.J. Wilson circa 2011. I don't care how deep you think your starting rotation is, in the playoffs you need a stopper and whether that is Derek Holland or Yu Darvish, someone needs to become the clear cut ace in Arlington. Darvish, only 25, will get all the attention in his rookie year, but only time will team if he can live up to the hype.
Yu Darvish -In order for the Rangers to make it three straight trips to the World Series, and make this attempt the charm, they need some one to step up and become the Cliff Lee of 2010 or C.J. Wilson circa 2011. I don't care how deep you think your starting rotation is, in the playoffs you need a stopper and whether that is Derek Holland or Yu Darvish, someone needs to become the clear cut ace in Arlington. Darvish, only 25, will get all the attention in his rookie year, but only time will team if he can live up to the hype.
LAST YEAR'S RECORD:91-71
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| How will Yu Darvish impact the AL champs? |
PROJECTED FINISH: 2nd 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 San Francisco Giants
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