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
RF Jose Tabata
LF Alex Pressley
CF Andrew McCutchen
1B Garrett Jones
2B Neil Walker
3B Pedro Alvarez
SS Clint Barmes
C Chris Snyder
P Jeff Karstens
PROJECTED ROTATION
Jeff Karstens
Erik Bedard
Kevin Correia
James McDonald
Charlie Morton
**A.J. Burnett (out 8-12 weeks)
Jeff Karstens
Erik Bedard
Kevin Correia
James McDonald
Charlie Morton
**A.J. Burnett (out 8-12 weeks)
PROJECTED BULLPEN
Closer - Joel Hanrahan
Set-up - Evan Meek
Closer - Joel Hanrahan
Set-up - Evan Meek
Top Prospect - Starling Marte (OF)
Breakout
Andrew McCutchen - In McCutchen's first three seasons he has done enough to open eyes of fans, fellow players and even his tight-pocketed organization. With a new contract the speedy center fielder has a strong chance to increase his home run total in his age 25 season. It is not far-fetched to believe he will be the newest member of the 30-30 club.
Andrew McCutchen - In McCutchen's first three seasons he has done enough to open eyes of fans, fellow players and even his tight-pocketed organization. With a new contract the speedy center fielder has a strong chance to increase his home run total in his age 25 season. It is not far-fetched to believe he will be the newest member of the 30-30 club.
Bust
Garrett Jones - After finishing 7th in the Rookie of the Year voting when he was 28-years old the first basemen continues to take steps back. His average and power are both in a decline and Bucs are actually deep with guys that play a corner infield spot. (Pedro Alvarez, Casey McGehee) A slow start and Jones could become a lefty bat off the bench. Or worse - playing for the Indianapolis Indians in Triple-A.
X-FACTOR
Erik Bedard - It's not like he has pitched poorly over the last few years, he just has not pitched. It may take a miracle for the lefty to make even 20 starts, but if he can Bedard does have the talent to be an ace. There is nothing the Pirates need more than a bonafide number one. If it's not Bedard, A.J. Burnett has a chance to become the ace too, but somebody has to be the stopper if the Bucs want to buck the trend of losing.
Erik Bedard - It's not like he has pitched poorly over the last few years, he just has not pitched. It may take a miracle for the lefty to make even 20 starts, but if he can Bedard does have the talent to be an ace. There is nothing the Pirates need more than a bonafide number one. If it's not Bedard, A.J. Burnett has a chance to become the ace too, but somebody has to be the stopper if the Bucs want to buck the trend of losing.
LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 72-90
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| Can A.J. Burnett and the Bucs avoid the bad breaks? |
PROJECTED FINISH: 4th 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 Minnesota Twins
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