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
CF Cameron Maybin
SS Jason Bartlett
3B Chase Headley
LF Carlos Quentin
1B Yonder Alonso
RF Wil Venable
2B Orlando Hudson
C Nick Hundley
P Cory Lubeke
PROJECTED ROTATION
Cory Lubeke
Edinson Volquez
Tim Stauffer
Clayton Richard
Dustin Moseley
SS Jason Bartlett
3B Chase Headley
LF Carlos Quentin
1B Yonder Alonso
RF Wil Venable
2B Orlando Hudson
C Nick Hundley
P Cory Lubeke
PROJECTED ROTATION
Cory Lubeke
Edinson Volquez
Tim Stauffer
Clayton Richard
Dustin Moseley
PROJECTED BULLPEN
Closer - Huston Street
Set-up - Luke Gregersen
Closer - Huston Street
Set-up - Luke Gregersen
Top Prospect - Casey Kelly (RHP)
Breakout
Cory Luebke - With Petco Park being the best safety net for an inexperienced pitcher, the 27-year old rookie has separated himself from other Friar fireballers because of his strikeout ratio. Luebke opened eyes with a strong performance in the bullpen and continued to secure a rotation spot for this season by striking out 111 batters in 100 innings as a starter.
Cory Luebke - With Petco Park being the best safety net for an inexperienced pitcher, the 27-year old rookie has separated himself from other Friar fireballers because of his strikeout ratio. Luebke opened eyes with a strong performance in the bullpen and continued to secure a rotation spot for this season by striking out 111 batters in 100 innings as a starter.
Bust
Carlos Quentin - I'm sure Quentin's extensive injury past or below average defense sold the Padres on the former White Sox. I guess they felt they need someone with the ability to hit the ball out of the ball park and he was one of the cheapest around. I think if C.Q. realizes he cannot aim for the fences he could surprise with a .300 average and 15 homers, but I have a feeling we are looking closer to .220 with 15 homers and at least one D.L. stint.
X-FACTOR
Edinson Volquez - Call him Edinson, Ed, Eddy - it just depends on the day. Volquez has shown his array of personalities on the mound during his days in Cincy. Some days he a walk-machine, some days he is an all-star ace and for the majority of last season he was a minor leaguer. If the Padres get a refocused Volquez to head up their rotation there is a chance the Padres follow the 2010 formula and challenge for a division title. If Volquez and the other starters cannot get it done, it could be a very long year in So-Cal.
Edinson Volquez - Call him Edinson, Ed, Eddy - it just depends on the day. Volquez has shown his array of personalities on the mound during his days in Cincy. Some days he a walk-machine, some days he is an all-star ace and for the majority of last season he was a minor leaguer. If the Padres get a refocused Volquez to head up their rotation there is a chance the Padres follow the 2010 formula and challenge for a division title. If Volquez and the other starters cannot get it done, it could be a very long year in So-Cal.
LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 71-91
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| Can Yonder Alonso succeed in Petco? |
PROJECTED FINISH: 4th in National 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 Chicago White Sox
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