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So much for avoiding the hype of spring training.
We at ESPN.com tried to remember that spring means nothing when it comes to determining who will be huge once the regular season rolls around. But try as we might, it was hard to look at those .400 (not to mention .500) batting averages and not equate Corey Koskie with Lou Gehrig.
With that in mind, we present our Picks To Click for the 2001 season. We chose one player from each team whom we think will greatly exceed expectations.
The second coming of Pedro?
| |  | | Opponents were 4-for-46 against Ortiz in the 7-9th innings last year. |
Take away three of his starts last year in which he allowed 24 earned runs in 10 innings, and Ramon Ortiz had a 3.46 ERA last year. Granted, you could say that about many pitchers, but few with the raw potential that Ortiz possesses. That potential was exhibited best last Aug. 8, when Ortiz tossed a two-hit masterpiece to beat Pedro Martinez and the Red Sox. Was that a changing of the guard? Clearly not, but ask eight out of 10 baseball people who Ortiz most resembles on the mound, and Martinez is whom they'll mention. Ortiz will emerge as their ace this season.
High hopes for Richard
Thanks to Albert Belle's departure there's room for the 26-year-old Chris Richard on this 30-something squad sprinkled with a few youngsters. Being dealt to the Orioles from the Cardinals for reliever Mike Timlin on the trading deadline last summer was the best thing for both Richard and Baltimore. Finally getting a chance to play ball on regular basis with the hard-luck Orioles, Richard whacked 13 homers over the final two months last season. He provided a glimmer of sunshine on some otherwise dark days in Baltimore. It may be too early to tell, but did a trade actually work in Baltimore's favor? Richard's 15.3 AB/HR ratio (62 games) may be an aberration, but we're confident he'll build upon last year's success.
Ohka A-OK
| |  | | Ohka could become a strong complement to Pedro Martinez. |
It seems as if every Red Sox pitcher wants to make a case why he should be in the starting rotation instead of the bullpen. Here's Tomo Ohka's credentials: 3.12 ERA and .263 batting average allowed in 2000. More impressive was his time in Triple-A Pawtucket, where he was 9-6 (2.96) and pitched a nine-inning perfect game against Charlotte on June 1. His signature pitch is a curveball that keeps
hitters off-balance if he has control of his command. With a number of aging veterans (Bret Saberhagen, David Cone and Frank Castillo) looking for spots on the roster, the Red Sox will need some young blood in their starting rotation and Ohka should be the answer.
No garden variety Herb
He's not exactly a youngster, third baseman Herbert Perry. In fact he's 31 as of Opening Day, and he first saw major league action in 1994, with Cleveland. However, 2000 was the first time he spent nearly the whole year in the majors. He responded by hitting .302 with 12 home runs in just over 400 at bats. While there's been much talk about Joe Crede taking over the third base job in Chicago, it hasn't happened yet, and Crede struggled this spring. So Perry will start, and continue to showcase one of the quicker swings on the team. Given a full season, Perry is a legitimate threat to hit .300 with 20 home runs. Not bad for a guy who's been considered a journeyman.
Cruz in for a bruisin'
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Cruz |
If you're going to be a backup outfielder in this league, it's best to be playing behind a player with a history of injuries. How about playing behind three of them? Certainly Jacob Cruz doesn't hold ill wishes for Ellis Burks, Juan Gonzalez, or Kenny Lofton, but it may well be that his chance to shine lies in the (likely) chance that one of them becomes hobbled during the season. If that does happen, Cruz, who appears to be in good shape coming back from a torn ACL last year, will get a chance to step in, and is poised to take advantage. A solid fielder, Cruz also hits for average and possesses decent power. An educated guess: 250 at bats, .300 batting average, 10 home runs in 2001.
Dream Weaver
Could this be Jeff Weaver's dream season? The Tigers hope so. In 61 games (59 starts) over the past two years we've seen "flashes of brilliance" from this sub-.500 former No. 1 pick – the Tigers' fastest ever to reach the majors. We expect much more than a "flash" this year. We expect consistency. Manager Phil Garner has named our "Pick to Click" to start Opening Day, entrusting him as the guiding force on the pitching staff. What can we expect from our 24-year-old ace who led the Tigers in innings pitched (200) and finished second in wins (11) last year? More wins (15-plus), more strikeouts and less hits – especially home runs. Weaver should emerge as a powerful No. 1 starter, hopefully for years to come.
Febles: a Royal blessing
| |  | | Will Febles be able to handle the leadoff spot? |
If Carlos Febles can finally stay healthy, he's going to have a huge season. The 24-year-old has been hampered by numerous ailments – wrist, shoulder, ankle, etc. – in his short big-league career. Febles is an excellent defensive player with blazing speed. He's batting .341 (14-for-41) this spring with five runs, three doubles and two steals. Febles is expected to hit leadoff this season with the departure of Johnny Damon, and should finish the 2001 campaign with at least 100 runs and 40 steals.
Get off my Jacque
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Jones |
There's no question that Jacque Jones proved himself to be an up-and-coming star with his 2000 campaign. But the fact is, he has barely scratched the surface of his potential. Jones hit .285 with 19 home runs and 76 runs batted in last season, but that included an entire month of August in which he fell apart, hitting a paltry .216 and not drawing a single walk. Ignoring August, Jones was a .300 hitter in his sophomore season. Not only does Jones appear to be capable of greater things at the plate, he is also an extremely solid fielder with very good range who rarely makes an error, only two last year.
Don't feel "Sori" for Alfonso
| |  | | The spotlight will shine on Soriano at 2B. |
Alfonso Soriano probably couldn't have asked to be in a better situation. He'll start the season with the three-time defending World Champions, and could get a ring of his own this fall. He was also expected to be in an environment in which the Yankees many stars would overshadow him for the spotlight. However, the contining throwing problems of Chuck Knoblauch have thrown him into the fire well before the regular season starts. Soriano has been switched from left field to second base, where he'll replace Knoblauch. Given his performance in the minor leagues and spring training, he should be able to handle the pressure.
Can you Jose serious talent?
| |  | | Showtime in Oak-town: Ortiz's future is now. |
Jose Ortiz may not be a household name, but he very well could be by the end of the season. The Dominican native won the Pacific Coast League's MVP last season, batting .351 with 24 home runs, 108 RBI, 107 runs, 34 doubles and 22 stolen bases in 131 games with Triple-A Sacramento. The second baseman came into spring training as the projected starter, and he's played very well (.306 batting, .676 slugging), thus solidifying his hold on the job. If Ortiz can shore up his defense (32 errors last year), the man who made Randy Velarde expendable could give Ichiro Suzuki a run for the Rookie of the Year Award.
Alex Who?
If there is one moment that has defined Carlos Guillen's brief career in Seattle to this point, it is his drag bunt single that scored Rickey Henderson from third base to eliminate the White Sox in last year's AL Division Series. The heat intensifies for Guillen this year, as he will be called upon to replace all-everything shortstop Alex Rodriguez. Guillen showed his inexperience at third base last season, committing 17 errors. The natural shortstop should be much more comfortable this year. The switch-hitter has shown promise from the plate, hitting .348 during August, after a .221 average in the prior months. If Guillen can stay healthy, expect big things from him this year.
Hell Brent on succeeding
| |  | | Abernathy is ready to cover second. |
One of Baseball America's top 10 prospects, Brent Abernathy has been in tight competition this spring with fourth-year second baseman Bobby Smith to win the starting role. Abernathy's baseball instincts and his ability to hustle should help him prevail in this battle. Through Wednesday, Abernathy is batting .378 (14-37) this spring, with 2 RBI and 7 runs. The 23-year-old hitter is not only a contributor at the plate but is an above-average basestealer as well. His skills aren't overwhelming, but his dedication is. Prediction: .275 BA with 70 runs and 15 SB. Solid, not spectacular.
Crabs where Wetteland once was
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Crabtree |
Tim Crabtree has one of the most pressure-packed jobs in baseball this season. He will be called on to replace John Wetteland to save games for the high-priced Rangers. This former middle reliever only has five career saves heading into this season, but Texas thinks the 31-year-old Crabtree has the makeup to thrive in his new role. "He's ready for it. He definitely has the stuff to be a closer," catcher Bill Haselman said. "He throws 96-97 mph, has got a great sinker and has all of the ingredients to be a closer. He just needs the experience now."
All's Wells with Vernon
He has just 90 career at-bats. He played in just three games last year. And he has just a .256 career batting average. So why is everybody so high on the Blue Jays 22-year-old center fielder Vernon Wells? Why is Peter Gammons calling him a "monster talent"? Why are most national baseball writers predicting Toronto will trade starting CF Jose Cruz Jr. (.242, 31 HR in 2000) to give Wells the job? The hype surrounding Wells is based on his potential to be a dominate defensive player and a steady bat and a speedy base-runner in the Jays' lineup. We think the Jays' will trade Cruz Jr. (hello, are the Mets listening?) and give Wells the full-time job. And with the confidence of the team behind him, we see Wells fitting in nicely at the No.2 spot behind leadoff-man Shannon Stewart. His speed (23 stolen bases at Syracuse) should help the Jays' lineup a great deal. Here's our prediction: .295, 14 HR, 65 RBI and 20 SB.
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