Post by Exposgm on Jul 10, 2010 12:01:54 GMT -5
Like usual, there are a lot of rookies being started this year, but unlike some seasons in the past, not many of them are going to be amazing right away. The reason for it is that many of the rookies that are being started this season could have used an extra year or two in the minors. Several of these rookies are going to be stars eventually, but for the moment, we can expect that very few rookie records will be broken once the season is over (except maybe for losses). Still, there is no doubt that some of these players will play a large role for their teams this season. In that context, here are the top 10 rookies for the 1984 season.
10 - Don Mattingly – 1B – Dodgers - The third overall pick in the 1979 draft, Mattingly was drafted by the Dodgers who traded him to the Mariners in 1981 before re-acquiring his services last season. Displaying a sure handed glove and a sleazy mustache, “Donnie Baseball” is also pretty capable with the bat. He may not pack tremendous power, but he has a knack for extra-base hits and RBI. Expect him to hit around .270 this year, with 10 homeruns and 60 RBI. Final Stats - .291, 15 HR, 81 RBI
9 - Brian Harper – C – Indians – Selected in the middle of the first round in 1977 by the Orioles, Harper was sent to Cleveland two years later. He makes it as the full-time catcher for the Indians this year, a position occupied by Dave Duncan every season since 1968. Harper won’t make fans forget about Duncan, as he is not at all the same type of player: Harper will make its mark with a high average, and doesn’t have Duncan’s power or his arm to gun down runners. He could hit over .315, even as soon as this season. - .300, 10 HR, 64 RBI
8 - Randy Bush – RF – Dodgers – It was about time the Dodgers gave the starting job to Randy Bush. In serious need of offensive help, the Dodgers can count on a great pitching staff, but a team needs more than slapstick hitters. Bush brings some much-needed firepower to the team. It’s hard to understand why he’s hitting in the 6th spot, behind Bill Schroeder who couldn’t do better than a .209 average last season But he could still hit between 15 and 20 homeruns with 60 RBI. - .259, 13 HR, 65 RBI
7 - Wally Backman – SS – Red Sox – Drafted early in the third round of the 1977 draft, Backman was acquired from the White Sox in the deal that sent Jerry Remy to Chicago. Backman isn’t big at 5’9, 165 lbs, but he has burned the minors at the plate, putting up an incredible 1982 season in which he batted .467 with 122 RBI, 128 runs scored and 124 walks (for an insane .568 OBA). He is less spectacular with the glove, and it could be especially true this season as he is being given the shortstop job. He won’t hit as well in the majors, but expect an average above .290 with zero power and an excellent on-base average. - .316, 2 HR, 46 RBI
6 - Joe Hesketh – SP – Braves – A 2nd round pick by the Astros who got traded to Atlanta, Hesketh doesn’t waste his time in spring training. He started by improving his slider, making it one of the best in the game, adding and eventually improving a hard curve. Although he didn’t dominate in the minors, Hesketh has the potential to put up some excellent numbers, especially considering the team that is backing him. If all goes well for him, he could win between 15 and 17 games with an ERA slightly below 4.50. - 16-15, 4.45
5 - Tim Teufel – 2B – Indians – A first round pick in 1976, Teufel takes over second base this season for the Tribe after working his way up through the minors. He reminds us a bit of former Indians 2B Jerry Buchek, an offensive-minded 2B, although Buchek was better defensively than Teufel will be, at least early on. He batted .211 with 2 RBI in 10 games with the team last year. He could hit around 15 homeruns with an average below .270, driving in 60 or 70 runs in the process. - .263, 12 HR, 66 RBI
4 - Jesse Barfield – LF – Yankees – Picked 5th overall in 1977, Barfield impressed in several minor league seasons, blasting 30 homeruns in 1981 at AA ball, a rare feat. Barfield is now ready to repeat the feat at the highest level. In 26 games in a late call-up last year, he batted .235 with 2 homeruns and 9 RBI. He could hit as much as 25 homeruns this season, with an average around .260. - .227, 22 HR, 68 RBI
3 - Greg Walker – DH – Indians – Drafted late in the first round of the 1977 draft, Walker has climbed the minor league levels doing what he does best, which is hitting homeruns and driving runners in. Surrounded like he is, don’t be surprised if he drives over 80 runs this season, maybe even with 20 or more homeruns. - .241, 13 HR, 76 RBI
2 - Mike Davis – RF – Royals – Drafted fourth overall in 1977 by the Royals, Davis showed in the minors the extent of his talent, culminating in 1983 when he hit 31 homeruns and had 142 RBI as well as 30 steals with the AAA team in Omaha. He’s not bound to steal 30 a year in the majors, but could reach that plateau in terms of homeruns. Look for him to hit close to .280 with 20 homeruns and 85 RBI and give the Royals some much-needed protection for Barry Bonds. - .263, 13 HR, 73 RBI
1 - Kevin McReynolds – LF – Cardinals – The Cards 1st round pick in 1977, McReynolds reached double digits in homeruns in every season since 1978. Strong of a 1983 campaign during which he batted .391 with 52 doubles, 30 homeruns and 137 RBI at AAA level, he starts the season with the Cardinals after batting .267 with 2 HR and 6 RBI in 17 games with them last year. McReynolds packs a ton of power and loves to drive in runners. Expect a .260 average with 25 to 30 homeruns and even obtain 100 RBI. - .271, 17 HR, 76 RBI
Best of the Rest: (in no particular order)
Milt Thompson - RF - Red Sox - .274, 3 HR, 53 RBI
Kevin Saucier - RP - Red Sox - 0-0, 3.52
John Bohnet - RP - Tigers - 2-1, 3.69
Sid Fernandez - SP - Yankees - 8-20, 6.33
Richard Dotson - SP - Yankees - 3-10, 5.29
Lee Guetterman - RP - Yankees - 5-9, 3.18
Scott Munninghoff - RP - Twins - 4-2, 2.97
Derek Botelho - SP - Indians - 5-6, 5.53
Paul Wilmet - RP - Indians - 3-1, 3.28
Houston Jimenez - SS - Brewers - .212, 2 HR, 34 RBI
Dave Stewart - SP - Brewers - 6-5, 5.37
Bob Geren - C - White Sox - .234, 9 HR, 28 RBI
Charlie Mitchell - RP - Athletics - 3-5, 5.94
Mark Williamson - RP - Athletics - 0-0, 6.36
David Wells - SP - Rangers - 8-20, 4.93
Ralph Citarella - RP - Cardinals - 1-2, 3.28
Mike Pagliarulo - 3B - Mets - .220, 14 HR, 55 RBI
Dave Martinez - CF - Mets - .234, 1 HR, 15 RBI
Paul Boris - RP - Reds - 5-0, 2.53, 12 SV
Lee Tunnell - SP - Pirates - 9-10, 4.38
Gorman Heimueller - RP - Pirates - 1-2, 4.36
Alan Fowlkes - SP - Braves - 2-1, 2.89
Ed Vande Berg - RP - Cubs - 0-1, 2.48
Rich Rodas - RP - Cubs - 0-0, 2.25
Ron Darling - RP - Cubs - 1-0, 11.00
Dan Pasqua - LF - Padres - .202, 6 HR, 34 RBI
Walt Weiss - SS - Padres - .214, 0 HR, 35 RBI
Herman Segelke - RP - Padres - 3-1, 4.52
Scott Anderson - SP - Giants - 3-2, 6.25
Jose Cano - RP - Giants - 5-14, 4.76
Dave Valle - C - Astros - .224, 9 HR, 27 RBI
Danny Cox - SP - Astros - 6-18, 5.61
Rich Monteleone - RP - Astros - 6-5, 6.25
10 - Don Mattingly – 1B – Dodgers - The third overall pick in the 1979 draft, Mattingly was drafted by the Dodgers who traded him to the Mariners in 1981 before re-acquiring his services last season. Displaying a sure handed glove and a sleazy mustache, “Donnie Baseball” is also pretty capable with the bat. He may not pack tremendous power, but he has a knack for extra-base hits and RBI. Expect him to hit around .270 this year, with 10 homeruns and 60 RBI. Final Stats - .291, 15 HR, 81 RBI
9 - Brian Harper – C – Indians – Selected in the middle of the first round in 1977 by the Orioles, Harper was sent to Cleveland two years later. He makes it as the full-time catcher for the Indians this year, a position occupied by Dave Duncan every season since 1968. Harper won’t make fans forget about Duncan, as he is not at all the same type of player: Harper will make its mark with a high average, and doesn’t have Duncan’s power or his arm to gun down runners. He could hit over .315, even as soon as this season. - .300, 10 HR, 64 RBI
8 - Randy Bush – RF – Dodgers – It was about time the Dodgers gave the starting job to Randy Bush. In serious need of offensive help, the Dodgers can count on a great pitching staff, but a team needs more than slapstick hitters. Bush brings some much-needed firepower to the team. It’s hard to understand why he’s hitting in the 6th spot, behind Bill Schroeder who couldn’t do better than a .209 average last season But he could still hit between 15 and 20 homeruns with 60 RBI. - .259, 13 HR, 65 RBI
7 - Wally Backman – SS – Red Sox – Drafted early in the third round of the 1977 draft, Backman was acquired from the White Sox in the deal that sent Jerry Remy to Chicago. Backman isn’t big at 5’9, 165 lbs, but he has burned the minors at the plate, putting up an incredible 1982 season in which he batted .467 with 122 RBI, 128 runs scored and 124 walks (for an insane .568 OBA). He is less spectacular with the glove, and it could be especially true this season as he is being given the shortstop job. He won’t hit as well in the majors, but expect an average above .290 with zero power and an excellent on-base average. - .316, 2 HR, 46 RBI
6 - Joe Hesketh – SP – Braves – A 2nd round pick by the Astros who got traded to Atlanta, Hesketh doesn’t waste his time in spring training. He started by improving his slider, making it one of the best in the game, adding and eventually improving a hard curve. Although he didn’t dominate in the minors, Hesketh has the potential to put up some excellent numbers, especially considering the team that is backing him. If all goes well for him, he could win between 15 and 17 games with an ERA slightly below 4.50. - 16-15, 4.45
5 - Tim Teufel – 2B – Indians – A first round pick in 1976, Teufel takes over second base this season for the Tribe after working his way up through the minors. He reminds us a bit of former Indians 2B Jerry Buchek, an offensive-minded 2B, although Buchek was better defensively than Teufel will be, at least early on. He batted .211 with 2 RBI in 10 games with the team last year. He could hit around 15 homeruns with an average below .270, driving in 60 or 70 runs in the process. - .263, 12 HR, 66 RBI
4 - Jesse Barfield – LF – Yankees – Picked 5th overall in 1977, Barfield impressed in several minor league seasons, blasting 30 homeruns in 1981 at AA ball, a rare feat. Barfield is now ready to repeat the feat at the highest level. In 26 games in a late call-up last year, he batted .235 with 2 homeruns and 9 RBI. He could hit as much as 25 homeruns this season, with an average around .260. - .227, 22 HR, 68 RBI
3 - Greg Walker – DH – Indians – Drafted late in the first round of the 1977 draft, Walker has climbed the minor league levels doing what he does best, which is hitting homeruns and driving runners in. Surrounded like he is, don’t be surprised if he drives over 80 runs this season, maybe even with 20 or more homeruns. - .241, 13 HR, 76 RBI
2 - Mike Davis – RF – Royals – Drafted fourth overall in 1977 by the Royals, Davis showed in the minors the extent of his talent, culminating in 1983 when he hit 31 homeruns and had 142 RBI as well as 30 steals with the AAA team in Omaha. He’s not bound to steal 30 a year in the majors, but could reach that plateau in terms of homeruns. Look for him to hit close to .280 with 20 homeruns and 85 RBI and give the Royals some much-needed protection for Barry Bonds. - .263, 13 HR, 73 RBI
1 - Kevin McReynolds – LF – Cardinals – The Cards 1st round pick in 1977, McReynolds reached double digits in homeruns in every season since 1978. Strong of a 1983 campaign during which he batted .391 with 52 doubles, 30 homeruns and 137 RBI at AAA level, he starts the season with the Cardinals after batting .267 with 2 HR and 6 RBI in 17 games with them last year. McReynolds packs a ton of power and loves to drive in runners. Expect a .260 average with 25 to 30 homeruns and even obtain 100 RBI. - .271, 17 HR, 76 RBI
Best of the Rest: (in no particular order)
Milt Thompson - RF - Red Sox - .274, 3 HR, 53 RBI
Kevin Saucier - RP - Red Sox - 0-0, 3.52
John Bohnet - RP - Tigers - 2-1, 3.69
Sid Fernandez - SP - Yankees - 8-20, 6.33
Richard Dotson - SP - Yankees - 3-10, 5.29
Lee Guetterman - RP - Yankees - 5-9, 3.18
Scott Munninghoff - RP - Twins - 4-2, 2.97
Derek Botelho - SP - Indians - 5-6, 5.53
Paul Wilmet - RP - Indians - 3-1, 3.28
Houston Jimenez - SS - Brewers - .212, 2 HR, 34 RBI
Dave Stewart - SP - Brewers - 6-5, 5.37
Bob Geren - C - White Sox - .234, 9 HR, 28 RBI
Charlie Mitchell - RP - Athletics - 3-5, 5.94
Mark Williamson - RP - Athletics - 0-0, 6.36
David Wells - SP - Rangers - 8-20, 4.93
Ralph Citarella - RP - Cardinals - 1-2, 3.28
Mike Pagliarulo - 3B - Mets - .220, 14 HR, 55 RBI
Dave Martinez - CF - Mets - .234, 1 HR, 15 RBI
Paul Boris - RP - Reds - 5-0, 2.53, 12 SV
Lee Tunnell - SP - Pirates - 9-10, 4.38
Gorman Heimueller - RP - Pirates - 1-2, 4.36
Alan Fowlkes - SP - Braves - 2-1, 2.89
Ed Vande Berg - RP - Cubs - 0-1, 2.48
Rich Rodas - RP - Cubs - 0-0, 2.25
Ron Darling - RP - Cubs - 1-0, 11.00
Dan Pasqua - LF - Padres - .202, 6 HR, 34 RBI
Walt Weiss - SS - Padres - .214, 0 HR, 35 RBI
Herman Segelke - RP - Padres - 3-1, 4.52
Scott Anderson - SP - Giants - 3-2, 6.25
Jose Cano - RP - Giants - 5-14, 4.76
Dave Valle - C - Astros - .224, 9 HR, 27 RBI
Danny Cox - SP - Astros - 6-18, 5.61
Rich Monteleone - RP - Astros - 6-5, 6.25