MLB 2009 Breakout Players

[vols kick balls]

1. Joey Votto. Votto had an outstanding rookie season last year where he proved he can be a solid MLB first baseman. This year Votto is going to bust out in a big way. The youngster has great power to all fields, great OBP skills, great contact rates, and above-average atheleticism for a first baseman. I look for Votto to have a .310/.390/.520 type year.

2. Elijah Dukes. Elijah Dukes' name has been on ESPN for years. This year it will be for good reasons. The extremely talented outfielder is going to put it all together this year and become the heart of the Nationals team. He will build on a successful season last year and develop into one of the top 5 RFers in baseball.


I really wanted to pick Jay Bruce, and I think he will have a very good year, but I think 2010 is the year that he really develops into a superstar.

Anyways, post your breakout players here. Some other candidates I think could break out Dana Eveland, Max Scherzer, Johnny Cueto, Chris Davis, Pablo Sandoval, Justin Upton, Jair Jurrjens, and Cameron Maybin.

[VOLNBAMA]

1. Chris Davis - was a .300, 30 HR hitter in the minors. Hit .287 and hit 17 HR after his 2nd half call-up.
2. Yovani Gallardo - Future Ace but has been held up by bad luck. Tore ACL last year trying to avoid a collision. Has a good K and BB%.
3. B.J. Upton - Broke out during the '07 year but regressed last season. Power dropped from 24 in '07 to 9 in '08. He played the whole season with a torn labrum and showed what he could when healthy with the huge postseason. Had surgery during he off-season and a 30-30 season is very possible.

[DowntownVol]

Ryan Doumit. Under the radar a bit because he plays for the hapless Pirates, and a bit of a late bloomer (catchers often are, though), but I think he's the real deal. As a Reds fan, I would take him over Hernandez every day and twice on Sundays.

[doozer]

i agree on Dukes. i mentioned several weeks ago that i thought he was ready for the big time, if he could just stay healthy.

[VOLNBAMA]

If Dukes can stay out of trouble and stay focused on baseball then he'll be a star.

[orangesox]

1. Yovanni Gallardo- If he can stay healthy, he'll be an ace by the end of the all-star break.
2. Jair Jurjens- He was a good pitcher last year. Hopefully he'll be able to improve even more this season.
3. Joey Votto- Nice player. Way under the radar as well.
4. Jay Bruce- I don't think we'll have to wait until 2010 for him to shine.
5. Paul Maholm- A really good pitcher on a really bad team. His only problem will be that he pitches for the Pirates.

[orangetanker11]

Originally Posted by vols kick balls

1. Joey Votto. Votto had an outstanding rookie season last year where he proved he can be a solid MLB first baseman. This year Votto is going to bust out in a big way. The youngster has great power to all fields, great OBP skills, great contact rates, and above-average atheleticism for a first baseman. I look for Votto to have a .310/.390/.520 type year.

2. Elijah Dukes. Elijah Dukes' name has been on ESPN for years. This year it will be for good reasons. The extremely talented outfielder is going to put it all together this year and become the heart of the Nationals team. He will build on a successful season last year and develop into one of the top 5 RFers in baseball.


I really wanted to pick Jay Bruce, and I think he will have a very good year, but I think 2010 is the year that he really develops into a superstar.

Anyways, post your breakout players here. Some other candidates I think could break out Dana Eveland, Max Scherzer, Johnny Cueto, Chris Davis, Pablo Sandoval, Justin Upton, Jair Jurrjens, and Cameron Maybin.

1. Cameron Maybin: I would put Maybin at the top of my list this year of breakout players. He will be hitting leadoff and the starting centerfielder for the Marlins, where he will have a chance to score plenty of runs with Hanley Ramirez being moved to 3rd in the lineup.

2. Elijah Dukes: I agree with Dukes having a tremenous year, as long as he get focus on the game and stay consistent.

3. Shin-Soo Choo: Fantastic name, even better bat. After being called up at the end of May, he hit for over .300 with 14 home runs and 66 RBI's. He finished strong as well, hitting .400 with 5 HR's and 24 RBI in September.

4. Nelson Cruz: Simply a monster in Triple A last year (342 with 37 homers, 24 steals and a .429 OBP and .695 SLUG), and may hit cleanup this year for the Rangers.

5. Adam Wainwright: I have a feeling Wainwright may win 20 games and have over 180 strikeouts this year. He has great stuff, and could finally bring it all together this year.

[emainvol]

Originally Posted by orangetanker11

1. Cameron Maybin: I would put Maybin at the top of my list this year of breakout players. He will be hitting leadoff and the starting centerfielder for the Marlins, where he will have a chance to score plenty of runs with Hanley Ramirez being moved to 3rd in the lineup.

2. Elijah Dukes: I agree with Dukes having a tremenous year, as long as he get focus on the game and stay consistent.

3. Shin-Soo Choo: Fantastic name, even better bat. After being called up at the end of May, he hit for over .300 with 14 home runs and 66 RBI's. He finished strong as well, hitting .400 with 5 HR's and 24 RBI in September.

4. Nelson Cruz: Simply a monster in Triple A last year (342 with 37 homers, 24 steals and a .429 OBP and .695 SLUG), and may hit cleanup this year for the Rangers.

5. Adam Wainwright: I have a feeling Wainwright may win 20 games and have over 180 strikeouts this year. He has great stuff, and could finally bring it all together this year.

I like what Cruz did in the minors, but you have to question a guy that is 27 and just now breaking into the majors.

[orangetanker11]

Originally Posted by emainvol

I like what Cruz did in the minors, but you have to question a guy that is 27 and just now breaking into the majors.

I agree. However, hitting in the Ballpark in Arlington sure doesn't hurt.

[vols kick balls]

Originally Posted by orangetanker11

I agree. However, hitting in the Ballpark in Arlington sure doesn't hurt.

It didn't help him in 06 or 07. I think Cruz will be solid but Chris Davis is going to be the one to really break out this year down in Texas.

[615 Vol]

What do you guys think about the rookie catcher in Baltimore, Matt Wieters?

[Business]

Originally Posted by 615 Vol

What do you guys think about the rookie catcher in Baltimore, Matt Wieters?

He was a certified bad ass at Georgia Tech.

[Business]

Nick Markakis is going to go off this year. 30 plus bombs.

[orangetanker11]

Originally Posted by Business

Nick Markakis is going to go off this year. 30 plus bombs.

Agree.

[bleed orange11]

Josh the beast Hamilton