 Major League baseball seems to grow a little more each year in power, speed, and overall athleticism. New and upcoming talents rising out of the minors come up for their one shot, and it's either make or break. In 2008, many will try to prove their worth to their teams, and below are my top 10 rookies to watch in '08: By Lawrence Barreca at Fantasy Maniaxs.
- Jay Bruce (OF) Reds- A 20 year old outfielder who was the Minor League Player of the Year in 2007, Bruce hit .319 with 26 homers and 89 RBIs overall, with 80 extra-base hits combined at Class A Sarasota, Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville. In '08, he will be fighting Ryan Freel and Norris Hopper for the starting center-field spot in Cincinnati. I expect him to be the starter by year's end, especially if he impresses well while at the big-league level.
- Evan Longoria (3B) Tampa Bay- With Akinori Iwamura moving to second base for the Rays, Longoria has been given a grand opportunity to start at third base for the young squad in Tampa. Last year in the minors, he hit .299, with 26 homers and 95 RBI's. He is on the depth chart as the starting third baseman for the Rays, so watch and see how he fares throughout the year.
- Joba Chamberlain (RP) Yankees- With the Yankees last season, Chamberlain went 2-0, with a 0.38 ERA in 24 innings pitched. He is a definite reliever in the bullpen for New York this year, and if you need a late round fantasy reliever, see if he's still available. He may also vie for a spot in the starting rotation, so check his progress as Spring Training nears. He dominated in the minors, and he has already proven that he can dominate in the majors.
- Cameron Maybin (CF) Marlins- Maybin was traded from the Tigers crowded outfield to the lonely Dolphin Stadium for Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis. In the minors, Maybin hit .316, 14 home-runs, 53 RBI's, 25 steals, and a .409 on-base percentage between High Class A and Double A. Cameron showed sparks at times last year with the Tigers, and now he is slotted as the starting center-fielder for the Marlins in 2008.
- Clayton Kershaw (SP) Dodgers- Kershaw sped through the Dodgers' Minor League system, while showing good numbers along the way. In 25 starts, he went 8-7, with a 2.95 ERA and only allowing a total of 9 home-runs. Expect Kershaw to be called up either later on in '08 or beginning in 2009. He's a lefty with an unbelievable fastball-curve combination that will bewilder hitters in the near future.
- Jacoby Ellsbury (CF Boston)-Jacoby proved his worth last year with the World Champion Red Sox, hitting .353, with 3 homers, 18 RBI's, and 9 stolen bases. He's projected as the Sox' starting centerfielder in 2008, and I'm sure that he will take full advantage of it. With great speed and contact, Ellsbury will be a nice fantasy pickup in any league come this spring.
- Clay Buchholz (SP) Boston- There is one thing that Clay has done that has shown his worth in the pros: a no-hitter. With Curt Schilling out for most if not all of the 2008 campaign, expect Bucholz to grab that final spot in the Red Sox rotation. Anyone that can throw a no-hitter in his second career start has something special about him.
- Homer Bailey (SP) Reds- The current No. 5 starter for the Cincinnati Reds, Bailey racked up a 4-2 record last year while posting a 5.76 ERA. Bailey does have some control problems (28 K's along with 28 BB's); however, he is still the Reds' most coveted pitching prospect, and for good reason. This kid is a viable big-league starter and could be drafted in later rounds after most other starters are gone in your fantasy league.
- Jeff Clement (C) Mariners- Clement showed prowess and strength in the big leagues, hitting .375 with 2 homers and 3 RBI's in 16 at-bats with Seattle. He is the backup catcher behind Kenji Johjima; however, he can also play first base. With the injury-prone Richie Sexson playing there, you have to imagine that Clement will get his share of at-bats with the M's.
- Radhames Liz (SP) Orioles- Liz dominated in his stay in the minor leagues, going 11-4 with a 3.22 ERA in 25 games. Liz can throw with great velocity, reaching the high 90's often. He has the ability to overpower hitters, proving himself by throwing a no-hitter in the minors before. I believe that he will begin the year as a reliever in Baltimore, potentially in long-relief. However, he is still vying for a spot on the young rotation in Baltimore.
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