2007 Rookie Watch
10 Rookies to watch in 07
1. RHP Homer Bailey, Reds: Only 20, the right-hander is still filling out his 6-foot-4 frame, and you shudder to think what a little more beef could do to his already-untouchable stuff. Bailey lit up some eyes even last spring, but people weren't looking for him then. They are now. Bailey appeared to lose his fear of professional hitters in '06, which improved his control.
2. RHP Matt Garza, Twins: Garza barely maintained his rookie status and could exploit some of the holes in manager Ron Gardenhire's rotation. Last season, you could see the 6-foot-4, 190 pounder gain confidence through each of his nine starts for the Twins.
3. 3B Alex Gordon, Royals: Manager Buddy Bell is trying to dispel any pressure on Gordon by suggesting that the kid's not expected to be a factor and would have to force his way into the lineup (and hence bump Mark Teahen into the outfield). In his first pro season at Double-A Wichita, Gordon hit .325 with 29 homers and 101 RBIs.
4. RHP Philip Hughes, Yankees: Smart, plucky, with great physical tools. Hughes has already been wowing teammates in batting practice, and now his audience will grow. Hughes' Minor League numbers are ridiculous and, 20 years old or not, if the bottom of Joe Torre's rotation -- Kei Igawa, Carl Pavano -- shows cracks, he's in.
5. 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff, Padres: When you give up an established young second baseman (Josh Barfield) for a 25-year-old who has been idling in the Minors for five years, there's built-in intrigue. Kouzmanoff's a high-average guy who can still develop acceptable corner power, and may be a revelation who has only been awaiting a chance.
6. RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka, Red Sox: Matsuzaka's spring show won't disappoint; if pitchers are traditionally considered to be weeks ahead of hitters, his offseason work ethic will have him months ahead. Check out the mysterious gyroball in action.
7. C Miguel Montero, D-backs: Chris Snyder is also on hand, but this 23-year-old's talent persuaded Arizona to deal Johnny Estrada to Milwaukee. Montero is a good contact hitter who lost much of his power once he got out of Class A, but he will be an effective offensive tool at the bottom of the order.
8. OF Felix Pie, Cubs: A 21-year-old outfielder wouldn't seem to have a role on a big-ticket team rigged out for a World Series title run, but Pie will still glow like neon in the Cactus League. Pie has to learn to harness both his speed and his bat, but this is already his fourth big-league camp, and, as long as Jacque Jones seems to dangle one foot out of Chicago, he'll be in the picture.
9. 3B Brandon Wood, Angels: He's a shortstop by trade, but the Halos already have Orlando Cabrera stationed there. A few years ago, similar circumstances didn't stop Troy Glaus, who simply moved to the hot corner. Wood, who will turn 22 on March 2, is still learning the strike zone and could swing and miss his way out of the picture. But the Angels, who'd much rather keep moving Chone Figgins around the diamond, do have an opening for him.
10. OF Delmon Young, Devil Rays: Young came up four at-bats under the rookie bar last season, when he backed up his prior lip about deserving a promotion by hitting .317 in his first 126 big-league at-bats. No one knows how long the outfield of Carl Crawford, Rocco Baldelli and Young will remain intact, so take a good look, and marvel while you can.
Source: MLB.com
