The Next American Idol! Well, Sort of.....

[DOUGHBOYS]

Players that will be like other players in a few years....

Alfonso Soriano-
He started out at 2b as a fast guy with a big bat. Then, as the knees started hurting, 2b turned to left field, steals took a dive, and dives across the plate after curve balls....
So, who will be Soriano in a few years?
Hanley Ramirez.
Ramirez doesn't have the chronic knees, but the steals have already been cut in half, and somehow, he isn't the threat at the plate as he once was.
It may not be long at all before they call him Hanley Soriano.

Michael Young-
A fixture with the Rangers. He's done everything the Rangers ask, while putting up great real baseball stats.
So, who will be Michael Young in a few years?
Ian Kinsler.
The Rangers are indicating that Kinsler will be changing positions to make way for Profar. Hmmm, sounds familiar.
Kinsler is tied to the Rangers for four years. He really has little say, a little like Young for a lot of years.

David Ortiz-
Ortiz has gone from being a 1b to designated hitter. He's maintained the rbi guy image through thick and thin with a team that changes around him.
So, who will be David Ortiz in a few years?
Billy Butler. A gimme. Butler is already a lot like Ortiz and barely got 1b status last year. The Royals will go through some changes over the next couple of years, losing Hosmer and Moustakas, but I see Butler staying and driving in runs.

Derek Jeter-
Tough. This is a sure fire first ballot Hall of Famer. Somebody who is a leader for the largest franchise in sports. Not to mention the physical ability.
There really is no young Derek Jeter, at least, if we're counting above the neck, so, below the neck....
Who will be Derek Jeter in a few years?
Starlin Castro. Lets face it, Castro will never be on many winning teams (sorry Theo) or even be a leader like Jeter, BUT
Castro is already getting 200 hits a season. He can hit anywhere in the lineup like Jeter. He plays every day like Jeter. And like Jeter, he has a mix of speed and power, enough to give him double digits even at an older age like Jeter.

Jamie Moyer-
Believe it or not, at one time Moyer threw pretty hard. At least hard enough to set up his other pitches. Longevity is the key when trying to find a young Jamie Moyer and I think I've found one.
So, who will be the next Jamie Moyer?
Jason Vargas.
Like Moyer, Vargas has a smooth delivery. Never over throwing, more concerned with where the ball is arriving, not how fast.
Vargas has quietly pitched over 600 innings the last three years. Quiet innings were Moyers M.O.
Vargas has already mirrored Moyer's early career numbers and innings. He only has 21 more years to go.

Todd Helton-
This is tougher than one might think. Helton has 354 home runs, but 221 came at the height of the steroid era. Including seasons of 42 and 49 home runs. Helton never has been a power guy, but in those years, opposite field home runs were common for him. Normally, he is a tough out. A guy a pitcher doesn't want to face. 570 doubles. A real stat in that they continued after the era.
So, who will be the next Todd Helton?
Joey Votto.
Votto, like Helton, is more of a' hit it hard' hitter, not a 'hit it deep' hitter. Votto is just as happy taking a ball opposite field as Helton was.
It'll surprise any fan when Votto hits below .300
He's a guy pitchers do not want to face and Cincy has a hard time finding protection for him in the lineup.