Weekly Question: Who Will Be The Top Rookies In 2007?

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 8:22 am

There's no question that 2006 will go down as one of the greatest rookie crops in major league history as several rookies had historic seasons. They included Francisco Liriano, Justin Verlander, Jonathon Papelbon, Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla, Jered Weaver, Josh Willingham, among others. So many top rookies were called up in 2006 that it makes you wonder where the next stars will come from.

Fantasy Sports Magazine has named Kansas City third baseman Alex Gordon as its Minor League MVP for 2006, but there's a good chance that Gordon will start the season at Triple-A. Other rookies like Homer Bailey may also start the 2007 in the minors. I'd be interested in the opinions of our NFBC members as to their selections for rookie honors this year. Without tipping your hand too much, which rookies do you think will challenge for Rookie of the Year honors in 2007?

Quahogs · Post by **Quahogs** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 8:38 am

If he's anything like he says he is Matsuzaka has a leg up on the traditional upcoming rookie candidates. I believe Del.Young will give him a run for his $ though - he has the opp, is in a good lineup and has just a little talent. 126 ab's got his feet wet and kept him eligible.

Q

GOD Loves You · Post by **GOD Loves You** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 8:54 am

Agree, Young could easily be ROY if he can handle the strike calls. Let's throw out another D-ray player, Longoria

, one can hope, right?

Quahogs · Post by **Quahogs** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 9:27 am

Originally posted by GOD Loves You:

Agree, Young could easily be ROY if he can handle the strike calls. Let's throw out another D-ray player, Longoria

, one can hope, right? TB seems SO anti starting the arbitration clock - it's hard to picture them calling up Longoria before september 07 if not later

Q

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 10:10 am

Howie Kendrick, 2B, Anaheim

(assuming he still has rookie status)

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 10:21 am

I believe Mike Pelfry, P, NYM has a great chance to be the ROY in 2007. Given the Mets need for quality starters (Pedro who?), the home ballpark (death to RH power), most of his divisions away ballparks (Washington, Florida, Atlanta) are also comfy places to pitch, the offensive punch of his team (Reyes, Wright, Beltran, Delgado, Green, LoDuca, Alou), and NYM Pitching Coach Rick Peterson has had more than his share of luck with young pitchers, Pelfry is in good place to succeed in a hurry. If they keep his IP under 180+ to avoid injury/burnout, he could be with us for a long time. Some reports I have read said he was great in the AFL as well.

Kimo · Post by **Kimo** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 10:41 am

ROY ODDS.

3/5 Delmon Young.

2/1 Alex Gordon.

4/1 Phillip Hughes.

Could be the Yanks best SP in the 2nd half.

6/1 Homer Bailey.

6/1 Chris Young.

8/1 Ryan Braun.

Could be the MIL starting 3B very soon.

10/1 Mike Pelfrey.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 10:50 am

Originally posted by Captain Hook:

Howie Kendrick, 2B, Anaheim

(assuming he still has rookie status) Nope. 267 ABs last year.

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 11:24 am

Okay - back with a few more ROY candidates

AL - Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Boston

NL - Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Colorado

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 12:20 pm

NL looks up for grabs ...

Kouzmanoff if he doesn't blow his chance in the Spring could be a full-yr stater for SD. Loney or Kemp in LA if either gets a starting gig. Longshot Hunter Pence in HOU.

I'll predict Gordon-AL and Kemp-NL. If Kemp gets traded to a rebuilding team like FLA he could become a preseason favorite.

ToddZ · Post by **ToddZ** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 12:27 pm

If Milwaukee clears a path, Ryan Braun could surprise.

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 12:28 pm

Chris Young really makes the scouts drool. He is a 5-tool player and though he hasn't hit for spectacular averages in the minor leagues, one would think that someone with his level of talent can break out at any point. He is ready to be a 20-20 player now.

Here is what I love about Delmon Young: the guy misses 50 games and still manages to log 464 major league at bats in 2006. So he's very dependable (sort of). He hasn't hit for great power yet, but he's only 20 and it could come at any time.

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 12:38 pm

Originally posted by Captain Hook:

Okay - back with a few more ROY candidates

AL - Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Boston

NL - Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Colorado Do you like Pedroia for fantasy? He looks like he ought to be able to hit for a better average than the buck and change he hit for in the majors last year, but he doesn't look like any kind of power or speed threat.

Also, not to be the contrarian, but what do you like about Tulowitzki? He hasn't had too much success so far.

ToddZ · Post by **ToddZ** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 1:25 pm

Pedroia is akin to a David Eckstein/Orlando Hudson fantasy-wise. Not a bad guy in AL only as won't croke your average and he'll get into low double digits HR and SB.

In NFBC, he's a late round MI at best, unless either his speed or power exceeds expectations.

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 1:37 pm

Originally posted by bjoak:

quote:Originally posted by Captain Hook:

Okay - back with a few more ROY candidates

AL - Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Boston

NL - Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Colorado Do you like Pedroia for fantasy? He looks like he ought to be able to hit for a better average than the buck and change he hit for in the majors last year, but he doesn't look like any kind of power or speed threat.

Also, not to be the contrarian, but what do you like about Tulowitzki? He hasn't had too much success so far. [/QUOTE]Bjoak and I have been agreeing a little too much lately- those are both rookies that I think will struggle or at best be better real life players than fantasy. Nothing at all for me to get excited about with Pedroia.

Ryan Braun is a guy who peaks my interest a bit- the at bats should be there sooner rather than later with Koskie ahead of him.

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 1:52 pm

I was just trying to suggest some candidates that as of now are likely in Opening Day lineups.

Braun, IMO is not - likely at least a year away.

On Pedroia, Boston liked him better for the long term in MI than Hanley Ramirez - not that he has anywhere close to that speed, but 10-15 HR and 10-15 SB for a late round MI is pretty nice - if he plays all year and his BA holds he would definitely be an AL ROY candidate.

There were two SS at Long Beach State - you know one already, Bobby Crosby - Tulowitzki was a better hitter and better fielder than Crosby. In the Arizona Fall League this year he was one of the top hitting prospects (along with Braun). You can't really judge him on his end of the year at bats with Colorado, but again he is likely the starting shortstop for the Rockies in 2007.

Up to you how you value those guys.

GOD Loves You · Post by **GOD Loves You** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 2:09 pm

Originally posted by Quahogs:

quote:Originally posted by GOD Loves You:

Agree, Young could easily be ROY if he can handle the strike calls. Let's throw out another D-ray player, Longoria

, one can hope, right? TB seems SO anti starting the arbitration clock - it's hard to picture them calling up Longoria before september 07 if not later

Q [/QUOTE]New ownership could change the tune in Tampa(St. Pete). Heck, they gave us free parking last year, so you never know.

Vander · Post by **Vander** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 2:36 pm

You guys got new ownership last year. I didn't know that. You need a new gm. His moves or lack of them are just terrible. I know it's tough to compete in that division, but you guys have suffered from atrocious personnell decisions.

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 3:12 pm

Another vote for Alex Gordon. Of course, KC will have to trade him in three years for Bloomquist and a bag of peanuts.

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 3:41 pm

Originally posted by Vander:

You guys got new ownership last year. I didn't know that. You need a new gm. His moves or lack of them are just terrible. I know it's tough to compete in that division, but you guys have suffered from atrocious personnell decisions. I think you are probably making reference to chuck Lamar- God he was horrible. The new guy has been fine IMO, still way too early to tell with him.

You have to wonder though in that division if they really ever have a chance.

Vander · Post by **Vander** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 5:11 pm

Who was the guy that refused to trade Gathright and or Huff (despite the fact that they had a glut of outfielders and holes everywhere else) until they had lost most of their trade value? Last guy or the new guy? If new guy, things haven't changed. Very poor decisions there ever since the expansion draft itself in which they took an over abundance of old guys to build around. Although your right. It probably wouldn't matter. The money the Yankees and Red Sox throw around would likely negate even the best gm's efforts in Tampa.

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 6:22 pm

If you gentlemen will allow me to flog the dead horse, I didn't mean to sound so down on Pedroia. I agree with Chest's inference that he will be a better ballplayer than fantasy player. I think he will probably end up as a major league regular with excellent average/on-base skills. He is a kid so he may develop power yet.

However, I disagree with the notion that he might ever steal double digit bases. He has not yet done that in his professional career and last season he stole 1 against 5 CS's. And he plays in Boston. 10 bases stolen or not might seem like a small point but Todd will agree that the value of a 10-10 guy is a lot different than that of a 10-0.

GOD Loves You · Post by **GOD Loves You** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:55 am

Originally posted by Vander:

You guys got new ownership last year. I didn't know that. You need a new gm. His moves or lack of them are just terrible. I know it's tough to compete in that division, but you guys have suffered from atrocious personnell decisions. Vince Naimoli "ran" the franchise until last season. Stuart Sternberg bought almost half of the franchise in 2004, but didn't become principal owner until last season. Naimoli is still around, but is just collecting revenue as he's done for the past 10 years.

We are hoping the youth in charge will help make a change and spend some money. Sternberg is in his late 40's, but he has 30 yr. old Matthew Silverman as team president and 30 yr. old Andrew Friedman as general manager. Naimoli is almost 70 yr. old and doesn't seem to be a true fan of the team. The new people in charge are frequently seen at the games, sitting with the fans, not in the owners box. They seem to really want to make changes, slowly but surely. The renovations they did at the Trop were quite nice. Now if we can get them to spend more on the team than A-Rod makes, then we might have something worth cheering about....That and MLB needs to realign the divisions to give a team like the D-rays a chance.

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 9:01 am

I'm betting the farm that it is going to be the Devil Rays versus the Braves in the 2007 World Series.

It is a small farm of course...well..really my kids ant farm...