2014 MLB Preview: Players To Look Out For

Xander Bogaerts, SS, #2, Boston Red Sox

Xander Bogaerts
http://bostonherald.com/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/media/2013/
10/16/101613soxms11b.jpg?c=35492d2ee15bbc6703c7c9d74c3b65c8

Bogaerts made a name for himself during the 2013 World Series when he took over as the starting third baseman and played well. Now, Bogaerts, a shortstop by trade, has been given the starting job at short. Bogaerts has the potential to be great both offensively and defensively. When with a bat in his hands, Bogaerts can hit the ball. Once he gets comfortable in the big leagues, Bogaerts will hit 20-25 home runs and hit at least .300. Bogaerts has struggled defensively at points in the minors. However, he is only 21 years old and has time to keep working and improving. Bogaerts is a star in the making. I would expect Bogaerts to play well and be a favorite for the AL Rookie of the Year.

Domonic Brown, LF, #9, Philadelphia Phillies

Brown was a top five prospect a few years ago but did not play like it until last year. He made the All-Star Game and hit 27 homers. However, only six of the 27 round trippers came after July 1. That drop-off in production makes many people, including myself, wonder if the first three months of the season were a fluke for Brown. As of this moment, I am skeptical and will remain in that disposition until Brown consistently hits for power. 

Michael Pineda, SP, #35, New York Yankees

Michael Pineda
http://sports.cbsimg.net/images//visual/whatshot/
Michael-Pineda-Yankees-minor-league-rehab-injury-2013.jpg

The Yankees traded for Pineda before the 2012 season after making the All-Star Game, and ERA of, and WHIP of 1.099 in his rookie campaign in 2011. However, he has not pitched for New York due to shoulder injuries. After rehabbing for two years including stints in the minors, Pineda is back in the starting rotation. Pineda is the wild card for the Yankees. If he pitches well, the Yankees are much more likely to make the playoffs, while if Pineda struggles and cannot find his grove, not only are the Yankees less likely to be successful, it may be time to start labeling Pineda as a "one-hit wonder."

Yan Gomes, C, #10, Cleveland Indians  and Carlos Santana, 3B, #, Cleveland Indians

Gomes, the first ever MLB player from Brazil, had a very good 2013 season. He played so well that the Indians have decided to move last year's starting catcher, Carlos Santana, to 3B. The success of the Indians will depend on how well these two do their new jobs. Both are going to be middle of the order players who will need to hit for power. If they can drive in runs and Santana plays decent defense, Cleveland will have a very good opportunity for a wild card spot.

Mike Moustakas, 3B, #8, Kansas City Royals

Mike Moustakas
http://mlblogsroyals.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/mike-moustakas_6-11.jpg

Moustakas was highly touted when he came into the majors in 2011. He has given the potential to be one of the best power hitters in the game Since coming to the majors, Moustakas has hit .244, has an on-base percentage of .296, and OPS of .681, and has only 37 home runs. Not only that, he led the AL in errors by a 3B. However, he has looked great this spring, especially in his plate discipline. This is the year for him to break out. This is a big year for Moustakas. He needs to establish himself as a player who contribute positively day in and day out. If he cannot prove he can play as an above average third baseman, it will be time for the Royals to move on.

Christian Yelich, LF, #21, Miami Marlins

The Miami Marlins do not have much hope for a winning season this year, but they have a lot of young talent to look at and no one is more interesting to me then Yelich. Yelich was called up midseason and performed well. Yelich has the potential to be a game changer in the future for the Marlins. He has speed, is a very good defender, and can hit. While Giancarlo Stanton will get most of the headlines, Yelich may end up being the better outfielder. 

Billy Hamilton, CF, #6, Cincinnati Reds

Billy Hamilton
http://score.leoweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/
PI-MLB-Reds-Billy-Hamilton-010214.jpg

When the Reds called up Hamilton in September, he immediately made an impact. In his first game in the big show, he came on as a pinch runner, stole a base and scored the game's only run. Hamilton, who has the professional record for most stolen bases in a season (155 in 2012 with the Reds's Advanced A and AA teams), stole 13 bases in 13 games last year and is now the starting center fielder and leadoff hitter for Cincinnati. The one area he needs to improve on is his ability to get on base. If he can get on base, things are going to happen. Hamilton is an enigma and, if he plays very well, he may be the best table-setter in baseball by the end of the year.

Carlos Gomez, CF, #27, Milwaukee Brewers

Gomez had a breakout year in 2013, winning a Gold Glove, making the All-Star Team, and leading the league in rWAR. The question now is can he repeat this success? He was never close to being in a top five center fielder in the league before last year. Gomez needs to prove that he is a top center fielder in the game and this is the year he is going to need to prove it. 

Jose Abreu, 1B, #79, Chicago White Sox

Jose Abreu
http://i.azcentral.com/i/9/9/0/L169_CIFR16
93320d9d66c0796d58c44d1c350099.jpg

Abreu is this year's Cuban prospect to watch. He put up great numbers in the Cuba's Serie Nacional and in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. His success is going to depend on how well he can adapt to major league pitching. There is a big difference between the level he had been playing at in Cuba and the level the MLB is on. So far this spring, Abreu has hit .286 with an OPS of .780 plus three home runs and ten strikeouts to one walk. He will need to adapt like other recent Cuban stars have and keep his confidence up. I expect Abreu will do a lot of learning this year. Very soon, Abreu could be a 30 home run/ 100 RBI player. This year will not be that year.

Jim Johnson, RP, #45, Oakland Athletics

The last two years, Jim Johnson led the AL in saves with the Orioles with 51 and 50 respectively. Yet, the O's traded him to Oakland because they were worried about the money he would cost. This move was arguably the best move of the offseason. Oakland lost their 2013 closer, Grant Balfour, and replaced him with an even better closer. Johnson has the potential to be one of the best closers in the game this year.

Mark Trumbo, LF, #15, Arizona Diamondbacks

Mark Trumbo
http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/002/794/297/hi-res-f4bfa5
63e38c602d0e677b2445f79e0a_crop_north.jpg?w=630&h=420&q=75

Trumbo was traded to the Diamondbacks in December from the Angles in a three year deal. The Diamondbacks no doubt got the better end of the deal and it may have been the best move of any team during the offseason. Trumbo is one of the best power hitters in the game. He has hit 29, 32, and 34 home runs is his three full years in the majors. However, he has trouble getting on base and putting the ball in play. Over the past three years, he has an on-base percentage of .300 and 457 strikeouts. Trumbo does have two overlooked qualities: durability and utility. Trumbo can play both corner outfield spots and first base (and has played a little third in the majors) and has averaged 151 games the last three years. Trumbo is bound for a breakout year, as long as he cuts down on his strikeouts.

Jedd Gyorko, 2B, #9, San Diego Padres

Gyorko had a very good rookie season for the Padres. However, there is a lot for him to improve on in his sophomore year. The one area the Gyorko lacked in last season was hit ability to get on base. His on-base percentage was .301. That is dreadful for a second baseman. He needs to not only draw more walks, but also get more base hits. Gyorko has the power and defense prowlless to be a great second baseman. However, he needs to get on base more for him to reach that level.

Brad Miller
http://media.kitsapsun.com/media/img/photos/2013/07/01/852541_t607.JPG

Brad Miller, SS, #5, Seattle Mariners

Miller's play during Spring Training has been spectacular. He has a batting average of .439, an on-base percentage of .500, slugging percentage .895, hit six doubles, four triples, and four home runs. Miller spent most of the spring battling with who with Nick Franklin for the starting shortstop spot and he earned the job. Miller was promoted to the Mariners in late June last year and played well for his first time in the big show. While the Mariners will have a tough time making the playoffs in a very competitive, a good season from Miller would give them a lot of confidence in keeping him at short.