2008 Breakout Players

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 5, 2008 4:47 PM EST

We kinda did this last year and I'm a bit embarrassed at my picks - Jae Seo had a sub 4 ERA...in Durham - so this year I hope to hit on at least one of my few picks.

My big pick this year is Matt Garza, I think Jim Hickey can instill the confidence in him to throw any of his pitches at anytime, not just his fastball. I'm not sure if I want to say he'll be our best pitcher, but he'll be amongst our top two - yes ahead of either Scott Kazmir or James Shields.

Your picks?

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Re: 2008 Breakout Players

I'll give you a couple for the majors:
Joel Guzman: Starts hot with Longoria in AAA(a decision I'll disagree with when they keep him at AAA) and while I don't think they'll delay Longoria's promotion based on Guzman, but Joel will force Maddon to keep giving him ABs

Mitch Talbot: Breaks through as a solid reliever with the Rays

And 2 more for the minors:
Alex Cobb: Love this guy's athleticism and solid-across-the-boardness. Starts in Columbus, finishes in Vero Beach

Jon Barratt: Gets moved back to the bullpen in Montgomery(the relief experiment failed in Visalia, but he was young, and it was the Cal League) and thrives this time

http://tbfutureconsiderations.blogspot.com - A Rays Prospect Blog

by Kevin Gengler on Jan 5, 2008 5:28 PM EST reply actions

Barratt

You seem to be higher on him than most of us, any reason?

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 5, 2008 5:53 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Barratt

He has great, lightning-quick arm action and I really thought his bad 2007 season stemmed from his elbow injury and snowballed from there.

http://tbfutureconsiderations.blogspot.com - A Rays Prospect Blog

by Kevin Gengler on Jan 5, 2008 5:55 PM EST up reply actions

Gotcha

You're the minors guy, so I'll keep an eye on him.

Also for best athlete they might just put D.J. Jones there, per his dad the guy Jones trained with also trained Pat White and said Jones and White are pretty close athletically.

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 5, 2008 6:01 PM EST up reply actions

Re: 2008 Breakout Players

My pick is Sonnanstine. I expect him to keep getting better as the year progresses and proves himself a solid major league starter.

My second pick is Navarro. I see him carrying forward his 2007 second half into 2008 with an OBP over .350 and double figure home runs as well as 30 doubles.

by bobr on Jan 5, 2008 6:54 PM EST reply actions

Solid picks

The two most likely, I think Sonny is a bit safer bit with the added defense.

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 5, 2008 6:56 PM EST up reply actions

Bit safer pick*

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 5, 2008 6:56 PM EST up reply actions

Re: 2008 Breakout Players

J Rugg and Tyree Hayes... well to bounce back from a not so good season...

Viva Los RAYniacs!

by thebaddancingraysfan on Jan 5, 2008 7:21 PM EST reply actions

Re: 2008 Breakout Players

My pick is Navarro

General Manager Manifesto Matt Bishoff

by Matt Bishoff on Jan 5, 2008 7:58 PM EST reply actions

Jason Bartlett

I see him as a fire-starter who will be second to CC in steals (30+).

by gavind on Jan 5, 2008 8:55 PM EST reply actions

Re: 2008 Breakout Players

Let's not count Jackson out. If he gains control and composure he could be untouchable.

by CharlieRay on Jan 5, 2008 9:11 PM EST reply actions

The sun also rises

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 5, 2008 9:21 PM EST up reply actions

Re: 2008 Breakout Players

The two guys in the system who I think will make the biggest jumps in the rankings next year:

DJ Jones & Dustin Biell

Two guys who will breakthrough in MLB:

Longoria of course & Garza

by ttnorm on Jan 5, 2008 9:13 PM EST reply actions

I agree on minor league breakouts

And I'd add Austin Hinkle since I believe he'd go back to starting this year.

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 5, 2008 9:22 PM EST up reply actions

Re: 2008 Breakout Players

I would say Navarro, but the rumors that the Rays are still looking for a young catcher says they don't have the same confidence. I'm not sure what to make of that.

by RATW on Jan 5, 2008 10:08 PM EST reply actions

Might be to spark Navy

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 5, 2008 10:20 PM EST up reply actions

Re: 2008 Breakout Players

Well, since they are rumors, they only suggest that the people starting or spreading the rumors are not confident in Navarro, not that the Rays aren't. As far as I know, the Rays have never said they are after anything more than a backup.

by bobr on Jan 5, 2008 10:54 PM EST reply actions

Re: 2008 Breakout Players

I think Aki's gonna surprise some people this year. Hes seen some real major league pitching and also has gotten the birth of his first child out of the way. I think he'll thrive at second base and he'll hit sumthin like .295/20 hr??
Remember he did jack 45 humdingers a few years ago in Japan.

by TLane on Jan 6, 2008 2:12 AM EST reply actions

Re: 2008 Breakout Players

My choices are Navarro, Rocco (if healthy, please be healthy) and Edwin Jackson (call me crazy but i hope he can get his stuff together cuz he can bring the heat.)

by Flabull on Jan 6, 2008 6:40 PM EST reply actions