Opening Day is the most hopeful and optimistic day of each year.\u00a0 At least for this one day, every team is a contender, every rookie a potential \u201cphenom,\u201d\u00a0 every fading veteran a potential \u201cComeback Player of the Year,” and every new face in the lineup or on the bench a welcome addition.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Baseball Roundtable – March 26, 2013<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Opening Day is upon us and – to celebrate – BBRT would like to focus this post on thirty players (one from each team), I\u2019ll be watching with special interest this year \u2013 as well as a few \u201chonorable mentions\u201d that have caught my eye.\u00a0 You may also find some of them interesting \u2013 and worth keeping track of during the season.<\/p>\n Also, for those who may have missed my pre-season predictions (and are interested), you\u2019ll find them by clicking here –\u00a0 AL<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 NL\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0 Prospect Watch<\/a><\/p>\n Now, some players worth a look or two (or more) in 2015. \u00a0Spring Training numbers mean little, but I’ve included them to update you on how things have been going for the players on this watch list.<\/p>\n Arizona Diamondbacks<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 1B Paul Goldschmidt \u2013 Is this THE year?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Atlanta Braves<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n SS Andrelton Simmons \u2013 How many base hits will he steal?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n If you want to watch defense, no one does it better than Braves\u2019 shortstop Andrelton Simmons. In his first two full seasons, Simmons has captured two Gold Gloves, two Fielding Bible Awards and two Wilson Defensive Player of the Year recognitions. In the field, Simmons is well worth watching. At the plate, he\u2019s still a bit of mystery (again worth watching). In 2013, his first full season, he hit .248, but popped 17 home runs.\u00a0 Last season, the average was about the same (.244), but the power dropped off (seven home runs). BBRT will be watching that defensive range, and looking to see what Simmons\u2019 potential is at the plate (his minor league stats indicate he may end up closer to the seven home runs than the 17). Simmons hit .340, with two homers and 13 RBI, in 18 ST games<\/em><\/p>\n Baltimore Orioles<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 1B Chris Davis \u2013 Will the real Chris Davis please step into the batter\u2019s box?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Heading into 2014, the Orioles’ Chris Davis was on an upward swing – .270, with 33 home runs and 85 RBI \u00a0in 2012; .286-53-138 in 2013.\u00a0 Then in 2014, Davis suffered through an Adderall-use related suspension and a .196 season (173 strikeouts in 127 games).\u00a0 He still showed power, with 26 home runs and 72 RBI and \u2013 having now been given a therapeutic exemption for Adderall use \u2013 should get back to 30+ home run\/100+ RBI performance in 2015. Hit .250-3-12 in ST.<\/em><\/p>\n Honorable mention: OF-1B Steve Pearce<\/strong><\/span> is a late bloomer who seemed to find his stroke last season (at age 31), hitting .293 with 21 homers in 102 games. His previous MLB career stats were 290 games (seven seasons), .238 average, 17 home runs. Will he continue his 2014 surge? He looked good this spring.\u00a0Hit .302, with five home runs, in 17 ST games.<\/em><\/p>\n Boston Red Sox<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The Red Sox re-armed for 2015, both in the batter\u2019s box and on the mound (via the additions of Hanley Ramirez, Pablo Sandoval, Justin Masterson, Wade Miley, and Rick Porcello). The trade of Jon Lester last July, however, left them without a true number-one starter.\u00a0 That role now falls to Clay Buchholz, who has shown flashes of brilliance (17-7, 2.33 ERA in 2010 and 12-1, 1.74 in 2013), but also proven fragile (Buchholz has spent time on the Disabled List in each of the past five seasons). The Red Sox need Buchholz, coming off an 8-11, 5.34 campaign in 2014) to step up his game. Buchholz put up a 2.84 Spring Training ERA, with 22 strikeouts in 19 innings.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chicago Cubs<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n RF Jorge Soler \u2013 How good is this Cuban import?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n In 24 games for the Cubs, Jorge Soler \u2013 who signed a nine-year deal in June of 2012 – hit .292, with five home runs (14 extra base hits) and 20 RBI.\u00a0 In 2012, at the Rookie level, Soler hit .299, with five home runs, 25 RBI, 12 steals and 12 walks \u2013 in just 34 games.\u00a0 In 2013, he put up a .281-8-35 stat line in 55 games at the High A level. Last season, Soler played at the Rookie League, AA and AAA levels before making his late-season MLB debut with the Cubs. In his three 2014 minor league stops, Soler hit .340-15-57. Soler should be fun to watch in \u201cThe Friendly Confines\u201d of Wrigley Field.\u00a0 Continued to rake in ST , posting a line of \u00a0.345-4-15 in 19 games.<\/em><\/p>\n Honorable mention:\u00a0 3B Kris Bryant<\/strong><\/span> hit .325 with 43 home runs and 110 RBI in two\u00a0 minor league stops (AA and AAA) last season \u2013 not to mention 15 steals.\u00a0 Then he hit .425 with nine home runs in just 40 at bats in 2015 Spring Training<\/em>.\u00a0 He\u2019ll start the season at AAA (some controversy there), but will be in Chicago soon. When he gets there, he\u2019ll be well worth keeping an eye on.<\/p>\n Chicago White Sox<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n RHP Jeff Samardzija \u2013 How good will he be with the new White Sox offense to support him?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Jeff Samardzija (got to love that name on the back of a uniform), acquired in a trade with the Athletics, was a lot better in 2014 than his 7-13 record (Cubs and A\u2019s) would indicate.\u00a0 He put up a nifty 2.99 ERA and struck out 202 hitters in 219 2\/3 innings. Samardzija is slotted in at the number-two spot in the White Sox rotation (assuming Chris Sale returns from injury in mid-April as expected) \u2013 and he looks ready to put up a solid season.\u00a0 Samardzija had a rough spring giving up 20 runs (including 9 home runs) in 21 1\/3 innings.<\/em><\/p>\n Honorable mention:\u00a0 LHP Carlos Rodon<\/span>,<\/strong> drafted (first round) out of NC State last year, looks ready for the major leagues at age 22. \u00a0In his first pro season, he moved from the Rookie League to High A to Triple A \u2013 posting a 2.96 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 24 1\/3 innings. This spring, Rodon tossed 17 2\/3 innings, going 3.06 with 12 whiffs and only five walks.<\/em> \u00a0Rodon will start the season at Triple A, but BBRT will be watching for his call up.<\/p>\n Cincinnati Reds<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The Reds may not be going anywhere this year, but LHP Aroldis Chapman\u2019s fastball is going to be flying past hitters once again. Acknowledged as the hardest thrower in MLB, Chapman\u2019s fastball routinely tops 100 mph. In 2014, Chapman saved 36 games (in 38 opportunities) \u2013 and struck out 106 batters in just 54 innings. If you watch Chapman, you may not see that fastball, but you\u2019ll probably be able to hear it. Struck out 16 in 12 \u00bd innings in ST.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cleveland Indians<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 2B Jason Kipnis \u2013 Can he come back from injury-interrupted 2014?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Second baseman Jason Kipnis, a 2013 All Star (.284-17-84, with 30 steals), missed most of May last season (oblique strain) and fell to .240-6-41, with 22 steals.\u00a0 A return to health (and power plus speed) would give the Cleveland offense a boost.\u00a0 Hit .229 with one home run in 13 ST games.<\/em><\/p>\n Colorado Rockies<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n SS Troy Tulowitzki \u2013 Will he play 150 games?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is a key cog in the Rockies\u2019 lineup, but in the eight seasons since his first full MLB season, he\u2019s only reached 150 games played twice (2007 and 2009). The Rockies need their Gold Glove\/power hitting shortstop to stay on the field. He\u2019s coming off hip surgery, so it\u2019s worth watching his progress closely. Tulo did look sound in Spring Training and, if healthy, he\u2019s a potential .300-25-100 guy. \u00a0In 16 ST games, hit .381, with five home runs and 12 RBI.<\/em><\/p>\n Detroit Tigers<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n RHP Justin Verlander \u2013 Can he rebound?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n With Rick Porcello (trade) and Max Scherzer (free agency) gone, there is pressure on Justin Verlander (who will start the season on the DL \u2013 his first ever DL stint) to recapture his old form. (Verlander \u2013 triceps soreness – is expected back by mid-April.) \u00a0Verlander has seen his ERA increase in each of the past four seasons (from 2.40 in 2011 to 4.54 in 2014) and his strikeouts per nine-innings drop from 9.0 to 6.9 in the same time span.\u00a0 The Tigers need a return to form from the 2011 Cy Young winner if they are to retain the Central Division\u2019s top spot. You can bet Tiger fans will be watching with interest. Had a 5.63 ERA, with 10 whiffs in 16 innings this ST.<\/em><\/p>\n Honorable mention:\u00a0 1B Miguel Cabrera<\/strong> <\/span>\u2013 Who wouldn\u2019t like watching Cabrera do what he does best\\?\u00a0 Crush baseballs. The 2012 Triple Crown winner and two-time MVP hit .345, with three home runs in 11 ST games.<\/em><\/p>\n Houston Astros<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 2B\u00a0 Jose Altuve \u2013 Is the 5\u2019 5\u201d spark plug for real?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kansas City Royals<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n RF Alex Rios \u2013 Can he put some pop back in his swing?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Free-agent signee Alex Rios was acquired to help offset the departures of Nori Aoki and Billy Butler. Rios brings a steady bat (.280 last season, .278 career) and speed (17 steals in 2014, 244 in eleven MLB seasons).\u00a0 Notably, that combination was part of the Royals\u2019 formula for success in 2014 \u2013 the team finished second in the AL in batting average and first in all of MLB in stolen bases (153, the only team to steal 150 bases.) They did, however, lack power, hitting only 95 home runs \u2013 the major\u2019s lowest total.\u00a0 Rios hit only four round trippers a year ago, but hit between 15 and 25 home runs every season from 2006 to 2013.\u00a0 BBRT will be watching to see if Rios can recapture his power stroke. Hit .308, with three homers, in 20 ST games.<\/em><\/p>\n Honorable mention:<\/strong><\/span> With James Shields gone (free agency) RHP Yordano Ventura<\/strong><\/span> \u2013 14-10, 3.20 in his first full season (2014) \u00a0\u2013 will be expected to step into the number-one slot in the rotation.\u00a0 With his high 90s fastball, the 23-year-old looks ready to step up. Ventura produced a 4.50 ERA, with 16 whiffs in 18 ST innings.<\/em><\/p>\n Los Angeles Angels<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n CF Mike Trout \u2013 Another MVP?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Of course, BBRT will be watching Angels’ CF Mike Trout.\u00a0 What baseball fan wouldn\u2019t? Just 23-years-old, with three full MLB seasons on the books, Trout has one AL MVP Award (two second-place finishes), a Rookie of the Year Award, and has led the AL in runs three times and RBI and stolen bases once each.\u00a0 He also has a .305 career average, with 98 homers.\u00a0 Just have to watch to see what\u2019s next from the future HOFer. Hit .441, with five homers, in 22 ST games.<\/em><\/p>\n Los Angeles Dodgers<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n LHP Clayton Kershaw \u2013 What\u2019s the record for most Cy Young Awards again?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Who wouldn\u2019t want to watch Clayton Kershaw deal from the mound?\u00a0 Over the past four seasons, he\u2019s 72-26, with a 2.33 ERA \u2013 leading the league in ERA four times, wins twice and strikeouts twice, while also earning three Cy Young Awards and one MVP Award. Hey, when Kershaw pitches, tune in. This ST, put up a 1.61 ERA, with 22 strikeouts in 22 1\/3 innings.<\/em><\/p>\n Honorable mention: \u00a0OF Joc Pederson<\/strong><\/span> was the Pacific Coast League\u2019s 2014 Most Valuable player \u2013 hitting .303 with 33 home runs, 106 runs, 78 RBI, 30 steals and, importantly, 100 walks (in 121 games). Despite the fact that Pederson hit .143, with 11 whiffs in 28 at bats for the Dodgers last September, BBRT thinks he\u2019ll have a season worth watching as a Dodgers’ rookie in 2015. \u00a0Hit .338-6-13 in 26 ST games.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"Dodger-Killer,](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/dodgerkiller_paul_goldschmidt-300x181.jpg\")
<\/a>Diamondbacks 1B Paul Goldschmidt is a top flight run-producer who does not get the credit he deserves \u2013 and, at 27, he may be ready for a breakout season. In 2013, he led the NL in home runs (36), RBI (125) and total bases (332), while hitting .302 and stealing 15 bases. Last season, limited to 109 games after suffering a fractured hand from a hit by pitch, he went .300-19-69, with nine steals.\u00a0 BBRT is looking for a career year out of the Diamondbacks’ first-sacker, who is also a plus defender. Ultimately, Goldschmidt may be headed for Jeff Bagwell-like numbers. Goldschmidt hit .293, with three home runs, in 22 Spring Training (ST) games. <\/em><\/p>\n![\"Fenway](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/fenway_park_2012_clay_buchholz__closeup-211x300.jpg\")
<\/a>RHP Clay Buchholz \u2013 Can he be the Red Sox\u2019 top of the rotation \u201cace?\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n![\"Aroldis](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/aroldis_chapman-300x282.jpg\")
<\/a>Closer Aroldis Chapman \u2013 Just how hard can this guy throw?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n![\"Jose](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/jose_altuve_digs_in_against_pirates_p_jeff_locke-300x200.jpg\")
<\/a>Jose Altuve, currently MLB\u2019s shortest player, is fun to watch.\u00a0 He puts the bat on the ball \u2013 often.\u00a0 In 2014, the 24-year-old led the AL in hits (225), batting average (.341) and stolen bases (56). If that\u2019s not a show worth watching, what is? Hit .333 in 16 ST games. <\/em><\/p>\n
![\"Giancarlo](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/giancarlo_mike_stanton_fla_and_gerald_laird-300x188.jpg\")
<\/a>RF Giancarlo Stanton \u2013 Does anyone hit the ball farther \u2013 more consistently – than Stanton?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n![\"Andrew](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/andrew_mccutchen-300x196.jpg\")
<\/a>Pirates CF Andrew McCutchen is well worth watching.\u00a0 He\u2019s a true five-tool player \u2013 a Gold Glove winner and the 2013 NL MVP (he\u2019s finished in the top three in the NL MVP voting each of the past three years). Last season \u201cCutch\u201d went .314-25-83, with 18 steals. He\u2019s likely to do even better in 2015.\u00a0 Hit .375 in 11 ST games. <\/em><\/p>\n