Post by Captain America on Dec 20, 2013 17:53:05 GMT -5
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cUxGfrVfPxg/ULvm5OP4wKI/AAAAAAAAkEk/jKLdk_s-t20/s320/david+wright+7.jpg)
First off, we are now on our 10th season, so happy 10th anniversary to all my fellow original GM's for remaining a part of this wonderful league. It's crazy to think about how much has happened in the first nine seasons. But as always, we keep moving forward and look for the next big stars to emerge.
Speaking of the future, the 2004 rookie class was very strong, and particularly in the National League. The likely 2005 rookie class could be even better. Let's see how the projected 2005 rookies stack up. Here are the top 10 most anticipated rookie debuts for 2005!
Unfortunately, there were projected rookies that did not make the top 10, but they deserve to at least be mentioned as Rookie of the Year contenders.
Honorable Mentions:
- Jesse Delvalle (BAL)
- Chris Stewart (BOS)
- Mark Teixeira (TOR)
- Brian West (MIN)
- Bruce Benningfield (MIN)
- Jerome Williams (ATL)
- Dallas McPherson (FLO)
- Coco Crisp (PHI)
- Jose Reyes (HOU)
- Drew Meyer (MIL)
- Jeff Mathis (PIT)
- Nate Cornejo (STL)
- Alberto Callaspo (CHC)
- Gregor Blanco (SF)
- John Van Benschoten (COL)
And now for the Top 10 most anticipated debuts:
10. SP Patrick Schrum - Pittsburgh Pirates
Current Ratings: G/G/G/B/B (6/6/4/6/9); B Duration
Starting it off is Patrick Schrum, who should become yet another great Pirates pitcher, alongside Jeremy Affeldt, Mark Prior and Adam Pettyjohn. He will eat innings and could even get a duration increase to A. Schrum's home runs were already TIA'd, which would explain why they are behind the other categories. They should eventually go up to a 6 or 7. If they top out at 6, a couple IRI's will bring it to a 7, so either way it will be a 7 later on. The same can be said with hits. They'll either go up to 7 on their own or IRI'd up there. Schrum's walks should eventually top out at 8 or 9, while his strikeouts could possibly develop even further.
Schrum will likely be the #4 pitcher for the Pirates going forward. A lot of wins and a solid ERA should definitely be happening year after year. The guy has a very bright future and his presence should definitely help the Pirates redeem themselves after missing the postseason in 2004.
![](http://media.cleveland.com/plain-dealer/photo/2009/06/shin-soo-choo-6fd59eb794bc5548.jpg)
9. LF/RF Shin Soo Choo - Milwaukee Brewers
Current Ratings: G/B/F/G/G/A (6/8/2/2/3/3)
I put in Choo at #9 because I feel like he hasn't gotten enough attention yet. Maybe it's because he's in the Brewers' organization, but regardless, he should become one of the better outfielders around for a long time. Choo's 6 in hits could go up to a 7 easily with IRI's. He will hit a lot of doubles and the occasional triple. Choo's home runs are still developing and time will tell when they get up to a 5 or 6. Choo's walks and strike outs are both also still developing, but the ratings should fill out by 2007 or so at the latest. He should be very reliable defensively. Generally speaking, Choo should eventually be able to put up .300/20-25 home run/90 RBI seasons consistently and will be a big part of any success the Brewers may have in the future.
![](http://nesncom.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/mike-napoli6.jpg?w=400&h=225)
8. C/1B Mike Napoli - Kansas City Royals
Current Ratings: G/A/P/A/G/B (6/4/0/3/4/7)
Napoli would like a better fit at catcher, but due to the presence of JD Closser and the Royals' current lack of a first baseman, first base is the more likely position for Napoli right now. Napoli has a good bat and will get a lot of hits. The 6 in hits can become a 7 with IRI's. He will hit a decent number of double, whose rating could eventually go up to a 5. Triples probably won't happen for Napoli, who is also very slow footed on the bases. Napoli's power is still developing and could get up to a 6 later in the season. His walks may or may not become a 5, while his strikeouts should certainly go up to 8 or 9 as the season progresses.
Napoli's range at both catcher and first base is at D, which isn't particularly great, but he's got very good fielding percentages, plus a C arm behind the plate. Napoli has the potential to become a .300 hitter, a 30+ home run slugger and should be able to drive in 90-100+ RBI per season. His OBP will probably be good, but not great, depending on how many walks he draws. All in all, a very solid hitter for the Royals to build around.
![](http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/179202/nick.jpg)
7. 1B/3B/LF/CF/RF Nick Swisher - Seattle Mariners
Current Ratings: G/G/P/G/G/B (6/6/0/3/3/3)
Yet another great young player the Mariners have in their system. Swisher should turn out to be a very solid all-around player. He can play first base, third base and all three outfield positions, but with the Mariners' infield as loaded as it is, Swisher will almost certainly be an outfielder. His hits are already a 6, which can become a 7 with IRI's. He'll hit a good number of doubles as well. Triples and speed are not a part of Swisher's game, but his developing power should make up for that, as should his developing patience with walks. Look for those two areas to become at least 5's later in the season. His strikeouts could go even higher to even an 8 with time.
Swisher's best range in the outfield is in right field, which would make that position his best one to be in. He has a C arm as well. He should project to be a solid .300+ hitter that can hit, 30-35 doubles, 25-30 home runs, drive in 90+ RBI and get on-base at a very good rate. As the saying goes, the rich get richer. Another example of the Mariners' depth coming soon.
![](http://www.chrisoleary.com/projects/Baseball/Pitching/Images/Examples/Example_Hyperabduction_AdamWainwright_2006_002.jpg)
6. SP Adam Wainwright - Los Angeles Dodgers
Current Ratings: G/G/B/A/A (6/4/7/5/4); C Duration
In what is definitely the year of the hitter among projected 2005 rookies, it could be easy to overlook Wainwright, who is arguably the top rookie pitcher going into the season. In a Dodgers rotation that already includes Ryan Mills, Scot Shields and Brandon Webb, Wainwright should be able to slot into the fourth spot. A pair of IRI's can turn the 6 in hits into a 7, while 2 more IRI's could turn the eventual 8 in home runs into a 9. Wainwright's walks are probably already filled out unless Dale decides to TIA them. If he does, they could become a 6 later on. Time will tell if his strikeouts go up to a 5 or not. Wainwright will be a fly ball pitcher, but the pitcher-friendly dimensions of Dodger Stadium should able to control it. Wainwright has ace potential and it will be interesting to see how well he does with the Dodgers. He and Mills should turn into one of the best young pitching duos in the National League.
![](http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/mariners/350x.jpg)
5. C/1B Ryan Doumit - Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Current Ratings: G/G/P/G/A/G (6/7/0/2/3/6)
Doumit is arguably the top catcher in this rookie draft class. But the presence of Jeff Bailey will force one of them to play first base, unless Bailey gets traded. Doumit's hits could get up to 7's with IRI's, while his doubles look filled out. His power and walks are both still developing and his strikeouts are probably as high as they will be. Doumit should be a good contact hitter for right now, but could turn into a 25-30 home run hitter in a few seasons from now. Doumit does not have any speed on the bases, but has a B arm behind the plate to hopefully make up for it if other baserunners decide to test it. He has D range at both catcher and first base. Doumit has been one of the top prospects around for the past few seasons and he has a bright future ahead of him.
![](http://mets360.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/david_wright-67.jpg)
4. 1B/2B/SS/3B/LF/RF David Wright - Colorado Rockies
Current Ratings: G/B/F/B/A/G (5/8/2/3/2/4)
I wasn't gonna show bias here. The guys ahead of David Wright should all turn out to be better players than him. Regardless, Wright slides in at #4 as one of the big sluggers of the rookie class and certainly one of the most versatile defensively. I've made it clear though that he will be a shortstop for at least most of his career, depending on other personnel moves that are made. Wright is Captain America though, so he always puts the team first.
Anyway, Wright's 5 in hits should develop into a 6 soon, after which I will IRI to a 7. His 8 in doubles is very nice and could even go up to a 9, 10 or beyond later on. The 2 in triples could become a 3 later, but Wright does not have the most graceful speed anyway. Wright's current 3 in home runs is rather surprising for his development, but with time, they should go up to an 8. Once that happens, I'll IRI it to a 9. I might give his final IRI to his walks, but either way, Wright will not walk particularly often. If he's putting the ball in play and getting on base though, all will be well. The 4 in strikeouts should be able to become a 6 or 7 later on.
Being that he will play his home games at Coors Field, Wright's eventual numbers may get inflated. Nonetheless, .300-.320 average, 50-60 doubles, 30-40+ home runs and 110-120+ RBI seasons should become a regular sighting. Wright's C in stealing ability could lead to a few stolen bases here and there. Wright has E range at all positions except third base. However, his fielding percentage there is only .947, which is why he will be a shortstop. Wright has an extremely bright future. If he can put similar or better numbers than Larry Walker did with the Rockies and win a few MVP Awards, Wright will have certainly done his job. He is the future face of the Rockies and will appropriately get the franchise tag on Opening Day. If anyone now has a chance to break Ken Griffey Jr.'s single season record of 64 home runs, Wright could very well turn into that guy. He's got the talents, the stadium and very good protection in the lineup.
![](http://score.leoweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Phillips.jpg)
3. 2B/SS/3B Brandon Phillips - Seattle Mariners
Current Ratings: G/G/F/B/A/B (5/6/2/4/4/5)
After the Mariners traded away Cano, they made another trade for an even better infielder in Brandon Phillips. Phillips is very dynamic and has as much potential as any other rookie this season. His hits should get up to a 6 and then probably a 7 with a pair of IRI's. His doubles could get up to a 7 as well. The 2 in triples could go up to a 3, but speed isn't a big part of Phillips' game, which is ok. He will more than make up for it with his home runs, which are only a 4, but should eventually get at least to an 8 or 9. The 4 in walks may or may not get to a 5 later, but the 5 in strikeouts should get to 8+ with time. Phillips has C range at second base and D at shortstop and third base.
With A-Rod playing shortstop and Jeter manning third base for the Mariners, Phillips will most likely be a second baseman. Phillips should be able to consistently put up .300-.320 seasons, with 30+ home runs and 100-110+ RBI as well. Even 10 stolen bases a season would be nice to see out of Phillips, who should be able to post a very good OBP. The sky is the limit with this guy. The Mariners are so fortunate to have so many young stars to build around.
![](http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2006/fantasy/03/14/fantasy.second.base0320/t1_cantu.jpg)
2. 1B/2B/3B Jorge Cantu - Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Current Ratings: G/B/P/G/G/B (6/8/0/3/3/4)
One of the best all-around hitters in this class is Jorge Cantu, who will become either the second baseman or third baseman for the Devil Rays. A couple IRI's could turn his hits into a 7, while his doubles could possibly continue growing past 9 or 10. Cantu does not have the best speed, so triples probably won't happen much at all. The home runs and walks are both still developing and could both turn into 6's easily, with the home runs likely being IRI'd to 7 as well. Cantu's 4 in strikeouts should turn into an 8 or 9 eventually.
Defensively, Cantu has E range at all three positions, but has great fielding percentages at first base and second base. Third base would not be good for him, being that his fielding percentage there is only .924. Thus, Cantu is more likely to be a second baseman. Cantu should be able to hit over .300, with the 25-30 home run potential probably coming 1-2 seasons later. He will be a cornerstone player for the Rays for a long time and Greeme should seriously consider franchising him.
![](http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2008/0408/mlb_g_kubel_200.jpg)
1. 1B/LF/CF/RF Jason Kubel - Florida Marlins
Current Ratings: G/G/F/B/B/B (5/6/2/5/8/4)
This was a rather easy choice. Kubel came to the Marlins from the Pirates in the Vladimir Guerrero trade. Although Steve1213 got an MVP caliber hitter in Vlad, he may eventually regret this trade. Kubel is a superstar in the making and should clearly be the NL Rookie of the Year favorite this season. Hie 5 in hits should soon become a 6, and then a 7 after IRI's are made. The doubles could get up to a 7 soon too. The 2 triples isn't a big deal because Kubel isn't the most gifted baserunner. Kubel's 5 in home runs should turn into an 8 later this season, and then a 9 after IRI's. The walks may be done growing, but might just keep going to a 9 or 10 for all we know. The strikeouts should eventually catch up to 8+ as well.
Kubel has E range at all four positions defensively and would probably be a better fit in the AL, which has the DH option. But for the Marlins, Kubel will probably play right field, with Ryan Howard already at first base and Miguel Cabrera in left field. Kubel's D arm isn't the best, but is better than Cabrera's E arm, so right field makes more sense for him. He has a solid .983 fielding percentage there.
Kubel has .300-.320+, 30+ double, 30-35 home run and 110-120 RBI potential, which he should consistently reach or at least be close to. He will be an OBP machine with the 8 in walks as well. I'd expect a .950+ OPS out of him year in and year out. The Marlins have so much talent with Cabrera, Howard and now, Kubel in the fold. Kubel should soon turn into an MVP contender and will be a big key in any success the Marlins have in the future. What an amazing young team down in South Beach! And as good as Cabrera could become, Kubel could possibly be even better for all we know. Those careers will certainly be two to pay attention to for a long time.
This 2005 rookie class should be one of the best yet, with so many great hitters coming up. Best of luck to all the rookies as they try to make their presences known across all of BBSBL!
Until next time...