2007 Rookie Watch
Delmon Young, Josh Fields, Matt Garza, Alex Gordon,
Here are 4 rookies to watch as the 2007 Season is about to kick off. Some will start in the Majors, some will be brought later in the season, but all are worth watching.
2007 ROOKIE WATCH
Baseball enjoys many different kinds of excitement with the start of each year. From wondering who will win each division, to what records might be broken, Baseball fans are ready for another historic season of America’s favorite past time.
One group of players that is always interesting to watch, are the rookies. You never know who the next Barry Bonds, A-rod, or Johan Santana might be, and every fan likes to say they’ve watched the stars of the game since they were first brought up. Here is a list of rookies to watch this season as they begin their journey’s through baseball stardom.
Alex Gordon
The third baseman who is frequently compared to George Brett, Gordon is coming off his first full season in the minors where he earned Baseball America’s “Minor League Player of the Year Award,” after hitting 29 homeruns, stealing 20 bases, and hitting over .325. Knowing Gordon could bring excitement to the Royals, they have moved their everyday third baseman, Mark Teahan, to the outfield to make room for Gordon. The Royals may not be exciting to watch as a team, but Gordon could provide reason to pause and watch.
Delmon Young
Young took advantage of his late season call up last year hitting .317 with 3 homeruns, 10 RBI’s, and a .476 slugging percentage. The Devil Rays will benefit greatly from his bat being in the lineup all season long. His defense isn’t something to ignore either as his strong arm and good range will bolster the Devil Rays outfield. He may start the season hitting in the bottom third of the lineup, but as the season progresses, and Young learns, he will move up as high as the third spot by the end of the year.
Josh Fields
He probably won’t start the season in the Majors, but if the White Sox have any injuries, or need offensive help, they will turn to Josh Fields. The young prospect hit .305 with 19 homeruns and 70 RBI’s in Triple-A last season before his September call up. He also earned Internal League Rookie of the Year honors. White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen has deemed Fields the Third baseman, or left fielder of the future. The Sox have a Gold-Glove caliber third baseman with Joe Crede, and signed Darren Erstad to play left field over the winter. But if either is injured, or doesn’t produce, Guillen probably won’t hesitate to call up Fields.
Matt Garza
Garza began the 2006 season in Single-A, but found himself on the Minnesota Twins playoff roster at the end of the season. His quick rise through the Minors has hardly ever been done, and it was enough to earn him USA Today’s “Minor League Player of the Year Honors.” His Major League debut was not very impressive, but he did enough to be considered the Twins top pitching prospect. His Spring Training numbers have been equally impressive, even if most of his appearances have been in relief. It’s possible that Garza could begin the season in the bullpen, as Francisco Liriano did last year, and make his way into the rotation if trouble arises.
These are just a few of several prospects and rookies who will make their debut this year. Their potential could come early, or it may come later, but they will be worth watching all the same.
