1. Alex Rodriguez
2. David Wright
3. Miguel Cabrera
4. Ryan Braun
5. Chone Figgins
6. Aramis Ramirez
7. Garrett Atkins
8. Ryan Zimmerman
9. Chipper Jones
10. Alex Gordon
11. Adrian Beltre
12. Edwin Encarnacion
13. Hank Blalock
14. Troy Glaus
15. Mike Lowell
16. Josh Fields
17. Evan Longoria
18. Kevin Kouzmanoff
19. Scott Rolen
20. Andy LaRoche
21. Eric Chavez
22. Chad Tracy
23. Akinori Iwamura
24. Pedro Feliz
25. Melvin Mora
Who amongst the lower tiers do you see as the most likely candidate to break into the top-two tiers this season? It has to be Zimmerman or Gordon, right?
I am concerned about Zimmerman’s hamate removal procedure sapping his strength all year long, but on the plus side, the new park should help, and he does get Nick Johnson back for 18 or 20 games until his next injury.
What of Gordon? Is he anything like the guy his BA ranking last year suggested he should be?
Mark Reynolds?
Ya, Zimmerman and Gordon seem like the most likely candidates to make a big jump, although I wouldn’t count out a big season from Encarnacion, who was very solid over the 2nd half of last season. Some of his hype has worn off, so he comes recommended.
Good point about Zimmerman – That hamate bone injury is something to be concerned about. But I think there’s more upside to outweigh that worry with him.
Gordon is going to be a star, I still think that. The fact he can add 15-20 SBs is so huge too. Just forget about the first two months of last year.
If Chad Tracy is healthy by Opening Day, I’m pretty sure Reynolds is a backup, no? He might start over him against lefties, but tough ranking someone like that much higher.
I had just written of Chad Tracy, and was looking at this reynolds kid, who seems to have at least some potential. You are probably right about the situation.
I think Reynolds has overtaken Tracy. He showed he could hit for power last year and worked past his 2 bad months of June/July to slug over .500 for the rest of the season.
Ya, it’s by no means a solidified spot right now. Tracy also may not be 100 percent at the start of the season. Def. a situation to watch, and Reynolds could shoot up draft boards in a month.