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April 4, 2007

Prospectus Today

My Guys, 2007

by Joe Sheehan

One of the questions I didn’t answer during Monday’s chat session was about “my guys,” which is a concept I’d introduced a couple of years ago. There’s no rhyme or reason to the players I pick for the list, and it often ranges from prospects to bounceback veterans, and includes guys who will play, as well as guys who won’t. Last year’s list included Brandon Webb and Corey Patterson…as well as Brad Wilkerson and Joey Gathright.

When I sat down to do the list this season, I found that I wasn’t as enthusiastic about it as in past years. This was for a number of reasons—the guys I like are too obvious, a number had good seasons last year, some have already been injured—and the names I kept landing on eliminated themselves. So while I present the following 10 names to you under the banner of “My Guys,” understand that it’s just not with the same gusto that I have had for the concept in the past.

• Shin-Soo Choo, Indians. The signings of David Dellucci and Trot Nixon--two older players who are similar in type--pushed him down to Triple-A to start the season. Choo has played well for three years running in the minors, tearing up right-handed pitching and providing at least 20 steals a year. He’s more than ready to hold down a platoon spot in the majors, although it’s now going to take an injury or a trade—both well within reason—to get him that chance. The Cardinals, Braves, White Sox, and Reds could all use him.

• Corey Hart, Brewers. The physical comparison is a bit odd, but Hart reminds me of a pre-injury Jermaine Dye, another athletic, rangy right fielder with good tools who plays above-average defense. Hart’s strengths at the plate are similar as well, hitting for average and power, while still working on his plate discipline. He may cede some playing time to Gabe Gross against tough right-handers, keeping his counting stats low.

• Casey Kotchman, Angels. You have to be getting sick of hearing about him, but Kotchman’s failure to emerge last season was a fluke, as he caught mononucleosis. Healthy again, he’s capable of a .300/.380/.460 season, and is one of the few Angels likely to walk 70 times. His lefty bat and OBP are critical to their chances, and as long as he stays healthy—even before last year, something of a problem for him—he’ll fulfill expectations this year.

• Jason Kubel, Twins. I think I just underestimated how much the knee injury hindered his development, costing him a year of at-bats and making last season essentially one long rehab. While it may be a bit much to keep the Edgar Martinez comparisons alive, Kubel is poised to bounce back to produce a high OBP and a lot of doubles, making him a key part of any Twins repeat in the AL Central.

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