After six weeks of spring training, here are a few observations, some of which push forward into the season under the heading "predictions."
AL MVP: Bobby Crosby (Athletics)
Runners-up: David Ortiz (Red Sox), Mark Teixeira (Rangers), Alex Rodriguez (Yankees), Grady Sizemore (Indians), Vernon Wells (Blue Jays)
NL MVP: Albert Pujols (Cardinals)
Runners-up: Carlos Beltran (Mets), Aramis Ramirez (Cubs), Chase Utley (Phillies), Chipper Jones (Braves), Todd Helton (Rockies)
AL Cy Young: Josh Beckett (Red Sox)
Runners-up: Roy Halladay (Blue Jays), Rich Harden (Athletics), Randy Johnson (Yankees), John Lackey (Angels), Johan Santana (Twins)
NL Cy Young: Jake Peavy (Padres)
Runners-up: Carlos Zambrano (Cubs), Roy Oswalt (Astros), Chris Carpenter (Cardinals), John Smoltz (Braves)
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• The most dominating pitcher I saw all spring? Daniel Cabrera of the Orioles. If he ever does maintain his command, he can win 18-20 games.
• The single most talented young player I saw all spring? Tampa Bay OF Elijah Dukes. Yeah, yeah, yeah ... he has issues, but most of us know nothing about what it takes to overcome such social obstacles.
• The best storyline of the spring? White Sox rookie LH reliever Boone Logan, who in three A-ball seasons -- all but four appearances in short-season Great Falls -- had a career 5.49 ERA.
• The best defensive infielder I saw? Korean SS Jin Man Park.
• Best home run? David Ortiz against Cuba, who flipped his bat after a taunting from Cuban catcher Ariel Pestano. Next? Barry Bonds off Kelvim Escobar in Scottsdale and Frank Thomas off Josh Fogg in Phoenix.
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PLAYERS IN FIRST FULL SEASONS IN SIGNIFICANT ROLES (less than two months' experience)
Compiled from a survey of approximately 50 baseball executives, scouts, managers and coaches:
AL position players: Brian Anderson*, CF, White Sox; Jeff Mathis, C, Angels; Kenji Johjima, C, Mariners; Jason Kubel, OF, Twins; Ian Kinsler, 2B, Rangers
AL pitchers: Justin Verlander**, Tigers; Joel Zumaya, Tigers (bullpen); Jon Papelbon, Red Sox (bullpen, for now); Francisco Liriano, Twins; Scott Baker (bullpen, for now), Twins
And to think Felix Hernandez is in this category. He's just too good to list.
NL position players: Conor Jackson, 1B, Diamondbacks; Ryan Zimmerman*, 3B, Nationals; Hanley Ramirez, SS, Marlins; Jeremy Hermida, RF, Marlins; Ronnie Cedeno, SS, Cubs; Josh Barfield, 2B, Padres; Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, Padres; Brandon Watson, CF, Nationals; Chris Duffy, CF, Pirates; Prince Fielder, 1B, Brewers
NL pitchers: Matt Cain, Giants; Sean Marshall**, Cubs; Josh Johnson, Marlins; Hong-Chih Kuo, Dodgers (bullpen); Taylor Buchholz, Astros; Brian Bannister, Mets, Kyle Davies, Braves; Juan Morillo, Rockies (bullpen)
*Rookie of the Year
**Rookie Pitcher of the Year
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POSITION PLAYERS OPENING IN THE MINORS WHO WILL MAKE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE MAJORS THIS SEASON
AL: Nick Markakis, CF, Orioles; Delmon Young, OF, Devil Rays; B.J. Upton, SS, Devil Rays; Andy Marte, 3B; Indians; Howie Kendrick, 2B, Angels; Kendry Morales, DH-OF, Angels; Franklin Gutierrez, OF, Indians; Dustin Pedroia, INF, Red Sox
NL: Stephen Drew, SS, Diamondbacks; Kevin Frandsen, 2B, Giants; Russell Martin, C, Dodgers; Andy LaRoche, 3B, Dodgers; Joel Guzman; LF, Dodgers; Lastings Milledge; OF, Mets; Carlos Quentin, OF, Diamondbacks
PITCHERS OPENING IN THE MINORS WHO WILL CONTRIBUTE THIS SEASON
AL: Jered Weaver, Angels; Craig Hansen, Red Sox (bullpen); Fausto Carmona, Indians; Dustin Magowan, Blue Jays, Edison Volquez, Rangers; John Danks, Rangers; Jamie Shields, Devil Rays; Jon Lester, Red Sox
NL: Dustin Nippert, Diamondbacks; Brian Wilson, Giants (bullpen); Merkin Valdez, Giants (bullpen); Chad Billingsley, Dodgers; Anthony Reyes, Cardinals; Angel Guzman, Cubs; Chuck James, Braves; Ricky Nolasco, Marlins; Joey Devine, Braves
MOST IMPRESSIVE FUTURE PLAYERS IN SPRING TRAINING
AL: Elijah Dukes, OF, Devil Rays; Brandon Wood, SS, Angels, Cameron Maybin, OF, Tigers; Joaquin Arias, SS, Rangers; Alex Gordon, 3B, Royals; Erick Aybar, SS, Angels; Adam Jones, CF, Mariners; Jed Lowrie, INF, Red Sox
NL: Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers; Justin Upton, SS-OF, Diamondbacks; Ian Stewart, 3B, Rockies; Miguel Montero, C, Diamondbacks; Andrew McCutcheon, OF, Pirates; Fernando Martinez, OF, Mets
PLAYERS WHO COULD MAKE SIGNIFICANT COMEBACKS
AL: Frank Thomas, Athletics; Brian Roberts, Orioles; Tim Salmon, Angels; Rocco Baldelli, Devil Rays; Mike Mussina, Yankees; Adrian Beltre, Mariners; Octavio Dotel, Yankees
NL: Barry Bonds, Giants; Steve Finley, Giants; Luis Gonzalez, Diamondbacks; Edgar Renteria, Braves; Oscar Villareal, Braves; Scott Rolen, Cardinals; Juan Pierre, Cubs; Mike Cameron, Padres
EIGHT PLAYERS WHO COULD HAVE BREAKOUT SEASONS
AL: Joe Mauer, Twins; Casey Kotchman, Angels; Chris Shelton, Tigers; Dan Johnson, Athletics; Joey Gathright, Devil Rays; Robinson Cano, Yankees; Ervin Santana, Angels; Erik Bedard, Orioles
NL: Rickie Weeks, Brewers; J.J. Hardy, Brewers; Matt Murton, Cubs; Edwin Encarnacion, Reds; Mike Gonzalez, Pirates; Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks; Aaron Cook, Rockies; Jose Castillo, Pirates
PLAYERS WHOSE SPRING TRAININGS HAVE RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT THEIR FUTURE
AL: Jorge Posada, Yankees; Mike Lowell, Red Sox; Miguel Tejada, Orioles; Darin Erstad, Angels; Magglio Ordonez, Tigers; Carlos Guillen, Tigers
NL: Nomar Garciaparra, Dodgers; Preston Wilson, Astros; Armando Benitez, Giants; Mike Lieberthal, Phillies; Ryan Klesko, Padres; Russ Ortiz, Diamondbacks; Junior Spivey, Cardinals
