Arizona's Finest
Your My Favorite Mistake
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We have hit a lull in the Hot Stove League and there is no doubt there are more moves to be made. I want to wait until after these trades are completed to think about our pitching rotation (our weak spot as an organization since RJ and Schilling left) as I feel Byrnes will make it a priority to acquire young pitching in future deals for Glaus and possibly Green and Gonzo (the famed G-Unit didn’t quite pan out did it??) But now I am thinking that we have position players stacked for the future rivaled by only Anaheim in my estimation. Granted its likely one or two of these players will never fill out their lofty productions, but then again some on this list could actually be better than we are thinking or maybe we acquire someone else or someone unheralded steps up. I don’t know. But its fun to speculate. So knowing what we know about these players as of now, I want to project a future batting order. A few assumptions I am making: Upton will be signed in the week long period coming up in a few months, Montero and Gonzalez will not be ready by opening day 2007, and Shawn Green will be the only vet position player left standing by the time that season opens. Also I’m not accounting for Lefty or Righty but rather plate discipline, speed and batting style. Here’s what I see:
Leadoff (CF) Chris Young: It is said that Upton is faster and both have remarkable power potential for batting either 1-2 in the order but I think Young will end up being our leadoff speedster. He strikes out a lot now, but what made him rise as a prospect this past season is his ability to adjust and hit breaking balls. He also took more walks then you would expect for a guy who whiffed that much. For a 22 year old that is remarkable. He might develop 30 HR potential but I like him right here and hopefully he steals 40 bases a season and is a solid glove out in CF.
2nd (3B) Chad Tracy: I wrestled with this one here. I love the idea behind Upton batting right here and having monster speed on the base paths (Pierre and Castillo are the real reasons behind that 2003 championship) but I think he just has too much potential power wise. Tracy is a subpar defender at third but he is a diligent worker and I could see after a full year there in 2006, he would be able to raise his game to average or above average which is good enough. Plus if you need some one to get runners into scoring position, bunt, or hit sac flies, no body handles a bat better than Chad. A young Mark Grace who could fill this spot for years.
3rd (SS) Upton: This might not happen opening day 2007 but im thinking it will bear out. Hopefully we sign him and he tears up the minor leagues this year and maybe even gets in as a September call up this year. He keeps getting compared to Grffey and Griffey never spent a day in the minors. Anyway I think him and Drew will end up being our DP combo with Upton getting SS due to his athleticism, arm, and range. Not that Drew lacks those qualities but Upton is five tools. He plays the more important position.
Clean-up (2B) Drew: A second baseman as your cleanup hitter? How many teams have that luxury. I think Drew is a cinch for 30 HRs a year with the ability to get to 40 now and then if he stays healthy and works. My only worry about this kid is that he is related to the oft-injured mentally fragile J.D. and reports say he is much the same in demeanor. Lets hope the apple rolled away from the tree completely on this one…..
5th (1B) Conor Jackson: God I love this kid. He reminds me so much of Manny Ramirez and he might be able to produce like that when he gets about five years experience. Until then I see him as a 120 RBI guy hitting over .300. That’s nothing to scoff at and I feel his power will develop as time goes on. Another ideal guy at this spot in the line up.
6th (LF) Carlos Quentin: This is kind of by default. I have to admit I am the most skeptical of this guy over the previous five guys. Mostly my questions are health related. But his production and pedigree cannot be overlooked. Hopefully everyone else is right and he is the bookend to Conor we are all hoping for. But I have no idea what his numbers project to as a pro.
7th (RF) Shawn Green: The vet influence the team will likely keep around just for experience reasons. Obviously his skills will erode by this time but I see him being much like Gonzo these last three years as it will be a steady decline and he can still be a 25 HR 80 RBI guy at this point while playing solid defense.
8th (C) Johnny Estrada: If this guy hits .300 like many think he will we might have the best lineup in baseball provided the other guys produce and produce fast……
Granted it will likely take longer for Drew, Quentin, Upton and Young to start playing at a very high level than 2007, but we have all the makings. And now we can concentrate solely on pitching in the draft and FA and a lot can be said for that. I am excited. That’s for sure……
Leadoff (CF) Chris Young: It is said that Upton is faster and both have remarkable power potential for batting either 1-2 in the order but I think Young will end up being our leadoff speedster. He strikes out a lot now, but what made him rise as a prospect this past season is his ability to adjust and hit breaking balls. He also took more walks then you would expect for a guy who whiffed that much. For a 22 year old that is remarkable. He might develop 30 HR potential but I like him right here and hopefully he steals 40 bases a season and is a solid glove out in CF.
2nd (3B) Chad Tracy: I wrestled with this one here. I love the idea behind Upton batting right here and having monster speed on the base paths (Pierre and Castillo are the real reasons behind that 2003 championship) but I think he just has too much potential power wise. Tracy is a subpar defender at third but he is a diligent worker and I could see after a full year there in 2006, he would be able to raise his game to average or above average which is good enough. Plus if you need some one to get runners into scoring position, bunt, or hit sac flies, no body handles a bat better than Chad. A young Mark Grace who could fill this spot for years.
3rd (SS) Upton: This might not happen opening day 2007 but im thinking it will bear out. Hopefully we sign him and he tears up the minor leagues this year and maybe even gets in as a September call up this year. He keeps getting compared to Grffey and Griffey never spent a day in the minors. Anyway I think him and Drew will end up being our DP combo with Upton getting SS due to his athleticism, arm, and range. Not that Drew lacks those qualities but Upton is five tools. He plays the more important position.
Clean-up (2B) Drew: A second baseman as your cleanup hitter? How many teams have that luxury. I think Drew is a cinch for 30 HRs a year with the ability to get to 40 now and then if he stays healthy and works. My only worry about this kid is that he is related to the oft-injured mentally fragile J.D. and reports say he is much the same in demeanor. Lets hope the apple rolled away from the tree completely on this one…..
5th (1B) Conor Jackson: God I love this kid. He reminds me so much of Manny Ramirez and he might be able to produce like that when he gets about five years experience. Until then I see him as a 120 RBI guy hitting over .300. That’s nothing to scoff at and I feel his power will develop as time goes on. Another ideal guy at this spot in the line up.
6th (LF) Carlos Quentin: This is kind of by default. I have to admit I am the most skeptical of this guy over the previous five guys. Mostly my questions are health related. But his production and pedigree cannot be overlooked. Hopefully everyone else is right and he is the bookend to Conor we are all hoping for. But I have no idea what his numbers project to as a pro.
7th (RF) Shawn Green: The vet influence the team will likely keep around just for experience reasons. Obviously his skills will erode by this time but I see him being much like Gonzo these last three years as it will be a steady decline and he can still be a 25 HR 80 RBI guy at this point while playing solid defense.
8th (C) Johnny Estrada: If this guy hits .300 like many think he will we might have the best lineup in baseball provided the other guys produce and produce fast……
Granted it will likely take longer for Drew, Quentin, Upton and Young to start playing at a very high level than 2007, but we have all the makings. And now we can concentrate solely on pitching in the draft and FA and a lot can be said for that. I am excited. That’s for sure……
