Fantasy File

Thinking young: 15 rookies to watch for in 2002

Carlos Pena will have huge shoes to fill, replacing Jason Giambi at first base in Oakland. Tom Pidgeon/Allsport

By James Quintong, CNNSI.com

Last year, players like Ichiro Suzuki, Albert Pujols, Alfonso Soriano and Jimmy Rollins made those fantasy owners prospecting for rookie talent very happy. And as always, owners are looking for young stars to make the big impact, so with spring training just a week away, let's take a look at the rookies who enter the season with the best chance of thriving.

Obviously, spring training will be critical in figuring out these players' roles, and there will likely be a number of unheralded players that emerge from camp with a starting job. Remember that Pujols was not considered to be much more than a Class AA or Class AAA player last March, and we all saw what he did.

Here are the 15 rookies who have the best shot of being major producers this year.

Josh Beckett, P, Marlins: He started last season in Class A and made his way to the majors in September, going 2-2 with a 1.50 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 24 innings. The league hit just .161 against him. He has the tools to be a dominant pitcher, especially in that rotation, and he is an early favorite for NL Rookie of the Year honors. He is a hard thrower who definitely takes after fellow Texans Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens and Kerry Wood.

Hank Blalock, 3B, Rangers: Mike Lamb is the incumbent there, but Blalock has the inside track at taking over the job. It's really just a matter of when. Blalock put up huge numbers last year, hitting 18 homers with 108 RBIs and a .352 average in the minors (split the season between the Florida State League and the Texas League). Those power numbers will go up, and even better, he hardly strikes out. Just imagine adding him to a lineup that includes A-Rod, Pudge, Gonzalez and Palmeiro. If he wins the job out of spring training, the bidding could get fierce.

Sean Burroughs, 3B, Padres: He is only 20 years old, but many people have been waiting for him to reach the majors for a couple of years. He is one of the best pure hitters in the minors, although his power stroke has yet to develop. If Burroughs progresses as many people expect, he'll start at third for San Diego, pushing the vastly underrated Phil Nevin over to first and Ryan Klesko to the outfield. He should hit .300, although the home run numbers are a huge wild card.

Nate Cornejo, P, Tigers: After blowing through the competition in the minors last season, he won four games for Detroit, although his other numbers were pretty awful (7.38 ERA, 2.13 WHIP, .344 average against). However, that time in the majors last year could prove beneficial as he continues to learn. He is 22, so there's plenty of room for him to grow, especially if he spends the full year in Comerica.

Michael Cuddyer, OF, Twins: Third base is one of the deepest positions for rookie talent this season, so it might actually help that Cuddyer, who was drafted as a shortstop but went through the minors as a third baseman, will likely move to the outfield. Cuddyer hit 30 homers in Class AAA last season, and he'll challenge for the right field spot with Brian Buchanan and Bobby Kielty. If he gets a regular job, he'll attract lots of attention.

Morgan Ensberg, 3B, Astros: With Vinny Castilla gone to Atlanta, the hot corner is a contest between last year's Opening Day starter Chris Truby and rising star Ensberg. Truby struggled at the plate early last year and spent most of the season in the minors. Ensberg dealt with a broken wrist last year and still hit 23 homers. He has plenty of power and is a more complete hitter who can take advantage of the smallness of the Astros' home field. It'll be a nice competition this spring; don't be surprised to see Ensberg starting.

Alex Escobar, OF, Indians: The Mets refused to part with him for a couple of years but they finally dealt him for Roberto Alomar, a decent trade-off. Escobar has been touted as a five-tool player, although he struggled a bit in the minors last year and was misused by the Mets during a brief call-up. Escobar has a shot at cracking the Cleveland outfield, especially with Kenny Lofton and Juan Gonzalez gone, and he still has a shot at living up to those Andruw Jones/Vladimir Guerrero comparisons.

Esteban German, 2B, Athletics: While Frank Menechino did a decent job last season, leading to the trade of Jose Ortiz to Colorado (where he's due for a huge year), the A's can definitely upgrade here. German is a speedy guy (48 steals last season) and a developing hitter (.373 batting, .507 slugging in Class AAA). He has gap power and should flirt with .300 at the top of the lineup. He could be one of those speed guys who won't kill your other numbers.

Eric Hinske, 3B, Blue Jays: Toronto got some decent value for closer Billy Koch, getting Hinske, who likely will start at third this spring. He was a 20-20 guy in the minors, and he could replicate those numbers in the show. He slugged an impressive .521 last year, so he has plenty of upside. He should fit in nicely behind the likes of Raul Mondesi, Carlos Delgado and Shannon Stewart.

Kazuhisa Ishii, P, Dodgers: Hideo Nomo jumped from Japan to a successful run in the majors. Now Ishii will try to do the same thing, with Nomo back in the L.A. rotation this spring. Ishii went 12-6 with a 3.70 ERA and 173 strikeouts in 175 innings for the Yakult Swallows last season, which is about par for the course during his career. He'll be the No. 2 or 3 starter in a pitcher-friendly stadium, which should make him a nice pickup.

Nick Johnson, 1B/DH, Yankees: That Giambi deal pushed Johnson to a potential everyday DH role with a chance to play first every once in a while. Johnson seems to come from the same mold as Don Mattingly -– 25-homer power, solid run-producing skills, the ability to hit over .300 and a solid eye at the plate. In other words, he's Giambi with slightly less power and more defensive skills. He still needs to win the DH job, and he'd likely hit lower in the Yankees' order, hurting his RBI chances.

Austin Kearns, OF, Reds: Dunn and Kearns were often mentioned together when talking about Cincinnati outfield prospects. Kearns suffered a wrist injury while Dunn ripped off 19 homers in half a season with the Reds. Kearns also has the ability to hit for major power and good average, and with a good spring could find himself in the Reds outfield next to Dunn and Griffey. He has to beat out Juan Encarnacion and Ruben Mateo, however, so it's definitely not a done deal.

Eric Munson, 1B, Tigers: The third overall pick in the '98 draft took a couple of years to develop his batting stroke. He hit 26 homers last year in Class AA, although he had been at that level for a couple of years. He has a knack for drawing walks, which will help him on the major-league level, but playing everyday at Comerica Park will probably depress his power numbers. He looks to be a .280 hitter with about 15-20 homers if he earns the starting first base job. He'll draw some attention but don't go overboard with him.

Carlos Pena, 1B, Athletics: Oakland had been scrambling to find a replacement for Jason Giambi, but they came up with a gem in picking up Pena from the Rangers this winter. Pena was blocked at first base in Texas by Rafael Palmeiro, but has clear sailing in Oakland. Pena has 25-homer, 100-RBI potential, plus the ability to draw 75-80 walks. The problem? He struck out nearly 150 times last year.

So Taguchi, OF, Cardinals: Ichiro made a big splash last year coming over from Japan, but the big surprise was the solid performance from Tsuyoshi Shinjo, an below-average hitter in Japan. This brings us to Taguchi, Ichiro's teammate in Japan. He's a career .277 hitter in Japan, and given a regular job, he should do that with about 10 homers. He'll have plenty of competition for the left field job, but he has a good shot at it.

James Quintong is Fantasy Sports Producer at CNNSI.com.

 

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