It’s a date that only comes once a year. It’s a day to remember how much we missed that part of our lives and contemplate how even their imperfections make them perfect for you. Ah yes, February 14th…
The day that pitchers and catchers report back to work.
(AP Photo)
Spring Training is the time of year for players work out all the kinks and get back into playing shape for the long season that awaits them. It’s a time for teams to get excited about the prospects of anything from improvement to winning a championship.
It’s also a time for fans to get excited about the future of their teams.
With love being so much in the air at this time of year, here’s a look at three prospects that baseball enthusiasts will fall in love with over the course of the 2011 Major League Baseball season.
Prospect #1: Jeremy Hellickson, SP, Tampa Bay Rays
Who is he?: If you’re like me, when you heard the Tampa Bay Rays traded Matt Garza, you couldn’t believe your ears. However, if you’re as like me as you think, you tried not to care because it’s not your favorite team, then curiosity got the best of you and you searched their prospect list. Before you know it, you’re reading about a 23 year old Iowa native with an 89-93 MPH fastball, and plus changeup that projects him into the middle of Tampa’s 2011 rotation. Hellickson already has the polish and development to help the Rays now, and will be working hard all spring to develop a curve ball to round out his repertoire.
2011 Outlook: Expect Hellickson to fill the 5-spot in the rotation, with Jeff Niemann and Wade Davis each sliding up one spot.
Prospect #2: Freddie Freeman, 1B, Atlanta Braves
Who is he?: With Derrek Lee leaving for the “greener pastures” of the Baltimore Orioles and Camden Yards (insert massive eye roll here), the Braves will turn to 21 year old Freddie Freeman to man first base. Scouts are divided on Freeman’s power potential, but his .319-18-87 line at Triple-A Gwinnett last year has Atlanta management convinced he’s ready for the next step. The Braves are so confident in the kid, they didn’t even bother to bring in any veteran competition to push him.
2011 Outlook: With Freeman’s only competition being super-utility player Eric Hinske, expect him to easily claim the job in Spring Training. He’ll likely hit eighth initially to get his feet wet, but look for improvement as the season progresses.
Prospect #3: Dustin Ackley, 2B, Seattle Mariners
Who is he?: Ackley, the number two overall pick in the 2009 MLB draft, is overshadowed in large part because the man picked before him, Stephen Strasburg, has gotten all of the attention. That said, Ackley is not exactly a slouch on the baseball field. He swung the bat to the tune of a .267-7-51 line between the Double and Triple-A affiliates of the Mariners last season, but what impressed the scouts was his plate discipline. A BB/K ratio of 75/79 had him rated as one of the most patient minor league hitters of 2010; an attribute displayed by many of the games’ best hitters.
2011 Outlook: Without a better option, Ackley looks like a decent bet to win the Mariners’ second base job outright this spring. Ackley will likely experience some initial growing pains, but don’t be fooled: this kid’s future is bright.
Happy baseball season to all!
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