With less than a week left before Opening Day, the writers that you find here at the Twins page of BaseballDigest.com will be making predictions on the 2009 season. We will start the week with some league-wide award predictions before diving into that playoffs. Later in the week, we will start making some Twins-specific predictions. So be sure to continue to check here throughout the week. Be sure to click on the writers’ name to learn more about each of them.
After making our MVP Predictions on Monday, our Cy Young Predictions Tuesday, and our Rookie of the Year Predictions yesterday, we will attempt to predict the American League and National League Breakout Players of the Year winners:
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Seth Stohs – Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals
Is there a statute of limitations on how many consecutive years you can call a player a breakout player candidate? Runner Up – Shin-Soo Choo, Jed Lowrie
Parker Hageman – Zack Greinke, Kansas City Royals
It’s hard to classify a guy who went 13-10 with a 3.47 ERA not already “out” but Greinke will take further steps forward to prove that he is among the top pitchers in the game today. With David Dejesus and Coco Crisp both in the outfield and a stronger offensive lineup, Greinke’s will witness his winning percentage rise in 2009.
Josh Johnson – Kevin Slowey, Minnesota Twins
Nick Nelson – Billy Butler, Kansas City Royals
This kid put up some monster numbers in the minors but his power hasn’t quite manifested in the bigs yet. I think this is the year it does.
John Meyer – Jason Kubel, Minnesota Twins
No Joe Mauer? Have no fear, Kubel is going to be huge in 2009.
Alex Halsted – Delmon Young, Minnesota Twins
Young wasn’t what many expected him to be last season, but he’s shown that he can hit the ball to opposite field in the spring and is hitting more than just singles.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Seth Stohs – Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
He’s been hyped for so long, and yet he’s still so young. With Cueto and Volquez, that is a lot of talent… in a small ball park. Runner Up – Andy Laroche, .
Parker Hageman – JJ Hardy, Milwaukee Brewers
For three consecutive seasons, Hardy has steadily seen his numbers progress. After a solid 2007 season, Hardy set new career highs in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging. As a shortstop in the National League with the likes of Jimmy Rollins, Hanley Ramirez and Jose Reyes, it is hard to get attention when you play in a far-flung outpost of Milwaukee. Hardy will show in 2009 that some of that notoriety should be thrown his direction.
Josh Johnson – Max Scherzer, Arizona Diamondbacks
Nick Nelson – Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee Brewers
Gallardo is being counted on as the ace for a disassembled Brewers staff, and I think he’ll step up to the challenge.
John Meyer – Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
He came close to ROY last year, but I think Votto becomes a household name in 2009.
Alex Halsted – Justin Upton, Arizona Diamondbacks
He’s been in the league since he was 19, and he is now 21 with some experience. This is the year he becomes known around the league.
Again it is now your turn. Make your pick. Leave your votes in the comments today, and we can always revisit them later in the season.
Topics: Alex Gordon, Billy Butler, Delmon Young, Homer Bailey, Jason Kubel, JJ Hardy, Joey Votto, Justin Upton, Kevin Slowey, Max Scherzer, Yovani Gallardo, Zack Greinke
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