20 Bold Predictions for 2010
February 22, 2010 by Alex Geshwind
If I tell you Hanley Ramirez and Albert Pujols are going to be good, that’s extremely unlikely to generate any conversation. If, however, I tell you Trevor Cahill will be the A’s best pitcher next season, then there is at least the potential to learn something. Of course, he wont be (there’s my first bold prediction right off the bat).
1. Brett Anderson will be the best second year pitcher in Major League Baseball, better even than Tommy Hanson, finishing the year with an ERA under 3.40.
2. Someone will draft Josh Johnson in rounds 8-10 thinking they have a solid #2 fantasy starter with upside, and end the season with a Cy Young contender/winner. (think Zack Grienke v.2)
3. Luke Hochevar will finish 2010 with an ERA under 4.
4. Brandon League will lead the Mariners in saves, and provide a major payoff for a buck at most auctions.
5. Rick Porcello will spend part of 2010 in the Minor Leagues.
6. Stephen Strasburg will be as good as advertised, winning the NL ROTY. Due to David Price Syndrome, he will be drafted latter than he should in most leagues.
7. Joba Chamberlain will pitch at least 170 innings, winning 15+ games, with an ERA under 3.75, and striking out around or above 200 Ks.
8. Cole Hamels will end the season with a lower ERA and WHIP than Matt Cain, winning more games and striking out more batters.
9. Dan Haren wont collapse in the second half.
10. Francisco Liriano will be in the Cy Young conversation, with an ERA in the low 3s and tons of Ks.
11. Erik Bedard will not pitch in the first half.
12. Kendry Morales will build on his 2009 season, hitting .300 with 35+ homers, and moving himself into the upper-echelon of fantasy first baseman.
13. Juan Pierre will steal 40+ bases, and provide far more value than anyone gives him credit for.Brett Gardner too.
14. Martin Perez will spend the last two months of the season in the Major Leagues, at only 19, and head into 2011 as one of the top young pitchers in baseball.
Next Ryan Braun?
15. Joe Mauer will fail to hit 20 home runs.
16. Jay Bruce will be a first round pick in 2011, after hitting .300 with 40 homers and 10 steals in 2010.
17. Curtis Granderson will hit 35+ homers, but steal under 10 bases.
18. Matt Capps will keep the Nationals closing role all season, saving at least 30 games.
19. Carlos Santana will win the AL ROTY award, and end the season with better numbers than Matt Wieters and Buster Posey.
20. Homer Bailey will finally live up to the hype, and end the season as the Reds top starter.
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Capps’ daus as closer for the Nats are numbered…Standford has been churning out MLB pitchers for decades; they play upper tier talent. Storen was a closer throughout his career. Storen got the equivalent of 2-3 years in the minors at Stanford; he may start in AA, but just for a tune-up. He shows up and maybe sets up for Capps and then they switch roles before the end of 2010. Storen will be with the Nats and pitching after the All-Star break,or sooner.
He might force his way into the role, because I do believe he’s ready for the big leagues, and he should be a very good closer in the near future. I just think, given the opportunity, Capps will pitch very well. Maybe the more likely scenario has Capps being traded at some point during the season, assuming the Nats are out of it.