Breakout Players NL

Here is a team by team look at the NL players too watch for.

Braves:  Chuck James while going 11-4 last year, after being in the bullpen and on the DL for a good part of the season.  James is a pitcher who could show number one starter stuff this season.  Given the nack of the Braves to get great pitchers in there system maybe this is not too far a stretch as a breakout player.  Kelly Johnson after 2006 was lost to Tommy John  surgery Johnson is back to start over again at a new position.  The good thing is he will be preasured to produce with a glut of good young second baseman on his heals in the minors.

Marlins: Taylor Tankersley should emerge as the closer out of spring training and be a steal and under the radar of most fantasy baseball leaguers.  Jeremy Hermida after his 2006 seaason was lost to injury Hermida should return to form and live up too the hype tost his way last year.

Mets: Moises Alou could have a decent rebound year as a bat for any format fantasy league.  I know he is too old for a breakout player, but for bats he is as close as your going to get with the Mets this year.  Joh n Maine the key player in the trade for Kris Benson should be the number three starter and produce some wins this season.

Phillies:  Rod Barajas should beat out Carlos Ruiz as the everyday catcher in Philly.  I have always been a firm believe that AL bats can do even better in the NL and Barajas who hit almost .260 with 15 homers should improve on that mark.  .280 with 25HR should not be out of reach for Barajas.  I am reluctant to put this guy on my breakout list, BUT! If he can stay healthy Cole Hamels has the arm, too bad his back is crooked and that is not a joke.  Hamels has an abnormal curve in his spine and is the reason he has so much trouble staying healthy.  If healthy Hamels is still one you should take a chance on.

Nationals: Kory Casto will be another in a line of players to come up with the Nationals over the next few years following Ryan Zimmerman of last season.  Casto is the real deal and even if not with the club out of spring, it will be hard not to get him to the majors as soon as they can.  Matt Chico who has not pitched above Double-A may break camp as the clubs number 4 or even 3 starter.  The key player in the Livan Hernandez deal last year, Chico struck out 125 in 152 innings spread between 3 levels in the minors last year.  This kid can pitch and could be ready NOW!

Cubs:  Rich Hill should break camp as the clubs number 4 or 5 starter and will continue what he started last season with the Cubbies.  I had this kid on my top 25 NL pitchers to watch out for last year.  He came ready to show everybody what I had been saying the last 2 years about this kid.  He is no ace but a solid number 3 starter for years to come.   I would have loved to talk about Felix Pie right here, but with the addition of Alfonso Soriano the time may never come in Chicago for Pie.

Reds: Homer Bailey may break camp as the number 5 starter this year instead of the popular pick of Elizardo Ramirez.  If so, Bailey could be ready to start the career we all will remember when we are old and grey and don’t even remember our kids names.  Bailey is a number one starter much the like sof Felix Hernandez with the Mariners. Todd Coffey should this year make his mark as the closer for the Reds.  He had his chances last year and shot himself in the foot more than once.  But we all know Dave Weathers is not what is needed there and Coffey has the stuff to do it.

Astros:  Is this Luke Scott’s year the answer should be yes.  This is a good time to do it with Carlos Lee taking the heat and allowing him to settle into his role in Right Field.  Matt Albers may not be in the rotation at the start of the year, but should be in it soon.  He is one fo the future key pieces for this club and should be there before you know it.

Brewers: Ryan Braun will emerge as the starter at Third by mid season and could be a valuable call up.  Francisco Cordero will make all the nay sayers go hide this year.  He will remaine as dominate as he did last year in the NL.

Pirates:  Jose Bautista will the main role player on the team this year able to play in the infield and outfield.  Bautista wiull get more than 400 AB’s and put up some really good numbers.  Tom Gorzelanny will start the season as the number 4 starter but should be the ace of the staff by years end.

Cardinals:  A veteran team, there are not allot of places to see someone having a breakout year that everybody does not already know about.  Chris Duncan should continue to improve and could be a nice cheap or late pick up in a draft. 

Diamondbacks:  With Chris Young CF, Carlos Quinten RF and Stephen Drew at SS take your pick and you will be happy with whatever one you get.  Keep an eye on Edgar Gonzalez he was a highly touted prospect who was rushed to the big leagues way too fast.  He is out of options and should be the clubs number 5 starter this year.  I like his stuff and he could prove he still has what it takes, I mean he is only 23 years old.

Rockies: Kaz Matsui could finally produce thanks to the Colorado’s thin air.  Don’t laugh stranger things have happened take a flier on him you should be pleasently suprised.  I hate pitchers in Colorado so stay away from them unless there a closer.  Troy Tulowitzki will be at SS everyday and will whoever drafts him be happy.  This is an All-Star in the maing and the kinda kid you build a team around.

Dodgers:  Andre Either, WHO? what about Matt Kemp?  Well Kemp who is a Centerfielder lost out with the sighning of Juan Pierre.  Ethier will be starting everyday in Right Field and could be a solid and cheap player too pick up.  Jonathan Broxton will be the closer in L.A. before years end this year.  The emergence of Takashi Saito just slowed it down a bit, don’t expect Saito to repeat what he did last year.

Padres:  Kevin Kouzmanoff will be the everyday starter at Third and will be a cheap or late pick you can be happy with.  Look for a .290 BA with 20+ homers from the player who was once considered washed up in high school for having a drinking problem.  This is a kid you can have your kids look upto and say know matter how bad you mess up you get a second chance.  Scott Linebrink could be the clsoer by years end, don’t be suprised when Trevor Hoffman is delt this year.

Giants:  Noah Lowry should bounce back from a rough 2006 and be the monster we all hoped for last year.  Tim Lincecum could start the year in the pen, but quickly be moved to the rotation, this is Matt Morris time to have an injury what it has been 2 years he is due.  If Barry Bonds ends up in jail the Giants have a youngster I like in Eddy Martinez-Esteve ready and able to take his spot, by atleast 08 for sure.