Ten players who will take the next step in 2007
1. Daisuke Matsuzaka, 26, RHP, Red Sox.
Go ahead and scrounge for all the reasons why Matsuzaka might struggle in his first year in the majors: longer season, one fewer day off in between starts, better hitters, language and cultural transitions, etc. I'll take his stuff any day. Matsuzaka is a young version of David Cone, a superb blend of power and guile who cannot be defined by one go-to pitch. He will be a nightmare for teams to face the first time around and not much easier thereafter. And at 26, he's just entering his prime. Over his last two seasons, for instance, his strikeout-to-walk ratio was 5.1:1. He's good for a minimum of 15 wins and a 3.50 ERA.
2. Howie Kendrick, 23, 2B, Angels.
3. Brandon McCarthy, 23, RHP, Rangers.
4. Rich Hill, 26, LHP, Cubs.
5. Luke Scott, 28, OF, Astros.
6. Chad Gaudin, 24, RHP, Athletics.
7. Ryan Shealy, 27, 1B, Royals.
8. Chuck James, 25, LHP, Atlanta Braves.
9. Jeremy Sowers, 23, LHP, Indians.
10. Mike Napoli, 25, C, Angels.
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松坂はコーンのタイプか。
井川も岩村も１０人に入っていない。
1. Daisuke Matsuzaka, 26, RHP, Red Sox.
Go ahead and scrounge for all the reasons why Matsuzaka might struggle in his first year in the majors: longer season, one fewer day off in between starts, better hitters, language and cultural transitions, etc. I'll take his stuff any day. Matsuzaka is a young version of David Cone, a superb blend of power and guile who cannot be defined by one go-to pitch. He will be a nightmare for teams to face the first time around and not much easier thereafter. And at 26, he's just entering his prime. Over his last two seasons, for instance, his strikeout-to-walk ratio was 5.1:1. He's good for a minimum of 15 wins and a 3.50 ERA.
2. Howie Kendrick, 23, 2B, Angels.
3. Brandon McCarthy, 23, RHP, Rangers.
4. Rich Hill, 26, LHP, Cubs.
5. Luke Scott, 28, OF, Astros.
6. Chad Gaudin, 24, RHP, Athletics.
7. Ryan Shealy, 27, 1B, Royals.
8. Chuck James, 25, LHP, Atlanta Braves.
9. Jeremy Sowers, 23, LHP, Indians.
10. Mike Napoli, 25, C, Angels.
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松坂はコーンのタイプか。
井川も岩村も１０人に入っていない。