01-07-08 - Which Youngsters Will Make an Impact in 2008

If you know anything about me, you know that I am big on “letting your eyes be your guide.”  That means you have to trust  what you see.  I do look (well, it’s more than a “look”) at statistics and I do believe that guys like Bill James have revolutionized baseball.  I also believe that “Moneyball” is a great concept and I believe that Paul DePodesta is a genius (I just want him to be our Assistant GM)!  So, for the purpose of this analysis I am going to throw out the stats and give you the Scoop (my scoop) on the Dodgers’ youngsters (I am limiting it to the players who I feel have an opportunity to play with the Dodgers next year).  I am telling you here and now, that this is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, brought to you by the guy who said Russell Martin would be an All-Star catcher A YEAR BEFORE HE MADE THE MAJORS!  Of course, if I were as good as I say, the Dodgers would be paying me about $500,000 a year and to date they have paid me ….  ZILCH!  So, carefully choose what to believe.  This is a follow up to the 12-26-07 report I wrote on this site.   Again, these observations are based upon what I have actually seen, not someone else’s scouting reports:

TONY ABREU -  This is a guy who I believe has a world of talent and the fact that he’s a true switchhitter is a huge plus.  He is a great defensive 2B (make no mistake, he’s no 3B, but can be a utilityman there) and can play SS in a pinch.  I am certain he will be a great ultility infielder.  I am just not certain if he has the mental makeup and work ethic to be an everyday 2B.  If I were certain of that I would say he’ll be an All-Star 2B - hands down!  Don’t get me wrong.  I am not saying that he’s a dud.  He very well may be stud, but I simply cannot say that with a certainty.  On the upside, he could be a player who can hit .300 with 16-18 HR or he could be a nice utilityman.

CHIN-LUNG HU - Until last year he was simply a “good field, no hit” SS.  Then he had a breakout year with the Read the rest of this entry »