This post will be player predictions for big seasons in 2013. One player per position and the justification.
Starting Pitcher - Shaun Marcum
Marcum's ERA has hovered around 3.60 for the past three seasons. His main problem has been remaining healthy. He signed a contract to pitch for the Mets in 2013 his age 31 season. He doesn't throw hard, but he can locate and make pitches dance. Playing in Citi Field will yield about the same results as Miller Park, but if Marcum can stay healthy it won't matter. I predict he will lower his ERA to 3.23 and pitch close to 200 innings and could be a trade candidate for the Mets.
Relief Pitcher - Steve Cishek
Cishek is going to be 27 for the 2013 season and has already recorded two seasons of a sub 3.00 ERA. He is a sinker baller who doesn't allow many home runs in an already huge park. We saw how well Cishek performed for team USA in the WBC. I think this is the season where Cishek distinguishes himself as an elite closer in the game. He too might be traded by the trade deadline.
Catcher - Jesus Montero
Montero has been working on his defense abilities because a 23 year old should not be the designated hitter. According to many sources his defensive abilities have improved immensely. He was also really bummed out that the Yankees traded him to the Mariners as well, but I would too. Now Montero is in a rejuvenated lineup and he doesn't have to worry about his defense as much. You can expect Montero to be the star he is expected to be.
First Base - Freddie Freeman
Freeman is already pretty good but I think this is the year he becomes even better. He went though a sophomore slump in 2012. He maintained his power numbers he put up in 2011 and his on base percentage was close to identical, but his batting average dropped. This season the Braves added the two Upton brothers and they, along with Jason Heyward will be getting on base. With these guys on base Freeman won't be looking for walks, but swinging away... and getting hits and RBI's.
Second Base - Robinson Cano
Cano has been tearing it up for team Dominican Republic in this years WBC, not to mention he is also in the last year of his contact, and players tend to do best in the final year of their contract... for some reason. I still think Cano hasn't reached his peak and can hit for power, average, play great defense, and drive in runs. I think he reaches career highs in each category. .325 avg, 35 homers, 120 RBI's.
Third Base - Pablo Sandoval
We all saw Sandoval hit in the playoffs last season. This guy is beyond clutch. Just 19 batters out of 956 total batters hit a home run off of Justin Verlander in the 2012 regular season. Sandoval did it two times in the same night and then did it again. Sandoval has had some weight issues, but the Giants are working on that. Worst case scenario is Sandoval moves over to first base and they trade for a third baseman, but thats besides the point. Sandoval, with the 2012 MVP batting either in front of him or behind him, will rake this season. I'm talking .300+ avg, 30+ homers, and 100+ RBI's.
Short Stop - Derek Jeter
Jeter is a team player and he knows when to step up. Last year in the playoffs the guy was playing injured every day, and was still hitting great. He may not be as good defensively but he will try harder and put the burden on his shoulders to get on base and score runs for a depleted Yankee offense. You can almost write it in permanent ink that Jeter will hit at least .290 and have a .340 on base percentage in 2013.
Left Field - Ryan Braun
What can I say, the guy is a beast. There will always be the discussion about whether or not he took performance enhancing drugs or not, but he is still the pride and joy of Milwaukee. The guy has never hit lower than .285, never hit fewer than 25 home runs and never drove in fewer than 97 RBI's. Oh by the way hes been playing for 6 seasons and he will be 29 this year, the middle of his prime. You can pretty much say he is the best player in baseball and you can pencil him in for another MVP caliber season.
Center Field - Adam Jones
Finally Adam Jones is becomming the player that he was expected to be. He hit .287 and knocked out 32 homers in 2012. He can't improve much on the power, but he can improve on the average and his .334 on base percentage. A major part of Jones' success is Buck Showalter. Jones said he didn't want to sign the extension that he did, if Showalter was not going to be there. Buck encourages him to hustle and play hard. Jones if healthy can hit .295 and blast 30+ homers again.
Right Field - Hunter Pence
We all know Giancarlo Stanton is going to destroy pitching this season, that's why I didn't choose him. I picked Hunter Pence because he loves the team he plays for. He was a major part of the Giants in the playoffs last season. He didn't hit all that well down the stretch but he picked it up in October. Pence's defensive skills aren't top caliber, but he can hold his own in right field. I expect him to hit .280 with a .350 on base percentage and 25 homers in 2013.
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