Big Seasons in 2014

Some players flat out had a terrible 2013 season, others made progress towards becoming better players, and some took a decline. Here are some names that I predict will have great 2014 seasons.

I have no idea why Belt is petting a baby Giraffe 

Brandon Belt

Brandon Belt is entering his age 26 season and has shown that he has patience at the plate. In 2012 and 2013 he had a .360 on base percentage, with his batting average rising from .275 to .289. Belt finally has a secure spot in the Giants lineup and is a much needed part of their offense. Belt showed much more power in 2013 hitting 17 home runs instead of 7 the year previous and 39 doubles instead of 27 the previous year. You can expect Belt to get on base, hit more home runs, and drive in plenty of runs, making 2014 his best year yet.

Justin Masterson

Justin Masterson is going to be a free agent at the end of 2014 season, and historically players preform pretty well in the final year of their contract. Masterson had the second best season of his career in 2013 posting a 3.45 ERA in 193 innings pitched, striking out 195. His best season was 2011 where he had a 3.21 ERA in 216 innings pitched with 158 strikeouts. In 2012 Masterson took a step back and posted a 4.93 ERA, but 2014 will be different. In 2013 we saw a significant decline in hits allowed, previous to 2013 Masterson allowed an average of 207 hits a season, in 2013 he allowed just 156. Previous to 2013 Masterson struck out just an average of 152 per season, and in 2013 he struck out 195. Masterson is a ground ball pitcher striking guys out, he is heading a very good direction and a very big pay day.

Josh Hamilton

Josh Hamilton signed a mega deal with the Los Angeles Angels and did not perform as expected in the first year of the contract. Hamilton had his worst season since 2009 posting a 108 OPS+ although he did play 151 games, hit 21 home runs, and drove in 29 RBIs. We all know the ball does not carry as well in Los Angeles as it does in Texas, but Hamilton has serious power. I think the first year in LA was just Hamilton adjusting. He came into spring training of 2013 lighter, because in Texas he would lose weight quickly throughout the season. Now that he understands what will occur throughout the season in Los Angeles and the fact that it is also very hot in LA, Hamilton will have a great 2014 season.

Coincidentally Lincecum started to do better since he
cut his hair in 2013. 

Tim Lincecum

It seems like I say this every year, but Lincecum has not performed worse than the season before. In 2012 Lincecum had the worst season of his career posting a 5.18 ERA. In 2013 Lincecum dropped his ERA to 4.37. This is similar to the 2010-2011 season drop in ERA Lincecum experienced. In 2010 Lincecum's ERA was at a career high 3.43, in 2011 his ERA dropped 69 points to 2.74. Lincecum started throwing much earlier this off season in a warehouse in Seattle, so he is ready for the season. He said he is just concentrating on getting outs, not strikeouts. You will see a drop in ERA once again. We will probably never see the Lincecum of old again, but you will see a highly effective pitcher. I'm predicting a 75 point drop in ERA and a 3.62 ERA for Lincecum in 2014.

How Could You Be So Winless?

Cliff Lee has been as good as he has ever been in 2012, but he still has not recorded a win. Since his break out year in 2008 Lee has a 2.88 ERA. So far through 11 starts Lee has a 3.48 ERA and 0 wins. Also with a 1.120 WHIP in 2012 you can't blame anything on Cliff Lee.

On the opposite side of the spectrum Tim Lincecum has a 6.19 ERA, but has 2 wins. Lincecum has 14 starts in the 2012 season with a WHIP close to 1.500. Lincecum has been terrible on the mound this year and Cliff Lee has been fine, but Lincecum has more wins. This is strictly the fault of the offense.

A 3.48 ERA means Cliff Lee will pitch nine innings and give up in between 3 and 4 runs. The reason why Lee doesn't have a win is because the Phillies' offense can't score more than 3 or 4 runs in 9 innings. With the absence of Ryan Howard and Chase Utley the Phillies offense is lacking power. Additionally after Jonathon Papelbon their bullpen isn't very good. So when it looks like Lee will get a win the bullpen may blow the lead.

The San Francisco Giants

The Giants finished 2011 with a record of 86-79. It was a definite downgrade from when they won the World Series in 2010. They still kept their phenomenal pitching, but need help with offense.

The pitching for The Giants speaks for itself. Here are the 2011 stats of the projected 2012 starting rotation:

Tim Lincecum: 13-14, 2.74 ERA, 217 innings, 220 strikeouts.
Matt Cain: 12-11, 2.88 ERA, 221 innings, 179 strikeouts.
Madison Bumgarner: 13-13, 3.21 ERA, 204 innings, 191 strikeouts.
Ryan Vogelsong: 13-7, 2.71 ERA, 179 innings, 139 strikeouts.
Barry Zito: 3-4, 5.87 ERA, 53 innings, 32 strikeouts.

If the Giants can find someone else to be the number five starter they will again have one of the best pitching rotations in baseball. The Giants traded Jonathon Sanchez for Melky Cabrera earlier this off season. Sanchez had a 4.26 ERA and 101 innings pitched. Melky Cabrera played in 155 games, hit 18 home runs, 87 RBI's and an 121 OPS+ for The Kansas City Royals. Seeing how the giants can barely score 3 runs a game, this trade benefits them immensely.  

Buster Posey will be back for the 2012 season, which will help The Giants a lot. With Posey, Sandoval, Cabrera, and Aubrey Huff if he can be himself again, The Giants may be the comeback team for 2012. They traded their top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler for Carlos Beltran, who is now with The Cardinals. That has to be the worst trade of 2011. I would have kept Wheeler until the off season and made a trade for someone worth getting. If the Giants can score more runs in a game they can have four 15-20 game winners.

As for the bullpen: If you have a personality like Brian Wilson who needs anyone else, but Sergio Romo is also sporting a beard and a 1.50 ERA over 48 innings. Javier Lopez is a lefty who did well as a reliever also. He had a 2.72 ERA over 53 innings pitched. The Giants have a relatively good bullpen.

The Giants will be a contender for the NL West with the Diamond Backs. It will be a nice race to watch, because it will be so close.

5 Players to Have a Big 2012 Season

Looking at various statistics, there are a few players I believe will have a breakthrough or comeback seasons in 2012.

Robinson Cano - Cano is entering his age 29 season. Players are said to be in their prime from the ages of 28-32. 2011 for Robinson Cano was a down year from 2009 and 2010. He plays about 160 games a year, I think 2012 wont be any different. He is a doubles machine getting an average of 45 doubles a year over the past 3 years. His power serge gives him an average of 27 home runs a year over the past 3 years. Also averaging 104 RBI's over the past 3 years. I project Cano to finish with 30 home runs 120 RBI's and a .370 on base percentage.

Prince Fielder - Fielder will be 28 in May of 2012 and he already has established the title of a super slugger. With an average OPS of .955 over his past 3 seasons he is without a doubt a power house. Depending on where he signs that number could skyrocket. If he signs with The Rangers or The Orioles or any team in a hitter friendly park he can put up some big numbers. I project Fielder to finish with 40 home runs 115 RBI's and a .400 on base percentage no matter where he plays.

Albert Pujols - After 2011 the 32 year old Pujols looked to be on the decline. I think that a change of scenery will bring him back to the Pujols of old. Pujols has always been known to get on base and draw walks. With a new offense in front of him he may have an another big season. playing 13 few games than usual Pujols hit 37 home runs in 2011. Playing against American League pitching I say he finishes with 42 home runs, 120 RBI's and a .390 on base percentage.

Tim Lincecum - The Freak will turn 28 in June of 2012 After an improved 2011 season. 2010 was disappointing for Lincecum although The Giants won the world series. A 0.69 point drop in ERA from 2010 to 2011 means Lincecum is going back to being himself. Although his strike outs have been declining, his whip remains the same. I see a spike in his strikeouts to occur in 2012 giving him a 2.65 ERA, 240 strikeouts, 1.1 WHIP and of course 200+ inning pitched.

Yu Darvish - Darvish will be 26 in Mid season of 2012. In Japan he had a 1.72 ERA over 5 years and an average of 217 strikeouts a year. The only thing I am frightened about is that he only pitches about 26 games a season. How will he perform in September and October. Japanese pitchers tend to have their best season in the first year in the MLB. I project Darvish to finish with a 2.78 ERA, 210 strikeouts, 1.0 WHIP and slightly over 200 innings pitched.

Japanese Cowboy

Yu Darvish signed with the Texas Rangers last night for 6 years $60 million.This will keep the Rangers as competitors with the Angels. If he performs well, the Western divisions will be stacked with great pitching. Darvish pitched to minuscule ERA's and high number strikeouts in his seasons with Japan. Now the Japanese right hander will be pitching 6 years in Texas, lets see how he performs.

With all the big name pitchers off the market, only Edwin Jackson and Roy Oswalt remain. The western divisions will be loaded with excellent pitching.

Rangers: Davish
Angels: Weaver, Haren,Wilson, Santana
Mariners: Hernandez
Giants: Lincecum, Cain
Dodgers: Kershaw, Billingsly
Diamondbacks: Kennedy, Hudson, Cahill

Those are 13 names that can put up great numbers. Those fans on the west coast sure are lucky.