Which leads to the first poll of the season. More than 50 executives, scouts, managers and coaches were asked three questions:

Of all the rookies and young players in their first full seasons, which do you believe will eventually be "difference makers"?

 

1. Jeremy Hermida, OF, Florida: "If there is a can't-miss hitting prospect, it is Hermida," says one AL GM. "He's a star." Problem is, in 2006, there won't be a lot around him in the Marlins' lineup other than Miguel Cabrera. GMs drool at Hermida's 111-walk/89K numbers in the minors, and his 1.017 OPS in September. With Cabrera and Hanley Ramirez and all the pitching Admin Beinfest is stockpiling, the reconstruction may not take as long as the last time the Marlins broke up the team. That is, if they don't have to move from South Beach to a strip mall in Tecumcari, N.M.

2. Francisco Liriano, LHP, Minnesota: The second gem from the A.J. Pierzynski trade is 22 years old, touches 97-98 mph, and had funky and Santana-esque numbers that included 126 hits allowed and 204 strikeouts in 167 2/3 innings in the minors. Kyle Lohse had better pitch well because Liriano and Scott Baker both could be in the Twins' rotation.

 

3. Felix Hernandez, RHP, Seattle: "He may have the best stuff I've ever seen," says an AL GM. "I wouldn't be surprised if he were one of the five best starters in the league this season." He turns 20 on John Keenan Day (April 8), has that sick stuff and showed last September that the 363K/119 BB/306 IP numbers are no fluke in terms of command, as he dropped 2-and-0 changeups and curveball hammers for strikes.

4. Brandon Wood, SS, LA Angels: Look, this is the future, unless he's at third base come July. Orlando Cabrera has three more years and is a great defender, and there are many teams that lust for Erick Aybar, the Angels' other shortstop prospect. But the rangy 21-year-old Wood has rare power that should only get better as he fills out -- 43 homers in the minors, 13 in 29 games in the Arizona Fall League, diligent makeup.

 

5. Delmon Young, OF, Tampa Bay: "If the Devil Rays didn't have so many good outfielders, he would probably be in the big leagues in April," says one scout. No question he can be an impact hitter, but the 4BB/33K numbers in Triple-A indicate a couple of months repeating Triple-A wouldn't be a bad thing.

 

6. B.J. Upton, SS, Tampa Bay: Between Ozzie Smith and Jimy Williams, the Rays can find out if the elder Upton can play shortstop. If he can master the footwork, he can be a monster player. He is paying the price for being rushed and moved around, but if he can play short and not be moved to third or the outfield, he will be a star. Younger brother Justin -- bigger than B.J. and very mature -- will have a very short minor-league shelf life.

 

7. Brian McCann, C, Atlanta: When All-Star Johnny Estrada got run over by Darin Erstad, McCann rushed in and helped the Braves finish first for the 14th consecutive full season. He had an impressive .748 OPS, handled pitchers masterfully and allowed the Braves to trade Estrada for bullpen help. Oh yes. Right behind McCann is Jarrod Saltalamacchia, rated by many as the best catching prospect in the minor leagues.

8. Jonathan Papelbon, RHP, Boston: In his second full pro season -- and second as a starter -- Papelbon shot right up to Fenway Park and was a major contributor to the Red Sox bullpen down the stretch. The organization wants him to start, to see him as a 700-out-a-year horse, and at 25, he is ready to step in and do it now. The Red Sox love his bring-it-on makeup, but one Boston official warns, "The worst thing would be to start comparing him to Roger Clemens. No one else in modern baseball history is as good as Clemens. Why should we ask a rookie to try?"

 

9. Prince Fielder and Rickie Weeks, Milwaukee: There may be some growing pains. Weeks has some work to do defensively. But the right side of the Brewer infield is set for years.

10. Brandon McCarthy, RHP, Chicago WS:. If Ken Williams hadn't assembled so much pitching, McCarthy would be a candidate to win 15 or more games. "He'll be in that rotation come September," says one scout. "And he'll be right there in line behind (Mark) Buehrle."

Also receiving multiple votes: Jason Kubel, OF, Minnesota; Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, Washington; Alex Gordon, 3B-OF, Kansas City; Hanley Ramirez, SS, Florida; Justin Verlander, RHP, Detroit; Jeremy Sowers, LHP, Cleveland; Jon Lester, LHP, Boston; Craig Hansen, Closer, Boston; Chris Young, CF, Arizona (too bad he broke his hand this week and will miss most of spring training); Justin Upton, SS-OF, Arizona; Erick Aybar, SS, LA Angels; Andy Marte, 3B, Cleveland; Ronny Cedeno, SS, Cubs; Felix Pie, OF, Cubs; Chad Billingsley, RHP, LA Dodgers.

That is, if they don't have to move from South Beach to a strip mall in Tecumcari, N.M.

 

 

If they are gonna make that comment, they should atleast spell the city right. It is Tucumcari.

 

Sorry, that ticked me off. Back to reading the rest of the article.

Nice to see HanRam got some votes as well. I can't wait to see him after a month of working with Perry Hill...we could be looking at another Gold Glove...

 

:notworthy

Nice to see HanRam got some votes as well. I can't wait to see him after a month of working with Perry Hill...we could be looking at another Gold Glove...

 

:notworthy

 

 

That is if he pays attention/cares.

Has anyone noticed that Peter Gammons loves to say the word "pitching"? Blah blah blah "pitching" Blah blah blah "pitching"

He says it about five or six times per sentence.

Seeing as his sentences can last for days on end, that's not a lot.