Some Rookies to Watch in 2009

Content Originally Posted by Sports Collectors Daily on April 17th, 2009.

Some will make a splash and quickly fade.  Others won’t live up to the minor league hype.  Finding those young players who make an impact and become stars is one of the fun parts about being a fan—or a collector.

Serious prospectors have been making investments long before any of 2009’s rookie crop got a sniff of the big leagues.  It’s far from an exact science and common boxes are filled with players who once held promise.  Rookie card hunters will be closely watching box scores and transaction lists as the year unfolds, hoping they’ve bought wisely.

Here’s a list of what could shake down.   

Blue Chip Offerings

David Price: Starting Pitcher, Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays had rookie of the year last year and it looks as if they might just do it again. David Price is at the top of a lot of impact rookie lists and for good reason. In 2008, he recorded 109 strikeouts in 109.2 IP, helping the Rays to the World Series.    Price is starting the season in the minor leagues, but he’ll be back.

Matt Wieters: Catcher, Baltimore Orioles

In 2008—Wieters first full season in the minors—he hit for a .355 average, with 27 homeruns, 91 RBI, 89 runs scored, and two stolen bases. Fantasy baseball fans love him because he is a power house in a position of paucity. Wieters actually appeared on cards as early as 2005 as a member of Team USA.

Worth the Investment

Cameron Maybin: Outfield, Florida Marlins

Cameron is a definite star with his five-tool talent and he is appearing on lists everywhere as one to watch. He’ll be a starter on an exciting Marlins team and with a bit of seasoning, Maybin has the speed and the power to put up the numbers we want to see, making his rookie card on the ‘must have’ list.

Travis Snider Outfield: Toronto Blue Jays

Snider was a part of the September call-up last year, making him the youngest position player in the majors. He ended the year with a .301 average, two home runs, 13 RBI, and nine runs scored in very limited playing time.  Snider has outstanding long-term power potential. 

Colby Rasmus: Outfield, Saint Louis Cardinals

Perhaps a bit of the slow-starter, Rasmus didn’t quite live up to expectations last year, but he certainly has the plate discipline, hitting ability, speed and power to be a lead man or middle-of-the-order threat. His SPx Rookie Signature card is certainly worth consideration.

Tommy Hanson: Starting Pitcher, Atlanta Braves

A major dominator in minor leagues, Hanson has been moving up the prospect list fast enough to cause a blur. Hanson will be starting in Triple-A this season; but that doesn’t mean he’ll be staying there. If his performance is anything like last year’s, we’ll be seeing him sooner than later.

Others to watch include:

·                    Jordan Zimmerman, Pitcher, Washington Nationals

·                    Andrew McCutchen, Outfield, Pittsburgh Pirates

·                    Dexter Fowler, Outfield, Colorado Rockies

·                    Alcides Escobar, Shortstop, Milwaukee Brewers

·                    Matt Gamel, Third Base, Milwaukee Brewers

·                    Trevor Cahill, Starting Pitcher, Oakland A’s

·                    Dexter Fowler, Outfield, Colorado Rockies