Storylines To Follow During The 2014 MLB Season (Other than Jeter)

1) Mike Trout

Trout has been the best player in baseball during his first two seasons in the Majors.  His speed and defense give him the nod over slugger Miguel Cabrera.  Trout’s 20 year-old season, which was his rookie year, ranks among the best seasons by a 20 year old in the history of MLB.  His sophomore campaign brought a similar dominance.  As Trout’s strike recognition skills improved, he became an even more dangerous hitter.  So what will his third year bring?  Would a 40 homer/40 stolen base season along with a slash line of .330/.450/.650 be that surprising?  Trout’s greatness is already historical, and he is still young enough to play another 15 years.  We are witnessing a legend in the making.

2) Colorado Rockies Pitching Prospects 

Jonathan Gray

The Colorado Rockies may finally have a couple of top-shelf starting pitchers.  Eddie Butler and Jonathan Gray are on the fast track to the Majors, and their arrivals could turn the Rockies into contenders.  Gray was drafted out of college and showed an elite K/BB ratio during his brief minor league stint in 2013.  Butler, pitching for A and AA last year, boasted a 1.80 ERA along with strong strikeout numbers.  This one-two punch has a chance to stabilize the Colorado’s terminally inconsistent rotation.

3) Masahiro Tanaka

There are lofty expectations on Japanese import Masahiro Tanaka, who is about to embark on his first MLB season.  The $155 million dollar man is supposed to anchor the Yankees rotation for at least the next 7 years.  The pressure of pitching in New York will not help his cause.  Regardless of expectations, Tanaka’s performance will be among the most important factors in determining how far the Yankees advance in 2014.  With an aged roster that includes outfielders Ichiro Suzuki, Alfonso Soriano, and Carlos Beltran, along 2014 being Jeter’s final season, all signs point to the Yankees being all-in for a championship.  Tanaka will need to play up to his contract for New York to have a chance in October.

4) Chicago Cubs Infield Prospects

It has been awhile since the Chicago Cubs have been relevant.  Javier Baez and Kris Bryant hope to change that.  Baez, a SS whose bat speed draws comparisons to Gary Sheffield, is Baseball America’s 6^th ranked prospect.  Baez’s raw power is off the charts, and he would hit at least 20 homeruns in the majors this year.  However, he needs to improve his plate discipline.  Baez does not walk much and has a penchant for striking out.

Bryant, a 3B who was last year’s #2 overall draft pick and 2013 Arizona Fall League MVP, is a far more seasoned player.  Playing three years of college ball at the University of San Diego, Bryant is a should see the majors before the All-Star break.  At 6’5, Bryant has immense power and will take advantage of the friendly Wrigley Field confines.

5) St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Loiuis Cardinals Organization is doing something right.  Two pennants in the last three years, including a world championship, is nothing to sneeze at.  The Cardinals front office is the best in baseball at scouting and developing talent.  A homegrown pitching rotation consisting of Wainwright, Wacha, Miller, and Lynn can be devastating in a playoff series.  Allen Craig has filled the void left by Pujols, and Matt Adams is a star in the making.  Matt Carpenter is an elite leadoff hitter who boasts patience and a knack for finding the gaps.  Trading David Freese  to free up a space for 2B Kolten Wong (Carpenter will play 3B) puts pressure on the young Hawaii native.  His play will be something to monitor, but it will not make or break the team’s season.  Top outfield prospect Oscar Taveras is waiting in the wings and could be a difference maker down the stretch.  If I was a betting man, I would take the Cardinals to win this year’s World Series.