3 Breakout Players for 2014 in MLB

Another year is underway in baseball. There are new rosters, injuries paving the way for youngsters and veterans looking to jump start their career again. Each year, there are always guys who take it to a new level or perform more quickly than anticipated. Last year we saw Chris Davis, Jose Fernandez, Josh Donaldson, Matt Carpenter, and Carlos Gomez. All these players stepped their game up to a new level, and were worth all stars, or put their names in the awards lists at the end of the season. Once again, this season will have players who will put their names on the map and make a name for themselves. This year I have 3 guys who I think will take it to the next level.

1. P MADISON BUMGARNER (San Francisco Giants) - Bumgarner has shown strides each year and has got significantly better each season improving in all categories. If it weren't for Clayton Kershaw, would be considered in my mind the top lefty in the game today. Bumgarner comes to pitch every game with the same poise and determination. Giants struggled mightily last season finishing 76-96, but Bumgarner managed to finish with a 13-9 record. 13 wins is still a good season, but the numbers Bumgarner put up don't justify those 13 wins. Giants are a team that wins with their defense and pitching, and score only the necessary runs to win a game. Bumgarner finished the 2013 season with a 13-9 record, 199 k's, 1.03 WHIP, and a 2.77 ERA. With those numbers, you would've thought he would've finished on another team with 17-18 wins. With a lack of run support on a consistent basis, Bumgarner has to pitch at his best and he has continually shown progression over the past 3 seasons. After having an outstanding spring, you'd expect Bumgarner will go into his first start Monday with confidence and relaxation. Bumgarner is a guy who has already shown break out performances in the past, but I feel 2014 will be a year in which he takes it to a new level, and proves he is a top 5 pitcher in the game today. Although 20 wins for a Giants pitcher sounds out of play, I predict Bumgarner will pitch like a 20 game winner this season.
PREDICTION: 17-7 207 K's 2.75 ERA 1.09 WHIP

2. P ALEX COBB (Tampa Bay Rays) - Sad end to his 2013, Alex Cobb was having a productive and solid year. A shortened season due to a head injury from a come-backer, Cobb put up great numbers: 11-3 134 K's 2.76 ERA 1.15 WHIP. Cobb plays in the American League East which is clearly a hitters division and has to see and extra bat as opposed to a pitcher in the National League. To keep a low ERA and low WHIP at age 25 in a loaded offense league, this guy is surely the real deal. With a new season ahead and cloudy future for David Price (in a whirlwind of trade rumors), I see Cobb over Matt Moore to be established as the face of Rays pitching staff by season's end. Cobb made over half his starts at Tropicana Field last season and finished with a 7-0 record, 2.81 ERA, 1.12 WHIP. At age 26 now, Cobb is starting his prime and now is a good time to do so. I see Alex Cobb finishing this season with the most wins on the Rays.
PREDICTION: 18-5 192 K's, 2.93 ERA, 1.17 WHIP

3. 1B ANTHONY RIZZO (Chicago Cubs) - Acquired after the 2011 season for the San Diego Padres, he was brought in to be a future for the Cubs. Since 2003, the Cubs have been abysmal and have shown no signs of positive change. Times are changing with a young batch of kids: Javier Baez, Jorge Soler, Kris Bryant, and Albert Almora. They will all be up soon in a few years to help the future of this team. The starting block before these young hitters was the acquisition of Anthony Rizzo. He possesses a patient approach, built up power, and a good defensive glove. Last year, we saw signs of Rizzo's ability to drive the ball out and his patience at the plate (23 HR; 74 BB). Last season, Paul Goldschmidt had a stellar breakout and was worthy of an MVP (.302 BA, 36 HR, 125 RBI, 182 H, 99 BB, 103 R). The year before his break out year, Goldschmidt had similar stats to that of Anthony Rizzo. I am making my comparison of Rizzo to Goldschmidt because the numbers do line up. Goldschmidt (2012 BA: .285) has the better contact numbers in regards to Rizzo (2013 BA: .233), but they do share similar numbers in doubles, home runs, and RBI's. Not saying Rizzo is going to have identical numbers to Goldschmidt next year, but Rizzo at age 24 is going to show signs of improvement and show why he is one of the good hitting first baseman in this league. While the strikeouts will be high like Goldschmidt, I expect to see an eye-popping boost in performance out of Anthony Rizzo this season.
PREDICTION: .281 BA, 163 H, 98 R, 42 2B, 3 3B, 29 HR, 102 RBI, 88 BB, 138 K's, 9 SB

49ers Draft Plans

Free agency began on March 11, and there has already been a whirlwind of moves. Some teams have been over anxious and spending, while some teams have remained conservative and patiently have waited. Free agency is a risk and reward. 49ers have had a conservative approach to this free agency signing period, but jumped the guns early to sign former Colts Pro Bowl safety Antoine Bethea, and making two surprising trades for Blaine Gabbert and Jonathan Martin. 49ers haven't made a lot of noise in the free agency department, but the quiet ones could essentially be ones who find themselves in position for a deep playoff run. 49ers found their playoff stint come to end in the NFC Championship against the Super Bowl Champions Seattle Seahawks, and a heart-wrenching loss of NaVorro Bowman. With a healing Bowman, losing Tarell Brown to Oakland, Goodwin to potential retirement, cutting Carlos Rogers, and letting Whitner walk away for Cleveland, 49ers have big holes to fix temporarily and for the long run; but, it is nothing that can't be attained this off-season through free agency and the draft. 

Through my analysis of the current team, 49ers are in good hands to patch the holes. The 49ers seem to be set for free agent signings at the moment, and look to build on the 11 draft picks they have.  To take into account from last season, 49ers have guys on the team who stepped up when injuries and off-field issues pertaining Aldon Smith came into effect. Asoughma never proved to be the force he once was and was essentially let go at some point during the season. As a result, a new name emerged and filled in nicely for the nickel package and proved he was a top 2 corner on the team, Tarell Brock. Heading into next year, Tarell Brock will be the favorite to be the number 1 corner on the team, after the release of Carlos Rogers and the hit he would've took on the team salary cap. I am not ruling out a return of Carlos Rogers, but there is a possibility the 49ers make look to add another corner to the team (via the draft), after signing Chris Cook. Some nice corners who fit the 49ers scheme, would be Darqueze Dennard, Justin Gilbert, Jason Verrett, Kyle Fuller, and Pierre Desir. Realistically, to draft a Darqueze Dennard or Justin Gilbert, 49ers may have to move up in the draft to acquire them. With 11 draft picks, they do have the leverage to move up and get one of the two. What would be smart, is taking a Jason Verrett or Kyle Fuller with our current first round pick or move other picks later on in the draft to obtain an additional first round pick and take one of them. Although the 49ers may not have depth at corner at the moment, they will find guys who can come in and fit their system.

Another weakness on the 49ers team is center. Center need became evident when Jonathan Goodwin's contract was up after this last year, and he has been flirting with retirement talk. After that loss to the Seahawks in the NFC Championship game, I don't think that was what he had planned for a going-out party. Goodwin could resign with the 49ers on a one year deal, but 49ers need a back up plan in case the 35 year old decides to hang up the cleats. The mighty-talented, and All Pro Center Alex Mack is available via free agency, but comes with a hefty price tag. Mack seems ruled out based on his demands essentially and the cap space available for the 49ers. There are other centers available and could turn to finding a veteran ready to play now, such as a Brian De La Puente or Kyle Cook. 49ers have a bright future ahead, but a young center obtained in the draft could learn from a De La Puente or Kyle Cook who have experience. If the 49ers fail to address a center via free agency, they could turn to the middle rounds to draft Travis Swanson from Arkansas, Weston Richburg from Colorado State, or USC's Marcus Martin. These three centers are the most ready to make an impact as a rookie. 

Although it may not be a major need, the middle linebacker position could be weak for the time-being after NaVorro Bowman's ACL/MCL injury in the playoffs. Coming out of college, Bowman was originally an outside linebacker at Penn State, who transitioned to middle linebacker where he has achieved the honors of All-Pro and one of the best middle linebackers in the league. Alongside Bowman, Willis is his counterpart who will have no problem creating the success that he has since his rookie year in 2007. To ensure a solid return, it would be wise to slide Bowman into an outside linebacker role to gradually bring him back into play and return to his All-Pro caliber. Ahmad Brooks currently occupies the outside linebacker position, but out of college he started at middle linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals. Brooks is versatile and can play either position with the same success. Michael Wilhoite is currently the linebacker backing Bowman in the depth chart and will most likely fill his void temporarily, leaving the possibility of a shift for Brooks out of the picture. If by some chance Wilhoite has a weak training camp or proves he is not the guy, could the 49ers turn to drafting a middle linebacker? I say why not, because you can never have too much depth. Middle linebacker is very deep this year in the draft and say Bowman never returns to his old self after the injury, there is a potential security blanket with the draft pick they choose. How about a Chris Borland for example. No one has shot up the draft charts more than he has for his position. Borland has a feel for the game, but his 5'11 frame doesn't fit your prototypical middle linebacker position. To some, he is considered undersize, but the guy is tough as nails and his defense awareness is way advanced for his age. Borland is worth a shot. If they fail to grab Borland, a Harbaugh guy from Stanford, by the name of Shayne Skov, is a possibility. Skov is familiar with Harbaugh and style of play back at Stanford and would be a great fit for the team, and provide depth for when Bowman is hurt and when he is healed. Linebacker isn't a major concern, but to avoid concerns, it helps to have depth.

Lastly, the biggest need for now and the future is a wide receiver. 49ers already have big threats in newly resigned Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree, but they need a guy who's going to make plays and get those first downs on short pass plays. On the depth chart, 49ers also have a to be promising 2nd year wide out from Louisiana Tech, Quinton Patton. Patton has the size and speed to be a productive 3rd wide receiver. Injuries hampered his rookie year and Manningham never provided anything last year. Also on the depth chart is young experimental Jon Baldwin, who was acquired from the Chiefs for A.J. Jenkins. 49ers have a lot of size, but not any speed. For 2014, there will be a healthy Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin, and Quinton Patton. Vernon Davis has the skills of a wide receiver threat at tight end, but he is not a wide receiver. Frank Gore luckily enough has good hands in the backfield to get those small yards for now. Kaepernick needs targets and someone to get better looks down the game and not force passes he didn't want to throw. To fill the slot role and take pressure off of Frank Gore and Colin Kaepernick, 49ers should turn to Brandin Cooks or Odell Beckham Jr. with their first pick. Kelvin Benjamin has been the rumored target for the 49ers with his 6'6" frame which is another red zone target for Kaepernick, but his dropped-ball rate is a concern and there are other big framed receivers in the middle rounds and towards the end of the draft. Odell Beckham Jr. fits the mold of a 49ers wide receiver and probably one of the most versatile receivers in this draft. Beckham can be an elite return man, he can run the ball with good vision, hands equivalent to super glue, and stop-and-go burst like any receiver I have ever seen. I remember seeing Odell Beckham's first collegiate game in 2011 vs Oregon on national tv. As a freshman, he was already making an impact blocking and receiving. Right then and there, I knew Beckham was going to be a special player. To get Odell Beckham or a Brandin Cooks, it is going to require moving up in the draft to draft one of the two.

Overall, I think the 49ers have a solid game plan on how they are going to approach this draft. With 11 draft picks, that creates flexibility and the ability to move in the draft to get what players they want. Last year, moving up in the draft proved to be beneficial for the secondary by selecting Eric Reid who reached the Pro Bowl in his first year. The needs in this draft for the 49ers will be wide receiver, cornerback, center, and middle linebacker. Last year's draft brought in a bunch of depth-type players due to a star-studded defensive lineup. Corey Lemonier and Tank Carradine are no flukes and could provide some assistance this season on the defensive front and potentially standing up. The defense took a hit last year with season-ending injuries for Tank Carradine, Tony Jerrod-Eddie, and Ian Williams. Other guys who didn't play last year. The highest expectations for anyone coming into next season will be Marcus Lattimore who was selected in the 4th round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Marcus Lattimore will possibly be the steal of the draft if proven healthy if no setbacks. A bruising back, with fast enough speed to blow by defenders, the 49ers may of found their replacement for Frank Gore when he finally hangs up the cleats. Injuries hampered this team, and guys didn't get the experience. This 49ers team is so deep when all the guys will be healthy the start of 2014 season. They may seem bad for being second and third on the depth charts, but this team is deep they can throw anyone in. May 8th is so close and curious as to see how the 49ers will approach this draft, but I smell success for the future.

Predictions of who could be traded during the draft:

LaMichael James or Kendall Hunter, Ray McDonald, Tony Jerrod-Eddie

Ideal Targets based on needs:

WR - Sammy Watkins (far reach), Odell Beckham Jr., Brandin Cooks, Marquise Lee, Jared Abbredaris

CB - Justin Gilbert, Darqueze Dennard, Jason Verrett, Lamarcus Joyner, Kyle Fuller, Pierre Desir, Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Bashaud Breeland, Keith McGill, Walt Aikens

C - Weston Richburg, Travis Swanson, Marcus Martin, Russell Bodine

MLB - Chris Borland, Shayne Skov, Jordan Zumwalt, Yawin Smallwood, Max Bullough, Shaquil Barrett, Xavius Boyd

Players not as a need to target based on best available:

Aaron Donald, Trent Murphy, Timmy Jernigan, Louis Nix, Daquan Jones

NCAA March Madness

Beginning March 20, let the Madness begin! This year has a lot of teams that can go deep in the tourney and no clear favorite. I will post my bracket later today when the teams are announced.