TSF's Super Sophs

I just got done giving you my all-rookie team selections. Now, without further delay I'd like to give you my team of the bets rookies from LAST year. Last year's rookie class was pretty deep so this should be fun.

C- Russell Martin - LAD
Had an outstandingly quiet year last year hitting .282 10 HRs and 65 RBIs in 415 ABs. Although his stats last year weren't quite that of Paulino I'm taking Martin because of his performance thus far this season. He's off to a good start and I think he'll drive in substantially more runs that Paulino just because the Pirates don't have the same firepower as the Dodgers. This was a tough decision but Martin has played his way into the spot through the first 5 weeks of this season.

1B - Prince Fielder - MIL
He's the man and he's my favorite player on my favorite team so this isn't very tough for me to put him here. He had 28 HRs last year and I think his power numbers will only continue to go up and up. Also look for him to definitely collect more than 80 RBIs this season. The thing that really impresses me and that I like about him though, is his K's are down. He's showing that he can hit for singles and doubles, not just HRs and take the ball the other way.

2B - Ian Kinsler - TEX
I really want Rickie Weeks here but technically he's not a soph. and also I don't wanna be too pro-Brewers. He hit .286 with 14 HRs, 55 RBIs, and had 11 SBs as a rookie. He's showing us thus far this season he's the real deal (.290 9 HRs, 24 RBIs, 4 SB with a .364) I see much of the same with a power increase coming this year.

3B - Ryan Zimmerman - DC
Hasn't had a great start to this season but he's on a horrible team with little to no supporting cast, and there is no doubt in my mind that this kid is/will be a star. He drove in 100+ runs last season and I think that it will be tough for him to repeat that with the team that is around him. However I think he'll climb up over 20 HRs this year and he's solid defensively. At 3B this is one of those no-brainers.

SS- Hanley Ramirez - FL
This was a little tougher of a pick because I really like both Ramirez and Drew (ARI). Really I think Ramirez is a better player right now and is having a significantly better season thus far. Also love what he can do on D and his speed is a definite asset to the team.

LF- Josh Willingham - FL
Another one of those great Marlins sophs. He's hitting .299 right now (I'll call it .300 for good measure) 4 HRs, and 23 RBIs. He can hit for power and contact and I think you can look for him to have a pretty good year this year driving in a lot of runs. Plus, the kid can be my backup catcher too!

CF- Kelly Johnson - ATL
There is no clear-cut CF to put out here. Almost all sophs (Quientin, Cabrera, Markakis, Herminda, and Kemp) play corner OF. Johnson has CF eligibility in Fantasy Baseball so I'm plugging him in here. I know, it's a risky move but I'm the skipper and I make the calls.

RF- Andre Ethier - LAD
His .308 last year with a modest 11 HRs and 55 RBIs. I know the power numbers aren't great but what I really like here was his BA. He puts the ball in play and gets on base. That's the most important part. The power and the runs will come. Gives me a good contact hitting lefty bat in my lineup and can play adequate D.

Starting Rotation
1. Justin Verlander (DET)- Naturally....
2. Cole Hamels (PHI)- Has electric stuff and will be rackin' up the K's all season. He's 3-1 right now and I think you can look for him to win 13+ games this season rather comfortably
3.Matt Cain (SF)- Has good stuff. Record is just 1-2 right now but he was 13-12 last year and I think he'll win at least that many again this year. Just needs to keep his walks down.
4.Jered Weaver (LAA)- We all saw what he could do last season...he'll snap back to his old self.
5.Chad Billingsley (LAD)- Is a good pitcher but wouldn't be here if Liriano's arm hadn't exploded.

If Liriano was healthy my rotation would be even more dominant with:
1. Verlander 2. Liriano 3. Hamels 4. Cain 5. Weaver.

Batting Order
1. Hanley Ramirez (FL)- SS
2. Kelly Johnson (ATL) - CF
3. Ian Kinsler (TEX) - 2B
4. Prince Fielder (MIL) - 1B
5. Ryan Zimmerman (DC) - 3B
6. Josh Willingham (FL) - LF
7. Andre Ethier (LAD) - RF
8. Russell Martin (LAD) - C
9. Pitcher - P

Once again It's all just personal opinion. This is my squad of super sophs, what's yours look like?

TSF's Prospective 2007 MLB All-Rookie Team

Even though the season is merely 1/5 over I wanted to come at your with what I consider to be MY all-rookies team for the 2007 season. Judging by performance thus far, personal opinion, and performance to come, I give you my squad.

C - Carlos Ruiz - PHI
A lot of people probably would have taken Chris Iannetta from COL coming into the season and still might now. Ruiz has come on as a huge sleeper and is having a great season thus far. I went out on a limb in picking him up on my fantasy team when Ramon Hernandez went down early and man did it ever pay off. I didn't even really know much about him and I really lucked out. Anyways, he's hitting .288 with 1 HR, 10 RBIs, 10 runs scored, and 1 SB. Those aren't stifiling numbers but Iannetta has struggled immensely (.182, 0 HR, 4RBIs) in his time in the majors and Ruiz has been a pleasant surprise. He gets the nod.

1B - Joey Votto - CIN
Previous rookie classes have been loaded with 1B talent...well not so much this year. Votto's power numbers are getting better and unless both Scott Hatteburgh and the Reds get hot before the All-Star Break, I think you can expect to see a lot of this guy down the stretch this year.

2B - Howie Kendrick - LAA
Kelly Johnson has been the real surprise at 2B but unfortunately people forget that he isn't a rookie. He had 290 ABs in 80+ games in 2005 so he's a no-go. I like Kendrick here. He's got quick hands, some power and immense upside. I know he's on the DL right now but I'm still taking him because I think he'll do well this year and I've always liked him as a prospect.

3B - Alex Gordon - KC
This is the most obvious choice. Reminds me a lot of David Wright. He's been a little shaky thus far but that's to be expected I guess...I'd probably bat him clean-up too.

SS - Troy Tulowitzki - COL
Love the name and love the game. This guy is a 1st-class Dirt Bag (LB St.) and he has some good power. Playing in Colorado won't hurt either. He turned an unassisted triple play earlier last week so....yea I'm taking him.

SS is a pretty strong position here. Guy's like Stephen Drew (ARI), and Brandon Wood (LAA) and also great selections. You really can't go wrong with any of them....

LF - Billy Butler - KC
He's considered by many to be the next coming of Edgar Martinez and by some to be the best DH prospect ever. Position-wise he plays corner OF, and since I'm no fan of AL ball and it's DH I'm not having one. Butler plays LF on my squad and batts 5th behind teammate Gordon.

CF - Chris Young - ARI
I think he'll be a 20/20 guy this year and contend for NL ROY. I like him over Dukes (TB) who I think got a little over-hyped with the fast start and all. For the long haul I want Young for sure and He's batting leadoff.

RF- Delmon Young - TB
Yep...this is a no-brainer too. No real temper problems so far, which seems to be the only real knack on this kid and he has potential 40/40 written all over him (although not this year). a 3->4 combo of Young->Gordon in the batting order looks good to me. This kid will be a star.


Starting Rotation
1. Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS)- I want to find out for certain whether the Gyro exists or not
2. Phillip Hughes (NYY)- Took a no-no into the 6th before leaving earlier this week....he'll be a stud
3. Mike Pelfrey (NYM)- He can hit upwards to 98 and has a good sinker. I think he'll do well this year especially if injuries continue to plague that staff.
4. Homer Bailey (CIN)- He's on the DL now but everybody loves him (could care less for his hair) and he's significantly better than a lot of the pitchers they have starting right now. I know he's on the DL so I'm going to pick a 6th Starter for good measure.
5.Tim Lincecum (SF)-He's lights-out amazing.
6. Matt Garza (MIN)-He had success at 4 different levels of play last year and the kid was good...USA Today Minor League POY in fact. He takes Homer Bailey's spot on the rotation while he gets healthy.

Batting Order
1. Chris Young (ARI)- CF
2. Howie Kendrick (LAA) - 2B
3. Delmon Young (TB) - RF
4. Alex Gordon (KC) - 3B
5. Billy Butler (KC) - LF
6. Troy Tulowitzki (COL) - SS
7. Joe Votto (CIN) - 1B
8. Carlos Ruiz (PHI) - C
9. Pitcher

It's all personal opinion and I respect your opinions and wanna know what changes you'd make in creating your own all-rookie team.