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kyleg@hawaiiwinterbaseball.com
In about 12 hours, the Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics will square off in Japan to open the 2008 campaign. It seems like an eternity since Boston rolled the Rockies to win the World Series last year, and it'll be nice to watch baseball again on a regular basis.
From what we've seen in Spring Training as far as players are concerned, this could be a huge year for HWB alumni. Not only will high profile draft pick Matt Wieters garner a great deal of attention in Baltimore, but youngsters like 2007 Sharks Austin Jackson (Yankees) and Argenis Diaz (Red Sox) could see time at the Major League level towards season's end.
And who can forget some of the league's most prominent alumni, from Ichiro to Jason Giambi and Todd Helton, some of HWB's elder statesmen should continue to put up great numbers as their careers continue on the world's grandest stage.
For you fantasy baseball owners out there, I've put together a list of HWB's "must-draft" alumni from the 2006-2007 seasons. Especially if you participate in "keeper" leagues, these guys will be around for quite a while, and should make strong impacts with you team(s) this season.
>Joba Chamberlain (Yankees; West Oahu CaneFires, 2006) will start off in New York's bullpen, and should transition into the starting rotation. He will post impressive ERA and strikeout figures, and could notch a few victories along the way.
>Ian Kennedy (Yankees; CaneFires, 2006) should start the year in New York's starting rotation, and if he can build upon his strong rookie debut last year, prepare to be rewarded.
>Joe Thatcher (Padres; North Shore Honu, 2006) has flown under the radar as one of San Diego's most productive relievers in a set-up role for Trevor Hoffman. Look for Thatcher to play a vital role in "holding" the Padres' lead in close games.
>Nyjer Morgan (Pirates; Honolulu Sharks, 2006) will start the season with the big league club, and while he might not play every day as of yet, he should find his way in the leadoff role playing center field very soon. Look out for good production in the runs and stolen base departments.
>Matt Wieters (Orioles; Sharks, 2007) will begin 2008 in the minors, but due to the hefty $6 million signing bonus awarded to the switch-hitting backstop, don't be surprised if Wieters is getting reps with the Orioles by season's end. By the time he's a regular starter, I see Wieters posting 40-50 doubles, 20-25 home runs and 90-100 RBIs per season while maintaining a .290-plus batting average.
Anybody agree/disagree with my thinking here? Who are your HWB fantasy studs for 2008
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