10. Scott Linebrink
The White Sox’s biggest problem in 2007 was their terrible bullpen. Fear not: Kenny Williams’ new additions have made the unit one of the major’s best this season. Linebrink has been nearly unhittable, sporting an ERA under 2.00.
9. Paul Konerko
Paulie will live in White Sox folklore forever. But injuries and old age have made the former slugger look like a shell of his old self in 2008. If the Sox are going to win the AL Central, Konerko has to step up.
8. Ryan Theriot
The new David Eckstein? More like the new Derrick Jeter. Theriot has been a force in at the top of the Cubs order in 2008.
7. Giovanni Soto
Most people expect Soto to be good. But the best offensive catcher in the NL? Soto may be the best prospect the Cubbies have developed since…Mark Grace?
6. Nick Swisher
We may have to reinvestigate that whole “patience never goes into a slump” stance. And isn’t this guy a home run hitter?
5. Rich HillAfter a stellar 2006, Hill was supposed to be the Cubs second best starter this season. Not so fast. After a rough April, Hill was optioned to AAA Iowa.
4. Gavin FloydGavin Floyd owned one label: bust. That’s what happens when a player is chosen fourth overall in the draft and doesn’t contribute until he’s 25. But Floyd is rolling now, and you just know that no-hitter is around the corner.
3. Jose Contreras
Coming off a 19-loss season, Contreras was supposed to be the key the White Sox season. Here’s the thing: no one thought he would be this good. As a result, the White Sox are in first place.
2. Ryan Dempster
Few players gave Cubs fans more worries than Dempster did during his tenure as the team’s closer. But since moving to the starting rotation, Dempster has six wins and one of the NL’s best ERAs.
1. Carlos Quentin
While most intelligent and good looking Sox fans expected Quentin to establish himself as a starter and a quality left fielder, few thought he would lead the AL in homers after two months. Quentin was a highly regarded prospected, so his emergence shouldn’t be all that surprising, but no one thought he would be this good.
3 comments:
good list Rick, although Konerko is also a notoriously slow starter he usually does better in May than he has this season so that is some cause for concern
Nice list, more Sox players on this one, some for bad reasons though. Paulie will bounce back I hope. Gotta admit, Soto is playin some good ball and seems to be a smart player. Did I just compliment a frickin Cub? WTF!!!! No doubt number one is CQ, what a monster he has been, hope he can keep it up and make a run @ MVP! GO SOX!!
Nice try on: "Geovany Soto."
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