In 2010 Carlos Gonzalez was a hero to all of his fantasy owners. He paid out his owners who likely drafted him above the 10th round a pay day of #1 on the player rater. In all likelihood this will not happen this season, but let us take a look at some of the names who might generate some buzz and have the potential to join the ranks of the top 10.
Before we get into whom may wind up being the CarGo of 2011, let us first take a look at any of the indicators for the breakout campaign that he may have given us during the 2009 season and the 2010 spring which.
Finishing Off Strong / Figuring It Out
Post AllStar: 62 Games, 42 Runs, 10 DBs, 12 HRs, 24 RBI, 11 SB, .384 OBP, .608 SLG%, .320 BA
One thing that I always try to look at (and sometimes it bites me in the ass Josh Towers 06), is how a younger player finishes off the season. For Carlos Gonzalez the 2009 season was two stark differences. In the first half he didn't play often (just 27 games) and in the games he did play he didn't do all that well. Sometime thereafter everything clicked for CarGo. In the month of August he went on a tear and hit .371. His 2nd half numbers overall projected out to a 25/25 season with a .300 plus average. In addition his postseason series against the Phillies showed that the pressure wouldn't necessarily buckle him, but rather could spark him to greater success. Obviously the risk is that he wouldn't have a continued hot streak throughout the 2010 season, but in 2009 he showed what was possible. He showed he could sustain great numbers for at least half a season and in the playoffs. He showed the potential for 5 category numbers and together with his history as a top prospect would could legitimately project a breakout campaign.
Spring Stats
19 Games, 10 Runs, 8 DBs, 2 HRs, 13 RBI, 4 SB, .391 OBP, .576 SLG%, .339 BA
Spring stats aren't quite the biggest thing to be jumping up and down around or take too seriously, but its a nice bonus when someone in March is swinging a hot bat. Last year CarGo was healthy, very important factor, and hit nearly .340 with plenty of extra base hits. It was simply a nice little continuation of his conclusion of the 2009 season. The combination of the two had to give some confidence that in 2010, CarGo was at least a 5 category contributor with the potential to be a the stud he was to become.
Finishing Off Strong / Figuring It Out
Post AllStar: 62 Games, 42 Runs, 10 DBs, 12 HRs, 24 RBI, 11 SB, .384 OBP, .608 SLG%, .320 BA
Playoffs: 4 Games, 5 Runs, 2 DBs, 1 HRs, 1 RBI, 2 SB, .632 OBP, .882 SLG%, .588 BA
One thing that I always try to look at (and sometimes it bites me in the ass Josh Towers 06), is how a younger player finishes off the season. For Carlos Gonzalez the 2009 season was two stark differences. In the first half he didn't play often (just 27 games) and in the games he did play he didn't do all that well. Sometime thereafter everything clicked for CarGo. In the month of August he went on a tear and hit .371. His 2nd half numbers overall projected out to a 25/25 season with a .300 plus average. In addition his postseason series against the Phillies showed that the pressure wouldn't necessarily buckle him, but rather could spark him to greater success. Obviously the risk is that he wouldn't have a continued hot streak throughout the 2010 season, but in 2009 he showed what was possible. He showed he could sustain great numbers for at least half a season and in the playoffs. He showed the potential for 5 category numbers and together with his history as a top prospect would could legitimately project a breakout campaign.
Spring Stats
19 Games, 10 Runs, 8 DBs, 2 HRs, 13 RBI, 4 SB, .391 OBP, .576 SLG%, .339 BA
Spring stats aren't quite the biggest thing to be jumping up and down around or take too seriously, but its a nice bonus when someone in March is swinging a hot bat. Last year CarGo was healthy, very important factor, and hit nearly .340 with plenty of extra base hits. It was simply a nice little continuation of his conclusion of the 2009 season. The combination of the two had to give some confidence that in 2010, CarGo was at least a 5 category contributor with the potential to be a the stud he was to become.
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