Ten Players to Watch in the NL in 2008

This list doesn’t seek to be comprehensive, nor are the players listed in any particular order. This is just ten guys who have had one or two good seasons but haven’t become household names (yet). Special thanks to the other guys at Seamheads.com for their suggestions. Next week of course I’ll have ten AL players to watch.

1)Micah Owings SP Arizona Diamondbacks

The 25 five year old righthander went 8-8 with an ERA of 4.30 in 27 starts last season, his first in the bigs. The 6′5″ 220 pounder also won the silver slugger award for his position, and has been moved up to seventh in the lineup during spring training. Owings will have a major impact on whether or not the Diamondbacks repeat last year’s success.

Key stats: Owings walked only 50 batters in over 150 innings last season while striking out 106.

What needs to improve: Owings averaged only 5 2/3 innings per start. He also gave up 20 homeruns.

2)Adam Wainwright SP St Louis Cardinals

In his first full season in the rotation, Wainwright went 14-12 with an ERA of 3.70. In 32 starts the 6′7″ 230 pound 26-year-old gave up a miniscule 13 homeruns while striking out 136.

Key stat: Wainwright’s ERA was 2.71 after the All-Star break.

What needs to improve: Wainwright gave up 212 hits and 70 walks in 202 IP, resulting in a WHIP of 1.40

3)Cole Hamels SP Philadelphia Phillies

In his second season, the 6′3″ 190 pound lefty improved in every major category and made his first All-Star team. He went 15-5 with an ERA of 3.39 in 28 starts. Like Owings, Hamels will be counted on to be a major contributor on a potential playoff team.

Key stat: Hamels struck out 177 while only walking 43.

What needs to improve: Health may be an issue. Hamels had a stint on the DL in late August, though he bounced back for a strong finish. Hamels also gave up 25 home runs.

4)Garrett Atkins 3B Colorado Rockies

Atkins’ slow start last season was mirrored by the team as a whole. Fortunately, so was his hot finish. In his third full season, the 6′3″ 215 pound Atkings saw his numbers fall off somewhat from his stellar 2006 campaign. However, he still hit .301 with 25 home runs and 111 RBI. It was his second straight season with at least 25 home runs, 100 RBI and a .300 average.

Key stat: Hit .349 after the All-Star break, helping lead the Rockies’ second half surge.

What needs to improve: Atkins struck out 96 times and committed 13 errors.

5)James Loney 1B LA Dodgers

The 23-year-old is slated to start Opening Day at first base for the Dodgers. Last season in 96 games the 6′3″ 220 pound Loney hit .331 with 15 home runs and 67 RBI. He was among the Dodgers’ leaders in every major statistical category.

Key stat: Loney slugged .538 with 37 extra base hits.

What needs to improve: Loney committed nine errors in only 85 games at first base.

6)Michael Bourn CF Houston Astros

The 5′11″ 180 pound Houston native will be in his first season with the Astros after two partial seasons in Philadelphia. In 119 at-bats over 105 games, Bourn had an OBP of .348 with 18 stolen bases in 19 attempts. The Astros expect Bourn to steal at least 30 bases this season.

Key stat: Has yet to commit an error in 105 career games in the field.

What needs to improve: Bourn only batted .154 versus lefties and .214 in day games.

7)Hunter Pence RF Houston Astros

In 108 games the 24-year-old batted .322 with 17 home runs and 59 RBI. Pence also had 30 doubles and 11 steals. In 2006 Pence hit .283 with 28 home runs and 17 steals at AA Corpus Christi. Pence’s combination of speed and power will make him a fantasy favorite.

Key stat: Pence had an OBP of .360 and a slugging percentage of .539.

What needs to improve: Pence struck out 95 times with only 26 walks.

8)J.R. Towles C Houston Astros

Another key component of the Astros’ youth movement, the 6′2″ 190 pound Texas native is slated to start at catcher on Opening Day. This despite playing in only 14 big league games. Towles had 15 hits in 40 at-bats with 12 RBI.

Key stat: Towles made 0 errors in 95 innings behind the plate last season.

What needs to improve: Towles had only 3 walks and 1 home run.

9)Carlos Marmol P Chicago Cubs

The only reliever to make this list, Marmol was dominant as a middle reliever last season. In 69.1 innings over 59 appearances, the 6′2″ 180 pound 25-year-old had an ERA of 1.43. He is in a three man race to be the Cubs’ closer in 2008. Regardless of where he ends up, Marmol will be a key component to the Cubs’ season.

Key stats: Marmol allowed only 3 home runs while striking out 96.

What needs to improve: Marmol walked 35 in only 69.1 innings.

10)Chad Billingsley SP LA Dodgers

In his first full season in the majors, Billingsley made 20 starts and 23 relief appearances. The 6′1″ 245 pound righthander made sixteen of those starts after the All-Star break, and will be a full time starter in 2008. Overall, he went 12-5 with an ERA of 3.31. His 3.12 ERA after July 1 was among the lowest in MLB.

Key stats: Opponents batted .241 off Billingsley.

What needs to improve: Billingsley gave up 64 walks in 147 innings pitched.