Ten Players to Watch in the AL in 2008

1) Howie Kendrick 2B L.A. Angels

In 88 games, the 5′10″ 200 pound righthander hit .322 with 24 doubles and slugged .450. Kendrick is featured in this week’s Sports Illustrated (although I found him first). Kendrick is the classic small, speedy middle infielder. Expect the 24-year-old to get a lot of hits and steal plenty of bases this season.

Key stat: Kendrick had 109 hits in 88 games.

What needs to improve: Kendrick hit five home runs last season. Even in the lead off or second spot, he’ll be expected to hit 15-20 a season. Kendrick also needs to improve in the field, where he committed nine errors last year.

2)Joakim Soria RP Kansas City Royals

Last season the 23-year-old Soria made 62 appearances and racked up 69 innings. Soria made 17 saves in 21 opportunities with an ERA of 2.48. Soria also had a run of 20 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings. The 6′3″ 185 pound Soria will be the Royals closer this season.

Key stat: Opponents batted .187 against Soria, getting only 46 hits in 69 innings.

What needs to improve: Statistically, Soria has no major weaknesses. However, now that he is no longer a surprise and opponents will be prepared for him, he’ll have to work even harder to match last year’s success.

3) Nick Markakis Rf Baltimore Orioles

Last season Markakis improved in every major statistical category, hitting an even .300 with 23 home runs and 112 RBIs. Markakis also had 43 doubles and 18 steals, showing a combination of power and speed. This season the 24-year-old should be among the leaders in the Triple Crown categories.

Key stat: Markakis hit .325 with 14 home runs after the All-Star break.

What needs to improve: Markakis struck out 112 times last season.

4) Fausto Carmona SP Cleveland Indians

In 2006 Carmona went 1-10. In 2007 Carmona went 19-8 with an ERA of 3.06, placing him among the AL leaders in wins and ERA. Carmona paired with C.C. Sabathia to lead the Indians into the postseason for the first time since 2001 and their victory over the Yankees in the Division Series was their first series win since 1998. The 6′5″ 220 pound Carmona will be expected to help lead the Indians even farther this season.

Key stat: Carmona pitched 215 innings in 32 starts last season, for an average of 6.2 innings per start.

What needs to improve: Carmona’s K/BB ratio was an average 2.25.

5) B.J. Upton CF Tampa Bay Rays

In his first full season in the majors, Upton displayed a rare combination of power and speed. In 129 games, Upton hit .300 with 24 home runs and 82 RBI while also stealing 22 bases. The 6′3″ 185 pound Upton is leading a rebirth in the Rays organization that could put the team in contention this season.

Key stat: Upton slugged .508 in 2007.

What needs to improve: Upton struck out a staggering 154 times in only 129 games.

6) Brian Bannister SP Kansas City Royals

In 2007, his first full season in the majors, the 27-year-old Bannister went 12-9 with a 3.87 ERA in 27 starts. The 6′2″ 210 pound Bannister will be expected to anchor the Royals’ rotation in 2008.

Key stat: Bannister averaged 6.1 innings per start.

What needs to improve: Bannister struck out 77 and walked 44 for a pedestrian K/BB ratio.

7) Casey Kotchman 1B L.A. Angels

The son of minor league manager and Angels scout Tom Kotchman, the 25-year-old Casey finally became a full-time starter with the Angels after appearing in a total of 114 games the previous three seasons. Kotchman hit .296 with 11 home runs and 68 RBI in 137 games.

Key stat: Kotchman struck out only 43 times and walked 53 times in 2007. He also committed three errors.

What needs to improve: The first base position has historically been a power hitting position and the Angels overall could use more pop. Kotchman will need to produce more home runs and RBIs in 2008.

James Shields SP Tampa Bay Rays

Making a career high 31 starts last season, Shields posted his first winning record at 12-8 with an ERA of 3.85. The 6′4″ 215 pound Shields pitched 215 innings and will be a key piece of the Rays’s rotation in 2008.

Key stat: Shields struck out 184 and walked only 36.

What needs to improve: Shields had an ERA of almost 12 with runners in scoring position. He’ll have to pitch better with runners on base.

9) Dustin Pedroia 2B Boston Red Sox

In 2007, his first full season in the majors, the 5′9″ 180 pound Pedroia hit .317 with 39 doubles. Pedroia scored 85 runs for the world champion Red Sox and will start the season in one or two spot in the lineup.

Key stat: Pedroia walked 47 times and struck out 42.

What needs to improve: Pedroia hit .263 with runners in scoring position. Obviously Pedroia is not going to be a power hitter with 100 RBI, nor do the Red Sox want him to be. But he needs to take better advantage of his opportunities.

10) Felix Hernandez SP Seattle Mariners

In spite of playing in Seattle, the 22-year-old Hernandez is beginning to make a name for himself. The 6′3″ 230 pound righthander went 14-7 with an ERA of 3.92 in 2007. These numbers were significant improvements over Hernandez’s 2006 record of 12-14 with a 4.52 ERA. Hernandez should only get better and could be a Cy Young candidate in 2008.

Key stat: Hernandez struck out 165 batters in 190.1 innings in 2007.

What needs to improve: Hernandez allowed 20 home runs in 30 starts last season.