Posted on Sun, Mar. 30, 2008

BASEBALL 2008

Rookies to Watch

Troy Tulowitzki was at the center of Colorado's run to the NL pennant last season. Here are 10 rookies hoping to have a similar impact in 2008: -- Associated Press

CF Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston

All Ellsbury, 24, did last year was hit .353 in 33 games in the regular season and .438 in the World Series. The speedster will be counted on this season.

RHP Joba Chamberlain, N.y. Yankees

The starter-turned-reliever solidified the Yankees' bullpen late last season. Chamberlain is headed for the rotation at some point, but he'll start in the bullpen.

2B Jayson Nix, Colorado

Batted .292 with 11 home runs and 24 stolen bases at Class AAA Colorado Springs last year, and won the second-base job during a spring competition.

1B Daric Barton, Oakland

The Athletics are rebuilding and they might have something special with Barton, who hit a surprising .347 in 18 games with the big club last year.

RHP Johnny Cueto, Cincinnati

The Reds' minor league pitcher of the year the past two seasons, Cueto lit up radar guns all over Florida during spring training.

C Geovany Soto, Chicago Cubs

Had a huge year at Class AAA Iowa last season and looked good in a short stint with Chicago (.389 with three home runs in just 18 games).

INF Alexei Ramirez, Chicago White Sox

It's unclear exactly where he's going to play, but the talented Cuban slugger might have been one of the biggest free-agent bargains of the offseason.

RHP Hiroki Kuroda, L.A. Dodgers

The Japanese starter got a $35.2 million, three-year deal in December and should provide some depth in new manager Joe Torre's rotation.

LHP Manny Parra, Milwaukee

With Chris Capuano out and Yovani Gallardo hurting, the Brewers are going to take a good long look at the talented lefty in the early going.

3B Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay

The sweet-swinging slugger will start the season in the minors, but is unlikely to be there very long. Among the Grapefruit League leaders in RBIs.