Ten to watch in the American League

Continuing the countdown to Opening Day (OK, I know technically the Mariners and A’s have kicked off the season already, but for those teams not travelling to the other end of the world, the season is still a week or so away), I thought I would take a look at some key figures in both leagues that will be worth keeping an eye on as the season progresses, kicking off with the American League.

Daniel Bard (Boston Red Sox) – Bard is making the move to the starting rotation following a terrific three seasons in the bullpen, as opposed to having been considered as an option for the closer’s role after the departure of Papelbon to the Phillies. He’s made 192 appearances in the big leagues, with a career 2.88 ERA, and is yet to start a game so there is certainly an element of risk in this move that could cost the Red Sox dearly. His Spring Training outings haven’t exactly been pleasing on the eye, either. At the time of writing he holds a 7.23 ERA in 18.2 innings.

Yoenis Cespedes (Oakland Athletics) – The 26 year old rookie was signed to a mammoth four year contract worth $36 million following his defection from Cuba. He went 1-for-3 with a double in his MLB debut on Tuesday in Japan and has been described by many as the greatest Cuban talent for many a year. He is considered a genuine five tool player, but arrived to Spring Training late and has only appeared in eight games, so is a little rusty. It will certainly be intriguing to see how he develops in the Majors, and should his performances live up to the hype, he will be one heck of a player.

Shin-Soo Choo (Cleveland Indians) – The 29 year old South Korean lefty had been a consistently impressive performer since he joined the Indians midway through the 2006 season, and was coming off back-to-back seasons where he hit .300 and 20 homers. Yet, at the beginning of May 2011, Choo was arrested and charged with drunk driving. His off the field problems appeared to find their way on to the diamond, where he had by far his worst full season in the big leagues hitting just .259 and eight homers. If the Indians are to take a step forward after an impressive 2011 season, Choo will have to return to the form we all came to expect.

Carl Crawford (Boston Red Sox) – The pressure of Beantown has effected many a player throughout the decades, but not many people had Carl Crawford as one player to suffer the nerves of a big time market. If he repeats his debut numbers, however, then he may fall in to that category. The outfielder signed his seven year, $142 million contract on the back of two consecutive All-Star appearances and having topped the .300 mark in five of the previous six seasons, along with recording 400 stolen bases in eight seasons. Yet it just didn’t happen last year, notching career lows in most offensive categories. He better hope he returns to his Tampa Bay form pretty soon, or he’ll be hearing it from Red Sox Nation.

Yu Darvish (Texas Rangers) – The last big name Japanese pitcher to arrive in America was Daisuke Matsuzaka in 2007, and it would be fair to say that the 2008 season apart, Dice-K has largely flattered to deceive. If anything, Darvish arrives with even more fanfare. It appears, though, that he is the real deal. The 25 year old has a career 1.99 ERA in Japan, along with a World Baseball Classic gold medal. While a 3.00 ERA in just three Spring Training games is hardly enough of a sample size to judge, all reports have been positive. But there’s still a chance he could be the next Hideki Irabu. Either way, he will be a must watch.

Joe Mauer (Minnesota Twins) – You would have gotten long odds on Joe Mauer, the local boy done good, becoming public enemy no.1 in Minnesota, yet last season that was most definitely the case. In the first year of his mega contract, Mauer struggled for health and there were whispers of animosity towards the franchise player within the clubhouse. He hit just three homers and appeared in 82 games, missing time with a series of ailments including, somewhat laughably, a sore neck after looking up to catch a pop up. All signs are positive during the off-season (he’s batting .406 in his last 10 games) and both he and the coaching staff appear to be more comfortable with the idea of extended periods at DH or first base. If the Twins are to improve on a ghastly 2011 display both Mauer and Morneau will need to rediscover their All-Star form.

Jesus Montero (Seattle Mariners) – In a very un-Yankee like move, they parted with a prized Minor League asset this off-season, shipping Montero to Seattle in return for the electrifying, if still raw, Michael Pineda. In truth, both pieces of that trade could have made this list, but Montero is the most intriguing in my eyes. The Mariners have an anaemic offense, so there is masses of pressure heaped on his young shoulders right from the off. The 22 year old hit .328 with four homers in limited action last year, but will be the everyday catcher (and occasional DH) for the first time in his career. He is a star in the making.

Justin Morneau (Minnesota Twins) – This is a massive year in the career of Justin Morneau. To suggest his career may be on the line isn’t an overstatement, as he looks to recover from a concussion that has robbed him of much of the last 20 months. He hit just .227 with four homers last term, playing just 69 games, having been on pace to smack 36 the previous season prior to the hit to the head that has proved so costly. Health wise, everything seems to be fine during Spring Training, but head injuries have a nasty habit of never fully going away so his form, and health, will be watched like a hawk by many a baseball fan. He was hitting .091 in Spring Training, but in his last four games he’s notched three homers, nine RBIs and is batting .412. Is he back to his glorious best?

Joe Nathan (Texas Rangers) – Another with Minnesota connections, Nathan left the Twins after eight seasons to join the Rangers. It was a bold move that had a knock on effect for another Rangers pitcher. With Nathan taking the closer’s role, Neftali Feliz moves into the rotation, despite recording 74 saves in his first two years in the big leagues. Add to that the fact that Nathan is two years removed from Tommy John surgery, which is considered to be the length of time in which it takes a player to fully regain his strength in the pitching arm, it will be key that Nathan can be the Nathan of 2006-2009 for the move to pay off. An 0-3 record with a 12.00 ERA in Spring doesn’t breed confidence.

Mariano Rivera (New York Yankees) – Nearly everyone on this list is an exciting rookie, or an All-Star calibre player coming off a sub-par or injury ravaged season. Rivera is none of those. Rivera is the greatest closer of all-time entering, presumably, the final year of his incredible career and that is the sole reason he is a must watch this year. He wont be around much longer, so make the most of it while you still can.