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2010 Fan Projections: As we fight our way through February and March towards the start of a new baseball season, we'll be looking at each player on the Red Sox roster and predicting how they will perform in 2010. But we want you guys to get in on the action too! Use the form at the bottom of each post to submit your projections for each player. After the 2010 season, we'll announce who did the best and award some prizes to the winners!
Click a name to make other 2010 projections:
Jonathan Papelbon
Daniel Bard
Tim Wakefield
Clay Buchholz
Mike Cameron, CF
When we signed Mike Cameron and moved to Jacoby to left, I wasn't too excited. Personally, I think another year in center would have enabled Ellsbury to fine tune his routes and range. But the other option was to overpay for Jason Bay or Matt Holliday, so I understand why Theo did what he did.
But now we have an aging center fielder, with little to no experience in Fenway Park, who will hit .260 at best this year.
Predicting Cameron's 2010 season will be tricky. At 36, he's no spring chicken, but he did tally 544 at-bats with the Brewers last year. With Jeremy Hermida on the bench the Sox will likely load the lineup with lefties on occasion and give Cameron a rest, so I'm not sure he'll reach the 500 AB mark this season.
Where he hits in the lineup will also effect his overall production.Some think he best suited in the 9-hole, but others think having Scutaro in 9th and Cameron 8th would work better as the lineup turns over. But with 20+ HR potential, Cameron might actually do well higher in the order like he did last season with Milwaukee. Adrian Beltre is the other candidate for the 6th spot, and Tito could rotate the two righties all season, depending on which guy has the hotter bat at the time.
If Cameron spends enough time in the 6th spot, he should be able to drive in 70 runs with our best hitter ahead of him. But if he finds himself at the bottom of the order, his RBI totals will be dependent on how well J.D. Drew, Beltre and possibly Scutaro hit in front of him. That said, pitchers might be more aggressive against Cameron if they know Ellsbury and the top of the order are to follow... and that could play into Cameron's strengths as a good fastball hitter.
Cameron will strikeout 150 times this season, but he has managed to keep his OPS numbers near .800 thanks to a decent walk rate (11.9 BB% in 2009). For comparison, the more patient Johnny Damon walked 11.3% of the time last season and posted a .854 OPS. It's a little late to teach an old dog new tricks, but Cameron could learn a few things about working the count from guys like Youk, Pedroia and Drew, and that would make him a more productive player.
So what can we expect from Cam' this season? Bill James expects him to log 561 at-bats, but hit a Tek-like .237... I think he'll play less, but hit a little better.
Bottom Line Projection: 490 AB, 23 HR, 31 2B, 65 R, 70 RBI, .252 BA, .780 OPS, Special Category: 162 SO
Make your predictions using the form below. Just plug in your email address and the stats you expect to see from Cameron this season and hit the SUBMIT button. We'll give away some prizes during the offseason for those who come closest...
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