The Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays have dubious franchise histories at best, but they may finally be starting to turn things around.
The Brewers are much farther along on their rebuilding plan than the D-Rays. While their 81-81 record last season is nothing to brag about, it marked the first time they had finished at least .500 since 1992, back when they were still in the American League. And with a mix of young potential, solid veterans and a stacked pitching lineup, the Brewers may realistically be competing for a playoff berth this season.
Promising young players such as second baseman Richie Weeks, first baseman Prince Fielder and shortstop J.J. Hardy may be the future cornerstones of the lineup. The 23-year-old Weeks hit 13 home runs in just 360 major league at-bats last season and posted a .712 OPS.
Fielder has the potential to blast 50 home runs down the line and could even reach 40 in his rookie season. Fielder is the son of ex-slugger Cecil "Big Daddy" Fielder, so he has big-league talent in his blood. His career with the Class A Beloit Snappers predicts stardom as well; with 91 homers in just over 1600 minor league at-bats, Fielder is poised to break out big in the majors.
At 23, Hardy doesn't look like a future star, but he's solid defensively and has the potential to post a consistent .800 OPS in the future; a fantastic clip for a shortstop.
Milwaukee also has a few solid veterans to compliment the talented youngsters. First baseman Carlos Lee had a great 2005 season and the usually solid Corey Koskie was brought in to man third base.
Milwaukee's pitching is what distinguishes it from a team like Tampa Bay. Ace Ben Sheets is among the best pitchers in the game, and he hasn't yet reached his full potential. Doug Davis is one of the most underrated pitchers in baseball; pitching in Milwaukee's tiny stadium the past two seasons, Davis has managed ERAs of 3.39 and 3.84. Closer Derrick Turnbow emerged from anonymity last year to contribute 39 saves and a 1.74 ERA.
Tampa Bay can match Milwaukee's positional talent, but the Rays' lack of quality pitching will prevent them from seriously contending for the playoffs in '06. The Rays' outfield has tremendous speed in left fielder Carl Crawford, centerfielder Rocco Baldelli, who is returning from knee and elbow injuries, and Joey Gathright, who can't hit a lick but might be the fastest player in baseball. It will only get better when Delmon Young, the No. 1 pick in the 2003 draft, arrives from the minors. He could be summoned to Tropicana Field in mid-July.
Shortstop prospect B.J. Upton has struggled defensively in the minors, but he has a great bat and he's still only 21 years old. At 24, Jorge Cantu is another youngster who had a breakout season in 2005, hitting 28 home runs.
In the pitching category, young lefty Scott Kazmir had a solid 2005 season, posting a 3.77 ERA. Kazmir should only get better, but having to call him the "ace" of the staff does not put the Devil Rays in a great situation. Lefty Casey Fossum might be the No. 2 pitcher on the staff, having thrown a career-best 4.92 ERA in 2005, but a No. 2 starter with an ERA approaching five does not bode well for the Rays in 2006.
Though both of these teams still have holes, they are finally heading in the right direction. Milwaukee should be legitimate playoff contenders, and Tampa Bay may finally have a chance to shrug off the AL East cellar-dweller title.
