Gordon Beckham

Gordon Beckham, Chicago White Sox (2B): When Beckham was drafted out of the University of Georgia in 2008, White Sox fans were anxious for him to make his Major League debut. Those anxious fans got louder throughout spring training as Beckham made it hard for the White Sox to send him back to the minors. Despite being sent to the minors, he quickly made his Major League debut on June 4 as a third baseman, a very new position for him. He started out his career going 0-for-13 and then he went 2-for-28. However as time progressed and he became more comfortable, his average rose towards .300. When asked about his upcoming sophomore year in the big leagues, Beckham said that nothing could be worse than how his rookie year began and that helped him prepare for the future (it was really the only time he struggled). Beckham went on to hit .270 with 28 doubles, 14 homeruns, and 63 RBIs in 103 games. He also took in the Rookie of the Year award that was voted on by the players.

Now Beckham will be the White Sox second baseman and fans expect bigger and better things from him. Everything he does makes news in Chicago. “From the beginning, I wanted to be a good player on the field and be the guy that people love to watch playing,” Beckham said. White Sox fans love Beckham and want him to bring a World Series trophy back to the South Side.

Matt LaPorta, Cleveland Indians (OF/1B): People have been doubting LaPorta since he was in school when a counselor told him playing professional baseball was not a realistic option for the future. Now with the Indians’ signing of first baseman Russell Branyan, the doubters are back, saying that LaPorta will not make the 2010 club. Before the signing, LaPorta was expected to be new manager Manny Acta’s starting first baseman. Now he may be competing for the left fielder’s job with Michael Brantley, Trevor Crowe, Jordan Brown, Shelley Duncan, and Austin Kearns. LaPorta had hip and toe surgery this offseason but has been cleared for full workouts. “I don’t think I’m going to be limited to what position I can play,” LaPorta said. “I think I’ll be stronger than I have been in the past just because of the rehab I’ve been through.” The signing will probably provide more motivation for LaPorta to shine during the spring in Goodyear, Arizona.

The Indians have mentioned platooning Branyan and LaPorta at first base with LaPorta facing lefties (though he only hit .211 against them in 2009). In Triple-A Columbus, he hit .299 with 23 doubles, 17 homeruns, and 60 RBIs. With Cleveland in 52 games, he hit .254 with 13 doubles, 7 homeruns, and 21 RBIs. However he hit .273 after the All-Star break and .372 in August before the injuries. LaPorta has a good eye at the plate as his 42BB/56K in Columbus attests. For a power hitter, patience is an added bonus. If LaPorta makes the Indians, he will be an impact player in the middle of the order.