Michael Bourn

Michael Bourn, Houston Astros (CF): Bourn had a breakout year in 2009 as he hit leadoff for the Astros while also playing stellar defense in centerfield as he won his first Gold Glove. The keys (and the strengths) for Bourn have always been speed and defense. In his first year with the Astros in 2008 after being traded from the Philadelphia Phillies, Bourn hit just .229 in 138 games, though he did steal 41 bases. The knock on Bourn has been the strikeouts (111 in 2008) and the inability to consistently get on base (.288 on-base percentage). You cannot steal first base.

However 2009 was the type of season the Astros envisioned when trading for him. He hit .285 in 157 games with 27 doubles and 12 triples and a National League-leading 61 stolen bases. Unfortunately he struck out 140 times, though he increased his on-base percentage to .354. In his Gold Glove year of 2009, Bourn had 11 outfield assists with just three errors in 150 starts.

The Astros are getting older with mainstays Lance Berkman and Roy Oswalt struggling to stay healthy and motivated. For the Astros to compete, they will need another solid season from Bourn. The 27 year old will need to get on base and wreak havoc on the bases. The pressure is on both him and fellow outfielder Hunter Pence to put up All-Star numbers. Bourn needs to prove that 2009 was not a fluke year and that he can improve on his performance. So far in spring training, Bourn has played in three games, going 1-for-9 with a run scored and an RBI.

Jeff Clement

Jeff Clement, Pittsburgh Pirates (1B): Clement was one of the game’s top catching prospects when he was selected in the first round of the 2005 draft by the Seattle Mariners out of USC. However multiple knee surgeries have limited Clement and a trade to Pittsburgh has now made him a first baseman.

Clement has always been considered a liability behind the plate, but he has also struggled offensively (which was his strongest tool). While with Seattle in 2008, he hit just .227 with five homeruns and 23 RBIs in 2003 at-bats. In 2009 with two Triple-A teams, he combined to hit .274 with 21 homeruns and 90 RBIs.

Despite his desire to return to catching, Clement has the chance to seize the vacancy at first base. Garrett Jones, who is coming off a breakout rookie season, will start in either right field or at first base. That allows manager John Russell to mix-and-match his lineup. “Honestly, it’s a heck of a lot easier than catching is,” Clement remarked when talking about moving to first base.

If Clement is to take advantage of the opportunity the Pirates are giving him, he needs to show the power and offensive potential that made him a first round draft choice. He needs to stay healthy, and at just 26 years old, could turn his career around in Pittsburgh. So far in spring training, he has played in just 3 games, going 1-for-7 with a run scored and an RBI.