The National League West had been thought of as the weakest division in the game. However in 2009, the West garnered the division champion (LA Dodgers) and the wild card winner (Colorado Rockies). All of the teams in the division rely on young talent to win. The Dodgers have a young core of outfielders Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, catcher Russell Martin, and first baseman James Loney. They also rely on hurlers Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley and closer Jonathon Broxton. The SF Giants have two-time CY Young award winner Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Jonathon Sanchez in the rotation and MVP-candidate Pablo Sandoval in the middle of the lineup. The Rockies core is all young with shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, catcher Chris Iannetta, outfielders Carlos Gonzalez, Dexter Fowler, and Brad Hawpe, and pitchers Jeff Francis, Ubaldo Jimenez, and Franklin Morales. The Arizona Diamondbacks have a young lineup with Stephen Drew, Conor Jackson, Mark Reynolds, Justin Upton, Miguel Montero, and Chris Young. The San Diego Padres, who are rebuilding, have young pitching with guys like Mat Latos, Chris Young, and Chris Richard. What young star will breakout in 2010 and help his team win? Here’s a few:

Blake DeWitt

Blake DeWitt, LA Dodgers (2B): For the second straight year, the Dodgers signed a veteran second baseman. Last year it was Orlando Hudson and this year is Jamey Carroll (though he is more of a utility man). So the 24 year old DeWitt has not earned a spot on the team, even though it looked like he inherited a starting job.

“I’m going to work hard, improve as much as possible and get to Spring Training ready to win a job and help this team win…I realize some things you can control and some things you can’t,” DeWitt said. He continued on to say, “There’s always somebody ready to fight for a job. He’s [Carroll] a good player and I look forward to playing with him and learning a lot from him…Nothing is given to you in this game. You’ve got to go out and earn it.” That is a good attitude to have as a young player.

Last year DeWitt was shuttled back and forth between Triple-A Albuquerque and LA after hitting .264 in his rookie year. GM Ned Colletti believes DeWitt needs to play everyday which is one of the reasons why DeWitt has become a utility player (he can play third, second, and shortstop).

2010 is a big year for DeWitt to see if he can win the second base job. If he can, he could provide another impact bat in the young Dodgers’ order.

Ian Stewart

Ian Stewart, Colorado Rockies (3B): Stewart hit 25 homeruns and drove in 70 in 2009. However in 147 games, he hit just .228. With the Rockies not re-signing Garrett Atkins, the soon-to-be 25 year old will need to make improvements offensively for the Rockies to be successful.

When the Rockies selected Stewart in the first round of the 2003 draft out of high school in California, they envisioned the power that Stewart has showed. However his career Major League average is just .238. The glaring issue for him is the strikeouts, as he struck out 138 times in 2009. He also must regain his stroke against left-handed pitching. In 2008 he hit .370 in 54 at-bats against lefties but it dropped to .178 in 101 at-bats in 2009.

No one talked about Stewart’s defense coming up through the minors, but he has been steady at third base. His .969 fielding percentage (seven errors) in 2009 was the third highest in Rockies history. His defense has become a source of pride for him.

If Stewart hits for a higher average, he will be a complete player. He is an important cog in the Rockies lineup and they need a breakout year from him.