Here’s a look at five up and coming major leaguers who are off to hot starts in 2001 and have the makings to become future big league stars.
Doug Mientkiewicz, Minnesota Twins, 1B: Up until this year, Mientkiewicz was known more for his last name than his play, but he has been the offensive spark in the surprising start from the Twins. Mientkiewicz actually played with the Twins in the 1999 season, but he landed in manager Tom Kelly’s doghouse and played 2000 for Triple A Salt Lake. However, Mientkiewicz was the offensive hero for the 2000 Olympic Team, as he hit a key home run against Cuba, which led to the gold medal. In the offseason, Mientkiewicz was given the first base job for 2001, and he has yet to disappoint Twins fans. He currently leads the team in batting average, is second in home runs and RBI’s, and he has come up with many clutch hits in the ten come-from-behind victories that the Twins already have. His .362 batting average is currently tied for 7th in the American League.
Josh Paul, Chicago White Sox, C: From Buffalo Grove, Illinois, Paul first made an impact in September last season during the White Sox’ improbable run to the Central Division title. Paul was a September call-up, and the White Sox soon found out that Paul has amazing speed for a catcher. Thus, he pinch-ran for Charles Johnson during late innings whenever the Sox needed to push one more run across the plate. Paul even beat out Mark Johnson, the White Sox backup catcher throughout the season, for a spot on the White Sox postseason roster. He beat out Johnson again this spring to be Sandy Alomar Jr.’s backup catcher. Paul has only started four games so far and has appeared in three more as a late-inning replacement. He is currently hitting .313 and is one of the most valuable assets on the White Sox bench.
Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals, 1B/3B/OF: Pujols is only 21 years of age, and wasn’t even supposed to make the Cardinals roster out of Spring Training; instead, he was supposed to go to Triple A. However, Pujols played so well that manager Tony LaRussa had no choice but to keep him on the roster. So far, Pujols has made LaRussa look like a genius and has given Cardinal fans something to think about besides the injury to Mark McGwire. As the Opening Day leftfielder, Pujols collected his first major league hit. His first major league home run came just three games later. Pujols recently put together a 13-game hitting streak and currently leads the Cardinals team with seven home runs, 22 RBI’s and 16 runs. Last Sunday against the Astros, Pujols was the team’s sole source of offense, accounting for all three Cardinals runs with a solo homer and also a two run shot. Pujols’ .375 average is currently third in the National League.
Alfonso Soriano, New York Yankees, 2B: Before the season started, Soriano was better known as Chuck Knoblauch’s replacement at second base; however, his play thus far has allowed him to make a name for himself. Soriano has been thought of as the Yankees’ top prospect for a few years, and he is showing why with his stellar play as a 22-year-old rookie. Soriano can fly on the bases-already stealing four bases this season-and he is an outstanding defensive second baseman. Soriano’s best game this season came against the Kansas City Royals, as he went 4-for-4 with 3 RBI’s. Soriano also hit his first career home run, which turned out to score the game-winning run. As a rookie, Soriano’s patience at the plate will be one of the keys to the Yankees’ success this season. So far, Soriano has 90 at-bats and has yet to receive a walk.
Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners, OF: Ichiro, as he is better known, came to the Mariners last offseason after sparking a bidding war between many major league ballclubs. So far, he has gotten the Mariners off to an amazing start, and has given fans a reason to forget about A-Rod’s quarter-of-a-billion-dollars departure. He is a fan favorite in Seattle, as the fans at Safeco Field wave Japanese flags in honor of him every time he steps up to the plate. On Opening Day, Ichiro became the first Japanese position player ever to play in the major leagues, when he hit leadoff for the M’s. Currently, Ichiro is the leading candidate for AL Rookie of the Year, and he’s already set a Mariners rookie record by hitting in 15 consecutive games. Another asset to Ichiro’s game is his defense, as he has already thrown out two runners at the plate trying to score on sacrifice flies. Ichiro is hitting .355 and bringing new excitement to baseball in the Pacific Northwest as the Mariners currently have the best record in the major leagues.