Wednesday, September 03, 2003
If you were to say to me, Here's 50 bucks to bet right now on the 2007 AL MVP, I'd chime back, Put 25 on two names: Vernon Wells and Nick Johnson.
Wells was often referred to as Devon White's glove with Joe Carter's bat after his rookie year, but at 24 he's already passed Carter at the plate (batting .314/.356/.552 this year, he's got a higher OBP and SLG than Carter ever had). He's currently pulled even with Garrett Anderson, and threatens to reach Shawn Green (at least Shawn Green pre-2003) and beyond. J.P. has himself the deal of the decade.
Nick Johnson is also something really special. Also just 24, this kid's got the whole OBP thing figured out (his OBP is over 120 points higher than his BA in his young MLB career), and he's tearing the cover off the ball when he gets his pitch (.305/.447/.519). Nagging wrist injuries have kept him from getting the exposure the way Wells and Tampa Bay's Aubrey Huff (.313/.367/.547) have this year, but Nick's looking like he's got a higher ceiling. His minor league numbers are better than Wells' and Huff's, enjoying success at all levels, and he's only just starting to put it all together in the Show. If I'm the Yankees, I'd move Nick up to the #2 spot, and watch him lead the league in Runs Scored next year.
