Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/8037
INTO THE SWING numbers and less on the traditional methods of assessment: how he looks on the mound, how he handles pressure situations, how he works with his teammates. In this way he's in unfamiliar territory. More importantly, those in the mainstream sports media need to be cautious in how they hype a young man who has yet to throw a pitch in the majors. Talent Turnover When Evan Longoria entered the league three years ago, people touted his potential as a third baseman and rising MLB superstar. He had the glove, the arm and the bat for the job, and after a year in the Bigs there were only two third basemen with better numbers than Longoria: Alex Rodriguez and David Wright. Longoria now is entering his third full season and making good on his potential. Defensively, he outperforms both A Rod and Wright, and his 2009 offensive numbers were a hair behind Rodriguez's and well ahead of Wright's. So, maybe he's now the second best 3B in baseball, maybe the best if you disqualify A Rod for steroid use. Undoubtedly, he's lost the "rising" prefix in front of his superstar label, and his situation begs a question: When do baseball's rising stars become, simply, stars? Let's look at a few young players who are on the cusp of entering the league's coterie of young stars and see how they're also casting off the "rising" prefix. > Felix Hernandez: Pitcher, Seattle Mariners. They call him King Felix in Seattle and his 98 MPH fastball underlines that title. In 2009 King Felix had the most wins in the AL and finished second in the CY Young voting. He's a legitimate number ace a pitching staff that also has Cliff Lee in the rotation. He's become a star by limiting his walks, commanding three devastating pitches, and pitching at his best with runners on base. > Justin Upton: Outfielder, Arizona Diamondbacks. Justin, the younger brother of B.J. of the Tampa Bay Rays, is entering his third full season with the D'backs and coming off a year where, after a rocky start, he absolutely crushed the ball. Upton has a short stroke that goes for both power and average, and he's fast. He's a star to watch because he's limited his strikeouts, hits well with runners in scoring position and has the speed to steal thirty bases. > Troy Tulowitzki: Shortstop, Colorado Rockies. After a rough patch, Tulo finished 2009, his third full season, with a bang. He ended with 32 homers, 20 stolen bases and a .300 average. Not only that, his defense was fundamentally perfect. Tulo's sophomore year was absolutely horrendous, but he showed real toughness bouncing back in 09. What makes Tulo a star is his toughness as well as his leadership. He's solid in the clutch, thrives under pressure, and gets on base when it's absolutely necessary. LIVEMAGS.NET MARCH>>10 27 "THERE IS NO ONE BETTER THAN MIKE SCIOSCIA AT WINNING CLOSE GAMES."