AL Rookie Review by- Matthew Pouliot http://0rz.tw/bf4WR This week's column is the first of two looking at the rookie class of 2008. 26 of the AL's top first-year players are featured below. American League Rookies (Ages as of Opening Day 2008) Joba Chamberlain - RHP Yankees - Age 23 Projection: 10-6, 2 Sv, 3.53 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 156 Ks in 135 IP 2008stats: 4-3, 0 Sv, 2.60 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 118 Ks in 100 1/3 IP Fortunately, he's more in control on the mound than he is after he's had a few beers. Before the Yankees followed through with their plans to move him to the rotation, Chamberlain had a 2.28 ERA in 23 2/3 innings as the setup man for Mariano Rivera. He was just as good in his 12 starts, going 3-1 with a 2.76 ERA and a 74/25 K/BB ratio in 65 1/3 innings until he went down with a sore shoulder. He moved back to the pen after returning and had a 2.38 ERA in 11 1/3 innings during September. While it still appears as though not everyone in the organization is on the same page, the Yankees plan to have Chamberlain spend all of 2009 in the rotation. His innings will be managed closely, but if he stays healthy, he could be about as effective as any AL pitcher. Chamberlain didn't throw quite as hard as a starter that he did in the pen, but he showed that his curveball was a legitimate third pitch and his strikeout rate remained very strong. His changeup lacks polish, giving him something to work on going forward. It's not a flaw that would prevent him from posting an ERA in the low-3.00s over 180-190 innings if his shoulder holds up. --

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