Looking Forward A-to-Z

Three writers at MiLB.com have put together A-to-Z lists for what they are looking forward to in baseball for 2008.

Any Midwest League mentions in their alphabets?

Kevin T. Czerwinski:

A -- Seeing Nick Adenhart pitch in Salt Lake. This kid has been among the best pitchers in the Minor Leagues the last few seasons and I'm curious to see how he handles the Pacific Coast League.

G -- Gorkys Hernandez. Just because I like saying Gorkys.

Q -- Going to Quad Cities. Because Jonathan said so.

Jonathon Mayo:

C -- Cameron Maybin in a Marlins uniform. Sure, he wasn't quite ready last year in Detroit. But the Fish will give him every opportunity to be the everyday center fielder, so you better jump on the bandwagon now.

D -- Dayton's Fifth Third Field, if I can get a ticket. Ever since the Dragons began play in 2000, the Reds' Midwest League affiliate has sold out every ... single ... game. That's seven consecutive years of sellouts. Look for 2008 to be the eighth in a row.

F -- Holding the Fort -- Wayne and Myers, that is. They have nothing in common, but I'd look forward to the first all-Fort Classic, should an exhibition between the Midwest and Florida State League clubs ever take place.

K -- Kershaw and Ks (strikeouts). The Dodgers phenom Clayton, the top-rated pitcher on the Top 50 Prospects list at No. 4 overall, finished second in the Minors with just over 12 Ks per nine innings in his first full season. I saw him early in the 2007 season; I hope to do so again in '08, wherever he's on the mound.

Lisa Winston:

A -- Following Alan Mills' first season as pitching coach for the West Michigan Whitecaps. You don't have to look past our front page to see why. He's a remarkable guy who already has gained the admiration and respect of several young pitchers in the Tigers system. If their newest phenom, Rick Porcello, makes his pro debut with the Whitecaps, he couldn't have a better first coach.

Four ex-Midwest Leaguers, a coach, and three teams. Should I promise an A-to-Z for the 2008 Midwest League season? Would that be a straight ripoff, a tribute, or an omage? I doubt if I could come up with something imaginative for the letter 'X', but it might be worth a shot.