Out of Leftfield

We’re about a week away from Opening Day 2010, as the long winter will finally give way to the Boys of Summer.

This season looks to be a good one, so here are the things you should be watching for…

Jason Heyward - There hasn’t been hype like the hype for this kid in a long time. The Braves new right fielder has generated some great expectations, and it will be interesting to see how he responds.

Whatever happens this year, however, it’s pretty clear that Heyward will soon be the face of the Braves franchise.

Dodgers rotation - This could be on of the most intriguing things of 2010. The Dodgers rotation to this point consists of Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Hiroki Kuroda, Vincente Padilla, and an unnamed fifth man.

The first point of intrigue will be who the fifth starter is. It seems to come down to Ramon Ortiz, Russ Ortiz or Charlie Haeger, who have all shined in their Spring Training appearances.

The rest of the season will be just as interesting, as Kershaw and Billingsley will attempt to become the aces that so many hope they can be, Kuroda will look for another solid season, and Vicente Padilla will try to show that he’s still got something left.

And speaking of the Dodgers…

Matt Kemp - Kemp is on his way to becoming the Dodgers next big superstar. The definition of a five-tool player, he is looking for his big breakout season.

With his ever improving power and speed, look for him to go 30/30 this year.

Joe Mauer - After signing for what is now the largest contract in Twins history, Joe Mauer has become the franchise player the people of Minnesota always hoped he would be. The question now is how will he respond?

Now that he doesn’t have to showcase in hopes of the great big giant contract he already has, will his numbers fall off at all? Or will he be the same old Mauer, tearing it up and garnering MVP votes like a madman?

San Francisco Giants - While they still don’t have a big impact bat in the middle of their lineup, the Giants made quite a few moves this offseason to improve their mediocre offense.

They locked up Freddy Sanchez, and added Mark DeRosa and Aubrey Huff to try to help out Pablo Sandoval and Benjie Molina in scoring some runs to back up their stellar pitching staff.

Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Barry Zito (who is still showing signs of improvement) will lead one of the best rotations in baseball as the Giants look to compete with the rival Dodgers for the top spot in the NL West.

Roy Halladay - The Phillies made on of the most head scratching moves of the offseason, acquiring Roy Halladay from the Blue Jays, while giving up Kyle Drabek and Cliff Lee in the process.

So now the question is how will Halladay do in the National League? Will it be worth it for the Phils, or will they look back on this as a huge mistake?

Stephen Strasburg - While it is already known that Strasburg will start the season in the minor leagues, it seems be a foregone conclusion that he will get some major league at some point this season. It’s just a matter of when.

Will he find himself called up midseason in a desperate effort for the Nationals to contend? Or, more likely, will he be called up in September when rosters expand, just to get some work?

Either way, it’s going to be interesting to watch him, and see how he does in a real major league setting.