When you think about the American League East you usually think about a two-team race with Boston and New York as favorites to win the division. After finishing 78-84 last season, 25 ½ games back behind the leading Yankees, who would even give the Blue Jays of Toronto a chance to get into the playoffs this year? I, for one, will. The Jays currently have a record of 32-27, only two games back behind the Yanks from whom they have swept a four-game series in New York already this season. With practically no big-name offseason acquisitions what makes the Jays more explosive this year? As I have said in the past the Jays are a team of the future. However, they have surprised me and are now becoming a team to be reckoned with here and now.

The Jays have a few seasoned veterans, including Carlos Delgado and Shannon Stewart. However, their "young guns" are stepping it up this year and providing the Jays with that extra punch. Orlando Hudson is one of those players for the Jays. The Jays' starting second baseman is currently hitting .283 with 2 home runs and 23 RBI. Hudson doesn't have that much power but he has the tools to become a great lead-off hitter soon. Last year at Triple-A Syracuse Hudson posted a .305 batting average and knocked 10 home runs while sporting an on-base percentage of .363. After reaching those numbers he was promptly tested in the majors and hit .276 with an .319 on-base percentage in 54 games with the Jays last year. Hudson is a good switch-hitter and has an outstanding glove in the field. Hudson is also very versatile as he is able to play every infield position well. He was voted the best defensive third basemen in the Class-A Florida State League back in 2000.

Another hitter of whom pitchers should take notice is Josh Phelps, the Jay's DH, who is emerging as a force this year. Currently hitting .262 with 7 HR's and 27 RBIs, Phelps is only 25 years old and has proven that he can take the ball deep. Phelps' first major league game was back in 2000 when he played in one game and got only one at-bat. He struck out. But Phelps has been used more and more as the Jays have retooled for the future. He played in 8 games in 2001 and in 74 during the 2002 season. Last year Phelps hit 15 home runs and drove in 58 runs. The only drawback with this kid is his impatience at the plate. He struck out 82 times in 74 games (while drawing only 19 walks). This year he has improved, playing 20 less games and drawing only one less walk than last year. This kid has good skills and will develop into a fine player, perhaps even an adequate substitute once Delgado leaves.

These kids are good and will be even better once they get more experience and learn from players like Delgado (Phelps the power hitter) and Stewart (Hudson the leadoff man). Although I don't see Phelps or Hudson reaching their performance bonuses they will definitely be impact players for the Jays next year. They also have low print runs of 2,500 each which make them even more attractive. Hudson is currently trading at a 7-day average of $5.19 while Phelps averaged $5.64 the past week. Both were $4.00 IPO's but I think they will each reach $6 to $7 by the end of the season and head higher next year. Both are strong buys in my opinion and since they don't play for a large market team they won't get as much coverage until they become stars!