Comeback Player of 2011?

In what was dubbed "the year of the pitcher," it was only fitting that the comeback player of the year awards went to two pitchers. Both Francisco Liriano and Tim Hudson bounced back from injuries and fatigue to post masterful seasons in 2010. While I believe that the pitching that dominated the 2010 season was no fluke, I think you'll see a bounce back season for a number of high profile hitters...

Grady Sizemore - OF
It seems like he's been around the league forever, but he's only 28 years old. Sizemore lost both of the past two seasons to injury and had microfracture surgery in early June of last year. But he's also only two years removed from ESPN calling him the best all around player in baseball. If Sizemore can stay off the disabled list he gives you a solid five-tool player. He's the rare 30-30 threat who plays outstanding defense in center field and will be the de-facto leader of the Cleveland Indians (assuming they don't trade him away). A healthy Sizemore is capable of a .290/.380/.500 stat line.

Brandon Webb - SP
His acquisition by the Texas Rangers last month flew completely under the radar. A $3M gamble to bring in a guy with a Cy Young award and two runner up finishes in the past 5 years seems like a pretty solid investment. While a shoulder injury has shut him down since opening day 2009, Webb claims to be fully recovered and ready to throw that dominating sinker that won him 22 games for the Diamondbacks in 2008. When he was healthy, he was a workhorse that tossed 200+ innings and struck out 175 batters with ease. If he can return to form, the Rangers won't miss a beat in losing Cliff Lee from last year's AL Championship team. I'm predicting 17-8, 3.35 ERA, 168Ks.

Jason Bay - OF
His first year in New York was not at all what the Mets had in mind. From his slow start to his season ending concussion, it was a disappointing season all around. Perhaps signing an all or nothing fly ball hitter to play in Citi Field was a bad idea, but no one could have predicted only 6 home runs from Bay. He's too good to perform as terribly as he did last season and he's probably the most predictable comeback player on this list. If the Mets are to have any success, Bay will need to return to form and earn part of his $66M contract.

Kendry Morales - 1B
Morales burst onto the scene in 2009 with a stat line of .305-34-108 as a switch hitting first baseman. While an injury took him down real early in 2010, few people seem to remember that he was right on pace to duplicate those numbers when his season ended. At 27 years old, he should be hitting his prime and with some health he should be a top tier first baseman again in 2011. Let's just hope he doesn't break any more bones while celebrating grand slams!

Pablo Sandoval - 3B
The man with the dumbest nickname in the history of professional sports had an outstanding 2009 campaign as a 22 year old. Instead of honing his craft, it seems as though he spent his offseason honing in on the value menu at McDonalds. Sandoval was noticeably larger and slower (on the bases, defensively, and with his swing). By the end of 2010, Sandoval was reverted to primarily a bench role on the WS Champion Giants. Offseason reports seem to suggest that Sandoval has now taken his training seriously and his weight is back down in the "healthy slugger" range. It will be an important year for Sandoval to prove that 2009 is the norm and not a fluke, but should he rebound, the Giants will be rewarded handsomely. The 3rd base job seems to be his for the taking again so a big spring could lead to a big season for the Panda.