Yessir, Yasiel

The first time I had heard of him was during the White Sox's first spring training game this season. The Sox were playing the Dodgers, and announcers Ken Harrelson and Steve Stone were discussing this prospect from Cuba named Yasiel Puig. "Hawk" was going on about all the comparisons he was drawing; Sammy Sosa, Bo Jackson. As big a homer as Harrleson is, it was interesting to see him bigging up another team's prospect.

As a basketball fan, I've heard people compare prospects to the greats all the time. If I had $5 for every really good college or high school player that was supposed to be the next Jordan, I could probably buy first level tickets to a Giants-Dodgers game. So when I heard Puig being compared to Bo Jackson, I waved it off as yet another too-high expectation set for a young prospect.

But after just a week, Yasiel has met that bar and jumped over it.

Eight games into his young career, he is batting .500 with 4 homers and 10 RBIs. He got those 10 RBIs in his first five games, which tied a record with two other players. Oh, and then there's the fielding plays. Those sweet, sweet fielding plays. In this first week and change, the Cuban defector that scouts only had four workouts to learn about has been impressive in his major league debut.

For the sake of baseball I hope that Puig goes on to have a legendary carry. I have a bit of pause though, as I can be cynical at times. The two players he tied that record with? Danny Espinosa (2010) and Jack Merson (1951). Espinosa is currently playing for the Nationals, hitting below the Mendoza Line. Jack Merson only played three seasons in the majors. I feel like Puig's abilities is what would separate him from the fate of those two gentlemen, but I'm basically just hoping that the good times don't stop rolling for Mr. Puig.

Now, if only the rest of his team could make the turnaround. A lot of the guys who were supposed to be carrying this team are injured or slumping. Yasiel has brought a some electricity back to Dodger Stadium, so it will interesting to see if this invigorates the 27-36 squad from rising out of the NL West basement.