01/07/2008 10:00 AM ET Mailbag: Will Kershaw arrive this year? Beat reporter Ken Gurnick answers Dodgers fans' questions By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com

Dodgers fans hope that Jason Schmidt will be healthy after missing most of 2007. (Reed Saxon/AP) Related Links ? Send a question to Dodgers beat reporter Ken Gurnick ? Shop for Dodgers gear Dodgers Headlines ? Garciaparra excited for charity, new season ? Dodgers mailbag: Kershaw up in 2008? ? Dodgers' Martin a fixture behind plate ? Dodgers mailbag: Will Pierre start in '08? ? Sarah's Take: Dodgers, parade match ? More Dodgers Headlines MLB Headlines ? Emotional Clemens makes case to media ? Find out Hall electees here at MLB.com ? Clemens reveals talk with McNamee ? MLB tightens clubhouse security ? Sanchez signs one-year deal with Mets ? More MLB Headlines ADVERTISEMENT

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For his sake and that of the Dodgers', I hope it doesn't happen. Club officials already are talking about that possibility and it's an exciting thought. But those who remember Edwin Jackson might wonder: What's the rush? With all the money the Dodgers are spending on veteran starting pitchers, they should hope Kershaw isn't needed this year.

To make the rotation even before the end of this season, Kershaw will need to be a phenom, the best young pitcher in the system since Fernando Valenzuela, because Valenzuela was the last 20-year-old to succeed in the Dodgers' starting rotation. That's setting the bar unfairly high. Rushing and ruining Kershaw would be the worst-case scenario, yet one the Dodgers experienced recently with Jackson, although most of the management team from then is gone.

The current talent evaluators predict Kershaw could be the best young Dodgers pitcher in recent memory. On the other hand, Kershaw averaged almost five walks every nine innings last year, so his command of the strike zone still needs work. Kershaw is averaging more walks per nine innings than Jackson did at the same point in their careers. And Kershaw has only five games experience as high as Double-A.

Perhaps the best comparison for Kershaw is Chad Billingsley, also a No. 1 pick, who also was at Rookie Ball his first season and split his second season between Class A and Double-A. Their stats through two professional seasons:

Billingsley -- 16-8, 2.63 ERA, 220 K, 86 W.
Kershaw -- 10-7, 2.72 ERA, 217 K, 72 W.

Billingsley spent his third season entirely at Double-A and wasn't promoted until two months into his fourth professional season.

What are your thoughts on Jason Schmidt staying healthy enough to make an impact in 2008?
-- Jason C., Azusa, Calif.

Through team officials, Schmidt has said he's had no setbacks from major shoulder surgery and expects to be ready for the start of Spring Training.

Of course, Schmidt kept saying last year that he wasn't hurt, so his credibility on medical issues is dubious. Besides, the winter words of optimism from players and club officials are essentially meaningless until the injured player is on the field in competition.

While Schmidt was saying he was OK last spring, simple observation indicated otherwise. Nothing meaningful will be known at least until Schmidt pitches in games. But because of the severity of the injury, the club's expectations are very modest and fans' should be as well.

Have a question about the Dodgers? E-mail your query to MLB.com Dodgers beat reporter Ken Gurnick for possible inclusion in a future mailbag column. Letters may be edited for brevity, length and/or content. First Name, Last Initial: Hometown: Email Address: Question:

Tommy John's love for the game and his willingness to allow Dr. Frank Jobe to experiment with elbow surgery impacted the careers of countless ballplayers. No question about it, T.J. belongs in the Hall of Fame.
-- Fred P., Inglewood, Calif.

I think there's no question that Dr. Frank Jobe belongs in the Hall of Fame.

What are the chances of the Dodgers signing Rafael Furcal to a contract extension sometime during this year?
-- Justin M., West Covina, Calif.

Anything's possible, but it's not general manager Ned Colletti's style to sign contract extensions that limit flexibility and put the club at unnecessary risk in the event of an injury.

Can you please fill us in on Xavier Paul?
-- David P., Ojai, Calif.

I've never seen him play, so I rely on the opinions of others. The Dodgers used a fourth-round Draft pick to get him and added him to the 40-man roster because they didn't want to lose him.

He's listed by Baseball America as one of the organization's best defensive outfielders with the best outfield arm. A left-handed hitter, he was a Double-A Southern League All-Star last year when he hit .291 with 11 homers and 50 RBIs. But 112 strikeouts in 422 at-bats are on the high side for 11 home runs. He led Jacksonville with 17 steals.

Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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