Storyline: The 2016 MLB season is here! Here are my predictions for the American League Central. Written by Tomas D’Anella, Murray, Utah.
Chris Sale of the ChiSox (photo, Fansided)
Chicago White Sox: Chris Sale Will Solidify His Spot As One Of The Game’s Best: Chris Sale has slowly, but steadily, made his name known throughout MLB. Since bursting onto the scene in 2012 Sale has inserted his name into the Cy Young conversation. In his first year as a full-time starter the southpaw went 17-8 with a 3.05 ERA and finished in sixth place in Cy Young voting. The following year he finished fifth in the voting with an 11-14 record. The lefty continued his rise to a Cy Young with a third place placing in 2014 followed by a fourth place finish in 2015. Chris Sale is projected to continue his climb to the top in 2016. MLB.com projects a 15-8 season with Sale posting a 2.96 ERA and 260 strikeouts over 210 innings. The site also ranks the lefty as the number four starting pitcher in 2016, trailing only Kershaw, Arrieta, and Scherzer. Expect to see him to push into the top three as an aging Max Scherzer continues to decline.
Cleveland Indians: Francisco Lindor Records 20-20 Season And Breaks Out To One Of Top Players. Francisco Lindor burst on to the scene in 2015 with a second place finish in Rookie of the Year voting. In only 99 big league games Lindor had a .313 average with 51 RBIs. Though he failed to take home the rookie award, the shortstop made a strong case. Many argued for him to win the award, but it eventually went to that sensation in Houston, Carlos Correa. But in a short span Lindor showed signs of what’s to come in the power and speed departments. He produced 12 home runs and a like-number stolen bases. In a short sample size Francisco proved he’s ready to produce over a full season. Many experts are predicting him to achieve a 20 home run-20 stolen bases season. If so, he’ll help the Indians contend in the AL Central.
Victor Martinez, Detroit Tigers (photo, Cleveland.com)
Detroit Tigers: Healthy V-Mart Leads Tigers to Postseason. New general manager, Al Avila, made the first big splash of the offseason when he signed Jordan Zimmerman. With that signing Avila sent a message: he wants to win. Avila furthered his case with the additions of Mike Pelfrey, Francisco Rodriguez and, most notably, Justin Upton. Already boasting a fearsome lineup, the Tigers filled holes on the pitching side and added an elite slugger that will make pitching staffs tremble when they travel to Comerica Park. Miguel Cabrera, Ian Kinsler, James McCann, and Nick Castellanos can be a fearsome infield. J.D. Martinez, Victor Martinez, and Justin Upton round out a star-studded depth chart. And Victor Martinez just may prove to be the key to this Tiger’s team. He adds one more All-Star bat to power Detroit to the postseason.
Kansas City Royals: Mondesi Jr. Will Get Called Up And Learn To Play Second Base. The reigning World Champs think very highly of this son of a former MLB right fielder. Kansas City did something unheard of in modern baseball: they added a player to their World Series roster who had yet to make his Major League debut. That had happened only once before. Bug Holliday made his debut in the 1885 fall classic and Mondesi Jr. got his shot in Game 3 pinch hitting for Danny Duffy. The Royals have one major hole in their lineup: second base. Veteran Omar Infante and World Series Christian Colon are expected to share the position, but both have flaws. Infante is oft-injured and doesn’t always produce when healthy. Colon lacks experience and offers little at the plate. Signed as a shortstop, Mondesi has the athleticism to move to the other side of second base. If the team struggle at second then Mondesi could provide a spark the team needs to get to Fall Classic ’16.
Erving Santana, Minnesota Twins (photo, Rantsports)
Minnesota Twins: Buxton, Sano, and Park Power A Team That Narrowly Misses The Wild Card. The Twins surprised many last season when they finished 87-75, second to the eventual World Series champions. With a young core of Miguel Sano and Byron Buxton the Twins are ready to again compete in this division. With a strong offense and many young, future All-Stars, the only question will be the rotation. With two promising starters in Jose Berrios and Tyler Jay waiting their turn, the Twins rotation features multiple veterans, none of whom stands out. Ervin Santana was expected to lead the 2015 squad, but his season went astray. The former Angels ace was suspended 80 games prior to the season start when he tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance called Stanozolol. Veteran Mike Pelfrey was placed into Santana’s spot. This offseason, with a healthy staff, the Twins are comfortable with a young staff anchored by the two veterans, Santana and Phil Hughes. Hosting the #2 prospect according to MLB.com, an established power hitter, and an imported slugger from Korea, the Twins have what it takes to make a run at an AL Wild Card.
Pick to win the AL Central: Kansas City Royals
Picks as AL Wild Card from AL Central: Detroit Tigers
Pick to win AL MVP from AL Central: None
Pick to win AL Cy Young from AL Central: Chris Sale
Pick to Win AL Manager of the Year: Brad Asmus
