Storyline: The 2016 MLB season is here! Here are my predictions for the American League West. Written by Tomas D’Anella, Murray, Utah.
Carlos Correa of the Houston Astros (photo, livenewscentral.com)
Houston Astros: AJ Reed Hits 25 HRs En Route To Winning AL Rookie of the Year. The Houston Astros host some of the best, young players in the game today–Carlos Correa, George Springer, and Dallas Keuchel for starters. AJ Reed is likely to be the next player to make his name known. The 1st baseman tore up minor league pitching, slugging 34 homers in AA and AAA. With 1st base lacking a proven starter, many analysts and fans have turned attention to Reed, waiting for him to demonstrate his light-tower power in the Major Leagues. If the team decides to start the rookie look for him to top 25 home runs. If the Astros prolong his debut and store him in Triple A, then he’ll still get a shot in the lineup at some point this season. When the Astros call him up, he will be a spectacle to watch in Minute Maid Park.
Garrett Richards of the LA Angels (photo, CBSSports.com)
Los Angeles Angels: Richards Will Silence Critics, Prove To Be Worthy Ace. The Halos went into 2014 with the expectation of tearing up pitching and going to the World Series. The team is now going into 2016 wondering if they can stay out of fourth place. Injuries and multiple players failing to live up to hype have led to the demise of Mike Trout’s Angels. The superstar Trout is set to play on a team that’s full of question marks. From the left field platoon situation, to the rotation depth marred by injuries, there is plenty to be concerned about. With eight MLB-ready starting pitchers, the team went into spring training looking for two things regarding its rotation: a fifth starter and the ace inside of Garrett Richards. During a breakout 2014, when he finished with a 2.61 ERA, the righty went down in August with a season-ending knee injury. The righty was activated in April 2015 and stepped in as the ace of the staff. Many predicted that the Angels would trade for a true ace who would provide leadership to the young Richards. The front office opted not, in the hope that Garrett could step in as that ace they knew he was. The voices that wanted the team to acquire an ace returned this offseason, but the Angels stuck with their gut feeling. The righty will be a rock in a shaky rotation.
Billy Beane of the Oakland As (photo, Oakland A’s)
Oakland Athletics: A’s Will Make Division Even More Intriguing. On paper there’s not much to be excited about in Oakland’s roster. But the phenomenon, Billy Beane, is still working in the front office. And that gives fans hope he can (once again) work his Moneyball magic one more time. With Sonny Gray fronting the rotation team, the A’s have a chance to make the AL West even more intriguing. The Astros and Rangers are expected to make it back to the playoffs; Mike Trout is with the Halos; and a new GM, Jerry Dipoto, is working in Seattle. All that makes for a four-way fight for postseason spots. But wait! The A’s never fail to surprise. In 2002 they went on a 20-game win streak to propel them into first place in the AL West. In 2014 they went to the Wild Card game against the Royals but lost. The Bay Area team isn’t likely to head to the postseason or even get into contention, but they may surprise by keeping the Halos or Mariners fighting for fourth place.
Courtesy: MLB.com
Seattle Mariners: Robinson Cano Returns as the ‘Cano They Signed.’ The Mariners are keen on making it back to the playoffs. Jerry Dipoto made an unheard of number of trades as a new GM. He started off with a bang–a six-player trade with the Rays, which netted three prospects for the M’s. Then the front office went out and addressed another need. Adam Lind was acquired from the Brewers to fill a hole at 1st base left by two departures: Logan Morrison to the Rays and Jesus Montero (via the waiver wire) to the Blue Jays. Korean Dae-Ho Lee was brought in to potentially platoon with Lind. These acquisitions bolster a team that has its share of stars, including Felix Hernandez, Nelson Cruz and, most notably, Robinson Cano. Cano was signed in 2013 to a 10-year, $240 million deal, one of the largest in MLB history. But Cano disappointed with a down year: he produced 14 home runs, tied for a career low. The following year Cano improved to 21 home runs. A strong second half of ’15 may tell us that Cano is returning to his old Yankee form.
Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners (photo, gammonsdaily.com)
Texas Rangers: Gallo and Profar Force Their Way Into The Everyday Lineup. The Texas Rangers have a solid lineup with a good rotation. They should compete with the Astros for the division crown. Yu Darvish and Cole Hamels lead the staff; Prince Fielder and Adrian Beltre lead the lineup; and Shawn Tolleson closes out games. The Rangers also have five prospects on MLB.com’s Top 100 list. The biggest name is Joey Gallo, the #9 overall prospect and top-ranked 3rd base prospect. Right behind him are outfielders Lewis Brinson (#16 overall and #2 outfielder) and Nomar Mazara (#18 overall, #3 outfielder). Gallo has already proven that he’s a ‘swing or miss’ talent. He struck out in half of his 108 at-bats, but he also hit 6 massive home runs. But, with Adrian Beltre and Ian Desmond blocking him at both positions he plays, Gallo seems to be playing a waiting game. A former number #1 prospect, Jurickson Profar, is back on the field and is turning heads. Profar, injured for two years, was activated this past offseason and played in the Arizona Fall League. He performed excellently, especially for having been out of baseball for two years. Profar is capable of playing 2nd base and shortstop, and also has experience at 3rd base. But he, too, has others blocking his path: Beltre, Rougned Odor, and veteran Elvis Andrus. I expect them both youngsters, Gallo and Profar, to get into the lineup…some how and some way.
Pick to win AL West: Houston Astros
Pick to win AL Wild Card from AL West: Texas Rangers
Pick to win AL MVP from AL West: None
Pick to win AL Cy Young from AL West: None
Pick to win AL Rookie of the Year: AJ Reed, Houston
