After picking Minnesota to win the AL Central last year only for them to finish last, we're hoping that this time around we are a bit more successful.
The AL Central looks set to be another competitive division. We're very interested to see who comes out on top; those who made big free agent splashes or those with organisational talent ready to make an impact at the big league level.
We think that it'll finish up like this -
Chicago White Sox
Kansas City Royals
Detroit Tigers
Minnesota Twins
Cleveland Guardians
Let's start with the White Sox. We picked them to reach the World Series last season and we think it's very likely that they'll return to the postseason for the third straight year.
Despite losing Carlos Rodon to free agency, they still have an excellent rotation headed by Lucas Giolito and their bullpen looks set to be one of the best in the game again.
Getting Lance Lynn back healthy could be key for them though, however we expect that their line-up will be strong enough to carry them in his absence. Let's talk about that line-up for a second; they have a legitimate chance that 7 of their 9 projected opening day starters finish the season with 30 home runs.
We think that Chicago comfortably wins the AL Central.
Moving on to Kansas City, who were very quiet in the free agent market but keep the vast majority of their 2021 team who finished 4th. However, with highly touted prospect Bobby Witt Jr looking set to make the Opening Day roster and Zack Greinke returning home to the team which drafted him, the Royals look stronger this time around.
Sal Perez led all of MLB in home runs and RBI last season, Whit Merrifield led the AL in doubles and stolen bases. We can't see any reason why they can't at the very least come close to that level of performance again. If they can, and Adalberto Mondesi can finally remain healthy for a full season, then we think they have a great chance to finish over .500 in 2022.
Detroit is another AL Central team which has some exciting youngsters who look set to make an impact in 2022. We think that Spencer Torkelson hits 30 home runs in his rookie season and Casey Mize & Tarik Skubal continue to build on their promising 2021 performances.
The Tigers also made a big, slightly surprising, splash in the free agent market by signing Javier Baez to a $140m 6 year contract. That's a lot of money for a player who struck out the most of everyone in the NL last year. They'll also be without Riley Greene to start the year, but with Miggy, the under-rated Robbie Grossman and experienced Eduardo Rodriguez leading their rotation, the Tigers have a chance to be a surprise package this season.
The Minnesota Twins had a catastrophic 2021 season where they finished last in the AL Central with the 3rd fewest wins in the American League. Signing arguably the top free agent in Carlos Correa as well as Sonny Gray to bolster their rotation will certainly help them.
They join a decent core of Byron Buxton who has all the potential to be a true star - if - he can stay healthy all season, Miguel Sano and Max Kepler. We think that Gio Urshela and Gary Sanchez will both benefit from being away from the bright lights of New York and will put up solid numbers.
The battle for 2nd place between the Royals, Tigers and Twins looks set to be a close one.
Which brings us to Cleveland who will be known as the Guardians first time this season and despite finishing no lower than third since 2012, we think that they'll be 5th in 2022. Their line-up, aside from Jose Ramirez who has been the subject of trade rumours all off-season and power hitting Franmil Reyes, looks less than ideal.
If they are to out-perform our expectations though, it will likely be because of their rotation. Shane Bieber was an All Star last season and is just 2 years removed from his Cy Young award winning season. Zach Plesac, Cal Quantrill, Aaron Civale and Triston McKenzie round out what looks to be a solid, if unspectacular, starting pitching core. We can't look past their line-up though, which leads us to think that they'll finish in 5th this year.
How do you think that the AL Central will finish? Let us know in the comments or on twitter.
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