TEAM TO BEAT
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
The Guardians posted a winning record against all four AL Central opponents last season, including taking 13 of 19 from the Twins. That helped push Cleveland to 92-70 and 11 games up on the second-place White Sox. The Guardians won't get the same quantity of matchups versus divisional opponents with the new schedule, but the quality of the club's roster is improved after signing 30-year-old slugger Josh Bell to DH. The rest of the core of baseball's youngest team returns intact, with more help on the way.
Most of the organization's top prospects either finished 2022 at Triple-A or will get there this season, including righthanders Gavin Williams and Tanner Bibee, lefthander Logan T. Allen, catcher Bo Naylor, outfielder George Valera and shortstop Brayan Rocchio.
TOP PLAYER
JOSE RAMIREZ, 3B, GUARDIANS
Ramirez is baseball's quietest superstar. He has played at a high level from the moment he became a regular in 2016, and in that time just three players-Mookie Betts, Mike Trout and Nolan Arenado-have accumulated more WAR than Ramirez. He hasn't broken through for an MVP but has five top-five finishes, including a fourth-place showing last year, when he hit 280/.355/.514 with 29 home runs, an American League-leading 44 doubles and a career-high 126 RBIS. Ramirez played through a wrist injury in the second half, which could be bad news for opposing pitchers this season.
TOP PITCHER
DYLAN CEASE, RHP, WHITE SOX
Few starting pitchers have raw stuff to rival Cease and his 96-98 mph four-seam fastball and devastating slider. He finished runner-up for the American League Cy Young Award last season by striking out 227 in 184 innings to go with a 2.20 ERA. The live-armed Cease also led the AL with 78 walks and has walked an MLB-high 10% of batters the past two seasons. Even if this represents the peak of his abilities, the 27-year-old has reached near-ace status.
TOP ROOKIE
OSCAR COLAS, RF, WHITE SOX
Signed by the White Sox out of Cuba in January 2022, Colas adapted quickly to the minor leagues, batting .314/.371/.524 with 23 home runs in 117 games. He spent the second half in the upper minors, which puts the 24-year-old on track for Chicago this season. Colas may get that chance on Opening Day based on how well he hit in spring training and a lack of internal options. Colas' main competition to play right field in Chicago-Eloy Jimenez and Gavin Sheets are inferior defenders.
TOP 10 PROSPECTS
By Top 100 Prospects ranking
19. Daniel Espino, RHP, Guardians
20. Gavin Williams, RHP, Guardians
39. Colson Montgomery, SS, White Sox
43. Royce Lewis, 3B, Twins
45. Brooks Lee, SS, Twins
46. Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF, Twins
68. Bo Naylor, C, Guardians
72. George Valera, OF, Guardians
77. Brayan Rocchio, SS, Guardians
83. Jackson Jobe, RHP, Tigers
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1398697516/1679326692/articles/86WszSrt21679380536864/ie9smTtkd1679381106561.jpg]
NOTABLE STORYLINES
The Twins were the division's busiest team in the offseason, and with better luck and better health in 2023, they should be in the mix for first place. Minnesota's headlining move was re-signing shortstop Carlos Correa for six years and $200 million. Minnesota also sign...
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
The Guardians posted a winning record against all four AL Central opponents last season, including taking 13 of 19 from the Twins. That helped push Cleveland to 92-70 and 11 games up on the second-place White Sox. The Guardians won't get the same quantity of matchups versus divisional opponents with the new schedule, but the quality of the club's roster is improved after signing 30-year-old slugger Josh Bell to DH. The rest of the core of baseball's youngest team returns intact, with more help on the way.
Most of the organization's top prospects either finished 2022 at Triple-A or will get there this season, including righthanders Gavin Williams and Tanner Bibee, lefthander Logan T. Allen, catcher Bo Naylor, outfielder George Valera and shortstop Brayan Rocchio.
TOP PLAYER
JOSE RAMIREZ, 3B, GUARDIANS
Ramirez is baseball's quietest superstar. He has played at a high level from the moment he became a regular in 2016, and in that time just three players-Mookie Betts, Mike Trout and Nolan Arenado-have accumulated more WAR than Ramirez. He hasn't broken through for an MVP but has five top-five finishes, including a fourth-place showing last year, when he hit 280/.355/.514 with 29 home runs, an American League-leading 44 doubles and a career-high 126 RBIS. Ramirez played through a wrist injury in the second half, which could be bad news for opposing pitchers this season.
TOP PITCHER
DYLAN CEASE, RHP, WHITE SOX
Few starting pitchers have raw stuff to rival Cease and his 96-98 mph four-seam fastball and devastating slider. He finished runner-up for the American League Cy Young Award last season by striking out 227 in 184 innings to go with a 2.20 ERA. The live-armed Cease also led the AL with 78 walks and has walked an MLB-high 10% of batters the past two seasons. Even if this represents the peak of his abilities, the 27-year-old has reached near-ace status.
TOP ROOKIE
OSCAR COLAS, RF, WHITE SOX
Signed by the White Sox out of Cuba in January 2022, Colas adapted quickly to the minor leagues, batting .314/.371/.524 with 23 home runs in 117 games. He spent the second half in the upper minors, which puts the 24-year-old on track for Chicago this season. Colas may get that chance on Opening Day based on how well he hit in spring training and a lack of internal options. Colas' main competition to play right field in Chicago-Eloy Jimenez and Gavin Sheets are inferior defenders.
TOP 10 PROSPECTS
By Top 100 Prospects ranking
19. Daniel Espino, RHP, Guardians
20. Gavin Williams, RHP, Guardians
39. Colson Montgomery, SS, White Sox
43. Royce Lewis, 3B, Twins
45. Brooks Lee, SS, Twins
46. Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF, Twins
68. Bo Naylor, C, Guardians
72. George Valera, OF, Guardians
77. Brayan Rocchio, SS, Guardians
83. Jackson Jobe, RHP, Tigers
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1398697516/1679326692/articles/86WszSrt21679380536864/ie9smTtkd1679381106561.jpg]
NOTABLE STORYLINES
The Twins were the division's busiest team in the offseason, and with better luck and better health in 2023, they should be in the mix for first place. Minnesota's headlining move was re-signing shortstop Carlos Correa for six years and $200 million. Minnesota also sign...
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Baseball America (Digital) - 1 Issue, April 2023