TEAM TO BEAT
HOUSTON ASTROS
The defending World Series champions bring back eight of nine starters from last year's lineup, four of their top five starters and every key member of their bullpen. Offseason signee Jose Abreu represents an upgrade from Yuli Gurriel at first base, Michael Brantley is set to return from injury and reigning World Series MVP Jeremy Peña should continue to progress in year two as the club's shortstop to give the Astros potentially an even more explosive offense than last year's championship team. The loss of reigning Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander in free agency hurts, but the Astros still have a rotation that runs six deep, led by burgeoning ace Framber Valdez.
TOP PLAYER
SHOHEI OHTANI, RHP/DH, ANGELS
At this point, there seems to be nothing Ohtani can't do. After hitting 46 home runs and posting a 3.18 ERA en route to winning the AL MVP award in 2021, Ohtani took a step forward as a pitcher to become a true ace last season. He finished fifth in the majors in ERA and sixth in strikeouts while also batting .273/.356/.519 with 34 home runs, finishing second in AL MVP voting. The two-way superstar is entering his final year under contract with the Angels and will be plenty motivated to deliver another historic season as he heads into free agency.
TOP PITCHER
JACOB deGROM, RHP, RANGERS
The Rangers signed the two-time Cy Young Award winner to a five-year, $185 million contact in free agency despite the fact deGrom has made 26 starts combined the last two seasons. deGrom hasn't thrown more than 100 innings in a season since 2019, but he's still been one of the best pitchers in baseball when he's been on the mound. deGrom posted a 1.90 ERA with 248 strikeouts and just 19 walks in 156.1 innings over the last two years even as he battled injuries and won his lone playoff start for the Mets last year. If he can stay healthy, he gives the Rangers the ace the franchise has been desperately seeking.
TOP ROOKIE
HUNTER BROWN, RHP, ASTROS
The hard-throwing Brown made his major league debut last year and posted a 0.89 ERA in 20.1 innings in the regular season. He followed with three scoreless relief appearances in the postseason to earn a World Series ring. Now, Brown has been elevated to the rotation following Justin Verlander's departure in free agency and will have every opportunity to seize a permanent rotation spot. With an explosive upper-90s fastball, a vicious power curveball, a powerful low-90s slider and improving command, he has all the ingredients to make an immediate impact.
TOP 10 PROSPECTS
By Top 100 Prospects ranking
26. Evan Carter, OF, Rangers
28. Hunter Brown, RHP, Astros
35. Tyler Soderstrom, C/1B, Athletics
42. Logan O'Hoppe, C, Angels
53. Zach Neto, SS, Angels
59. Owen White, RHP, Rangers
64. Harry Ford, C, Rangers
66. Josh Jung, 3B, Rangers
82. Yainer Diaz, C, Astros
99. Cole Young, SS, Mariners
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1398697516/1679326692/articles/_dyjrdsrO1679381162938/u3O6y-GT3b1679381676060.jpg]
NOTABLE STORYLINES
No team has repeated as World Series champions since the Yankees won three straight from 1998 to 2000. The Astros are bringing back nearly every major player from last y...
HOUSTON ASTROS
The defending World Series champions bring back eight of nine starters from last year's lineup, four of their top five starters and every key member of their bullpen. Offseason signee Jose Abreu represents an upgrade from Yuli Gurriel at first base, Michael Brantley is set to return from injury and reigning World Series MVP Jeremy Peña should continue to progress in year two as the club's shortstop to give the Astros potentially an even more explosive offense than last year's championship team. The loss of reigning Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander in free agency hurts, but the Astros still have a rotation that runs six deep, led by burgeoning ace Framber Valdez.
TOP PLAYER
SHOHEI OHTANI, RHP/DH, ANGELS
At this point, there seems to be nothing Ohtani can't do. After hitting 46 home runs and posting a 3.18 ERA en route to winning the AL MVP award in 2021, Ohtani took a step forward as a pitcher to become a true ace last season. He finished fifth in the majors in ERA and sixth in strikeouts while also batting .273/.356/.519 with 34 home runs, finishing second in AL MVP voting. The two-way superstar is entering his final year under contract with the Angels and will be plenty motivated to deliver another historic season as he heads into free agency.
TOP PITCHER
JACOB deGROM, RHP, RANGERS
The Rangers signed the two-time Cy Young Award winner to a five-year, $185 million contact in free agency despite the fact deGrom has made 26 starts combined the last two seasons. deGrom hasn't thrown more than 100 innings in a season since 2019, but he's still been one of the best pitchers in baseball when he's been on the mound. deGrom posted a 1.90 ERA with 248 strikeouts and just 19 walks in 156.1 innings over the last two years even as he battled injuries and won his lone playoff start for the Mets last year. If he can stay healthy, he gives the Rangers the ace the franchise has been desperately seeking.
TOP ROOKIE
HUNTER BROWN, RHP, ASTROS
The hard-throwing Brown made his major league debut last year and posted a 0.89 ERA in 20.1 innings in the regular season. He followed with three scoreless relief appearances in the postseason to earn a World Series ring. Now, Brown has been elevated to the rotation following Justin Verlander's departure in free agency and will have every opportunity to seize a permanent rotation spot. With an explosive upper-90s fastball, a vicious power curveball, a powerful low-90s slider and improving command, he has all the ingredients to make an immediate impact.
TOP 10 PROSPECTS
By Top 100 Prospects ranking
26. Evan Carter, OF, Rangers
28. Hunter Brown, RHP, Astros
35. Tyler Soderstrom, C/1B, Athletics
42. Logan O'Hoppe, C, Angels
53. Zach Neto, SS, Angels
59. Owen White, RHP, Rangers
64. Harry Ford, C, Rangers
66. Josh Jung, 3B, Rangers
82. Yainer Diaz, C, Astros
99. Cole Young, SS, Mariners
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1398697516/1679326692/articles/_dyjrdsrO1679381162938/u3O6y-GT3b1679381676060.jpg]
NOTABLE STORYLINES
No team has repeated as World Series champions since the Yankees won three straight from 1998 to 2000. The Astros are bringing back nearly every major player from last y...
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Baseball America (Digital) - 1 Issue, April 2023