Post by Commissioner Erick on May 15, 2022 19:17:39 GMT -5
The AL Central may be the deepest division in baseball, with three returning playoff teams, a Twins club on the rise, and a White Sox team that still has, perhaps, the best player in baseball. With such a talented division, it will be fun following who comes out on top in September.
1) Kansas City Royals
2027: 94-68, AL Central Champions. Defeated Seattle 4-0 in ALDS. Defeated Detroit 4-2 in ALCS. Lost to Milwaukee 4-3 in World Series.
Who They Were: The Royals continued to be good in all phases of the game, pitching, hitting, and defense. They struck the fewest times and walked the most times of any AL offense, and their pitchers gave up the fewest walks. Aside from dominating the strike zone, they also got a superstar performance from Jorge Vargas, who hit 55 doubles, 44 home runs, and drove in 133.
Offseason Review: The Royals made a few significant changes to their team despite being a few innings away from a championship. Dominic Smith was replaced with Maikel Franco, while J.P. Crawford won’t be around with internal options filling his spot. Kyle Hendricks will be replaced with the more dynamic T.J. Zeuch, and Alex Caludio and Mike Morrin will substitute for Michael Bates and Roniel Raudes in an even more dynamic bullpen that should continue to be one of the AL’s best.
On The Farm: There’s some fantastic pitching in the upper minors, and top prospects in the lower minors as well. Vicente Corado will break the season with the team as the most hyped pitching prospect of the PBA era, but Kyle Sidebottom should be right behind him. First Baseman Bryce Zettel should be the next big position player to reach the PBA from their system. He’s likely a year away but has good plate coverage and peppers the gaps.
Best Case Scenario: Jonathan Bakos builds upon a breakout campaign, Corado becomes the ace the Royals have lacked, and Kansas City wins the title.
Worst Case Scenario: Kansas City finishes third and falls in the Wild Card Game.
Key Questions: How will you replace J.P. Crawford?
Your team is becoming very right-handed at the plate. Does that concern you at all?
2) Cleveland Indians
2027: 93-69, 2nd Place AL Central. Lost to Detroit in Wild Card Game.
Who They Were: After overachieving with some rough rosters, but still losing 90+ games, Cleveland put things together and ascended to the playoffs. With a fantastic young staff, mentored by a few solid veterans, Cleveland had the best ERA in the AL. Their offense was spotty, but Luis Retana was third in MVP voting as the second coming of Francisco Lindor. Though they fell in the Wild Card Game, it was a fantastic season after a half decade in the wilderness.
Offseason Review: Building on their momentum and with improving finances, Cleveland made some splashy moves. Hall of Famer Bryce Harper was brought aboard to anchor the offense, with Lourdes Gurriel brought in to add offensive depth with Jesus B. Sanchez, Kyle Seager, and Darrick Hall not being brought back. Jose Quintana and T.J. Zeuch had strong seasons, but with so many talented youngsters, Cleveland allowed them to walk in Free Agency and will replace from within.
On The Farm: The fruits of a spectacular farm have almost all reached the majors now, with Chad Simon and Ape Montiel the last to make it. Virtually the entire staff will be 26 or younger, and filled with former top pitching prospects. Most of the system’s best prospects are now back to being concentrated in the lower levels. The one big prospect closer to the PBA is last year’s fifth overall pick, Oil Can Evans. Evans has good speed, a good bad, and a mature approach that will allow it to play up early in his career. He should be a fixture starting in 2029.
Best Case Scenario: Cleveland becomes the AL’s San Francisco and has a dominant team fueled by pitching.
Worst Case Scenario: Cleveland becomes the AL’s Atlanta and has a good team, but with an offense that prevents it from being better.
Key Questions: You have so many starting pitching options. Which five make the rotation, and who closes?
Your offense is light on left-handed hitting. Are you concerned by that at all?
3) Detroit Tigers
2027: 88-74, 3rd Place AL Central. Defeated Cleveland in Wild Card Game. Defeated Boston 4-0 in ALDS. Lost to Kansas City 4-2 in ALCS.
Who They Were: The Tigers didn’t have a deep team, but they did have Roderick Dalton, a special young hitter who had an historic regular season and was even more of a force in the playoffs. Dalton finished the season with a 1.136 OPS, and somehow improved on the mark in the playoffs. Asa Lacy led a solid rotation, and after a rough start to the year, David Heide settled in and saved 40 games with a 2.33 ERA.
Offseason Review: After a disappointing season and after seeing Luis Zapien steal his job in the playoffs, Detroit moved away from Jacob Pearson, and didn’t bring back veteran relievers Phil Maton and Edubray Ramos. Old friend Griffin Canning is back to add depth to the rotation, and Tomoya Mori was signed to a cheap deal to give Detroit a potential weapon behind the plate if he can hold off the declines he’s suffered the past two years.
On The Farm: There’s upper minors depth if the team suffers injuries or needs to shake things up, with a few decent prospects close to the show, and a few veterans hungry to prove they still belong. There isn’t a ton of high end talent though, with Manoel Delvas the only player who looks like he’d fetch a key piece in a trade.
Best Case Scenario: The veteran staff keeps performing, and Luis Morales takes a step forward. The Tigers play a bunch of close games and Dalton puts them over the top and into the playoffs.
Worst Case Scenario: The veteran staff takes a step back. With nobody to really support the offense aside from Dalton, Detroit fades back to 81 wins in a rough division.
Key Questions: The Tigers don’t seem to have a lot of power aside from Dalton. Do you expect to score a lot of runs?
You moved on from good relievers in Ramos and Maton. Why did you so easily let them go?
4) Minnesota Twins
2027: 81-81, 4th Place AL Central
Who They Were: The Twins overachieved much of the year and were on the doorstep of the playoffs until a September slide dropped them back to .500. Still, it was a great year for Josh Peterson’s team. The Twins were last in the league in home runs but controlled the plate with excellent strikeout and walk figures, and they got a great year from Shortstop Ignacio Tonche and Pitcher Jeff Burton, clear building blocks for the Twins’ rebuild.
Offseason Review: The Twins lost Trent Clark and Robert Stephenson in free agency and didn’t make any major additions. Gabe Bonilla, last year’s #11 prospect, should be ready to take over the starting Center Field job, while the team is hoping Tyler Mills can lock down the fifth starter job.
On The Farm: The Twins have an amazing staff with an armada of exciting pitchers in the low minors. Mincho Maeda has huge upside, but is a little bit older. The Twins are hoping he puts things together quicker than he’s shown, but he can anchor a rotation if he puts things together. The Notorious Bill Romero dominated Rookie Ball after being drafted sixth overall last year and also profiles as a frontline pitcher. While mostly pitching-centric, the Twins have a bunch of fantastic hitting prospects as well. Pete Clark looks like a major power threat, while Adam Espinoza has good plate coverage and field coverage at Third Base, and can steal a few bases too. Put together, and the Twins have one of the top systems in baseball.
Best Case Scenario: Alex Kirilloff rediscovers his power stroke, a fringy bullpen holds up, and Minnesota wins 86 games.
Worst Case Scenario: The team lacks the consistent high-end talent to contend in a brutal division.
Key Questions: You don’t have a great middle relief corps. Did you have any interest in signing a few free agents to shore that area up?
Your team was last in home runs last year. Aside from a full season from Bonilla, did you consider making moves to increase your club’s power?
5) Chicago White Sox
2027: 69-93, Last Place AL Central
Who They Were: The White Sox lost 93 games, most in history, as so many things went wrong. Andrew Benintendi was hurt and missed 52 games, Rafael Devers hit just 29 home runs, and the pitching staff was third worst in baseball. Four hitters played at least 73 games and posted negative WAR, including Brendan McKay’s -2.4 mark. Only two pitchers had an ERA under 4, relievers David Robertson and Alex Faedo. Devers and Benintendi carried the team to 69 wins, but it was against the effort of the rest of the roster.
Offseason Review: Chicago is overbudget and didn’t make any moves this offseason. They cut Carlos Rodon right before the offseason, putting a chunk of dead money on their payroll, then let Adalberto Mejia walk in free agency. David Robertson also retired, but the rest of the 2028 roster will be similar to 2027.
On The Farm: It’s not a good system. Edgar Salinas is a good looking pitching prospect, but he’s not the kind of player who will turn a franchise around. There isn’t a lot of depth in the upper minors either. With Greg Rhines slashing the budget, it will be hard for Chicago to find creative ways to buy talent as well.
Best Case Scenario: Benintendi stays healthy, Devers bounces back, and Laurenti Baffi and Pat French have big seasons. There’s enough high end talent for a winning record.
Worst Case Scenario: Devers continues to decline, the supporting cast and staff can’t keep up, and the team loses 100 games in spite of Benintendi.
Key Questions: Brendan McKay was brutal last year. Do you think he can turn things around at age 32?
Pat French spent most of last year in the minors or the IL. What are your expectations for the young arm?
1) Kansas City Royals
2027: 94-68, AL Central Champions. Defeated Seattle 4-0 in ALDS. Defeated Detroit 4-2 in ALCS. Lost to Milwaukee 4-3 in World Series.
Who They Were: The Royals continued to be good in all phases of the game, pitching, hitting, and defense. They struck the fewest times and walked the most times of any AL offense, and their pitchers gave up the fewest walks. Aside from dominating the strike zone, they also got a superstar performance from Jorge Vargas, who hit 55 doubles, 44 home runs, and drove in 133.
Offseason Review: The Royals made a few significant changes to their team despite being a few innings away from a championship. Dominic Smith was replaced with Maikel Franco, while J.P. Crawford won’t be around with internal options filling his spot. Kyle Hendricks will be replaced with the more dynamic T.J. Zeuch, and Alex Caludio and Mike Morrin will substitute for Michael Bates and Roniel Raudes in an even more dynamic bullpen that should continue to be one of the AL’s best.
On The Farm: There’s some fantastic pitching in the upper minors, and top prospects in the lower minors as well. Vicente Corado will break the season with the team as the most hyped pitching prospect of the PBA era, but Kyle Sidebottom should be right behind him. First Baseman Bryce Zettel should be the next big position player to reach the PBA from their system. He’s likely a year away but has good plate coverage and peppers the gaps.
Best Case Scenario: Jonathan Bakos builds upon a breakout campaign, Corado becomes the ace the Royals have lacked, and Kansas City wins the title.
Worst Case Scenario: Kansas City finishes third and falls in the Wild Card Game.
Key Questions: How will you replace J.P. Crawford?
Your team is becoming very right-handed at the plate. Does that concern you at all?
2) Cleveland Indians
2027: 93-69, 2nd Place AL Central. Lost to Detroit in Wild Card Game.
Who They Were: After overachieving with some rough rosters, but still losing 90+ games, Cleveland put things together and ascended to the playoffs. With a fantastic young staff, mentored by a few solid veterans, Cleveland had the best ERA in the AL. Their offense was spotty, but Luis Retana was third in MVP voting as the second coming of Francisco Lindor. Though they fell in the Wild Card Game, it was a fantastic season after a half decade in the wilderness.
Offseason Review: Building on their momentum and with improving finances, Cleveland made some splashy moves. Hall of Famer Bryce Harper was brought aboard to anchor the offense, with Lourdes Gurriel brought in to add offensive depth with Jesus B. Sanchez, Kyle Seager, and Darrick Hall not being brought back. Jose Quintana and T.J. Zeuch had strong seasons, but with so many talented youngsters, Cleveland allowed them to walk in Free Agency and will replace from within.
On The Farm: The fruits of a spectacular farm have almost all reached the majors now, with Chad Simon and Ape Montiel the last to make it. Virtually the entire staff will be 26 or younger, and filled with former top pitching prospects. Most of the system’s best prospects are now back to being concentrated in the lower levels. The one big prospect closer to the PBA is last year’s fifth overall pick, Oil Can Evans. Evans has good speed, a good bad, and a mature approach that will allow it to play up early in his career. He should be a fixture starting in 2029.
Best Case Scenario: Cleveland becomes the AL’s San Francisco and has a dominant team fueled by pitching.
Worst Case Scenario: Cleveland becomes the AL’s Atlanta and has a good team, but with an offense that prevents it from being better.
Key Questions: You have so many starting pitching options. Which five make the rotation, and who closes?
Your offense is light on left-handed hitting. Are you concerned by that at all?
3) Detroit Tigers
2027: 88-74, 3rd Place AL Central. Defeated Cleveland in Wild Card Game. Defeated Boston 4-0 in ALDS. Lost to Kansas City 4-2 in ALCS.
Who They Were: The Tigers didn’t have a deep team, but they did have Roderick Dalton, a special young hitter who had an historic regular season and was even more of a force in the playoffs. Dalton finished the season with a 1.136 OPS, and somehow improved on the mark in the playoffs. Asa Lacy led a solid rotation, and after a rough start to the year, David Heide settled in and saved 40 games with a 2.33 ERA.
Offseason Review: After a disappointing season and after seeing Luis Zapien steal his job in the playoffs, Detroit moved away from Jacob Pearson, and didn’t bring back veteran relievers Phil Maton and Edubray Ramos. Old friend Griffin Canning is back to add depth to the rotation, and Tomoya Mori was signed to a cheap deal to give Detroit a potential weapon behind the plate if he can hold off the declines he’s suffered the past two years.
On The Farm: There’s upper minors depth if the team suffers injuries or needs to shake things up, with a few decent prospects close to the show, and a few veterans hungry to prove they still belong. There isn’t a ton of high end talent though, with Manoel Delvas the only player who looks like he’d fetch a key piece in a trade.
Best Case Scenario: The veteran staff keeps performing, and Luis Morales takes a step forward. The Tigers play a bunch of close games and Dalton puts them over the top and into the playoffs.
Worst Case Scenario: The veteran staff takes a step back. With nobody to really support the offense aside from Dalton, Detroit fades back to 81 wins in a rough division.
Key Questions: The Tigers don’t seem to have a lot of power aside from Dalton. Do you expect to score a lot of runs?
You moved on from good relievers in Ramos and Maton. Why did you so easily let them go?
4) Minnesota Twins
2027: 81-81, 4th Place AL Central
Who They Were: The Twins overachieved much of the year and were on the doorstep of the playoffs until a September slide dropped them back to .500. Still, it was a great year for Josh Peterson’s team. The Twins were last in the league in home runs but controlled the plate with excellent strikeout and walk figures, and they got a great year from Shortstop Ignacio Tonche and Pitcher Jeff Burton, clear building blocks for the Twins’ rebuild.
Offseason Review: The Twins lost Trent Clark and Robert Stephenson in free agency and didn’t make any major additions. Gabe Bonilla, last year’s #11 prospect, should be ready to take over the starting Center Field job, while the team is hoping Tyler Mills can lock down the fifth starter job.
On The Farm: The Twins have an amazing staff with an armada of exciting pitchers in the low minors. Mincho Maeda has huge upside, but is a little bit older. The Twins are hoping he puts things together quicker than he’s shown, but he can anchor a rotation if he puts things together. The Notorious Bill Romero dominated Rookie Ball after being drafted sixth overall last year and also profiles as a frontline pitcher. While mostly pitching-centric, the Twins have a bunch of fantastic hitting prospects as well. Pete Clark looks like a major power threat, while Adam Espinoza has good plate coverage and field coverage at Third Base, and can steal a few bases too. Put together, and the Twins have one of the top systems in baseball.
Best Case Scenario: Alex Kirilloff rediscovers his power stroke, a fringy bullpen holds up, and Minnesota wins 86 games.
Worst Case Scenario: The team lacks the consistent high-end talent to contend in a brutal division.
Key Questions: You don’t have a great middle relief corps. Did you have any interest in signing a few free agents to shore that area up?
Your team was last in home runs last year. Aside from a full season from Bonilla, did you consider making moves to increase your club’s power?
5) Chicago White Sox
2027: 69-93, Last Place AL Central
Who They Were: The White Sox lost 93 games, most in history, as so many things went wrong. Andrew Benintendi was hurt and missed 52 games, Rafael Devers hit just 29 home runs, and the pitching staff was third worst in baseball. Four hitters played at least 73 games and posted negative WAR, including Brendan McKay’s -2.4 mark. Only two pitchers had an ERA under 4, relievers David Robertson and Alex Faedo. Devers and Benintendi carried the team to 69 wins, but it was against the effort of the rest of the roster.
Offseason Review: Chicago is overbudget and didn’t make any moves this offseason. They cut Carlos Rodon right before the offseason, putting a chunk of dead money on their payroll, then let Adalberto Mejia walk in free agency. David Robertson also retired, but the rest of the 2028 roster will be similar to 2027.
On The Farm: It’s not a good system. Edgar Salinas is a good looking pitching prospect, but he’s not the kind of player who will turn a franchise around. There isn’t a lot of depth in the upper minors either. With Greg Rhines slashing the budget, it will be hard for Chicago to find creative ways to buy talent as well.
Best Case Scenario: Benintendi stays healthy, Devers bounces back, and Laurenti Baffi and Pat French have big seasons. There’s enough high end talent for a winning record.
Worst Case Scenario: Devers continues to decline, the supporting cast and staff can’t keep up, and the team loses 100 games in spite of Benintendi.
Key Questions: Brendan McKay was brutal last year. Do you think he can turn things around at age 32?
Pat French spent most of last year in the minors or the IL. What are your expectations for the young arm?
