Projected AL Central Standings
1. Kansas City Royals
2. Cleveland Indians
3. Detroit Tigers
3. Chicago White Sox
5. Minnesota Twins
The 2015 American League Central should once again be one of the toughest divisions in baseball, if not the absolute toughest. After a fairly quiet offseason I predict that the reigning American League Champion Kansas City Royals will finish in first place. In a close battle, the Cleveland Indians will come in second place and win a wild card spot after trading for outfielder Brandon Moss. MLB.com’s #4 overall prospect, shortstop Francisco Lindor, should also be called up to provide a boost to the club. Last season’s division champions the Detroit Tigers will finish in third place just a game or so behind the Indians. The Tigers had an up and down offseason adding back-to-back Home Run Derby champion, Yoenis Cespedes, but losing starting pitchers Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello. The Boston Red Sox may have been one of the most improved teams this offseason, but it is the Chicago White Sox who will be the most improved team this offseason from adding Jeff Samardzija, David Robertson, and Melky Cabrera. Samardzija is a former Notre Dame Tight End who will provide a punch at the top of the Sox’s rotation along with three time All-Star Chris Sale. I think the White Sox and the Tigers will have the same record and end up tied for third place in the AL Central in 2015. The top four teams in the Central should only be separated by a couple of games, but unfortunately for the Minnesota Twins who will be in fifth place, it will not be as close of a race for them as it will be for the other teams. The Twins made a nice starting pitching signing by inking one of my twitter followers, Ervin Santana. (#SmellBaseball.) They also brought back outfielder Torii Hunter who played for the Twins during his glory years from 1997-2007. The Twins should be a little better than last season but not by much. Pitcher Alex Meyer, who they acquired from the Nationals when they traded away Denard Span, is MLB.com’s #29 Overall Prospect and should play in the big leagues this season, but the Twins will really be looking forward to 2016 when MLB.com’s #1 and #11 overall prospects, Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano, make it to the majors.
Filed under: 2015 Season Preview, Offseason 2014-2015 Tagged: AL Central, Alex Meyer, Boston Red Sox, Brandon Moss, Byron Buxton, Chicago White Sox, Chris Sale, Cleveland Indians, David Robertson, Denard Span, Detroit Tigers, Ervin Santana, Francisco Lindor, Home Run Derby 2014, Jeff Samardzija, Kansas City Royals, Max Scherzer, Melky Cabrera, Miguel Sano, Minnesota Twins, Notre Dame, Rick Porcello, Torii Hunter, Washington Nationals, Yoenis Cespedes
