| Catcher | ||
| 1 | Cleveland | Carlos Santana |
| 2 | Detroit | Alex Avila |
| 3 | Minnesota | Joe Mauer |
| 4 | Kansas City | Salvador Perez |
| 5 | Chicago | AJ Pierzynski |
With all the excitement surrounding Salvador Perez he still may be only the 4th best catcher in the AL Central. Santana is going to rake, Avila had a breakout season at the plate, and Mauer could be at the top of this list if he has a healthy 2012 season.
| 1st Base | ||
| 1 | Detroit | Prince Fielder |
| 2 | Chicago | Paul Konerko |
| 3 | Kansas City | Eric Hosmer |
| 4 | Minnesota | Justin Morneau |
| 5 | Cleveland | Casey Kotchman |
While every Prognosticator proclaims the offensive dominance of the AL East, the AL Central possesses 4 past or potential all-stars at first base. Will Fielder struggle in a new league? Will the Tigers defense really be that bad? Paul Konerko still is a great player, as a Royals fan I can not wait for him to hang them up. Justin Morneau has the ability to head this list if he is able to regain his pre-concussion form. Hosmer has all the ability in the world; can he take the next step and become a legitimate 3 hitter in an improving Royals lineup? Kotchman is excellent defensively but has never provided the power expected of a first basemen.
| 2nd Base | ||
| 1 | Cleveland | Jason Kipnis |
| 2 | Kansas City | Johnny Giavotella |
| 3 | Minnesota | Alexi Cassilla |
| 4 | Chicago | Gordon Beckham |
| 5 | Detroit | Ryan Raburn |
This is probably the weakest position in the division, but that is not to say it is devoid of offensive potential. Kipnis and Giavotella are the cream of the crop but must contribute offensively to stay in the big leagues because neither is a plus defender.
| Shortstop | ||
| 1 | Cleveland | Asdrubal Cabrera |
| 2 | Chicago | Alexei Ramirez |
| 3 | Detroit | Johnny Peralta |
| 4 | Kansas City | Alcides Escobar |
| 5 | Minnesota | Jamey Carroll |
Alcides Escobar is the best defender in this group and Ramirez is the most rounded player, but Cabrera is the only shortstop capable of carrying an offense. Peralta is a defensive butcher and Jamey Carroll is on the precipice of the big 4-0. Escobar could potentially move up to 3rd on this list if Peralta does not maintain his offensive production and Escobar can become a .265/.325/.390 type player with 30 doubles.
| 3rd Base | ||
| 1 | Detroit | Miguel Cabrera |
| 2 | Kansas City | Mike Moustakas |
| 3 | Minnesota | Danny Valencia |
| 4 | Chicago | Brent Morel |
| 5 | Cleveland | Lonnie Chisenhall |
There is no way in hell Miguel Cabrera plays more than 40 games at 3rd base in 2012. He could potentially move to right field, but that would have some serious consequences in spacious Commerica Park. As a Royals fan I hope they keep him at 3rd. Moustakas still has a lot to prove, both offensively and defensively but the rest of the division lacks upside at 3rd base in the near future.
| Left Field | ||
| 1 | Kansas City | Alex Gordon |
| 2 | Minnesota | Ben Revere |
| 3 | Chicago | Alejandro De Aza |
| 4 | Cleveland | Michael Brantley |
| 5 | Detroit | Andy Dirks |
Left Field probably has the widest disparity between 1 and 2 of any position in the division (except maybe 3rd base). In 2011, Gordon hit for average and power and played superior defense in left field. Ben Revere is a fun player to watch but his lack of power does not lead one to believe he is long for left field. De Aza is a relative unknown that hit for good power in limited exposure to big league pitching in 2011. Brantley and Dirks are solid yet unspectacular players that would serve as 4th outfielders on a majority of big league teams.
| Center Field | ||
| 1 | Minnesota | Denard Span |
| 2 | Detroit | Austin Jackson |
| 3 | Kansas City | Lorenzo Cain |
| 4 | Cleveland | Grady Sizemore |
| 5 | Chicago | Alex Rios |
When healthy Denard Span is an above average defender and serves as the spark-plug for a potentially potent Twins offense. Austin Jackson is a plus defender with great range in center but is a liability at the lead-off position because of his strikeouts. I struggled with Sizemore's placement on this list. At one time he was the best center fielder in the game but injuries have stolen his promise. I ranked him 4th because I don't expect him to play in 80+ games in 2012.
| Right Field | ||
| 1 | Cleveland | Shin-Soo Choo |
| 2 | Kansas City | Jeff Francoeur |
| 3 | Minnesota | Josh Willingham |
| 4 | Detroit | Brennan Boesch |
| 5 | Chicago | Dayan Viciedo |
Shin-Soo Choo suffered through a disappointing 2011 marred by injuries. When healthy he and the 2011 version of Alex Gordon are pretty much the same player. Both are capable of a .300/.380/.500 batting line while playing above average defense. Boesch has performed well in spurts but has not performed for an entire season. Willingham hit for good power in Oakland, which is not exactly a hitter's paradise, but he is now in his mid-30's and moving to a park that has stolen the power of Mauer and Morneau. Jeff Francoeur, the laughingstock of stat geeks before last season hit 20 homers, 47 doubles, and stole 20+ bases while playing solid strong-armed defense in right.
| DH | ||
| 1 | Kansas City | Billy Butler |
| 2 | Cleveland | Travis Hafner |
| 3 | Detroit | Delmon Young |
| 4 | Minnesota | Ryan Doumit |
| 5 | Chicago | Adam Dunn |
At the start of 2012, Butler is still the most dependable hitter in the KC lineup. He can be counted on to approach 20 HR's and 40+ doubles. Hafner is injury prone with horrible numbers vs lefties. Young is a streaky hitter capable of destroying or winning a series for his team. Ryan Doumit is Just A Guy; while Adam Dunn will prove this season that he is washed up.
Upcoming: AL Central Lineup Rankings/Expectations
No comments:
Post a Comment