The Tiger's Roar

2011 BASEBALL PREVIEW

Part 2: American League Central

Projected Standings:

1. Detroit Tigers

2. Chicago White Sox

3. Minnesota Twins

4. Cleveland Indians

5.  Kansas City Royals

Detroit Tigers:

Lineup:

Who knew that all you needed to fix a lineup was Victor Martinez? There are some big bats in the Motor City this year and the lineup is jacked with power. I can’t wait to watch pitchers squirm as they try and pitch around V-Mart, Miggy, and Ordonez (who will hopefully be DH and stay healthy this year). The biggest holes are Inge and Guillen, but the Tigers still have Scott Sizemore just waiting to take over in the infield. Also, if you don’t know Ryan Raburn, learn his name, he’s going to breakout this season.

Pitching:

When Jim Leyland's around, no one slacks off

Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, does it get better than that? Oh, Rick Porcello? Guess it does. We already know Verlander is an ace, and Scherzer really showcased his potential in the second half. Porcello is a groundball pitcher who has some effective stuff, and at the ripe age of 22 he’s got lots of time to tap into it. Brad Penny was a good depth signing with some upside swing. The bullpen could use a little support, but adding Benoit didn’t hurt.

Overall:

Since ’06 Detroit has had some awful luck trying to get back to the playoffs, but I think they could be one of the top two teams in the American League this year. The offense is very power heavy. Add playing in Comerica Park and it almost seems unfair. They’ve also finally bolstered that rotation and gotten a couple of tough arms behind Verlander. If the Twins can win the division with Liriano and Pavano, than Verlander, Scherzer, Porcello, and Penny should dominate.

Chicago White Sox:

Lineup:

As if they weren’t good enough before? They led the Central in dingers last season, and so Kenny Williams decides, hell, let’s add 40 more. So they sign Adam Dunn. Why not? That seems to be the mantra with the ChiSox. Konerko had a pretty ridiculous season, and Beckham had a pretty disappointing one, but I expect both of those things to change this season. The lineup is probably the best in the Central, 1-9, and the balance of speed and power is all there.

Pitching:

This is what’s holding Chicago back. We know they’ve got the workhorses (Buehrle and Danks), but they lack the ace. A healthy Jake Peavy would really put things back on track. People continue to talk about Edwin Jackson and Gavin Floyd, but they both pitch like Jekyll and Hyde. Chris Sale brings a big time prospect, with upside, to the table, but there’s still a debate whether he’ll start or pitch out of the pen. Chicago does have a good bullpen going for them at least.

Overall:

They’ve got the stellar offense, they’ve got the shutdown ‘pen, but they’re lacking in the rotation department. A healthy Peavy and a developed Chris Sale could put them over the top, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. Give it another season or two and this team could be real good, but for right now I don’t think they have that extra oomph to propel them above a second place finish.

Minnesota Twins:

Lineup:

There’s not much to dislike about the Twins offense. As always we can expect big things out of M&M, who are now supported by a dynamic Delmon Young. Further development out of Valencia and Casilla could give the Twins a very speedy and effective infield. They also have Denard Span (he gets walks, he steals bases, and he just makes things happen). No one is sure of what to expect from new Japanese import Tsuyoshi Nishioka, but I’ve already read some Ichiro comparisons, so excitement seems warranted.

Pitching:

The revival of Francisco Liriano was huge last season, and he still has ace stuff. Bringing back Pavano was a good move, but in my mind he’s still a ticking time bomb. I’m not counting out Brian Duensing, but no other pitcher in the rotation brings much to the table. Luckily, there’s hope in the form of Kyle Gibson. The Twins 2009 first rounder, out of Missouri, blasted through to AAA in his first professional season ever. However, pitching prospects are never very reliable out of the gate, and even if he makes the big league club this year I wouldn’t expect much impact.

Overall:

I’ve loved the Twins for a long time, but the pitching just isn’t there this year, and they didn’t try to fix that this winter. Liriano and Pavano were enough last season, but the two teams above them will be just too good this year. Also, the bullpen took a big hit over the winter, and they didn’t do anything to fix that. The offense is big, and the defense will probably be the best in the league, but without a big trade for a number three guy Minnesota is going to flop this year.

Cleveland Indians:

Lineup:

It feels like Cleveland is still scrapping together a team. The outfield seems set, there’s V-Mart 2.0 (AKA Carlos Santana) behind the dish, a maturing Matt LaPorta at 1^st, and Asdrubal Cabrera at short (I love this kid, very dynamic player). That still leaves big holes at 2^nd and 3^rd, and leftfield if they keep Crowe on the bench (which I pray they don’t; Westview High represent). The Tribe has big time prospects in Lonnia Chisenhall, who starts the hot corner, and Jason Kipnis; but, since they’ve only hit AA Spring will determine their arrival. I like the core a lot, but this year I wouldn’t expect anything amazing except from the usual suspects.

Pitching:

Like the offense there’s so much potential here, but it needs time to develop. For now Indian fans will have to be pleased with Carmona as the ace. Alex White and Drew Pomeranz bring something big to the table, but without more seasoning it won’t be this year. A future rotation of White, Pomeranz, Masterson, Hagadone, and Carmona should have Clevelanders salivating, but that’s at least two seasons away. One thing the Tribe could work on externally is the bullpen.

Overall:

When it comes to the AL Central everybody is talking about the ridiculous farm of the Royals, but Cleveland has some through the roof potential. Once Chisenhall and Kipnis make it they’ll have one of the best infields in the game, and that lineup will be very potent. Then there’s that rotation, which could, perhaps, add Pomeranz and White this season. These four prospects are going to be the big players in Cleveland’s future. They have a bit of a journey ahead of them, but with a year or two of seasoning we could see the Indians knocking on the door of the Central. Oh, and I can’t write something about the Indians and not mention Shin-Soo Choo. He’s been one of my favorite players for a long time and I love his game, I hope he gets to do something big in Cleveland soon.

Kansas City Royals:

Overall:

After moving Zach Greinke the Royals have been the talk of the prospect geeks. They absolutely have the best farm in the game. On the MLB’s list of top 50 prospects they were: the only team with two players in the top 10; four players in the top 20; and had more overall players in the top 50, than any other team, with six. The farm is deep with pitching and hitting and Kansas is going to be a force… in about three or four, or maybe even five seasons. Until then they’ve got Billy Butler, Joakim Soria, and, well, that’s about it. Trading Greinke definitely isn’t going to help them this season and for now there’s not much of a squad. Just remember Royal fans: Hosmer, Moustakas, and Montgomery are on their way.