The Chicago White Sox won the American League Central in 2021 going away. Chicago is looking to win the division crown for the second consecutive season. They were bounced in the AL Divisional Series against the Houston Astros in four games.
MLB fans and analysts are making their predictions division by division for the upcoming 2022 MLB regular season. These Hoki633 Picks today are not easy to make. Who will finish in the American League Central for the upcoming 2022 MLB regular season?
1. Chicago White Sox
It is very possible that the Chicago White Sox will run away with the American League Central for the second consecutive season. Chicago has so much more talent than everyone else in the division. The White Sox are the only team in the division that is built to win now, while everyone else is still rebuilding and not ready yet to contend.
The Chicago White Sox had one of the best starting rotations in all of baseball last year. They also had a very reliable bullpen. Lucas Giolito will be the ace of this rotation. Dylan Cease and Dallas Keuchel will be two other key veterans in the starting rotation. Liam Hendriks is one of the best closers in all of baseball.
Chicago has some swagger in the lineup with Tim Anderson, Jose Abreu, and Eloy Jimenez. The White Sox have the chance to go all the way this year. However, will playing in a very weak division cause them to get bounced earlier this year?
Their manager is Tony La Rusa. He is a World Series Hall of Fame Manager and last won it all as a manager with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011. The last time the Chicago White Sox won the World Series Title was back in 2005.
2. Detroit Tigers
This is probably going to be a year where the Detroit Tigers surprise people and sneak up on teams in the American League. They won’t win the division, but Detroit is going to have a couple of prospects that will make noise immediately, including first baseman Spencer Torkelson. He is going to be a major league hitter and hit for power, average, and contact for the next decade.
Miguel Cabrera is going to be a veteran presence that will help mentor him. The Tigers also made a very big splash in free agency by signing shortstop/second baseman Javier Baez to a six-year deal. He was with the Chicago Cubs and the New York Mets beforehand. Baez will also add some swagger and some offensive firepower to this lineup. He is also very good defensively.
Manager A.J. Hinch should be in for more of a fun year with the Tigers. Detroit will also have some growing pains this season, but there will be some optimism once the 2022 regular season ends.
The starting rotation does remain a work in progress, but they hope Casey Mize can become that eventual ace of this starting rotation. Mize moed batters down in the minors and maybe it will finally transition to the big leagues.
3. Cleveland Guardians
The Cleveland Guardians will have a very good starting rotation led by Shane Bieber, Zach Plesac, and Aaron Civale. The biggest question for this baseball will be can they hit the baseball at all?
There were rumors going around about potentially trading third baseman Jose Ramirez. He is by far their best offensive player, but Ramirez is either really hot or really cold. This organization does not spend enough money to be instant contenders.
Trey Francona is still around as the teams’ manager. He hopes the youth movement can help them out in 2022.
4. Kansas City Royals
Mike Matheny is the new Kansas City Royals manager after Ned Yost retired after last season. Kansas City in a year or two from now could potentially be the best team in the American League Central. The Royals have prospects waiting to make a name for themselves in the MLB.
Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. will be one player to keep an eye on this year and he could be potentially the rookie of the year in the American League. Catcher Salvador Perez is still around as a veteran leader and still has that power pop in his bat. Pitchers Brady Singer and Daniel Lynch hope they can both be the main top of the rotation pitchers.
5. Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins were really bad last year and will be again this year. They did sign shortstop Carlos Correa to a four-year deal during the offseason. Minnesota’s manager is Rocco Baldelli.
Chris Archer will probably be the opening day starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins, but he is more of a pitcher that will eat up innings. This is not ideal for Minnesota and its Twins fanbase also.
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