Each week leading up to the start of the MLB season, we’ll be taking a look at one division, giving you our projected final standings and one storyline for each squad heading into the 2020 season. F1 Preview to come later this week.
AL East
1. New York Yankees:
The addition of Gerrit Cole: Cole was one of the AL’s biggest names on the mound last season, leading the MLB in strikeouts, and looks to do the same in the “Big Apple" this season. Every now and then, the Yankees use their status as a former dynasty to reel in big names. Cole is the latest, as he signed a whopping nine-year, 324 million dollar deal in December, which marked the highest ever for a pitcher. While the rest of the starting rotation is not made up of big names, New York has several superstars when it comes to the offense, as outfielders Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton have plenty of power at the plate. Judge is batting .207 with six homers and Stanton is hitting just .189 according to Baseball Reference’s simulated stats through yesterday for the 2020 season.
2. Tampa Bay Rays:
The MLB’s most recent two way player?: Tampa Bay already has phenomenal pitching in Blake Snell and Tyler Glasgow. The pitching staff could be aided even more in 2020 if Brendan McKay does indeed start the season in the big leagues. McKay was drafted out of Louisville in 2017, and became the first U.S prospect to be developed as a two-way player, not only serving as a starter for the Rays, but also as a DH. That ability will make McKay invaluable to the Rays, as he seeks to improve on his 2-4, 5.14 ERA campaign last year, where he also hit .200 (2 for 10). Also keep an eye on Wander Franco, an up-and-coming second baseman, who could very well become the first player born in the 2000s to make his MLB debut. And a fun fact: he shares the name Wander with not only his father, who played minor league ball in the 90’s, but also his two brothers, who both currently play in the minors.
3. Toronto Blue Jays:
Trio of young stars share an MLB bond: What Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Bo Bichette, and Cavan Biggio share goes far beyond the fact that all three made their MLB debuts last season in Toronto. Each is the son of a former major leaguer, and in most ways, follows in their father’s style of play. Guerrero Jr. takes after his father’s hard hitting, swing for the fences approach at the plate, with a .433 slugging percentage and 15 homers on his way to a spot in the home run derby last season. Biggio has a good eye, like his father Craig, drawing 71 walks in 2019. Finally, Bichette took after his dad’s gold glove, posting a near flawless fielding percentage in 42 games last year (.989). It is these three in particular that offer the most hope for a return to the playoffs for this once-dominating franchise, as they are young, talented, and following in the footsteps of their famous fathers.
4. Boston Red Sox:
JD Martinez’s home run hitting: If there is a name you need to know when watching these Red Sox, it is Martinez, who brought veteran leadership and a powerful bat to Boston in 2018. Typically hitting in the cleanup spot at designated hitter for the Red Sox, his role as a hitter will come into play even more this season, after Boston lost starting pitcher David Price and all-star right fielder Mookie Betts to Los Angeles this offseason. Not to mention, the recent mess caused by the illegal sign-stealing operation they used during the 2018 season. The Red Sox will undoubtedly have a tough climb back to the top, but it will begin in 2020 with Martinez and his hard-hitting approach. According to Baseball Reference’s simulated stats through yesterday, Martinez is hitting .206 with 16 RBI, but just six homers.
5. Baltimore Orioles:
Alberto to carry the offense: Trey Mancini had a phenomenal 2019 season, swatting 35 homers and hitting .291 while veteran infielder Hanser Alberto, who had bounced around for years in the minors, finally made his mark by challenging Mancini for the team batting title. In 2020, though, Alberto will probably be the strongest bat in the lineup, as Mancini “doubts he’ll be able to play in 2020” as he recovers from stage three colon cancer. With that said, it will be interesting to see who steps up alongside Alberto in the lineup. The offense alone will not be enough to get the Orioles into the playoffs, but should, at the very least, make Baltimore competitive again, as the front office seeks to rebuild the team with young talent.
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