L&B's first annual players to watch projection project continues, today featuring the AL Central. AL West predictions can be found here, NL West is found here.
Minnesota Twins
2012 record: 66-96
Player to watch: CF Aaron Hicks
The Twins are going through a rebuild and they are going to be very bad this year. This offseason, they somewhat surprisingly traded away both their starting center and right fielders, Ben Revere and Denard Span. This opened up two outfield spots, and it was recently announced that 2008 first round pick and #3 ranked Twins prospect Aaron Hicks would be the teams opening day center fielder. Hicks is a toolsy guy who had a good year at AA in 2012, hitting .285/.382/.459 with 13 homers and 32 stolen bases, while showing he can take a walk. The depth behind Hicks is pretty underwhelming so it appears the Twinkies are going to have a long look at him this year. He is going to be hitting leadoff, and many believe he will be able to swipe 30 bags. Hicks is about the only player worth watching on the lowly Twins this year as the rest of their roster is looking pretty rough.
DC Projection: .255/.345/.404, 10 HR, 45 RBI, 28 SB, 12.5 BB%, 24.3 K%
Cleveland Indians
2012 record: 68-94
Player to watch: 3B Lonnie Chisenhall
The Indians should be much improved this year. In addition to landing new manager Terry Francona, the Tribe acquired some significant pieces in Michael Bourn, Nick Swisher and Mark Reynolds, who will help their lineup. At third base, Lonnie Chisenhall is going to be the everyday starter for the first time in his career. I'm a fan of Chisenhall and he has great upside which I believe he will live up to this year. With almost 400 major league plate appearances under his belt, look for him to be more comfortable and reach the power numbers he showed in the minors as he came up. He should get the chance to drive some runs in with some good hitters in front of him who will be able to reach base often. He doesn't take many walks and his OBP won't be very high but his power will give him an above average OPS. The Tribe should challenge for the AL Central pennant this year and Chisenhall is going to be a part of that.
DC Projection: .279/.328/.440, 20 HR, 71 RBI, 6.7 BB%, 17.2 K%
Kansas City Royals
2012 record: 72-90
Player to watch: 3B Mike Moustakas
Mike Moustakas went through a bit of a sophomore slump last year. Though he hit 20 homers, his batting average dipped almost 20 points and his K% went up almost 6%. The Royals are going to need Moose to bounce back this year, and I am predicting he will do just that and have a breakout year. His BABIP dropped almost 20 points last year as well which may attribute some of his struggles to bad luck, but almost every prediction system has it regressing back to the .296 mark he posted in 2011. I am bullish on Moustakas and my projection for him is one of the bolder ones I have made so far, but it is not without reason. Moustakas hits a ton of fly balls, and regularly showed fantastic power numbers coming up through the minors which have not yet translated to the majors. This year he will catch up with those numbers and have a great season for the Royals.
DC Projection: .268/.319./.468, 29 HR, 92 RBI, 7.1 BB%, 16.9 K%
Chicago White Sox
2012 record: 85-77
Player to watch: LF Dayan Viciedo
After a decent season season at the plate, the powerful Dayan Viciedo will look to take the next step in 2013. He hit 25 homers in 2012, but he couldn't take a walk, struck out 22% of the time, and clearly can't play defense. Viciedo would be a great DH for most teams, but unfortunately the Sox have another no defense/high strikeout guy in Adam Dunn playing there for the next 2 years. Though many figure Viciedo will take a step back this year, I am one of the few who believe Viciedo has improved his approach at the plate and will hit for a better triple slash line this year, and playing in US Cellular Field could help him reach 30 homers. With potential similar to that of Chisenhall, Viciedo could be the next premier power hitter in the AL and I believe we will see a glimpse of that in 2013.
DC Projection: .272/.316/.469, 31 HR, 77 RBI, 6.9 BB%, 18.7 K%
Detroit Tigers
2012 record: 88-74
Player to watch: 3B Miguel Cabrera
Ahhh we've saved the best for last. In what might be the boldest prediction I'll make this year, I am going to come out and say Miguel Cabrera will repeat as the Triple Crown winner. Let me explain: first off, although it seems like he's been around forever, Cabrera is only 29 years old, and still in his prime years. Second, looking at all the hitters in the AL, I don't see anyone who is a sure bet to hit the way Cabrera will. I see Trout slowing down, Bautista's wrist is a question mark, and Hamilton and Granderson will not repeat their power numbers. Cabrera is the best bet to win in all three of the Triple Crown categories. Should he repeat, he would obviously be the first player in the history of the game to do so and would most definitely cement his spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
DC Projection: .332/.413/.599, 42 HR, 129 RBI, 12.9 BB%, 14.6 K%
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