2023 Preseason All-AL Central Team: Hitters

[Matthew Taylor]

We’re under a week from opening day, so let’s take a look at the American League Central and who figures to be the best at each position, starting with the batters.

Image courtesy of Peter Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Catcher: Salvador Perez, KCR
ZiPS projection: .267/.310/.499, 28 HR, 84 RBI, 3.2 fWAR

After a dominant season in 2021, Salvador Perez struggled with a thumb injury in 2022 and saw his OPS drop by over 100 points. Even still, Perez enjoyed a 110 OPS+ season with 23 bombs. Now fully healthy heading into 2023 there’s no reason not to think that Salvy will maintain his reign as the best catcher in the American League Central.

Honorable mention: Yasmani Grandal, CWS

First Base: Vinnie Pasquantino, KCR
ZiPS projection: .275/.352/.474, 21 HR, 77 RBI, 2.4 fWAR

Although he wasn’t a highly touted prospect coming out of Old Dominion, Pasquantino mashed his way through the Minor Leagues and earned a call up to the Royals last season and his play didn’t skip a beat. In 72 games in Kansas City in 2022, Vinnie posted an .832 OPS thanks to his average exit velocity of 91.2 MPH. The projections systems don’t think that Pasquantino’s 2022 was a fluke and he figures to be the top first baseman in the Central in 2023.

Honorable mention: Josh Bell, CLE

Second Base: Andrés Giménez, CLE
ZiPS projection: .266/.336/.416, 15 HR, 73 RBI, 4.7 fWAR

If it weren’t for the unknown extent of his injury, this spot would likely belong to Jorge Polanco. Polanco is starting the season on the injured list, though, and details of the severity have been pretty vague. In his spot is Andrés Giménez who is one of the more underrated players in the American League Central. The Venezuelan earned his first all-star birth in 2022 and finished top-10 in MVP voting. At 24-years-old, Giménez could occupy the spot as best second baseman in the division for a while.

Honorable mention: Jorge Polanco, MIN

Third Base: Jose Ramírez, CLE
ZiPS projection: .272/.353/.516, 30 HR, 108 RBI, 6.1 fWAR

One of the few true superstars in all of baseball, Ramírez was an easy selection for the third base spot on the All-AL Central team. The switch hitter has posted a >.800 OPS in each of the past seven seasons. J-Ram is the straw that stirs the Guardians’ drink and if the Guardians want to make a deep playoff run in 2023, he will be the one leading the charge.

Honorable mention: Jose Miranda, MIN

Shortstop: Carlos Correa, MIN
ZiPS projection: .276/.355/.472, 24 HR, 79 RBI, 5.9 fWAR

The first Minnesota Twin to make an appearance on the All-AL Central list is Carlos Correa. The star shortstop and biggest free agent in Minnesota Twins history is not only the best shortstop in the AL Central, but in the running for best shortstop in Major League Baseball. On top of being a perennial Gold Glove candidate, Correa is an on-base master with 25 homer power. Correa finished 2022 as a 4.4 fWAR player, and if all goes well he’ll exceed that in 2023.

Honorable mention: Bobby Witt Jr., KCR

Outfield: Byron Buxton, MINZiPS projection:
.256/.323/.544, 22 HR, 51 RBI, 4.1 fWAR

When healthy, Byron Buxton has the upside to be an MVP winner. 2022 was another difficult health season for the center fielder as he failed to eclipse 100 games played for the fifth consecutive season. Even playing in just 92 games, Buxton chipped in 4 fWAR for the Minnesota Twins and is the top outfielder in the American League Central.

Outfield: Luis Robert, CWS
ZiPS projection: .273/.319/.464, 18 HR, 68 RBI, 3.4 fWAR

Similar to Byron Buxton, Luis Robert has MVP-type upside but also has been bit majorly by the injury bug in his short Major League career. Lou Bob is your prototypical 5-tool player who does it all on both sides of the ball. Should he stay healthy in 2023, Robert will affirm this spot on the All-AL Central team and the White Sox should find themselves in the mix for the division.

Outfield: Steven Kwan, CLE
ZiPS projection: .274/.350/.377, 7 HR, 53 RBI, 3.5 fWAR

Coming out of nowhere in 2022, Steven Kwan burst onto the scene for the Guardians in 2022 and nearly grabbed the American League Rookie of the Year award, thanks to his .772 OPS and his incredible glove in the outfield. At the young age of 25, Kwan’s arrow is pointing up and figures to improve in 2023.

Honorable mention: Riley Greene, DET

Total appearances on All-AL Central Team: Hitters

Guardians: 3
Twins: 2
Royals: 2
White Sox: 1
Tigers: 0

Do you agree with the All-AL Central team? Who was the biggest snub? Leave a comment and start the conversation!

 

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[rusty boots]

Dang, lists like these make me realize how bad the tigers actually are lol 

[jmlease1]

Seems about right. The good thing about where the Twins are right now is I don't think they'd finished last in any of these slots either. A couple of guys who are the best hitter at their position in the division, a couple of runners-up, and no one who is trash? That can score you quite a few runs.

[Cory Engelhardt]

Hypothetically, if Miranda were to flip to 1b, with Royce Lewis at 3b (just roll with me here) where would you put Miranda in the 1b pecking order? 

Inquiring minds.

[mikelink45]

Nice summary, but on the All Star team and in the MVP top ten makes Giminez - not underrated.  I like him a lot.  The OF is a challenge.  I am not comfortable with these three, but I do not know who to put in if Roberts and Buxton continue their injury streak and based on the past five years why wouldn't' t they?  

Detroit and KC continue to allow the Sox, Twins, and Guardians to dominate the list.

But who is DH?

[Schmoeman5]

Where can I buy tickets for the All AL Central banquet.

[Jocko87]

No DH, just like the Twins.  I see what you did there 😉

[tony&rodney]

Interesting look at the AL Central. 

I would put Vasquez ahead of Grandal for HM catcher. Robert and Buxton get spots for talent, but I'll give Greene (DET) a position over one of those two and keep Kwan.

Lastly, I'm still liking our guy Alex Kirilloff at 1B.

[MMMordabito]

28 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

I would put Vasquez ahead of Grandal for HM catcher.

I'd put Zunino and Vasquez ahead of Grandal at this point, but that's why these lists are fun.

[Tyler from Oregon]

Hard to argue with any of these choices. 

[Minny505]

7 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Nice summary, but on the All Star team and in the MVP top ten makes Giminez - not underrated.  I like him a lot.  The OF is a challenge.  I am not comfortable with these three, but I do not know who to put in if Roberts and Buxton continue their injury streak and based on the past five years why wouldn't' t they?  

Detroit and KC continue to allow the Sox, Twins, and Guardians to dominate the list.

But who is DH?

DH: Austin Meadows - Tigers

At 1B, I feel the discussion should be more between Pasquantino and Vaughan. Bell is a distant third behind those two.

Also, I respectfully disagree on Polonco being the favorite at 2B if healthy. The projected 4.7 WAR from Giminez would be a career high for Polanco. 

[IndianaTwin]

Who would win the Utility spots? I dont know the other rosters, but I like Farmer and Gordon for those slots.

[JD-TWINS]

21 hours ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Hypothetically, if Miranda were to flip to 1b, with Royce Lewis at 3b (just roll with me here) where would you put Miranda in the 1b pecking order? 

Inquiring minds.

Not to over reach, I’d say 2nd…….if Kiriloff is healthy he may be #1?

 

21 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Nice summary, but on the All Star team and in the MVP top ten makes Giminez - not underrated.  I like him a lot.  The OF is a challenge.  I am not comfortable with these three, but I do not know who to put in if Roberts and Buxton continue their injury streak and based on the past five years why wouldn't' t they?  

Detroit and KC continue to allow the Sox, Twins, and Guardians to dominate the list.

But who is DH?

KC’s infield has 2 guys plus an honorable mention…..not too terrible. They had Taylor & Benintendi last year in OF - not perfect but OK. Odd they didn’t keep that group together…..I certainly don’t follow them, just information that’s obvious here.

Buxton/Larnach combination has a great shot at best DH…..,these two also have a shot for best combined outfielder.

[JD-TWINS]

19 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Interesting look at the AL Central. 

I would put Vasquez ahead of Grandal for HM catcher. Robert and Buxton get spots for talent, but I'll give Greene (DET) a position over one of those two and keep Kwan.

Lastly, I'm still liking our guy Alex Kirilloff at 1B.

Vasquez starting year at Honorable Mention seems right!

[JD-TWINS]

10 hours ago, IndianaTwin said:

Who would win the Utility spots? I dont know the other rosters, but I like Farmer and Gordon for those slots.

If not best Utility - they are most valuable. Gordon is going to start 125 games & Farmer around 110 games……essentially “multi position” starters.

[jkcarew]

Don't you have to assume that Taylor is going to play more games in Center than Buxton? I think you do. And in that case, I don't think you can give the Twins that category.

Now, if you added a DH category...and assumed that Twins would be 50% Buxton and 50% 'host of others'...would you give the Twins DH? Jose Abreu out of the division...a push with Cleveland and Josh Bell?

[Heiny]

I am a big fan of a Larnach breakout this year.  I will predict him as the third or maybe second outfileder.  I'm hoping he starts out strong to boost his confidence and stays away from the injury bug.  This kid has a sweet swing and has monstrous power when he barrels it up.  Gut feeling, he will be the guy that propels this team.  Hoping for similar results from Kirilloff.

[nicksaviking]

Agree with Gimenez for this list, but I don't think he ends the year that way. I thought last year was an outlier for him and am happy Cleveland just allocated some of their scarce salary space to him for years to come. Even in the minors those power numbers and most importantly, the OBP never approached what he did last year. I think he's due for some serious regression.