Ranking the AL Central Hitters

There are a million ways to try to prepare for an upcoming season. In just four days, the Minnesota Twins will be at Target Field taking on the division-favorite Detroit Tigers.

Everyone knows that the Twins starting pitchers will not be able to compete on paper with the other pitchers in the division, but what about the hitters? [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

Let's check out the projected starters for the AL Central teams and compare them by position. Below, I'll go position-by-position with my ranking of the players. In the comments, be sure to post your rankings, and let's see how we did at the end of the year.

Catchers

1. Joe Mauer - Minnesota Twins
   
2. Carlos Santana - Cleveland Indians
   
3. Salvador Perez - Kansas City Royals
   
4. Alex Avila - Detroit Tigers
   
5. Tyler Flowers - Chicago White Sox
   

First Basemen

1. Prince Fielder - Detroit Tigers
   
2. Justin Morneau - Minnesota Twins
   
3. Nick Swisher - Cleveland Indians
   
4. Paul Konerko - Chicago White Sox
   
5. Eric Hosmer - Kansas City Royals
   

Second Basemen

1. Jason Kipnis - Cleveland Indians
   
2. Gordon Beckham - Chicago White Sox
   
3. Omar Infante - Detroit Tigers
   
4. Brian Dozier - Minnesota Twins
   
5. Chris Getz - Kansas City Royals
   

Third Basemen

1. Miguel Cabrera - Detroit Tigers
   
2. Mike Moustakus - Kansas City Royals
   
3. Trevor Plouffe - Minnesota Twins
   
4. Lonnie Chisenhall - Cleveland Indians
   
5. Jeff Keppinger - Chicago White Sox
   

Shortstop

1. Asdrubal Cabrera - Cleveland Indians
   
2. Alexi Ramirez - Chicago White Sox
   
3. Jhonny Peralta - Detroit Tigers
   
4. Alcides Escobar - Kansas City
   
5. Pedro Florimon - Minnesota Twins
   

Left Field

1. Alex Gordon - Kansas City
   
2. Josh Willingham - Minnesota Twins
   
3. Dayan Viciedo - Chicago White Sox
   
4. Michael Brantley - Cleveland Indians
   
5. Andy Dirks - Detroit Tigers
   

Center Field

1. Austin Jackson - Detroit Tigers
   
2. Michael Bourn - Cleveland Indians
   
3. Aaron Hicks - Minnesota Twins
   
4. Alejandro de Aza - Chicago White Sox
   
5. Lorenzo Cain - Kansas City Royals
   

Right Field

1. Torii Hunter - Detroit Tigers
   
2. Alex Rios - Chicago White Sox
   
3. Jeff Francoer - Kansas City Royals
   
4. Drew Stubbs - Cleveland Indians
   
5. Chris Parmelee - Minnesota Twins
   

Designated Hitter

1. Billy Butler - Kansas City Royals
   
2. Victor Martinez - Detroit Tigers
   
3. Adam Dunn - Chicago White Sox
   
4. Ryan Doumit - Minnesota Twins
   
5. Mark Reynolds - Cleveland Indians
   

So, there you have the postional rankings for the AL Century. Based on my rankings, if I were to add up the total numbers (of their placement within each position), there is a clear-cut paper projection winner. That is the Detriot Tigers.

So, the Tigers have a starting staff of Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Anibal Sanchez, Doug Fister and Rick Porcello, yet their offense will also be strong. Miguel Cabrera is coming off of a Triple Crown season. Prince Fielder was terrific in his debut season in Detroit. The also are adding Torii Hunter and they'll return the potent bat of Victor offense.

On offense, the Twins are right with the rest of the division and with any pitching will help lead to some more wins in 2013.

Here are my rankings:

1. Detroit Tigers - 21
   
2. Cleveland Indians - 26
   
3. Kansas City Royals - 29
   
4. Minnesota Twins - 29
   
5. Chicago White Sox - 30
   

So again, how would you rank all of the positions, and how does your team, or your favorite?