Prince Fielder’s 2013 – 3 Slash Line (.279/.362/.819) is far below his Career Mark of .286/.389/.916. The man also has not hit a HR in his last 74 AB in the postseason. for the last 2 years of 2012 and 2013. Fielder at least had 5 HRs in 1st 70 AB for his playoff Career. Maybe that will change in Texas, after he clubs his way to an AL MVP for the Rangers. He is capable of putting up monster numbers in Texas, and should enjoy hitting at ‘The BallPark In Arlington” 81` times a year.
By Jordan Gluck (Prospects/Baseball Operations Correspondent) Follow @JGluck777
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Since everyone else was making their predictions for the upcoming seasons, I am throwing down my picks too. But first there are some categories to rifle through 1st.
AL MVP:
Prince Fielder
Hernandez is a perennial contender for the Cy Young, and perhaps with a better offense in 2014, he will win the Award.
Nick Castellanos just turned 22 and is projected to be the everyday Staring 3B for the Tigers. Listed as Baseball America’s 37th best prospect in the MLB, he features a career Minor League Slash of .303/.359/.445 in 1601 AB. He is ready for the MLB primetime.
AL ROY:
Nick Castellanos
The Royals may be the benefactors of a vaunted AL East Division – and a massively improved AL West this year. I think Cleveland, Minnesota and Chicago will struggle to nail down 70 wins, and Detroit may also regress a couple of wins. This could help Kansas City break a 29 year playoff drought. If they do win the AL Central, Ned Yost would likely win the MGR of the year
AL Manager:
Ned Yost
In 2012 Harper was the sixteenth best offensive player in the NL – and the seventh best Outfielder. While this is impressive for a 19 year old it was not enough to make one think Harper was an MVP candidate. A few years later, he may hit 35+ HRs, drive in 100+ RBI – and be on a 1st place team. All earmarks of a NL MVP!
NL MVP:
Bryce Harper
Clayton Kershaw has been the best Starting Pitcher in the last 3 years. He has netted 3 straight NL ERA titles, and has compiled a record of 51 – 23 (.716). Kershaw established a career best ERA in 2013, with a mark of 1.83. The 25 Year Old has also lugged 697 IP in that time frame. He will win the Cy Young for a 3rd time in 4 in 2014.
NL Cy Young:
Clayton Kershaw
Expect Oscar Taveras to crack this squads starting lineup at any point in the early part of the year. He will hit, have a huge impact on the team, and win the ROY.
NL ROY:
Oscar Taveras
The Rockies usually have a multitude of problems coming directly from the Pitching Rotation. 2014 is a different story than the past few years, De La Rosa, Chatwood and Chacin have a solid Rotation – and will be backed by efforts from the Bullpen courtesy of Rex Brothers and Hawkins particularly. Throw in their offense with CARGO and TULO healthy for a full year, and it could be a great year. Surprise teams get the MGR of the year award. Walt Weiss
NL Manager:
Walt Weiss
MLB Predictions
Half a billion dollars spent, and their best addition may be Pineda as the #5 guy. They will spend $$ til they win this year. Additions will be made, and should provide them enough W’s to take home the division
AL East
New York Yankees
Baltimore Orioles
Tampa Bay Rays
Boston Red Sox
Toronto Blue Jays
The fans at Kauffman have the longest playoff drought of any MLB franchise at 29 years, and they are one of 2 clubs not to make the playoffs since the strike/lockout finished in 1995 (TOR is other), that ends in 2014.
AL Central
Kansas City Royals
Detroit Tigers
Cleveland Indians
Chicago White Sox
Minnesota Twins
How can a team that has 370 Wins over the last 4 years, have added Prince Fielder and Shin-Soo Choo in the winter (#1 and #4 hitters), be slated to lose 6 more games than in 2013? The team gets by early injuries and clubs themselves to a 2014 AL West title on the back of Fielder, Darvish, Beltre, Choo and Washington.
AL West
Texas Rangers
Seattle Mariners
Los Angeles Angels
Oakland Athletics
Houston Astros
This team definitely should be able to compete this season, as they have one of the most explosive lineups in all of baseball – and play great enough defense to carry the club to a Wild Card slot in 2014.
AL WC
Baltimore Orioles
Detroit Tigers
The fine folks of Washington have not hosted a World Series game since 1933. While they win the Division, it will be another year before the Fall Classic sets foot in the District of Colombia
NL East
Washington Nationals
Philadelphia Phillies
Miami Marlins
New York Mets
Atlanta Braves
In all, St. Louis is the front runner to take the NL Central yet again in 2014. They should also make their 5th WS Appearance in 11 years. Also, it would make their 9th NLCS birth in 14 seasons.
NL Central
St Louis Cardinals
Milwaukee Brewers
Cincinnati Reds
Pittsburgh Pirates
Chicago Cubs
NL West
The Dodgers, Cardinals and Nationals are the heavy favorites to win their divisions – and that is what will happen. LA should maintain the lead from right now – through the end of the year, never relinquishing the lead in the NL West.
Los Angeles Dodgers
San Francisco Giants
Colorado Rockies
Arizona Diamondbacks
San Diego Padres
This club often reminds me of an aging heavyweight fighter. You may beat on them for a time, but there is always that chance the team will land a haymaker on you. 2007 was one of their days in the sunshine. 2014 may see them at least make the postseason again,
NL WC:
San Francisco Giants
Colorado Rockies
World Series:
Royals over Cardinals
We could see another version of the i – 70 World Series. Cards’ pitcher Todd Worrell argues a call with first base ump Don Denkinger. Baseball. World Series, 1985. Game 6. I am predicting the Royals will win the Fall Classic yet again versus their Missouri rivals. If there is a controversial play in this years World Series, at least video replay will be there to review it.
*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com or their partners.***
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A big thank-you goes out to our ‘Prospects/Baseball Operations Correspondent’ Jordan Gluck for preparing today’s featured article.
Jordan wants to be a MLB President of baseball operations one day. He has grown up in south Florida all of his life after moving there when he was two months old.
Jordan grew up a FLORIDA Marlins fan but lost his devoting allegiance when they moved to Miami. He is now a student at the University of Denver .
He will have a heavy focus on roster evaluations, prospects, and the business of baseball!
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