Fantasy baseball: Karabell’s bold predictions for every AL team

Spring training is coming to an end and the 2022 regular season is about to (finally) begin. So it’s time to be a little bolder when it comes to fantasy baseball! Of course, there are different degrees of lightness. For example, while I believe the White Sox OF Eloy Jimenez could end up posting career high totals, I don’t think he’ll hit 55 blasts. There’s a big difference in how bold there is!

Bold The predictions are great until they look completely ridiculous, which is quite often. They’re not supposed to work, but if they do, you look smart. I’m not trying to be smart. I doubt it will fool anyone. I’m trying to make some predictions that are a bit out of the norm, but those that I think are realistic.

Anyway, let’s start with it, starting with the American League. (We will comment on our National League tomorrow.) Again, it should be made clear that most, if not all, of these bold predictions will not happen. Still, I’m probably on the right track with some of them – and that could be just as important as we tackle our final fantasy baseball drafts before the start of the regular season. often.

Baltimore Orioles: All on board Jorge Mateo train! Who? Yes, learn the name. Mateo is a nimble guy who can have a hard time getting into the base. He’s not a prospect, but Orioles is the character to keep him on the list and play him. I think they will love his energy and flexibility. We will love the 15 run houses and the 25 stolen bases. This could be a miniature version of Cedric Mullins! Also, I took my time to believe in John Means, but I’m giving him 15 wins. Yes, on this team.

Boston Red Sox: Would you believe me if I said that I think Trevor’s story, formerly of the Colorado Rockies, will have a better season with Boston than he did in 2021? You then. Many houses and bases were stolen. Higher polishing average. That seems bold. Story is a great player, and while we can’t get into the player’s mind, he must be having fun playing for a winning franchise. Don’t panic here. Oh, good for Triston Casas’ prospects and his continued ascent, but Bobby Dalbec is beating 35 of the hosts in big games this season.

Chicago White Sox: If you think it’s a legit Michael Kopech Breakthrough last season, just wait until this summer. Kopech whistled 36% of the big boys he faced. He probably can’t do it as a beginner, since no one appreciates that percentage among qualified starters, but… well, why not? This is AL’s Corbin Burns. Kopech doesn’t win AL Cy Young (yet), but around 130 plays, 2.90 ERA and 200 Ks should work. Also, as suggested in my intro, Eloy Jimenez hit 40 owners.

Cleveland Defenders: There is no reason why SS Amed Rosario cannot double his total stolen base and lead the team. He just needs want it. In fact, let’s give a trio of Guardians – the name is growing for me – 30 steals. Myles Straw and Jose Ramirez used to do it. Rosario joined them and rookie Steven Kwan made four – OK, no, I can’t give him that much of a steal, but “Unruly David Fletcher” made .300.

Detroit Tigers: All that attractive on the left Tarik Skubal What you need to do is limit your runs home. I say it happens and Skubal drops more than once from his ERA to 3.20, and rates 195 hitters. Oh, and rookie Spencer Torkelson is legit. He leads the team in home runs with 33.

Houston Astros: It’s time Michael Brantley to win his first AL batting title. Jeremy Pena finished third in the AL top rookie poll, with 22 home runs. Justin Verlander won 18 games. The Astros won 100.

Kansas City Royals: Royals need to give Edward Olivares a role starts now. It happened before the end of April and Olivares, who hit .313 with strength and speed in Triple-A Omaha, ended up as a 20/20 player and a fantasy freestyle character. On the pitch, Carlos Hernandez was the Royals’ best player. He ended up with an ERA of 3.75. Whit Merrifield ended the season with the San Diego Padres.

Los Angeles Angels: I saw five Angels fight 30 battles home. Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon have already achieved this, while Jared Walsh only failed one season ago. Jo Adell make it five! The skills and strength were almost undisputed. That’s the contact, but the pressure is now gone. He could be Franmil Reyes.

Minnesota Twins: How about 500 PA for Byron Buxton? Eh, if I believe it, I’d put him in the top 20. Give him 350 PA (which he’s only hit once in seven seasons), but a 28 home runs and 15 hits. steal. Go get RHP Joe Ryan before the real breakout. He’s a perfectly legit arm with offensive potential. He wins 15 when the Twins unexpectedly land an AL wildcard.

New York Yankees: There’s something to offer in this crowded yard, because I don’t understand how Anthony Rizzo, DJ LeMahieu, Gleyber Torres, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Josh Donaldson have each accumulated over 550 PA. I’d like to predict that Rizzo takes the lead and scores 100 runs, but that seems too hard. So let’s go to the pitch side and give Jameson Taillon second best season of his career. He will go into deeper matches in 2021 and win 15, with an ERA of 3.50. It beat last season.

Oakland Athletics: Rookies Kevin Smith came in Chapman deal and he has power. His 25 home runs will lead the team, although hitting the ball on average can hurt a bit. This is not a great team. Cole Irvin will lead the club in the innings after Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas finished with NL St. Louis and Philadelphia. Daulton Jefferies leads the Oakland pitchers in wins, ERAs and whiffs.

Seattle Mariners: It seems too convenient to hand the title to pending star Julio Rodriguez 500 PA and Rookie of the Year, so let’s focus on Jarred Kelenic, his value dropped dramatically after his rookie hit hard. I refuse to believe that “that’s all there is to it.” He hit .260 with 25 home runs. In fact, six Mariners hit 25 bursts (Jesse Winker, Mitch Haniger, Ty France, Eugenio Suarez, Kelenic and Rodriguez). Logan Gilbert is the number 2 starter.

Tampa Bay Rays: Where do I start? I wouldn’t give Wander Franco a 0.330 or 25 home hit, because I can’t make that case. I think Vidal BrujanHowever, his forces are brought into the squad – and very few people in the imagination seem to focus on him. This is an accomplice to steal 30, and fast. So let’s give him 500 PA, somehow, and he hits .300 with 10 home runs and, yes, 30 steals. Also, Drew Rasmussen will have the same stats as Shane McClanahan, but only one of them is in the draft.

Texas Rangers: No more excuses for RHP Jon Gray. He’s in a better pitcher’s park. He misses the bats. He has a solid defense supporting him. Gray at Coors Field was much better than last season. He was 30 years old. Time to hit 15 wins and get 3.40 ERA. On the board, 1B Nathaniel Lowe hit more lanes home than Corey Seager and Leody Taveras ended up leading the Rangers with 20 stolen bases. Some young players just need more time than others!

Toronto Blue Jays: Third Warrior Matt Chapman hit 36 ​​home runs for the 2019 Athletics and 21 of those came in home games in a sizable, spacious stadium. He is likely to do it again. No one is saying he won the batting title, but in a friendlier home stadium, he hit 37 home runs and beat in 110 runs, every second on the team ahead of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Additionally, Kevin Gausman won the AL East and earned Cy Young’s vote. He’s been playing better in road games the past two seasons against the San Francisco Giants, you know.