Baseball season is just around the corner. Every year, ‘experts’ attempt to predict which teams and players will come out on top after a 162 game season, a near impossible task. There are always dark horse teams and players that inevitably slip through the cracks and emerge to catch everyone by surprise. Here are my candidates. Looking forward to seeing how wrong I am. AL Team: Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays quietly picked up 90 wins last year, not quite good enough to compete for the AL East and just outside of the wild card race. Along the way, they infuriated baseball purists by creating the “opener” role due to a depleted starting rotation. The one reliable starter they had, Blake Snell, just so happened to win the AL Cy Young award. They addressed the rotation by signing All-Star Charlie Morton, and will look for a breakout season from former top prospect Tyler Glasnow, acquired via trade. Tommy Pham will be the X-Factor for this team. He put up MVP type numbers after being acquired from the Cardinals last season, and a repeat performance could help his team make some noise. NL Team: Cincinnati Reds
The Reds were active this offseason in an attempt to put together a competitive 2019 squad. Their offseason trade with the Dodgers netted them three players that will make an immediate impact (Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Alex Wood). Scooter Gennett and Eugenio Suárez (former Tiger) have emerged as legitimate All-Star caliber players on the infield. Joey Votto will hit .300 and pick up a million walks. Phenom Nick Senzel (No. 6 overall prospect) will get a shot to crack the opening day roster and is a Rookie of the Year candidate. The biggest question to me is the rotation. The new arrivals (Sonny Gray, Tanner Roark, Wood) have all had recent success in the majors, but are all coming off down years. Luis Castillo is a young fire baller who will look to take the next step, and Anthony DeSclafani can be a solid anchor if he can stay healthy. If they can keep it in the yard, which is tough to do in Cincinnati, look out for this team. AL MVP: 3B Matt Chapman, Oakland A’s
Entering his third season, it’s no secret what Matt Chapman can do on defense. In 2018 he took home both the Gold Glove and the Platinum Glove (awarded to best overall defender in both leagues). After slashing a respectable .278/.356/.508 with 24 home runs in 2018, he finished 7th in MVP voting. I’m predicting a breakout year at the plate and another Gold Glove at 3B, propelling Chapman into the MVP race. NL MVP: 1B Rhys Hoskins, Philadelphia Phillies
Rhys Hoskins exploded onto the scene after his call-up in 2017, seemingly hitting everything thrown his way out of the ballpark. In 2018, he displayed staying power over a full season sample size, showing he can be a 30 HR/100 RBI performer at the big league level. Entering his age 26 season on a team that figures to compete for a division title, I expect a massive year for Hoskins. AL Cy Young: Nathan Eovaldi, Boston Red Sox
Nathan Eovaldi endeared himself to the city of Boston during his epic performance in the 2018 postseason (1.61 ERA in 22.1 innings pitched). He was rewarded with a four year contract and an opportunity to be a huge piece in the Red Sox attempt to repeat as world champs. Eovaldi certainly has the pure stuff to be a top-tier pitcher and will not have to worry about run support. NL Cy Young: Germán Marquez, Rockies
German Marquez was arguably the best pitcher in baseball not named Jacob deGrom during the 2nd half of 2018. He fired 15 quality starts out of 17, with a 2.47 ERA and 12 strikeouts per 9 IP. The 23 year old is downright filthy. Probably pretty stupid to choose a Rockies pitcher given the obvious disadvantage of starting half of his games at Coors Field. However, his pure ability to miss bats leads me to believe he can be a legitimate ace.
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