For my first post, I would like to give you all a preview. This will be broken into 6 parts, with parts 1-3 focusing on the position players, parts 4-5 on the pitchers, and part 6 on potential call ups and trades.
Jim Leyland has his Opening Day 25 man roster, which looks like this:
1) Austin Jackson CF
2) Brennan Boesch RF
3) Miguel Cabrera 3B
4) Prince Fielder 1B
5) Delmon Young LF
6) Jhonny Peralta SS
7) Ryan Raburn DH
8) Alex Avila C
9) Ramon Santiago 2B
Bench:
10) Gerald Laird C
11) Danny Worth INF
12) Donny Kelly INF/OF/P/C/Manager/Hitting Coach/Gigalo/Red Wings Goalie/Lions Kicker/Pistons SF
13) Andy Dirks OF
14) Clete Thomas OF
A few notes:
1) Normally, Leyland would carry 12 pitchers and 13 positional players, but due to the scheduling and not needing a 5th starter for the first few games, Leyland can have an extra positional player while still having a full 7 man bullpen.
2) Danny Worth, although deserving of a spot on this roster, will not be with the team after about 2 weeks. Leyland has said that our hero, the exalted one, Brandon Inge will be his starting 2nd Basemen against left handed pitchers when he comes off the DL.
3) Also, when the need for the 5th starter comes about, either Thomas or Dirks will head south to Toledo. Based on Spring Training, you have to think that Dirks stays in Detroit. He's not a very "toolsy" guy, but he hits the ball well, has some pop, can field pretty well, and run decently. Thomas is the more "wow" of the two. He has a plus arm in the OF, can run better than Dirks, and has more power than Dirks. That's why I believe Leyland will keep Thomas over Dirks, because if you want a power bat to pinch hit in the late innings, or a late innings defensive replacement, Thomas is better than Dirks, even though Dirks is the better overall player
Onto the predictions:
1) Austin Jackson CF
Jackson had a rough season last year in terms of at the plate. His strikeout numbers went up, and his BABIP went down significantly, leading to a near 50 point drop in BA. In my opinion, his strikeout numbers will decrease, albeit not nearly to the level I would like, and his walk percentage will increase as well. I don't think Jackson will ever get on base enough to be considered an elite leadoff hitter, but his OBP should climb enough to at least be decent.
2011 Stats: .249/.317/.374/.690. 22 2B, 11 3B, 10 HR, 45 RBI, 90 R. 181 K, 56 BB, 22 SB.
2012 Predictions: .272/.346/.390/.736. 25 2B, 9 3B, 8HR, 38RBI, 105 R. 155k, 68BB, 25 SB
2) Brennan Boesch RF
Boesch is my pick for breakout performer in the AL. He should see nothing but straight fastballs hitting in front of the best 3-4 in recent memory. We all remember his incredible first half in 2010, followed by his horrendous second half of 2010. Last year he hit the ball pretty well, with solid power until his thumb injury ended his season and skewed his stats. He is a free swinger with ridiculous raw power that simply needs to learn a little plate discipline to go from good to great. As I said, he should see great pitches hitting in front of the bash brothers. Again, I think Boesch will have a breakout year.
2011 Stats: .283/.341/.458/.799. 25 2B, 1 3B, 16 HR, 54 RBI, 75 R. 85 K, 35 BB, 5 SB.
2012 Predictions: .295/.365/.560/.925. 33 2B, 3 3B, 25 HR, 78 RBI, 93 R. 103 K, 48 BB, 4 SB
3) Miguel Cabrera 3B
Miguel Cabrera is the best hitter in baseball. Am I biased? Maybe. Some could argue Pujols, Kemp, Braun, or whoever and they would all be valid arguments, but sorry. On this blog, Cabrera is the best hitter in baseball, and Verlander is the best pitcher. Last year Cabby won the batting title, hitting an incredible .344. I'm not a true sabermetrics aficionado, but I study it enough to take more stock in OBP and OPS than BA. Well, for the saber friends out there, Cabby's OBP was an astounding .448 and his OPS was an earth-shattering 1.033. And somehow, Cabrera could have an even BETTER year this season, with new Tiger Prince Fielder hitting behind him. Yes, Victor Martinez was outstanding last year, but Prince Fielder is one of those "elite" talents. Cabby is moving back to 3B this year, cause for concern among baseball elitists everywhere. I'm not too worried. He got himself into great shape this winter, losing over 30lbs, and is absolute freak athlete. Cabby will be fine.
2011 Stats: .344/.448/.586/.1.033. 48 2B, 0 3B, 30 HR, 105 RBI, 111 R. 89 K, 108 BB, 2 SB.
2012 Predictions: .335/.453/.595/1.048. 46 2B, 3 3B, 32 HR, 110 RBI, 120 R. 85 K, 100 BB, 4 SB
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