AL Central: Teams taking shape this spring
AL Central Notes takes a look throughout the FanSided network for articles on the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins and the Chicago White Sox.
• Kings of Kauffman (Kansas City Royals)
Kansas City Royals May Look to Franklin Morales: By David Hill
"“Morales would seem like an odd choice. He struggled last season, posting a 6-9 record with a 5.37 ERA and a 1.623 WHiP last year in 38 appearances, 22 of which were starts. Of course, those numbers also come with the caveat of the fact that Morales was in Colorado last season, the place where pitching goes to die.”"
Losing a pitcher like Tim Collins has to be tough for the Royals, especially after losing their ace from last season in James Shields to free agency. The Royals might struggle as they are, it seems, re-tooling at some positions this season, plus maybe last season was the lone year where everything came together for them.
More from White Sox News
- The Chicago White Sox might have had a season ending loss
- The Chicago White Sox are expecting Tim Anderson back soon
- Miguel Cairo’s words spark life into the Chicago White Sox
- Dylan Cease should be the favorite for the AL Cy Young Award
- Ozzie Guillen speaks the whole truth about Tony La Russa
• Motor City Bengals (Detroit Tigers)
What the Detroit Tigers Should Expect from Bruce Rondon: By Tom Zahari
"“The key to Rondon’s 2015 season is finding balance, movement, and accuracy in his pitches. Rondon threw 67.2% fastballs, 22.2% sliders, and 10.6% changeups in his rookie campaign in 2013. That is about the balanced split that he will have to keep.”"
Even though the Tigers are the best team in the AL Central (they are the four-time defending AL Central champions), they aren’t unbeatable, and they have lost some of their edge when it comes to their pitching staff compared to last season.
I believe for the Tigers to make it a fifth division title, they will be to have balance with not just Rondon, but with their entire pitching staff as well.
March 21, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins infielder Miguel Sano (97) in the dugout against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
• Puckett’s Pond (Minnesota Twins)
Minnesota Twins Cut More Including Miguel Sano: By Collin Kottke
"“Earlier it was noted that Miguel Sano had not been sent out of major league camp and that is no longer true. Sano has been cut and sent to the minor leagues.”"
Once the Twins feel Sano (who batted just .200 in 10 at-bats this spring) has everything figured out, I believe this kid can become a good major leaguer. At just 21 years old, he is a Top 15 prospect on many rankings lists before the start of this season.
• Wahoo’s on First (Cleveland Indians)
Look for Indians’ T.J. House to Lock Down Starting Job: By Jesse Runner
"“During the second half of the season … over 19 games (18 starts, 1 relief), House posted an ERA of 3.55 through 102 innings and recorded a win-loss record of 5-3. While his record isn’t anything special, the Indians went 13-5 in games that House started.”"
I look for House to be a part of the Indians’ pitching rotation in some way, even if he’s a late-inning reliever. Those numbers he posted last season in the second half are tough to overlook.
• Southside Showdown (Chicago White Sox)
John Danks allows 3 runs Sunday: By Stephen Forsha
"“The spring ERA of Danks now stands at 6.35 in two spring starts. Danks entered the spring start with a 4.50 ERA, where he pitched two innings in his first outing on March 5 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.”"
As I wrote in the article … I know Danks is a better pitcher than what he was Sunday, but I just hope his current spring stats aren’t a sign of things to come this season.