New Arena senior writers Jason Fray, Dylan Fraychineaud, and Harris Ahmadzai will offer their divisional and World Series predictions — as well as major awards predictions — for the upcoming 2023 season.
American League West
DF: Houston Astros
The Astros have won the American League West five of the last six years. In that time, Houston has reached the World Series four times. Until someone knocks them off their perch atop the division, I cannot pick another team to win the West. The Astros are a machine.
HA: Houston Astros
While the rest of the division seems to have bolstered up, it’s going to be difficult for anybody to unseat the Astros. Losing Justin Verlander will sting, but there’s no lack of pitching depth in Houston. Replacing former Yuli Gurriel with former AL MVP Jose Abreu is a significant upgrade. Abreu should get plenty of chances to knock in runners in the middle of a stacked lineup.
JF: Houston Astros
The spine of this team remains relatively intact. Justin Verlander is gone — but he’s being replaced by the potential AL Rookie of the Year frontrunner in Hunter Brown. Also, veteran Jose Abreu was added to an already potent starting lineup. Until someone in the West (perhaps the Mariners?) kick Houston off its proverbial porch, there’s no reason to think they won’t win the division yet again.
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American League Central
DF: Cleveland Guardians
This time last year, I picked the Chicago White Sox to win both the American League Central and the AL Pennant. Chicago entered the year as heavy favorites in the division — but instead limped to a .500 record. While I’m tempted to ride with the Sox again, I’m going with the Guardians. Cleveland won 92 games in 2022 and should be a more formidable group this year. Jose Ramirez is a superstar, and I have a ton of faith in Cleveland’s pitching staff.
HA: Minnesota Twins
Here we go, again. The Twins disappointed last year after entering the season as one of the favorites to come out of the American League. 2022 ended up being an unbridled disaster for Minnesota as injuries and poor pitching led to a dreadful second half (Minnesota lost 29 of its last 40 games to end season). While the roster isn’t drastically different, we’re banking on better health and a deeper staff to power the Twins towards an AL Central title.
JF: Chicago White Sox
This race will come down to three teams: Chicago, Cleveland, and Minnesota. On paper, one could make an argument that Chicago has the most talented team. Losing A.J. Pollock and Jose Abreu isn’t ideal. However, the rotation is loaded with ability — starting with Dylan Cease, Lucas Giolito, Lance Lynn, and flamethrower Michael Kopech. Andrew Benintendi should be an upgrade as more of a contact hitter, and there should be less pressure on him compared to his past stops in the Bronx and at Fenway.
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American League East
DF: New York Yankees
Despite another disappointing end to their season, the New York Yankees were one of baseball’s best teams last year. I don’t feel great about my choice here — as I like both the Blue Jays and Rays — but I’m taking the Yanks to win the East. New York’s starting rotation, even with the loss of Frankie Montas, is amongst the best. Aaron Judge is a superstar capable of leading New York to another huge regular season. It will come down to the wire, but the Yanks will ultimately win the East.
HA: Toronto Blue Jays
In what typically shapes up to be the most competitive division race, all five teams in the AL East are entering the season with high hopes. The last four years have been split between the Yankees and Rays, and it’s never a good idea to completely count out the Red Sox. Plus, the Orioles are on the rise as one of the youngest teams in baseball. That being said, it’s difficult to deny Toronto’s star power. With one of the most stacked lineups in baseball, the Blue Jays cross 100 wins for the first time in franchise history.
JF: Toronto Blue Jays
This is the year for the Jays. They’re loaded top to bottom — from the depth within the rotation to the acquisitions they made in lengthening their projected lineup. Kevin Kiermaier is a veteran with terrific defensive skills. Daulton Varsho has some pop — as does former Giants’ star Brandon Belt. In the rotation, the one-two punch of Alek Manoah and Kevin Gausman is fortified by free agent pickup Chris Bassitt and longtime ace Jose Berrios. Then…account for the projected improvement of Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette.
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National League West
DF: Los Angeles Dodgers
I’m not ready to abandon the Dodgers in the National League West. Yes, they lost a ton of talent in the offseason. I’m also aware that the San Diego Padres added Xander Bogaerts to an already stacked lineup. The Padres shocked the Dodgers in last year’s NLDS, but Los Angeles still won 111 games and won the division by 22 games. Both teams are still capable of approaching 100 wins, and I am picking the underdog Dodgers to fend off their star-studded neighbors down the I-5.
HA: Los Angeles Dodgers
San Diego will be right on LA’s heels all season long. While the Padres arguably boast more star power, the Dodgers remain incredibly deep and are well-prepared for the rigors of a full MLB season. Dave Roberts’ group will be relying on some new names this year — including youngster Miguel Vargas plus veterans J.D. Martinez and Noah Syndergaard. It’s not the same talented group we’ve grown accustomed to the Dodgers fielding in years past, but it’s likely still good enough for 95-plus wins.
JF: San Diego Padres
There’s really no excuse for the Padres this year. The front office continues to spend boatloads of money — which includes the acquisition of Xander Bogaerts from the Red Sox in the offseason. With the Dodgers not spending any money/angling to sign Shohei Ohtani in 2024, the Padres do look like they’ve got a distinct possibility at usurping a division crown which has essentially lived in Los Angeles over the last 10 years. This team has depth, high-end talent, and the backing of ownership to be good for a long time. However, the question persists — will this team crumble under the newfound pressure, or instead rise to the occasion?
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National League Central
DF: St. Louis Cardinals
In my eyes, the Central is once again a two-team race between the Cardinals and Brewers. I believe both teams improved in the offseason, and I favor Milwaukee’s pitching staff with Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff leading the charge. However, I believe St. Louis has a slight advantage over the Brew Crew. The Cardinals have one of baseball’s top lineups — featuring two MVP contenders in Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt (last year’s winner). St. Louis seemingly finds a way to make the postseason even when things aren’t looking great for stretches of the season. St. Louis will win two more games than Milwaukee.
HA: St. Louis Cardinals
After improving in the offseason, the Cardinals should be the odds-on favorite to take home the NL Central title. St. Louis boasts the most balanced roster in the group led by last year’s MVP Paul Goldschimdt and seven-time All-Star Nolan Arenado. The deadline deal to acquire SP Jordan Montgomery proved to be a shrewd move by this front office, and really gave the Cardinals a more complete starting staff. This bullpen also projects to be one of the best in the league without last year’s breakout star Ryan Helsley leading the way.
JF: St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals have a very nice blend within their lineup of homegrown talent, trade acquisitions, and free agent pickups. Willson Contreras comes over from the Cubs as the successor to Yadier Molina. Jordan Walker might not start the season with the club, but at 6-foot-5 and north of 240 pounds, he’s a potential slugging star in the making. The rotation is rock-solid, led again by Adam Wainwright and others. While the high-end upside of this team might not be that of others in the National League, it should be good enough to win the division.
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National League East
DF: Atlanta Braves
Some people may argue that the National League East is home to the three best teams in the league. I am not one of those individuals, but I do believe that the Braves, Mets and Phillies will all factor into the postseason. Bryce Harper’s absence to begin the season will be too much for Philadelphia to overcome. With Justin Verlander taking over as New York’s ace, the Mets will be a team to reckoned with. However, the Braves have a bit too much firepower and are a more proven squad. Atlanta will win the NL East for the sixth year in a row.
HA: Atlanta Braves
The Nationals are years away from competing, and we’re not totally sold on Miami’s contact-based approach. With that said, the NL East should come down to three teams — the Mets, Phillies and Braves. Acquiring Justin Verlander should certainly instill some confidence for New York. Additionally, the Phillies are coming off a World Series appearance following an impressive postseason run. However, the Braves have been the most consistent team in the division and arguably have the best roster in the entire league. Atlanta wins their sixth NL East title in a row in 2023.
JF: Atlanta Braves
The Phillies bolstered their club with the acquisition of Trea Turner. However, Bryce Harper figures to be sidelined for potentially half of the season as he rehabs from surgery. The Mets failed to get Carlos Correa — and are relying upon two starting pitchers nearing age 40 (Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer) to stay healthy for a full season. The Braves, meanwhile, are loaded with young talent everywhere. When factoring in the built-in cohesiveness cultivated from years of being together, this team is easily the favorite to win the East.
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American League Wild Card
DF: Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners
I nearly picked both the Blue Jays and White Sox to win their respective divisions, so they are both easy picks to reach the postseason via the Wild Card in my mind. The third and final spot is a bit trickier. Tampa Bay has made the playoffs four years in a row and can certainly push for the AL East crown. The Twins have two stars in their lineup (Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa) and an improved rotation. The Angels and Rangers could potentially make a push — especially the Angels if Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon enjoy healthy seasons. With that being said, I’m picking Seattle to secure the final spot. I like their pitching a lot, and Julio Rodriguez is special.
HA: New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Guardians
The Yankees have far too much talent to miss. The pitching staff should do just fine even without Frankie Montas after adding lefty Carlos Rodon. It’s also going to be another year of postseason baseball for the M’s, who have a chance to boast one of the most explosive offenses in the Majors. Cleveland will make the playoffs after adding some nice veteran pieces in Josh Bell and Mike Zunino.
JF: Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners
All three of these teams got better over the offseason. Each of them have high-level starting pitching — not to mention superstar outfielders (Randy Arozarena, Aaron Judge, Julio Rodriguez) that function as their teams’ main catalysts. Furthermore, it wouldn’t be a surprise if any of these teams won their respective divisions.
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National League Wild Card
DF: San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets
Barring disastrous seasons, San Diego and New York should both comfortably take part in the playoffs. The final National League Wild Card spot is a bit harder to peg. The Phillies are the reigning NL champs, but they will be without Bryce Harper for quite a while. Milwaukee has bolstered its lineup and has an elite top of the rotation (Burnes, Woodruff, Peralta). My dark horse in the NL…the Arizona Diamondbacks. The D-Backs are a team on the rise, and it wouldn’t shock me to see them win 85 games. Still, the Phillies have too much firepower. The top of their rotation is stacked, and Trea Turner is a massive addition to the lineup. The NL playoff field will remain unchanged from last year.
HA: San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs
It’s difficult to envision a path for the Padres to miss out on the postseason field. The star power is simply too evident throughout San Diego’s roster. Same goes for the Mets, who should have the best 1-2 punch in baseball with Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer (barring health for both veterans). In my biggest upset pick, I have the new-look Cubs sneaking into the postseason field. Guys like Dansby Swanson, Cody Bellinger and Eric Hosmer will lead an inexperienced group into a strong season.
JF: Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies
Despite losing some big-name players in the offseason, don’t sleep on the Dodgers. They’re about to bring up a plethora of highly-regarded prospects. It would be foolish to write this team off — especially when they still have a core featuring Julio Urias, Mookie Betts, Will Smith, and Freddie Freeman. The Phillies — once healthy — will yet again be a threat. The Mets have enough talent to get into the postseason assuming the injury bug isn’t running rampant.
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American League Pennant
DF: Houston Astros
As I mentioned earlier, the Astros have won the American League four times since 2017. They remain the team to beat in my eyes. Houston over Toronto in six.
HA: Toronto Blue Jays
It’s the Blue Jays’ year. Fending off the Astros will be no easy task, but Toronto is young, talented and hungry. Plus the additions of guys like Daulton Varsho, Kevin Kiermaier and Brandon Belt will help round out an already strong lineup. Expect huge performances from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette as Toronto’s two young stars lead the Jays to their first Pennant in 30 years.
JF: Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto’s roster is extremely talented. The lineup has a nice mix of youth, experience, speed, power, and defensive capabilities. Pitching-wise, few staffs are as deep as the one fielded by the Blue Jays. The Manoah-Gausman-Berrios-Bassitt quartet is as good as you’ll find in the Majors at the moment. Assuming Guerrero and Bichette can take that next step in becoming superstars, there’s no reason to think this team can’t win it all.
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National League Pennant
DF: Atlanta Braves
The National League has a handful of teams who I can envision making a run to the World Series. Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles and San Diego are my four top teams. However, I believe the Braves have the best team overall. In a rematch of the 2020 and 2021 NLCS’, the Braves oust the Dodgers in five games.
HA: Atlanta Braves
In the National League, it’s the Braves who stick out as the team to beat. Atlanta has the most balanced roster in the NL with no glaring weakness. I simply trust their stability over the field. The Dodgers will be a threat, but don’t have quite the same roster as they’ve had in years past. Additionally, the Mets are far too injury prone — and the Cardinals don’t have quite enough pop in their lineup. Atlanta marches back to the World Series.
JF: Atlanta Braves
While the Dodgers retool their roster (look out for them in 2024), I think the Braves stand the best chance to represent the National League in the World Series. Yes, the Padres are uber-talented on paper. We just don’t know yet how the team will gel when it’s all said and done. Plus, the Braves have done it before at the highest level. They also are poised to have among the best starting pitcher depth of any club in the Majors. Offensively, Matt Olson should have a monster year with the shift now becoming obsolete.
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American League Rookie of the Year
DF: Gunnar Henderson
The Baltimore Orioles were one of the biggest surprises of the 2022 season, and there is reason for optimism moving forward. One such reason is the emergence of Gunnar Henderson. The 21-year-old infielder made his debut in ’22 — appearing in 34 games down the stretch. The Alabama native will likely begin the year as a starter, setting himself up for a run at the Rookie of the Year. Henderson possesses great plate discipline and above-average power.
HA: Gunnar Henderson
Baltimore had a great rookie last season in C Adley Rutschman, and are projected to start another first-year player on Opening Day. Third baseman Gunnar Henderson was a second-round pick in 2019 and is expected to play a major part in Baltimore’s ’23 plans. In limited action last year, Henderson slashed .259/.348/.440 over 34 games. If he can keep that up over a full season — while adding around 20 HR — Henderson should have no trouble securing this award.
JF: Hunter Brown
Justin Verlander’s spot in the rotation may very well go to Hunter Brown — a guy plenty of people are talking about as a difference-maker for the ‘Stros. The righty out of Detroit flew relatively under-the-radar until making his debut last year. Though he has a slender frame, he can pump the ball up to the upper-90s. Last year, in 20.3 IP with the Astros, he had a 2-0 record with 22 strikeouts and a 0.89 ERA. Considering his experience pitching in the big leagues last year — coupled with Houston being exceptionally good — Brown can pitch stress free for a team which will likely offer terrific run production.
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National League Rookie of the Year
DF: Corbin Carroll
My National League Rookie of the Year plays for one of my sleeper teams entering 2023 — the Diamondbacks. Corbin Carroll will turn 23 in August, and is the No. 2 prospect entering the year. The leftfielder debuted last year and played in 32 games. Carroll is a tremendous athlete and has 30/30 potential if his power continues to increase. At this point, Carroll is already one of the fastest players in baseball, and has the chance to be elite at the plate and in the field.
HA: Ezequiel Tovar
A bit of a dark horse pick, I’m going with Colorado SS Ezequiel Tovar to take home the NL Rookie of the Year. Tovar appeared in nine games for the Rockies last year, and enters ’23 as the team’s projected starting shortstop. The 21-year-old is a good contact hitter with a bit of pop, but his best skill lies in his defense. His fielding ability will keep him in the lineup for a majority of the season, allowing him ample time to compile offensive numbers playing at Coors Field.
JF: Miguel Vargas
The Dodgers have a history of producing Rookie of the Year winners. Among them include Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger, Hideo Nomo, Raul Mondesi, Mike Piazza, and Eric Karros. Vargas is a rangy athlete with plus-speed and an exceptionally good hit tool. Those within the organization rave about his makeup and potential as a 3B. He got a cup of coffee with the team last year — and now he could end up winning a starting spot depending upon how the rest of the lineup is aligned. On talent alone, Vargas is legit. It’s about him continuing to realize it.
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American League Manager of the Year
DF: Bruce Bochy
I may not have the Texas Rangers making the postseason, but that doesn’t mean they won’t have a decent season. Texas hasn’t won 80 games since 2016 — that year it went 95-67 — and has finished no higher than third in the AL West since that time. Now, Texas has a new manager in town by the name of Bruce Bochy. Famously, Bochy won three World Series titles with the San Francisco Giants (2010, 2012, 2014). In Bochy’s return to the bench following three years away from the game, the Rangers will win 82 games.
HA: John Schneider
Schneider took over for the Blue Jays last season, and will enter 2023 as the team’s full-time manager. Toronto really turned it around after Schneider took over for Charlie Montoyo last season as the team seemed to galvanize around their new skipper. With 100-plus wins and an AL East title, it’s difficult to imagine this award going to anybody else.
JF: John Schneider
I’m going all in on the Jays! If the team does end up winning arguably the toughest division in baseball, you know new manager John Schneider had a hand in that. It just has the feeling of a special year in Toronto. As such, Schneider will benefit from managing a highly-talented collection of players.
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National League Manager of the Year
DF: Torey Lovullo
I like Corbin Carroll for National League Rookie of the Year, I envision the Diamondbacks being the surprise team in the NL, and I believe Torey Lovullo will win Manager of the Year. Lovullo won the award back in 2017 — leading Arizona to 93 wins and a victory over Colorado in the Wild Card round. His team finished over .500 each of the next two seasons, but the last three years have largely been a struggle. However, this is the year that the D-Backs begin to turn it around. The club will push for the final Wild Card spot and set themselves up for a big 2024 season.
HA: Oliver Marmol
Marmol is getting a ton of praise as a young manager for the Cardinals. He seems to have already drawn favor in the clubhouse after leading the team to the postseason last year. The team won 93 games last year. We expect that number to rise a bit as St. Louis certainly has the talent and depth to push for 100-plus victories.
JF: Dave Roberts
Despite the mass amount of success he’s enjoyed with the Dodgers, Roberts has only won Manager of the Year once. With expectations dialed back a bit, this is the perfect scenario for the Dodgers to actually surprise some people and finish with a better-than-projected record. As such, Roberts would be the beneficiary of this fortune. We could create a narrative where he leads the Dodgers to perhaps another division crown in the wake of losing the Turners (Justin, Trea) — yet also relying upon a host of rookies in the process.
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Home Run Leader
DF: Aaron Judge
Judge set an American League record by smacking 62 home runs in 2022. It was the first time Judge topped 39 HR since his rookie season. In 2017, he hit 52 HR en route to the RoY and a second-place finish in the MVP race. Judge will hit 51 dingers in 2023…one more than Mike Trout.
HA: Aaron Judge
If he stays healthy, nobody is catching Aaron Judge. After setting the AL record a year ago, Judge has solidified himself as the unquestioned top slugger in the league. The New York outfielder smashed 62 HR in his record-breaking season on his way to an MVP award. Health has always been a sort of issue for Judge, but he’s played 305 games over the last two years. If he makes it to 150 games this year, I have no doubt he will lead the league in homers yet again.
JF: Yordan Alvarez
It’s wild to think that the slugger out of Cuba is only 25 years of age. Of course, Aaron Judge is the prohibitive favorite to once again lead the league in HRs. However, I’ll change it up a bit and instead select Alvarez. He plays in a very hitter-friendly park with one of the best lineups in all of baseball. Plus, the addition of Jose Abreu can only offer him more protection when aiming to obliterate pitches into the upper deck.
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American League Cy Young
DF: Alek Manoah
Manoah has made a big impact during his brief time as a Major League pitcher. Two years ago, Toronto’s ace went 9-2 with a 3.22 ERA as a rookie. In 2022, Manoah finished with 16 wins, a sterling 2.24 ERA and finished third for the Cy Young behind Justin Verlander and Dylan Cease. I expect Cease to compete for the award, as well as the likes of Shohei Ohtani, Framber Valdez and Shane McClanahan. However, Manoah will claim his first Cy thanks to a 20-win campaign and another sub-3.00 ERA.
HA: Shane McClanahan
Tampa Bay’s left-hander enjoyed a breakout campaign in ’22. Named an All-Star for the first time, McClanahan finished the season with a 2.54 ERA and .926 WHIP over 166.1 IP. The Rays have always had a penchant for developing pitchers, and McClanahan has the potential to be the best of the bunch. It also helps that Tampa boasts one of the more pitcher-friendly parks in the leagues.
JF: Framber Valdez
The ace of the Astros’ pitching staff will take another leap forward in 2023. With Justin Verlander now in New York, Valdez and his array of disgusting off-speed pitches will be the star of the proverbial show. With the lineup as potent as ever, run support wont be an issue at all.
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National League Cy Young
DF: Sandy Alcantara
I must admit, I was very tempted to go with Julio Urias. Urias led the National League with 20 wins in 2021, and won last year’s ERA Title (2.16). Despite his greatness, it is hard to pick anyone but Sandy Alcantara. Last year’s Cy Young winner, Alcantara led baseball with six complete games — including one shutout — pitched a league-high 228.2 innings, posted a ridiculous 8.0 WAR, and finished second to Urias with a 2.28 ERA. Alcantara will be the fourth National League pitcher to go back-to-back since 2013 (Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom).
HA: Corbin Burnes
This is going to be my default pick every year. Burnes has been lights out three years in a row. The Brewers pitcher won the Cy Young in ’21, and had top-7 finishes in both ’20 and ’22. He hasn’t posted an ERA above 2.94 in any of his three healthy seasons, and he will assuredly be among the league’s top strikeout producers each year. This is a safe pick, but I feel good about Burnes once again mowing down NL offenses game after game.
JF: Julio Urias
Urias is just about to hit his prime. At age 26, he’s coming off two-straight years where he led the NL in wins (2021) and in ERA (2022). Expect him to put everything together as Urias has officially established himself as the top gun within the Dodgers’ rotation.
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American League MVP
DF: Shohei Ohtani
Ohtani won the MVP in 2021 and was even better last season. The runner-up for the award in ’22, Ohtani also finished fourth for the American League Cy Young. In addition to going 15-9 with a 2.33 ERA and 219 strikeouts, Ohtani slashed .273/.356/.519 with 34 HR and 95 RBI. He will not be denied for a second year in a row.
HA: Julio Rodriguez
The 22-year-old outfielder in Seattle is one of the most exciting players in the game today. Rodriguez was the sparkplug for Seattle’s postseason run a year ago as he took home Rookie of the Year honors. Though, it should also be noted that J-Rod finished seventh in MVP voting after playing just 132 games. Imagine what he can do now that he’s gotten a bit more comfortable with Major League pitching. Rodriguez is going to go supernova for the M’s this season, posting the first 40/40 campaign since Alfonso Soriano in 2006.
JF: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
At the age of 23, Guerrero Jr. has already made two All-Star appearances. He’s the next great bat in this league, and the upside for him is immense. Like his father, the hand-eye coordination is off the charts. While he’s built more like Prince Fielder rather than Vladdy Sr., the younger Guerrero’s lower body bulk enables him to launch balls into the stratosphere with absolute ease. Now that the shift has been greatly diminished, he should be blistering the ball all over the park.
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National League MVP
DF: Ronald Acuna Jr.
Acuna was not at his best in 2022. A year after tearing his ACL, Atlanta’s star was clearly not operating at 100-percent for much of the season. Still, his immense skill was evident in spurts and I believe he will perform at an insane level in ’23. I envision Acuna topping 30 homers and 30 steals for a second time — 41/37 in 2019 — en route to winning the award.
HA: Freddie Freeman
While his emotions got the better of him in his return to Atlanta, Freddie Freeman performed exceptionally well in his first year with the Dodgers. The veteran did not miss a beat in Year 13, slashing .325/.407/.511 for his new team. Freeman will get plenty of opportunities to post big numbers in this Dodger offense.
JF: Juan Soto
Getting rid of the overexaggerated shift will benefit Soto greatly. In terms of comfort level, he’s fully immersed into the San Diego culture. He should be primed for a massive, massive year — especially when protected in the lineup by Xander Bogaerts and Manny Machado.
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World Series Champion
DF: Atlanta Braves
The Braves are set up for the present and the future. Atlanta has established stars, rising stud prospects, and elite talent littered throughout its rotation and lineup. After dispatching of the rival Dodgers in the NLCS, the Braves will take on Houston in a rematch of the 2021 World Series. And, mirroring the previous series, Atlanta will take out the reigning champions in six games. If the Braves do what I expect them to do this year, talks of a dynasty will begin.
HA: Toronto Blue Jays
I’m pushing all of my chips in with Toronto this season. The Blue Jays got on people’s radar a few seasons ago after Vladdy and Bo made their debuts. Then, the team became legitimate contenders after adding guys like George Springer and Kevin Gausman. Now, it seems like they’re flying under the radar as focus seems to be towards teams like the Astros, Yankees and others. A perfect time for this young group to strike. Toronto’s offense explodes in the postseason, as Guerrero Jr. smashes five HR in the World Series on his way to MVP honors.
JF: Atlanta Braves
Atlanta just feels like the most complete team in the bigs right now. There’s star power all over the field — whether you want to point to Matt Olson, Austin Riley, Ronald Acuna or Max Fried. Mike Soroka is projected to come back from injury, Sean Murphy was added to upgrade the catcher spot, Spencer Strider and Michael Harris are budding superstars, and the team hasn’t even hit its sky-high upside considering the collective youth on the roster.
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MLB in 2023: Ranking All 30 Lineups
30. Oakland Athletics
Oakland isn’t far removed from being a contender in the American League. Unfortunately, the 2023 Athletics project to be one of the worst teams in baseball. From its pitching staff to its starting lineup, Oakland is simply below-average. As we approach Spring Training, the projected starting lineup includes players such as Conner Capel (22 career games), Nick Allen (100 games), and Esteury Ruiz (17 games). The most well-known player in the lineup, Ramon Laureano, hit .211 last year. While the lineup does have some speed, it lacks good hitters. This lineup is incredibly weak.
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29. Washington Nationals
In recent years, the Washington Nationals have seen three superstar position players leave town. Bryce Harper, Juan Soto and Trea Turner are elite players in the midst of their primes. As a result of their departures, the Nationals predictably have a weak lineup. The Nats have a few young, promising talents in catcher Keibert Ruiz and shortstop CJ Abrams — the main prize in the Soto trade. Washington is in for a long season, but Abrams should be a star shortly.
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28. Cincinnati Reds
Despite having a former MVP and (likely) future Hall of Famer in the middle of their lineup, the Reds project to have one of the weakest starting nine’s in baseball. Joey Votto will be 40 years old in September and is at least five years removed from his prime. Jonathan India is a nice player who will be looking to bounce back following a disappointing Year 2 — he won the Rookie of the Year in 2021. Cincinnati’s lineup will also feature two offseason acquisitions — veteran outfielder Wil Myers and shortstop Kevin Newman.
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27. Detroit Tigers
Perhaps the only exciting thing to follow this season with the Tigers is Miguel Cabrera’s farewell. The first-ballot Hall of Famer is unlikely to start, but he will garner plenty of attention and at-bats. Javier Baez is entering Year 2 in Detroit, and he will need to rediscover his magic if the Tigers want to make a run in the Central. Last year, Baez hit .238 with 17 home runs. Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson are the two players to watch. If they fulfill their potential, the pair could be cornerstones in the Motor City for years to come.
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26. Kansas City Royals
Kansas City is a franchise on the rise, and that starts with Bobby Witt Jr. Witt entered last season as one of the game’s top prospects and he didn’t disappoint. Appearing in 150 games, Witt slugged 20 homers and stole 30 bases. Joining Witt as Royal cornerstones of the future are MJ Melendez, Vinnie Pasquantino and Nick Pratto (Pratto isn’t projected to start the season in the lineup). Of course, the Royals also have a veteran presence in the middle of the lineup in Salvador Perez. The only question is: Which version of Perez will show up? Two years ago, Perez led baseball with 48 HR and 121 RBI. In 2022, Perez was limited to 114 games and saw his numbers drop dramatically across the board. If the ’21 version shows up, the Royals will be a rather competitive group.
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25. Colorado Rockies
Colorado’s offense was very disappointing in 2022. So, leave it to the stumbling franchise to bring back largely the same team for the ’23 season. The Rockies will be looking for Kris Bryant to turn things around in Year 2. The former MVP was limited to 42 games last season due to a variety of injuries. When he was on the field, Bryant performed — despite hitting a mere five homers — slashing .306/.376/.475. C.J. Cron is back for a third season. The slugger has 57 HR and 194 RBI the past two years. Ultimately, the Rockies’ offense will go as Bryant and Cron go.
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24. Boston Red Sox
Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the Boston Dodgers. As things currently stand, the Red Sox Opening Day lineup projects to include three former Dodgers. Alex Verdugo and Kiké Hernandez are familiar faces in Boston, and now they will be joined by longtime Dodger Justin Turner. Boston’s lineup has been overhauled in the offseason. Joining Turner are veterans Adam Duvall, Adalberto Mondesi and Reese McGuire. Two big names are noticeably absent from Boston’s starting nine — Xander Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez. Still, Rafael Devers is a bonafide star that can carry the offense for large stretches.
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23. Arizona Diamondbacks
Don’t sleep on the Arizona Diamondbacks. We don’t expect the D-Backs to compete for the National League West title, but it wouldn’t surprise us to see them push for a .500 record. Ketel Marte is a former All-Star who nearly every team in baseball would like to have. Christian Walker, who will be 32 years old by Opening Day, exploded last year with 36 HR and 94 RBI. The two veterans are joined by exciting young talents including Jake McCarthy, Corbin Carroll, and newcomer Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Additionally, Arizona has some talented players on the bench who possibly could blossom into everyday players — Alek Thomas and Kyle Lewis.
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22. San Francisco Giants
At two different points this past offseason, it appeared as if the Giants would have a superstar in the middle of their lineup. First, a few eager reporters stated that Aaron Judge would be leaving the Yankees for San Francisco — he, of course, did not. Next, news broke that shortstop Carlos Correa would be joining the team on a massive 13-year, $350 million deal. However, the Giants backed out of the agreement following Correa’s physical which generated doubts about his future. So, here are the Giants at No. 22. The lineup is fine with the likes of Joc Pederson, Mitch Haniger and Michael Conforto — but it is nothing special.
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21. Miami Marlins
The Marlins’ biggest star resides on the mound, but that doesn’t mean they are deprived of talent in their lineup. Jazz Chisholm Jr. — the cover athlete of MLB The Show 23 — is one of baseball’s most exciting players and should be primed for a big year. Miami’s lineup lacks pop, but it certainly has some high-contact hitters. Leading the charge is Luis Arraez. Recently acquired in the trade that sent Pablo Lopez to Minnesota, Arraez slashed .316/.375/.420 last year and won the American League Batting Title. Additionally, Miami’s lineup includes established players such as Jean Segura, Jorge Soler, Avisail Garcia and Joey Wendle.
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20. Baltimore Orioles
An offense on the rise, the Orioles boast an eclectic mix of heavy-hitting veterans and highly-touted youngsters. A pair of Baltimore draft picks — former No. 1 overall pick Adley Rutschman and second-round infielder Gunnar Henderson — may hold the key to this group. Rutschman exceeded all expectations as a rookie, posting an .806 OPS in 113 games. Henderson was a late call-up, but was productive in a limited amount of time (.788 in 34 games) and projects to be Baltimore’s Opening Day third baseman.
As far as the rest of the lineup goes, former All-Star Cedric Mullins offers plenty of speed and pop at the top of the lineup while Anthony Santander and Ryan Mountcastle are quality power bats in the middle of the lineup. It should be noted that the recent renovations to Oriole Park has led to a major shift in perception. Camden Yards is now considered a pitcher’s park with power numbers down across the board last year.
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19. Chicago Cubs
The Cubs offense should be better in 2023 — but just how much better? Chicago spent the offseason making massive changes to its lineup. Former Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson was the big ticket addition following a career year in Atlanta. Swanson is coming off back-to-back 25-plus home runs seasons and set a career-high in batting average (.277) last year. With the Cubs, Swanson won’t be hitting between two MVP candidates like he did in Atlanta (Ronald Acuna Jr. and Austin Riley).
However, Swanson will be playing with a former MVP — two-time All-Star and 2019 NL MVP Cody Bellinger. The longtime Dodger made the move to Chicago following yet another disappointing season. Bellinger hopes to turn it around in Wrigley after being one of the worst hitters in baseball over the last two seasons. Chicago needs strong seasons from newcomers like Swanson, Bellinger, Trey Mancini and Eric Hosmer to stand a chance in the NL Central.
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18. Pittsburgh Pirates
Talk about an offense gleaming with upside. The Pirates have been overlooked after a few down years, but this lineup is one to watch out for in 2023. If anything, the top third is one of the more promising trios in the Majors. 24-year-old Oneil Cruz is primed for stardom with some of the best physical tools in all of baseball. Bryan Reynolds is the rare switch hitter who is competent from both sides of the plate — identical .281 career average against RHP and LHP. If Ke’Bryan Hayes can stay healthy, the young third baseman is an exceptional contact hitter who swiped 20 bags last year.
In an effort to field a more competitive team in 2023, the Pirates filled out the rest of their lineup with accomplished veterans including Ji-Man Choi, Carlos Santana, and the returning Andrew McCutchen. All three players are patient hitters who have historically been among the best at getting on-base. Generating more walks will be good for a Pirates lineup which finished 28th in on-base percentage last season.
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17. Texas Rangers
After finishing dead-last in runs scored among American League teams in 2021, the Rangers invested in the offense last offseason and it paid early dividends. Thanks to the contributions of Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, the Rangers rose to fifth in AL runs scored behind three playoff teams and another that plays half of its games in a little league ballpark (sorry Red Sox fans). Seager didn’t hit for his usual average, but smashed a career-high 33 HR. Semien started off dreadfully slow, but came on strong towards the second-half. Both should be better in 2023.
Keep an eye on three other Rangers — Nathaniel Lowe, Adolis Garcia, and Jonah Heim — who are looking to all build on career years. Lowe was the team’s best hitter last year (.851), Garcia is the team’s best power-speed combo (51 HR, 41 SB over last two seasons), and Heim is a switch-hitting backstop with power from both sides. Credit to the Rangers front office — all three were acquired via trade for marginal players.
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16. Los Angeles Angels
It doesn’t get much better than Trout and Ohtani. Unfortunately for the Angels, that holds true throughout their lineup. The elite pairing has been flanked by a middling supporting cast in recent years. Despite getting big numbers from their top two, the Angels ranked 25th in runs scored in and 23rd in OPS last year. In a season in which Ohtani and Trout combined for 78 HR and 175 RBI.
Taylor Ward was a bright spot early on, but trailed off towards the second-half of the season after dealing with injuries. Same goes for Jared Walsh who had a dismal ’22 following excellent campaigns in the two previous seasons. Speaking of injuries, the Angels would like to finally get a healthy season out of Anthony Rendon. If not Rendon, then LA hopes veterans power-hitters like Hunter Renfroe or Brandon Drury can help support the team’s two stars.
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15. Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee’s lineup might not jump off the page as one of the top groupings in the league, but we advise to keep a close eye on the Brew Crew. Of course, the headliner here is former MVP Christian Yelich who has been unable to regain his elite form from 2019. Yelich has not posted better than a .786 OPS over the last three years, but he did find some success after being moved to the lead-off position last year. We’re not giving up hope on the two-time batting champ.
Additionally, the rest of the lineup has been bolstered with the addition of two big bats in William Contreras and Jesse Winker. Contreras was an NL All-Star starter (DH) last season and one of the best hitter (.860 OPS) on a stacked Braves lineup. Winker is coming off a dreadful season with Seattle, but was an elite hitter in ’20 and ’21. He could see a bump in production (just like new teammate Willy Adames did) with the change of home ballpark.
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14. Tampa Bay Rays
While not the flashiest lineup in the stacked AL East, the Rays are a balanced group that will have no trouble producing runs. Tampa Bay uses its deep bench to create advantages in certain lineups. Though we could see some more stability moving forward. Barring healthy, Wander Franco, Randy Arozarena and Brandon Lowe should have everyday spots in the lineup. The same could be said for center fielder Jose Siri given his base-running and defensive contributions.
What Tampa lacks in power they make up for in contact and speed. Franco is an elite contact hitter who projects to steal a ton of bases over a full season. Arozarena led the team with 32 steals last year. Manuel Margot provides plenty of pressure on the base-paths. With Harold Ramirez and Yandy Diaz, the Rays have two players who both hit nearly .300 last season.
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13. Cleveland Guardians
In terms of contact hitting, nobody does it better than the Guardians. While the league looks for more and more power, Cleveland has gone in the complete opposite direction while emphasizing putting the ball into play. Generating contact is at a premium for the Guardians — who can also utilize their elite team speed to put pressure on the base-paths. Nobody exemplifies this better than Cleveland’s star Jose Ramirez, who is one of the best all-around offensive players in baseball.
An All-Star last year, Andres Gimenez looks to build upon a career year. Five players in this lineup are capable of stealing 20-plus bases (Ramriez, Gimenez, Steven Kwan, Amed Rosario, and Myles Straw). The rest of the lineup does include some power-or-nothing bats in the form of Josh Naylor and two newcomers — Josh Bell and Mike Zunino.
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12. Minnesota Twins
Carlos Correa is back, giving the Twins once again one of the more complete lineups in the American League. Correa is the star, coming off hitting .291 with 22 HR. Though, we shouldn’t overlook his middle infield partner Jorge Polanco who is among the best switch-hitters in baseball. Left-handed outfielder Max Kepler also did not get dealt this offseason amidst several rumors. He’s looking to return to his 2019 form when he mashed 36 HR. The loss of Luis Arraez will hurt the team’s overall batting average.
The x-factor on this team will always be Byron Buxton. The oft-injured outfielder hasn’t played over 100 games since 2017. He struggled from a batting average standpoint last season (.224 AVG) but still managed a strong .833 OPS thanks to 28 HR in 92 games. When he’s right, Buxton is among the most dangerous hitters in all of baseball.
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11. Chicago White Sox
The White Sox should be among the most prolific offenses in the league next year (though they could face certain challenges early on). Replacing former MVP Jose Abreu will not be easy. Abreu recorded 863 RBI for Chicago since entering the league in 2014. Despite a dip in power numbers, Abreu hit .314 last year and has been a stalwart in the middle of the White Sox lineup. In his place, Chicago hopes the addition of Andrew Benintendi will help fill some of that void.
Full seasons from Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert will surely help. Two of the most exciting young hitters in the game, Jimenez and Robert will lead the White Sox into its new era. Chicago also hopes former top prospect Yoan Moncada will join that group after a dismal ’22 campaign. Tim Anderson is still one of the best leadoff hitters in baseball after four-straight seasons hitting over .300. 24-year-old Andrew Vaughn is somebody who could breakout this year. The 2019 first-round pick has tons of power and has already tallied 82 XBH in his first 261 career games.
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10. New York Yankees
You’ve got a chance to be pretty darn good whenever Aaron Judge is in your lineup. The power hitter from the Bay Area ended up spurning his hometown Giants in favor of re-signing with the Yankees — and will once again be joined by slugger Giancarlo Stanton. In the process, New York also made it a point of emphasis to bring back fan favorite first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Losing Andrew Benintendi and Matt Carpenter may end up hurting the team down the line. We’ll see how Josh Donaldson performs as he enters his late 30s. However, there’s still plenty of optimism. Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza will add some much-needed juice to this older group. Plus, Anthony Volpe is banging on the door ready to make his presence known sooner than later.
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9. St. Louis Cardinals
In true St. Louis fashion, the Cardinals have put together a team chock-full of very good homegrown talent. The Lars Nootbar-Juan Yepez-Dylan Carlson trio is highly appealing, with plenty of potential upside ready to be uncovered. Swiping Willson Contreras from the Cubs was a shrewd move, as he’ll take over for club legend Yadier Molina. Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado are as deadly a one-two punch as you’ll find in the Central Division. Plus, Tyler O’Neill and Brendan Donovan can absolutely rake when given the chance. Top to bottom, this is a very attractive lineup.
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8. New York Mets
This lineup remains unchanged from a year ago. Bringing Nimmo and McNeil back were among the more important things on the agenda for the Mets this offseason. With Carlos Correa not coming to Queens, you may end up seeing the Mets pivot to two of their most prized prospects in Brett Baty and Francisco Alvarez. We saw glimpses of these two in the past, and there’s a scenario in which they bull their way into the starting lineup. At the very least, this team possesses a projected group with guys who can patiently work the count and hit to all parts of the park. In essence, a traditional team not reliant so much on the long ball (outside of Pete Alonso).
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7. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers will be in a bit of a rebuild (if we can call it that). The team wanted to get younger and less expensive — which led to the departures of Trea Turner, Cody Bellinger, Justin Turner, and others. The lineup to start the season may look different than what we’ll see down the stretch. The farm is bursting with prospects, and many consider it to be the best collection of Minor League players in all of baseball. As currently constituted, the Dodgers still can trot out an elite top-three of Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith.
You’d have to think Max Muncy and Chris Taylor will bounce back from subpar years. J.D. Martinez was brought in as the DH to add some power, and Gavin Lux was quietly very decent last year. The outfield outside of Betts remains a question. We’ll see if Trayce Thompson is the longterm answer in LF. The same goes for James Outman — a very ‘toolsy’ player who somewhat resembles the aforementioned Bellinger.
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6. Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia will have to tread water for roughly half the season until Bryce Harper comes back from injury. Fortunately for the Fightin’ Phils, the addition of Trea Turner gives them one of the most talented hitters in the game. Aside from being an excellent contact hitter, his speed should allow for plenty of triple opportunities. While the top of the order is stabilized, the bottom half has a number of players with some considerable upsides (though low floors, as well).
Among them, you’ve got Darick Hall, Bryson Scott, Alex Bohm, and Brandon Marsh. If two of these guys prove to be above-average players at their positions, Philadelphia will be among the better teams in the National League. It’ll be imperative for them to make contact/use their collective athleticism within the lineup. As such, the team is prone to striking out a fair amount. We must also note that Bryce Harper will be out until mid-season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.
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5. Seattle Mariners
We did see some turnover with this group. Teoscar Hernandez is slated to be a huge middle-of-the-order addition for the Mariners. A.J. Pollock is looking to bounce back from a rough 2022 season (after a very solid stint previously with the Dodgers). J.P. Crawford and Jarred Kelenic are two young players bursting with upside and potential. Cal Raleigh is rock-solid behind the dish, Kolten Wong is a competitive veteran with an edge to him, and Eugenio Suarez is quite gifted. However, the future of this team will be determined by Ty France and budding superstar Julio Rodriguez. If the M’s can limit strikeouts, they’ll be a dangerous threat to Houston in the AL West.
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4. Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto adjusted its lineup a bit this year — adding more flexibility as it pertains to attacking teams with more left-handed options. Among them include up-and-coming athletic outfielder Daulton Varsho, and veteran Brandon Belt. Whit Merrifield was added for some stability towards the end of the order, and Kevin Kiermaier is mostly there for his glove/speed in centerfield. Power continues to be a main theme within this group, especially as Bo Bichette matures as a hitter. Matt Chapman could also be in line for a monster season with the Rogers Centre being altered dimensions-wise. All this — and we’ve yet to even mention the heartbeat of the order…led by leadoff hitter George Springer and the dynamic duo of Alejandro Kirk and Vlad Guerrero Jr.
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3. Houston Astros
While not as prolific as some of the earlier iterations featuring the Jose Altuve-Alex Bregman core, this team is still plenty good enough to win the American League. The top four guys (Altuve, Michael Brantley, Bregman, Yordan Alvarez) are all back. Added to the mix is former MVP Jose Abreu. Having experience versus AL pitchers should make his transition a smooth one (aside from the fact Abreu now gets a short porch in left field to slug towards). Kyle Tucker should be even better this season, as should reigning rookie of the year Jeremy Pena. While the collective speed within this projected group isn’t stellar, they more than make up for it with bat-to-ball contact and home run prowess.
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2. Atlanta Braves
Atlanta’s scouting department deserves all the credit in the world for essentially building much of this lineup from the Minor League system. You’ve got a terrific balance of power, speed, and gap-to-gap capabilities with this group. Of course, Ronald Acuna Jr. sets the table as the leadoff hitter — where he’ll be joined by star-in-the-making Michael Harris II. The right-lefty duo of Austin Riley and Matt Olson will slug super well. Sean Murphy was brought over from Oakland to man the catchers spot (and he’s an upgrade over Travis D’Arnaud). Simply put, when you’ve got a lineup slated to have Ozzie Albies as the No. 6 hitter — and Marcell Ozuna as the No. 8 hitter — depth isn’t an issue.
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1. San Diego Padres
The depth within this lineup is truly startling. Due to the proactive front office, the last 12 months has netted a host of proven bats — including stars Juan Soto and Xander Bogaerts, along with veterans Nelson Cruz and Matt Carpenter. When Fernando Tatis Jr. eventually returns from suspension, you’re looking at a group who can go 1-4 with Tatis, Soto, Manny Machado, and Bogaerts. No other team in baseball comes close to fielding such a prolific quartet. You could quibble over the ages of Cruz and Carpenter — along with the rough last year for Trent Grisham. Regardless, this is a STACKED group of hitters. Anything short of a playoff appearance would be a MASSIVE disappointment (remember, the Pads still have to prove they can usurp the division crown from the rival Los Angeles Dodgers).
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