Looking at Lineups - AL Central

Examining spring lineups to try to guess at what we'll see when the season begins

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Cleveland Guardians

Hunter’s Guess:

1. Steven Kwan LF

2. Brayan Rocchio 2B

3. Jose Ramirez 3B

4. Kyle Manzardo/David Fry DH

5. Rhys Hoskins 1B

6. Chase DeLauter/Angel Martinez CF

7. Gabriel Arias SS

8. Bo Naylor/Austin Hedges C

9. George Valera/Johnathon Rodriguez RF

Notes:

• Full on platoon squad possible

• Brayan Rocchio has been hitting second the majority of the time in ST, but is projected to hit last on Roster Resource. I think it makes more sense for him to hit second as a switch-hitting veteran and allow George Valera to hit farther down the order to get his feet wet.

• How in the world did this team win the division last season?

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Detroit Tigers

Hunter’s Guess:

1. Parker Meadows CF

2. Kevin McGonigle SS

3. Gleyber Torres 2B

4. Riley Greene LF

5. Spencer Torkelson 1B

6. Kerry Carpenter/Jahmai Jones DH

7. Wenceel Perez RF

8. Colt Keith/Javier Baez 3B

9. Dillon Dingler C

Notes:

• Great lineup with Kevin McGonigle included. Doesn’t necessarily need to be at the top of the order right away.

• Balanced L/R well.

• Manager AJ Hinch has used Parker Meadows out of the leadoff spot in six games this Spring.

• Roster Resource has a totally different outlook on this lineup. They have Parker Meadows in AAA, Wenceel Perez in CF, Kerry Carpenter in RF, and Zach McKinstry off the bench to DH. I do not like that lineup at all. Especially when Meadows has led off six times in games this Spring.

Kansas City Royals

Hunter’s Guess:

1. Maikel Garcia 3B

2. Bobby Witt Jr. SS

3. Vinnie Pasquantino 1B

4. Salvador Perez C

5. Jac Caglianone/Starling Marte RF

6. Michael Massey/Jonathon India 2B

7. Carter Jenson/Tyler Tolbert DH

8. Isaac Collins LF

9. Kyle Isbel/Lane Thomas CF

Notes:

• 1-4 is locked in, you could even argue 1-5 is locked in.

• Another full-time platoon squad, potentially. I do not see them using Jac Caglianone as a platoon bat for long.

• No prospects knocking down the door to take anyone’s job.

• Michael Massey has started three games in the 6 hole this spring, I could see him and Jonathon India splitting time at second base.

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Minnesota Twins

Hunter’s Guess:

1. Byron Buxton CF

2. Josh Bell 1B

3. Luke Keaschall 2B

4. Matt Wallner RF

5. Royce Lewis 3B

6. Trevor Larnach LF

7. Ryan Jeffers C

8. Victor Caratini DH

9. Brooks Lee SS

Notes:

• They could flip-flop Josh Bell and Luke Keaschall, both have taken almost equal reps in the 2 and 3 hole so far this Spring.

• Ryan Jeffers has actually hit 5th four times this Spring. Jeffers is a league-average at best bat, and Royce Lewis has a much higher ceiling to generate some offense in this lineup. I personally like my lineup better. No bias.

• Look out for prospects like Emmanuel Rodriguez, Walker Jenkins, and Kaelen Culpepper to debut in this lineup sometime this year.

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Chicago White Sox

Hunter’s Guess:

1. Chase Meidroth 2B

2. Kyle Teel C / Lenyn Sosa DH

3. Miguel Vargas 3B

4. Munetaka Murakami 1B

5. Colson Montgomery SS

6. Edgar Quero DH / C

7. Andrew Benintendi LF

8. Austin Hays RF

9. Brooks Baldwin/Luisangel Acuna CF

Notes:

• First and foremost, Lenyn Sosa will NOT be catching. He will slot in at DH when there is a lefty on the mound, and Edgar Quero will take care of the catching duties.

• This could be a good lineup, better than the Twins anyway.

• During Spring Training, they have not been consistent with the order at all besides Chase Meidroth hitting lead off and Miguel Vargas hitting third. I think anything is on the table for rest of the spots. It is a young lineup and guys are trying to find their roles.