A full baseball season is upon us! Remember a year ago? The only sport happening then was professional hockey in Belarus. It was grim. We have a long way to go, but optimism doesn't feel so unfounded now. With improving vibes in mind I set out to say one nice thing about each of the 30 major league clubs. For some this exercise is something of a challenge. After all odds makers recently gave the Orioles a 0.0% chance of winning the World Series.
National League:
Arizona Diamondbacks
Sure it's just spring training, but reports on third baseman Josh Rojas have been very positive. He slashed 4 dingers, 15 RBI and logged a .347 batting average.
Atlanta Braves
Advance stats paint an age 27 break out for shortstop Dansby Swanson. I expect him to have a big year.
Chicago Cubs
Yikes. Believe it or not it's hard to get excited about this club. I'll say this... .500 might be good enough to win this division.
Cincinnati Reds
The Redlegs were able to sneak into the expanded postseason in 2020 despite their historically inept offense. Some of that was just bad luck. I expect some bounce-backs, especially from Eugenio Suarez and Nick Castellanos.
Colorado Rockies
Well... Trevor Story is still on the team. They're not as bad as the Pirates.
Los Angeles Dodgers
They won a World Series despite Cody Bellinger struggling at the plate. He's due for a return to form as advance stats paint the picture of an unlucky short season.
Miami Marlins
No longer a joke. They even won a playoff game in 2020. Their starting pitching gives them a puncher's chance to at least finish .500.
Milwaukee Brewers
Christian Yelich is still on this team and will return with a fury after a very down 2020. In a bad division they will compete.
New York Mets
They have Francisco Lindor now.
Philadelphia Phillies
Offense from the catcher position is historically weak. Not for the Phils. JT Realmuto continues to be a plus bat.
Pittsburgh Pirates
No point in sugarcoating it; this is a putrid team. That said, uber-prospect Ke'Bryan Hayes is ready to roll at third. Someday of course he'll go somewhere else, but for now he's already the best player they have.
San Diego Padres
They're all in. It's going to be the most exciting year in their 50-plus year history. The pitching staff is the best in the game. Forgotten in all the hype is that the Friars are about to enjoy the best years of Joe Musgrove's career. He's a former Pirate of course.
San Francisco Giants
This is a bland roster from the 500-yard view. Zoom in though and it ain't bad. Two years ago I saw Mike Yastremski in a AAA game for the Orioles farm club in Norfolk, Virginia. The nephew of the legendary Carl Yastremski was going nowhere even with the pitiful O's. Long story short the Giants have turned this Baltimore castoff into a legit big league player at age 30.
St. Louis Cardinals
No, Nolen Arenado will not match his Colorado offensive output, and perhaps he may even struggle in his new home, but don't forget this guy is a sublime defender at the hot corner. He's going to save the Cardinal staff a lot of runs.
Washington Nationals
I'm sensing a theme here. Word is Nats hitting coach Kevin Long is getting former Pirate first baseman Josh Bell straightened out at the plate. The club expects big things from him this year.
American League:
Baltimore Orioles
Not without reason have pundits been piling on their farm system the past several years. It's been bleak. That said, the O's have turned Ryan Mountcastle and Austin Hays into solid contributors. Let's not forget that Trey Mancini is back from colon cancer treatment. He was a monster in 2019. See! That's even more than one positive.
Boston Red Sox
The short season showed us the stunning decline of the once monstrous Sox. They won't compete this year either, but I like the addition of former Tampa Bay Ray Hunter Renfroe. His power plays up big time at Fenway.
Chicago White Sox
Their ample prospects are all blooming at once. Keep an eye on pitcher Dylan Cease. Lucas Giolito's high school coach fixed Giolito’s issues and we all saw what that meant. He's been working with Cease too. The arm talent has always been evident. He may surprise some people this year.
Cleveland Indians
Losing Lindor sucks obviously, but lost in the shuffle is the addition of former Twin Eddie Rosario. He's always loved hitting at Progressive Field.
Detroit Tigers
They're a long way from being competitive, but I like this Willi Castro at short. Solid hit tool.
Houston Astros
There's no love lost when it comes to the Astros and myself. I will say that Jose Altuve is poised for a return to form. He'll never be the stolen base threat he once was, but I expect a nice season from him trash can lids or no.
Kansas City Royals
2018 first rounder Brady Singer showed a ton of talent in twelve 2020 starts. I'm hearing good things about his stuff this spring.
Los Angeles Angels
What else can we talk about? Reports are very positive about Shohei Ohtani the pitcher and Shohei Ohtani the hitter.
Minnesota Twins
They've shown monumental patience with one time top prospect Brandon Buxton. The worst is now behind him, and signs point to a complete break-out this year.
New York Yankees
It's the Yanks... We never lack for story lines. Forgotten perhaps is what a great hitter they've developed in one time Columbus Clipper Gio Urshella. Of course Gio can pick it at 3rd with anyone.
Oakland A's
The two Matt’s... Chapman and Olson logged forgettable 2020s. They're just too good for that to continue.
Seattle Mariners
The rebuilt farm system is paying fruits. When Jarred Kelenic comes up he's going to rake. I'd put down a few bucks on him even winning A.L. Rookie of the Year. Also keep an eye on pitcher Justus Sheffield.
Tampa Bay Rays
Was there anyone more fun to watch in the postseason than outfielder Randy Arozarena? I think not. Scouts say he's not just a flash in the pan.
Texas Rangers
It's going to be a long year in Arlington. I do like the addition of former Ray Nate Lowe.
Toronto Blue Jays
Two words: George Springer.