Tigers
Good: The team continues to lead the AL Central after months where they looked like the best team in baseball. The bats have played very well led by the core of: OF Riley Greene, OF Kerry Carpenter, and 1B Spencer Torkelson. Free agent pickup 2B Gleyber Torres continues to pay off as a consistent bat with good power while playing leadoff. SS/OF Javier Baez continues to play well in a strong rebound season. OF Parker Meadows is starting to play better after the injuries. 2nd year 2B Colt Keith has played well despite being moved all over the infield 1B-3B. Ace Tarik Skubal has played well on the way to what should be back-to-back AL CY Young Awards. The pitching has been good especially the starters.
Bad: After a strong the start, the team started to hit rough patches giving room for the Guardians to catch up. Injuries mostly to the pitching depth. The team still seems like it’s a big bat away from making their mark in the postseason as they chased 3B Alex Bregman and still have a desire to add him.
Guardians
Good: The Guardians are still in the wildcard and with a run could take the division. 3B Jose Ramirez continues to be one of the most underrated players in the league leading the team as usual. OF Steven Kwan has been a very consistent bat with good power to his game while playing the leadoff spot. 1B Kyle Manzardo has heated back up after going cold. The pitching has been excellent including the young starting rotation. The team continues to be in the mix despite cutting payroll after a good run last season.
Bad: The betting scandal around star Closer Emmanuel Clase and P Luis Ortiz was bad publicity for the team. The team finds way to win, but do they have enough bats to compete? Outside of the names above the production is inconsistent to non-existent. The team needs upgrades at a lot of positions and didn’t get much for former ace Shane Bieber due to injuries.
Royals
Good: The team tried to make moves to move into the wildcard. SS Bobby Witt Jr. continues to be the franchise player and do it all player. 1B Vinnie Pasquantino has stayed healthy while playing with good consistency and power. 3B Maikel Garcia has shown increased power while continuing to get on base. C/DH Salvador Perez has shown good power at age 35. Veteran 2B/OF Adam Frazier has played well since joining the team. The pitching has been very good led by Michael Wacha who has played like an ace and 1st year P Noah Cameron along with a good bullpen.
Bad: The team had postseason hopes after getting in last season. The team loss ace Cole Ragans to injury and P Kris Bubic who was playing well before injury. The bats have been inconsistent and the team could use a bat or two. Big trade acquisition 2B Jonathan India hasn’t played to his normal level. 1st year OF Jac Caglianone struggled after dominating in the minors. Trade deadline pickup OF Mike Yastrzemski has struggled after a good start. The team needs better production from the outfield.
Twins
Good: Leader OF Byron Buxton has played very well while staying mostly healthy. OF/DH Trevor Larnach has played well while adding power to the lineup. 3B Royce Lewis has been playing well since the injuries and slow start. Rookie 2B Luke Keaschall has played very well getting on base consistently. OF Austin Martin has played well with increased playing time. 2B Kody Clemens, son of Roger Clemens, has shown good power with increased playing time since being acquired from the Phillies. OF Matt Wallner has provided good power but needs to improve his average. P Joe Ryan has played like an ace and could be a building block or a big trade piece. Ace Pablo Lopez has pitched well when healthy.
Bad: The team has fallen out of the wildcard race despite offseason hopes of getting into the postseason. The team became sellers at the deadline moving SS Carlos Correa along with a lot of other quality bats and relief pitching. Injuries. The team needs to replace the bats they loss and continue to add to the pitching staff.
White Sox
Good: The team has more wins than last year and have been competitive. Catcher Kyle Teel has played well as the main piece in the Garrett Crochet trade. 2B Lenyn Sosa was playing very well before the injury. Rookie 2B/SS Chase Meidroth has been a consistent bat. OF Andrew Benintendi has heated up after a slow start. 1st year P Shane Smith has played very well while the young pitching staff has held their own. Veteran P Martin Perez has pitched well since being picked up late from the Pirates.
Bad: The team is still the worst team in the American League and in need of more talent. OF Luis Robert is hurt again and the team hasn’t been able to move him. The team gave up on 1B Andrew Vaughn and 1B/OF Gavin Sheets and both have played well with a change of scenery. Rookie SS Colson Montgomery was on fire before going ice cold. The team needs a #1 pitcher and bullpen help. Free agent pickup 3B/2B Josh Rojas has been extremely ineffective.
