Making bold sporting statements without real repercussions can be fun, and certainly is fun, so it is time again for us to combine these fun things into one column. Well, really it is two columns, as we get bold separately with the American League and the National League, making myriad predictions and hoping some (or several) may hit. Perhaps not, but at least they should make one think.
For example, a year ago we predicted Athletics DH would hit 50 home runs. He did not, but he did not struggle. We predicted RHP would whiff 200 hitters and make the All-Star team. That did occur. OF very nearly stole 45 bases, but three did not hit 25 home runs. and did play a lot! and did not.
Some (most) of these predictions will look a bit silly in six months, if not sooner. Still, there is a basis for making each of these bold statements, and perhaps it makes you think. Perhaps the player in question has a particular skill — or opportunity — that defies groupthink. Perhaps the statement is not a positive one. Fantasy baseball managers tend to follow rankings and projections but trusting your gut is important, too. Trust yourself. Take a few chances. Perhaps some of these bold picks will look wise in a few months.
With that in mind, let us get bold yet again for the pending season, starting with the American League.
: Can an Athletic hit 50 home runs this season? With reigning AL Rookie of the Year , anything seems possible. Let’s give Rooker 40 blasts. … SS trades some contact for pop, hitting .280 with 18 home runs. … RHP can’t be that bad again in home games (6.01 ERA): Overall, he wins 13 games with a 3.80 ERA. … RHP saves 18 games.
: 2B (hand) makes his season debut in mid-April, and still reaches 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases. … Two Orioles hit 40 home runs (SS , 1B ). … OF prospect debuts in July. He steals 26 bases. … LHP surprisingly is for real: 15 wins, 2.80 ERA, All-Star appearance. … RHP saves more games than .
: OF star hits 40 home runs and he is not the primary leadoff hitter for long. … Seven Red Sox hit 20 home runs, including 1B . … LHP whiffs 275 hitters and earns the AL Cy Young award. … RHP fans 180 hitters for his fifth team, and he wins a career-high 15 games.
: New 1B and SS each hit 31 home runs, although neither infielder hits above .220. … New 2B steals 28 bases. … Staff ace RHP makes the AL All-Star team again! … RHP prospect debuts in July, and he posts a 3.40 ERA in 12 starts.
: Three Guardians hit 30 home runs, with newcomer 1B joining 3B and 1B . … Brittle OF , new No. 2 hitter, bats 510 times. … DH earns his catcher eligibility in June, and he finishes as a top 15 fantasy catcher. … RHP makes his first All-Star game. He wins 15 games and strikes out 200.
: OF hits 32 home runs, knocks in 99 runs. … Prospect takes the 3B job in late-May, hits .290 over 420 PA. … RHP wins 13 games with a 3.40 ERA. He starts Game 2 of the playoffs. … RHP saves 36 wins, sailing past 500 saves for his career and he retires.
: 1B leads the team with 30 home runs, with OF and 3B adding 28. … Year 2 goes better for OF . He hits .270 with 22 home runs. … New RHP wins 12 games with 160 strikeouts. … RHP saves 25 games and makes the All-Star team. Be very careful about LHP .
: Four Royals hit 30 home runs, led by slugging OF and solid 1B with 34. … OF , active leader in stolen bases (and caught stealing), adds 22 steals. … OF becomes the everyday 2B and posts a .375 OBP with 22 steals. … RHP (oblique), not in the Opening Day rotation, still wins 12 games with a 3.40 ERA.
: SS delivers the third 30/30 season in franchise history (Bobby Bonds, Mike Trout). … Healthy OF rediscovers his 2023 numbers, hitting 22 home runs and stealing 28 bases. … Speaking of health, RHP posts a 3.50 ERA over 26 starts, with myriad strikeouts. … LHP saves 20 games.
: 2B scores 90 runs as leadoff hitter, batting .285 with 32 stolen bases. … OF and 3B each bat more than 500 times, and each reaches 30 home runs. … RHP breaks out with a 3.50 ERA and 170 strikeouts.
: OF nearly does it again, hitting 30 home runs with 90 walks. … Grisham and C are among six Yankees who reach 30 home runs. … RHP (elbow) returns in May, and he wins 14 of his 22 starts with a 3.20 ERA. … LHP surprises with a 3.50 ERA in 24 starts.
: 2B scores 90 runs as leadoff hitter, while adding a .295 batting average. … SS prospect debuts in May and he hits 15 home runs. … Five Mariners starting pitchers (, , , , ) make at least 28 starts with an ERA better than 3.50.
: An improved 3B hits .280 with 50 home runs, and he ends up second in MVP voting. … OF stays healthy enough to steal 30 bases, while OF steals 62 bases. … RHP debuts in July and dominates with a 2.80 ERA in 14 starts. … RHP saves 28 wins.
: OF stays healthy enough to appear in 152 games, reaching 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases. Ian Kinsler was the last Ranger to reach 30/30 (2011). … 1B and DH bounce back and each delivers 28 home runs. … RHP leads the staff with a 2.80 ERA in 26 starts and makes his third All-Star team.
: OF nearly does it again, hitting .280 with 28 home runs and 96 runs scored. … New 3B hits cleanup, protecting 1B ., and he hits 28 home runs. … RHP makes his first All-Star team, posts a 3.36 ERA. … RHP leads the team with 22 saves.
