* – indicates new to team
AVG – Batting Average
ERA – Earned Run Average
HR – Home Runs
RBI – Runs Batted In
SV – Saves
1. Los Angeles Angels
The offense gets even better with an improved bullpen.
2. Oakland Athletics
Their bullpen is scary good and their depth is better than last year.
3. Texas Rangers
A disappointing offseason had them take two steps backward.
4. Seattle Mariners
With a better lineup the pitching will need another year to develop.
5. Houston Astros
A lot of growing pains as they switch to the American League.
Player to Watch: OF Mike Trout Los Angeles Angels
Not only is he going to be the most watch player in this division, but in all of baseball. He has become the best example of what a ‘five tool’ player looks like and plays like. What will he do for an encore has everyone talking.
Best Acquisition: OF Josh Hamilton Los Angeles Angels
The division rival Angels swooped in and snatched a big bat from the Texas Rangers lineup. Not only does he offer protection for Albert Pujols, but takes pressure off Mark Trumbo who struggled down the stretch last season. It’s a win-win for Albert and Mark.
New Kid on the Block: INF Jurickson Profar Texas Rangers
He’s the reason why the Rangers decided to deal their franchise mainstay Michael Young. If he doesn’t play from the beginning of the season, you will see him at some point this year. Far too talented to let stay in the minors for very long.
Angels Lineup
1. LF Mike Trout
.326 AVG 32 HR 95 RBI
2. SS Erick Aybar
.290 AVG 8 RH 45 RBI
3. 1B Albert Pujols
.285 AVG 30 HR 105 RBI
4. RF Josh Hamilton*
.285 AVG 43 HR 128 RBI
5. DH Mark Trumbo
.268 AVG 32 HR 95 RBI
6. 2B Howie Kendrick
.287 AVG 8 HR 67 RBI
7. 3B Alberto Callaspo
.252 AVG 10 HR 53 RBI
8. C Chris Iannetta
.240 AVG 9 RH 26 RBI
9. CF Peter Bourjos
.220 AVG 3 HR 19 RBI
Bench
C Hank Conger
.295 AVG 10 HR 42 RBI (AAA stats)
INF Andrew Romine
.285 AVG 4 HR 39 RBI (AAA stats)
OF Kole Calhoun
.298 AVG 14 HR 73 RBI (AAA stats)
Rotation
1. Jered Weaver
20-5 2.81 ERA
2. C.J. Wilson
13-10 3.83 ERA
3. Tommy Hanson*
13-10 4.48 ERA
4. Jason Vargas*
14-11 3.85 ERA
5. Joe Blanton*
10-13 4.71 ERA
Setup
Scott Downs
1-1 3.15 ERA
Closer
Ernesto Frieri
23 SV 2.32 ERA
Mike Scioscia’s Job: Don’t have another slow start.
Most Important Player: OF Mike Trout
Athletics Lineup
1. DH Coco Crisp
.259 AVG 11 HR 46 RBI
2. 3B Jed Lowrie*
.244 AVG 16 HR 42 RBI
3. LF Yoenis Cespedes
.292 AVG 23 HR 82 RBI
4. 1B Brandon Moss
.291 AVG 21 HR 52 RBI
5. RF Josh Reddick
.242 AVG 32 HR 85 RBI
6. CF Chris Young*
.231 AVG 14 HR 41 RBI
7. C John Jaso*
.276 AVG 10 HR 50 RBI
8. 2B Jemile Weeks
.221 AVG 2 HR 20 RBI
9. SS Hiroyuki Nakamjima*
.311 AVG 13 HR 74 RBI (Japan)
Bench
OF Seth Smith
.240 AVG 14 HR 52 RBI
INF Scott Sizemore
Did not play
C Derek Norris
.201 AVG 7 HR 34 RBI
Rotation
1. Brett Anderson
4-2 2.57 ERA
2. Jarrod Parker
13-8 3.47 ERA
3. Tommy Milone
13-10 3.74 ERA
4. Bartolo Colon
10-9 3.43 ERA
5. A.J. Griffin
7-1 3.06 ERA
Setup
Ryan Cook
6-2 2.09 ERA
Closer
Grant Balfour
24 SV 2.53 ERA
Bob Melvin’s Job: Find the groove from last year.
Most Important Player: OF Yoenis Cespedes
Rangers Lineup
1. 2B Ian Kinsler
.256 AVG 19 HR 72 RBI
2. SS Elvis Andrus
.286 AVG 3 HR 62 RBI
3. DH Lance Berkman*
.259 AVG 2 HR 7 RBI
4. 3B Adrian Beltre
.321 AVG 36 HR 102 RBI
5. C A.J. Pierzynski*
.278 AVG 27 HR 77 RBI
6. RF Nelson Cruz
.260 AVG 24 HR 90 RBI
7. LF David Murphy
.304 AVG 15 HR 61 RBI
8. 1B Mitch Moreland
.275 AVG 15 HR 50 RBI
9. CF Leonys Martin
.359 AVG 12 HR 42 RBI (AAA stats)
Bench
OF Craig Gentry
.304 AVG 1 HR 26 RBI
C Geovany Soto
.198 AVG 11 HR 39 RBI
INF Jurickson Profar
.281 AVG 14 HR 62 RBI (AA stats)
Rotation
1. Matt Harrison
18-11 3.29 ERA
2. Yu Darvish
16-9 3.90 ERA
3. Derek Holland
12-7 4.67 ERA
4. Alexi Ogando
2-0 3.27 ERA
5. Martin Perez
1-4 5.45 ERA
Setup
Jason Frasor*
1-1 4.12 ERA
Closer
Joe Nathan
37 SV 2.80 ERA
Ron Washington’s Job: Salvage the pitching staff.
Most Important Player: OF Nelson Cruz
Mariners Lineup
1. 2B Dustin Ackley
.226 AVG 12 HR 50 RBI
2. CF Franklin Gutierrez
.260 AVG 4 HR 17 RBI
3. 3B Kyle Seager
.259 AVG 20 HR 86 RBI
4. LF Michael Morse*
.291 AVG 18 HR 62 RBI
5. DH Kendrys Morales*
.273 AVG 22 HR 73 RBI
6. C Jesus Montero
.260 AVG 15 HR 62 RBI
7. 1B Justin Smoak
.217 AVG 19 HR 51 RBI
8. RF Michael Saunders
.247 AVG 19 HR 57 RBI
9. SS Brendan Ryan
.194 AVG 3 HR 31 RBI
Bench
OF/DH Raul Ibanez*
.240 AVG 19 RH 62 RBI
INF Robert Andino*
.211 AVG 7 HR 28 RBI
OF Jason Bay*
.165 AVG 8 HR 20 RBI
Rotation
1. Felix Hernandez
13-9 3.06 ERA
2. Joe Saunders*
9-13 4.07 ERA
3. Hisashi Iwakuma
9-5 3.16 ERA
4. Blake Beavan
11-11 4.43 ERA
5. Erasmo Ramirez
1-3 3.36 ERA
Setup
Charlie Furbush
5-2 2.72 ERA
Closer
Tom Wilhelmsen
29 SV 2.50 ERA
Eric Wedge’s Job: Find the best lineup.
Most Important Player: P Felix Hernandez
Astros Lineup
1. CF Brandon Barnes
.321 AVG 12 HR 69 RBI (AA and AAA stats)
2. 2B Jose Altuve
.290 AVG 7 HR 37 RBI
3. RF Justin Maxwell
.229 AVG 18 HR 53 RBI
4. 1B Carlos Pena*
.197 AVG 19 HR 61 RBI
5. DH Chris Carter*
.239 AVG 16 HR 39 RBI
6. 3B Brett Wallace
.253 AVG 9 HR 24 RBI
7. LF Fernando Martinez
.314 AVG 13 HR 62 RBI (AAA stats)
8. C Jason Castro
.257 AVG 6 HR 29 RBI
9. SS Ronny Cedeno*
.259 AVG 4 HR 22 RBI
Bench
INF Marwin Gonzalez
.234 AVG 2 HR 12 RBI
3B Matt Dominguez
.257 AVG 9 HR 69 RBI (AAA stats)
C Carlos Corporan
.286 AVG 6 HR 31 RBI
Rotation
1. Bud Norris
7-13 4.65 ERA
2. Lucas Harrell
11-11 3.76 ERA
3. Alex White*
2-9 5.51 ERA
4. Philip Humber*
5-5 6.44 ERA
5. Jordan Lyles
5-12 5.09 ERA
Setup
Wesley Wright
2-2 3.27 ERA
Closer
Jose Veras*
1 SV 3.63 ERA
Bo Porter’s Job: Remain competitive.
Most Important Player: 2B Jose Altuve
westhesportsguy.com 