10-6
10. Michael Brantley
After undergoing offseason shoulder surgery, there’s some uncertainty as to whether Michael Brantley will be able to return as his typical self this season. It’s more than likely that his power will falter, but his knack for getting on base and doing just about everything else will make him return to elite status.
9. Jose Bautista
One of the top power threats in the game over the past five seasons, Jose Bautista enters his contract year looking poised to produce. On a deep Toronto Blue Jays team, Bautista has plenty of protection to ensure he sees enough pitches to once again top at least 40 home runs. While his average dipped to .250 last season, Bautista more than made up for it with his ability to drive in runs.
8. Jason Heyward
It’s unlikely that Jason Heyward will ever recapture the magic of his 27 homer 2012 season, but his elite defense and high contact rate have made him one of the more valuable outfielders in MLB. Now in a loaded Chicago Cubs lineup, Heyward could see a bump in offensive production, while his trademark defense will continue to be his calling card.
7. Mookie Betts
Mookie Betts emerged as a sleeper MVP candidate going forward after a quietly excellent 2015 season that saw him hit 18 homers, steal 21 bases and only strike out 12.5 percent of the time. While he doesn’t excel in any one category, Betts is a superstar in the making ready to take the reigns of the Boston Red Sox franchise.
6. Giancarlo Stanton
Injuries once again set Giancarlo Stanton back in 2015, but as per usual, he’ll likely contend for the MVP award if he stays healthy this season. It’s crazy to think he’s never topped 40 home runs, and at 26, this seems like the perfect season to check that off his list. Helping the Miami Marlins return to relevance will likely be his biggest goal, but expect another big individual stat line from the slugger.