Call to the pen
Fansided

1 bold prediction for each American League Central team in 2023

By West Jones

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 14: Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates defeating the New York Yankees 4-2 in ten innings in game two of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 14, 2022 in New York, New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 14: Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates defeating the New York Yankees 4-2 in ten innings in game two of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 14, 2022 in New York, New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Kansas City Royals infielder Bobby Witt Jr.
Oct 3, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) throws to first base in the sixth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Kansas City Royals: Despite finishing last in the division, Bobby Witt Jr. will receive his first MVP votes

The Kansas City Royals were not good in 2022 and have done very little to change that heading into the 2023 campaign. Bobby Witt, Jr. is not going to have a sophomore slump this season and will instead be even more electric than he was last year. A renewed focus on his defense during the offseason will lead to more consistent fielding that will pair well with his highlight reel plays from the left side of the infield.

Witt finished fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting, last season, in an American League rookie class that was stacked. The 2019, second overall draft pick out of Colleyville, Texas, swiped 30 bags last season, despite an on-base percentage of just .294. With the new rules in place this season, and an increase in his OBP, Witt could be looking at 50-plus stolen bases to go along with potentially 30-plus home runs (he had 20 homers in 2022). A 30/30 season, with improved fielding for one of the bright stars of the game, is sure to garner at least a few MVP votes.

Again, the Royals will not be great record-wise, but should be fun to watch as the young players have a chance to play. A side note, that will help in their future rebuild, is that Aroldis Chapman could bounce back early, before finding himself traded at the deadline to a contender looking for a sweaty, backend of the pen southpaw.

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