AL Central: Can McArthur factor into saves mix again?

Kansas City Royals

Will Smith (LHP, KC) is viewed as the favorite for the majority of save chances after he recorded 22 saves in Texas last season. But his recent skills have been mediocre, with an xERA between 3.96 and 4.35 in each of the past four seasons, and there are solid options behind him who could easily nab some save chances.

James McArthur (RHP, KC) showed excellent skills in last year's small sample and ended the season as the team's closer. His success has carried over this spring, where he has allowed 1 ER in 7.1 IP, with a 10/1 K/BB. 

John Schreiber (RHP, KC) is another arm to keep an eye on. He was outstanding in 2022 and again early in 2023 before suffering a shoulder injury. He has tossed five scoreless frames this spring with a 5/0 K/BB and could be a high-leverage arm with a chance for saves.

Nick Anderson (RHP, KC) didn't show the swing-and-miss stuff in 2023 that he had previously shown, but still put up a 3.09 ERA and 25% K% in his 35 appearances. He won't be closing out of the gate but can't be dismissed as a 9th inning option at some point.

 

Chicago White Sox

Paul DeJong (SS, CHW) is looking good in spring training, where he has hit .286 with 2 HR in 35 at-bats. He has struck out 11 times, though, and considering he's hit .197 in over 1,000 PA the past three seasons, his starting gig is far from guaranteed to last all season. Let's see what other options the team has on hand.

With Lenyn Sosa (2B, CHW) being recently optioned to Triple-A, Nicky Lopez (2B, CHW) is slated to start at second base to open the season. Lopez could slide over to shortstop and Sosa could get called back up. But as noted in the Baseball Forecaster, Sosa owns a sub-.500 OPS in 151 career PA vs RHP. A small sample indeed, but it's pretty clear such a move wouldn't be the answer.

Colson Montgomery (SS, CHW) topped the list on the White Sox Organization Report, but he has yet to reach Triple-A. He has already been optioned down and is likely to start the season at that level, with a possible call-up this summer if he progresses as hoped. 

Josè Rodriguez (2B, CHW) ranked 7th on the list, and even got a brief callup in 2023, though he didn't receive an at-bat. He played more second base than shortstop last year but could be an option at either spot. However, Rodriguez isn't likely to hit enough to be a solid option in the short-term. 

Former first round pick Braden Shewmake (SS, CHW) is also in the organization now. He totaled 16 HR and 27 SB with Atlanta's Triple-A affiliate in 2023, but hit just .234 on the season. Shewmake has 4 SB this spring, but speed is the only area where he could provide any help offensively.

 

Cleveland Guardians

Myles Straw (OF, CLE) is back in action after missing time with a viral infection. He appears to have a good chance of starting the season as the team's primary center fielder, but he has been terrible offensively the past couple of seasons, and others are trying to make their case for the job.

Estevan Florial (OF, CLE) has been given a chance to prove himself, but he has failed to produce. He has collected just three hits in 26 at-bats and has struck out 12 times, a problem that has plagued him throughout his career. Odds are probably against him grabbing the job out of the gate, and he may be headed back to the minors if he can pass through waivers (Florial is out of options). 

Tyler Freeman (3B, CLE) has been making the most of his opportunity this spring, as he is 8 for 28 with a homer and 3 SB. The 24-year-old has moved around the infield throughout his career but has made just one professional regular season appearance in the outfield, that coming in left field in 2023. There would likely be some bumps in the road defensively for Freeman in center, though he would certainly be an upgrade offensively on Straw.

Ramón Laureano (OF, CLE) has graded out poorly defensively the past two seasons. But given the lack of an obvious alternative, he could find himself playing there again, as long he's healthy and hitting well. Laureano has gotten on base at a .370 clip this spring and could be a fixture in the lineup early on.

Will Brennan (OF, CLE) played mostly in right field in 2023 but got 11 starts in center. He is 5 for 19 with 1 HR and 2 SB this spring and could be a regular in the outfield vs. RHP, possibly working his way into the center field mix. 

 

Detroit Tigers

Colt Keith (2B, DET) is expected to serve as the team's primary second baseman after signing a long-term deal in January. He should be in there regularly against right-handers, and the team will surely give the 22-year-old ample opportunity against southpaws as well. This leaves a host of others battling for what's left at second plus the third base job.

Andy Ibáñez (3B, DET) is having an excellent spring, as he's slashing .286/.333/.786 with 4 HR in 30 PA. Following an abysmal 2022 campaign, he posted a .264/.312/.433 line in 383 PA in 2023, which was a near mirror image of his 2021 slash line.

Ibáñez is expected to start at second or third base against lefties, but sparingly vs right-handed pitching. But if his hot hitting carries over into the regular season, it's not too hard to envision his role expanding, at least in the early going.

Zach McKinstry (3B, DET) is expected to see his fair share of playing time against right-handers at second and third base, with some shortstop and outfield mixed in as well. He too is having a nice spring, and his respectable power/speed blend gives him deep league appeal. But McKinstry still has plenty to prove, and his .658 career OPS vs RHP doesn't lock him into a strong side platoon, regardless of his versatility. 

There are a couple right-handed hitting third base options who have failed to impress this spring. Gio Urshela (3B, DET) (.500 OPS), Matt Vierling (OF, DET) (.676 OPS), and Justyn-Henry Malloy (OF, DET) (.647 OPS) are all slated to see action at the hot corner, with the latter two also joining a crowded outfield mix. All told, it's unlikely we see anyone getting full-time at-bats at third base, capping the value of all of the candidates.

 

Minnesota Twins

Anthony DeSclafani (RHP, MIN) is expected to toe the rubber in a minor league game Saturday, as he attempts to build up and prove himself healthy. If all continues to go well in his rehab, he has the inside track when the fifth spot in the rotation first comes up. DeSclafani may be worth a dart throw in deeper formats, but given his recent health and skills, he may not be long for the role.

One other factor working against DeSclafani is that Louie Varland (RHP, MIN) is lurking behind him. He has made 22 appearances (15 starts) over the past two seasons and held his own, with a 4.40 ERA, 4.08 xERA, and 17% K-BB%, though he has been burned by the long ball. Varland has yielded one run and seven base runners in 11 IP this spring, and it probably won't be long before he gets his chance, whether it's due to injury or poor performance of someone ahead of him.

David Festa (RHP, MIN) and Simeon Woods Richardson (RHP, MIN) loom as other potential options at some point. Festa, who ranked number seven on the Organization Report, bulked up over the winter and will open the year at Triple-A, where he made three starts last year.

Woods Richardson has made one big league appearance each of the past two seasons and could get a longer look this year. But he had a 19% K% at Triple-A in 2023 and doesn't offer much upside.

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