AL Central Predictions: Kansas City Royals

PITCHING: Good young pitchers adorn their stating rotation, guys like Zach Greinke who always has a decent ERA & WHIP. Gil Meche a strong pitcher who gives them innings and keeps them in games, Brian Bannister...an up-and-comer who has to get his WHIP down (Walks and Hits per Innings Pitched) and 2 newbies in Luke Hochevar and Kyle Davies, who are both learning on the job. It's still a rotation capable of making runs of wins at any given moment on the schedule. KC also sports a bullpen that is the envy of many clubs. Pitchers in relief ...guys like Juan Cruz, who can Hold any team back until their quality Closer Joakim Soria can slam the door. A good small market team whose minor league system has produced many players as they were needed without having to visit the over-priced shallow well of Free Agents.

HITTING: Infield consists of a bargain basement 1B ex-Marlin Mike Jacobs, he exhibits decent power and a below average glove. 2B is manned by Alberto Callaspo who underwent a rigorous tryout on the Major league squad last year but may have to share the position. 3B is the over-hyped Alex Gordon who unfairly went through a second-coming comparison to George Brett...who could live up to that? Alex may settle down and find some power this year and put up some better numbers. at SS is the unheralded Mike Aviles...thrown into the position last year and kept his head above water, much to the surprise of everyone. Billy Butler is scheduled to DH this year since 1B is out of his reach. The Outfield like the infield has added a player from outside the team in Coco Crisp...a fleet-footed CF that couldn't get at bats in Boston...he'll definitely get all he wants in KC, hopefully that will be a Good Thing! Crisp will add the speed that was missing on this Royal ballclub. David DeJesus gets to move from CF to LF, DeJesus is a solid but unspectacular player who manages to get his job done with a BA hovering around .300. Right Fielder Jose Guillen is the horse they count on riding for RBIs until the young studs find their footing. The bench holds some pretty good journeymen including Mark Teahen who probably will get more ABs than he thinks.

PREDICTION: I picked them last...but I would NOT be surprised if they start to push teams around later on this year.