As Opening Day approaches, let’s have a look into the crystal ball to see what’s in retailer for the American League West.
Athletics | File prediction: 81-81 (third in AL West)
Jacob Wilson will contend for AL Rookie of the Yr: The A’s will discover one other cornerstone piece early within the upcoming season.
Wilson has been one of many extra distinctive prospects within the recreation, putting out simply 26 occasions in 337 minor-league plate appearances. The shortstop acquired a quick take a look at the major-league stage in 2024, posting a .250/.314/.315 batting line in his 103 plate appearances, hitting two doubles and two triples.
Wilson had a way more spectacular exhibiting with the bat within the minors final season. He produced an astonishing .433/.474/.668 batting line in 226 plate appearances throughout three ranges, hitting seven homers and 28 doubles. His potential to make constant contact continued throughout his time within the majors. Whereas Wilson just isn’t going to hit .400, he needs to be a strong possibility close to the highest of the lineup.
Houston Astros | File prediction: 90-72 (first in AL West)
Spencer Arrighetti emerges as the subsequent Astros ace: The Houston Astros have a younger pitcher able to step up as a top-of-the-rotation arm.
Arrighetti had a mediocre rookie 12 months based mostly on his total numbers. He posted a 4.57 ERA and a 1.407 WHiP in his 145 innings, putting out 171 batters with 65 walks. Nevertheless, Arrighetti was much better in the second half, posting a 3.18 ERA and a 1.169 WHiP over 65 innings, putting out 78 batters with 21 walks.
Because the Astros hope to contend in 2025 and past, they are going to want gamers to step up and show to be a part of the long run core. Arrighetti can stake a declare as a key a part of the rotation if he can construct off his spectacular second half.
Los Angeles Angels | File prediction: 73-89 (final in AL West)
Mike Trout stays wholesome, places collectively MVP-caliber season: Trout has remained productive when he has been on the diamond. The issue has been holding him wholesome.
The Angels are making a change in an try and maintain Trout within the lineup. He’s moving to right field going ahead, a change that he has taken to. Trout told MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger that he has observed a distinction in how his physique feels already after only a month or so in proper.
Trout was more likely to transfer from middle within the coming years as outfield prospect Nelson Rada is closing in on the majors. The Angels want Trout to be wholesome if they’ll have an opportunity at contending this season. If he can keep on the diamond, an MVP-caliber season could also be within the works.
Seattle Mariners | File prediction: 86-76 (second in AL West)
Luis Castillo will get traded by July 1: Commerce rumors swirled round Castillo all through the offseason. Whereas the pitcher seems unconcerned about those rumors, he might not be in Seattle for much longer.
The Mariners have a formidable crop of younger beginning pitchers, all of whom are far less expensive than Castillo. The Mariners had been willing to increase payroll heading into the 2025 season however had budgetary limitations final 12 months. In the meantime, they’re nonetheless seeking to enhance a lineup that ranked 22nd in the majors with a .687 OPS in 2024.
President of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto has been prepared to commerce just about anybody on the roster, often appearing as a vendor and a purchaser on the similar commerce deadline. If the Mariners’ younger starters carry out as anticipated, Castillo might find yourself elsewhere as Dipoto continues his quest to construct a viable lineup.
Texas Rangers | File prediction: 79-83 (fourth in AL West)
Jacob deGrom makes greater than 20 begins: deGrom has not been in a position to keep wholesome for a full season since 2020. That may change this 12 months.
The pitcher has already made adjustments in an try and take the ball each fifth day. He has dialed the rate on his fastball again, sitting within the mid 90s as a substitute of maxing out on every pitch. As an alternative, he’s seeking to attain triple digits when he has two strikes or must get that out. Though that won’t seem like important, that small adjustment might maintain deGrom on the mound.
He has continued to be among the finest pitchers in baseball when he has been wholesome. deGrom has a 2.01 ERA and a 0.679 WHiP because the begin of the 2021 season, however has solely lasted for 197.1 innings in that point. A wholesome deGrom can nonetheless be a distinction maker — his changes to “pitch smarter” will maintain him on the mound in 2025.
