The AL Central will be a strange division to follow in 2021 after what transpired this past offseason.
Yes, the division will have two legit World Series contenders in the Twins and White Sox, but what about the other three? Will the Indians go “all in” on a rebuild after trading superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor and trade stars such as Jose Ramirez and others? Will the Royals be contenders after a sneaky good offseason? How many highly-touted Tigers prospects will we see in 2021? These are just a few questions facing the AL Central in 2021.
How far will these be able to go this season? Here is one candidate for each AL Central team to “breakout”, and one that could determine just how good each team could be.
Chicago White Sox – 2B Nick Madrigal
Nick Madrigal can flat out hit. Madrigal, the #40 prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline, made his debut during the 2020 season where he hit .340 in 103 at-bats. The White Sox should be one of the more exciting and complete teams in 2021, and the emergence of Madrigal at second base could give Chicago yet another high-average bat in their lineup. Nick Madrigal is a preseason candidate for the 2021 AL Rookie of the Year, and should fully cement himself as the White Sox’s second baseman of the future.
Cleveland Indians – SP Triston McKenzie
Triston McKenzie made his debut in 2020 where he went 2-1 with a 3.24 ERA while striking out 42 in 33.1 innings pitched. The impressive young righty showcased his lively fastball, and displayed an impressive 11.34 K/9 during limited action last season. McKenzie is currently ranked as the #51 prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline, and should be firmly cemented in Cleveland’s starting rotation with a strong performance this spring.
Detroit Tigers – SP Casey Mize
One of the more obvious breakout candidates in all of baseball in 2021 is Detroit Tigers starter Casey Mize. The former #1 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft and #11 prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline, Mize has three above-average pitches in his arsenal, with his splitter being one of the best pitches in the minor leagues. Mize made his debut in 2020, but did not necessarily show the best results as he went 0-3 with a 6.99 ERA in 28.1 innings pitched. The Tigers have a wealth of talented younger players they will be looking to showcase in 2021, which includes their potential ace in Casey Mize.
Kansas City Royals – SP Brady Singer
One of the more underrated young pitchers in the AL Central is Royals starter Brady Singer. Singer made his debut early in the 2020 season where he finished the year 4-5 with a 4.06 ERA while striking out 61 in 64.1 innings pitched. The former Florida Gator star is plenty talented and capable of breaking out this season to become the future ace for a potentially sneaky good Kansas City Royals team in 2021.
Minnesota Twins – OF Alex Kirilloff
The #26 prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline, Kirilloff was called up to make his debut in the 2020 AL Wild Card Game. While he only played in one game for the Twins in 2020, that showed that Minnesota is high on him to debut him in one of the biggest situations, and that alone is why Kirilloff is a breakout candidate in 2021. A career .317 hitter in the minor leagues, Alex Kirilloff has been one of the more hyped outfield prospects in baseball over the past couple of years, and we should see why this season.
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