Fantasy Baseball 2017: Bold Fantasy Prediction for each AL Central Club

By Brad Kelly | Mar 31, 2017

Mar 18, 2017; Surprise, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas (8) holds his daughter before the game against the Cleveland Indians at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

With the MLB season almost upon us, it is always fun to offer bold fantasy predictions for the upcoming season. Here is one bold fantasy prediction for each team in the AL Central.

Conjuring up bold fantasy predictions is one the more intriguing offseason exercises as it blends conjecture, player situations, and stats together. While most bold predictions fail to come true, there is always that hope that one does strike gold and would be the one that fantasy owners believed in. Here is one fantasy prediction for each of the teams in the AL Central.

More bold predictions here: AL East, NL East

Cleveland Indians: Michael Brantley posts a career-best fantasy line

Entering the 2016 season, Brantly was coming off his two best offensive seasons as a major leaguer. Unfortunately, since the end of the 2015 season, two shoulder surgeries have marred his fantasy value. Last season, was a lost year with Brantley only playing in 11 games.

Since the Indians shut him down, they have handled him with the utmost patience and care with the hope that he can be an integral part of the team again. Even though his spring debut was delayed until the middle of March, Brantley has looked like his vintage self at the plate.

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The Tribe will give some maintenance days early on this season, but look for Brantley to get things rolling soon. With Carlos Santana and Francisco Lindor in front of him, and potentially Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Ramirez following him, everything about him looks to scream a career year in counting stats. Health is a risk for anyone, especially Brantley, but a .300/20 HR/100 RBI/100 R is not out of the question.

Detroit Tigers: JaCoby Jones posts 10 HR/25 SB

The Tigers lacked any real options in center this spring, opening the door for the uber-athletic Jones to take the job. He is raw at the plate, but he after altering his swing during the Arizona Fall League, he took off and has not stopped hitting. He won the job this spring thanks to his hitting and the Tigers are more than welcome to insert a youthful option into the lineup.

The AVG may not be there, but he has the pop to get to 10 HR and Brad Ausmus has already stated that he is there to run, so look for him to have the green light. He does not need to drafted, but he will surely be one of the first waiver wire adds if he gets out to a fast start.

Kansas City Royals: Mike Moustakas is a top-10 fantasy third basemen

It seems that some may have forgotten but in 2015 Moose notched a career-best .284/22 HR/82 RBI/.817 OPS line. He altered his approach to beat the shift, which allowed his AVG to swell and the across the board stat climb.

Last season, a freak ACL injury cost him the year. Before the injury, he was on pace to mash 30+ HR and so far this spring, the knee has looked fine. The supporting cast is a little weaker than in years past, but he shapes up to one of the best fantasy values in 2017. Look for a .265/30 HR/90 RBI line, ranking him right in the top-10 at the hot corner.

Minnesota Twins: Miguel Sano hits 40 HR

Everyone knows that Sano has some of the, if not the best, raw power in baseball. It is just a matter of him not swinging at everything. In 2016, the Twins foolishly miscast Sano as a corner OF. He battled injuries during the season and that even further slowed him. The approach at the plate may never get better. But, he mashed 25 HR in only 116 games last season.

A full season of at-bats and now out of the outfield for good, we will finally see what Sano can do over 140 games. If he can stay on the field, a .250/40 HR/100 RBI season is there to be had and 2017 looks like the time it will happen.

Chicago White Sox: Jacob May introduces himself and steals 30+ SB

May was quietly named the White Sox starting center fielder this week. After winning the competition this spring, May will now be able to showcase his speed. The 24-year-old has 135 career steals in the minors and had back to back 35+ SB efforts in 2014 and 2015.

He will not provide much power and he will have to be more patient at the plate, but the speed is there to be a fantasy asset. If he can maintain a .370-.390 OPS, he should have no issue getting to the 30 SB mark. Keep an eye on him early this year and do not be afraid to pounce on him once he gets running.

Next: Indians: Is Yandy Diaz the new Jose Ramirez?

Some of these predictions may be bold, some may be somewhat obvious. But, fantasy owners should keep these in the back of your mind during the last weeks of drafting. Good luck.

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