1 sleeper pick team in every MLB division for 2021

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 02: Members of the Miami Marlinscelebrate a win over the Chicago Cubs during Game Two of the National League Wild Card Series at Wrigley Field on October 02, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. The Marlins defeated the Cubs 2-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

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AL Central: Kansas City Royals

Believe it or not, the Kansas City Royals have a roster that can contend in the very top-heavy AL Central. While the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox should be expected to be the top dogs, the Royals are now the No. 3 team in the division with the Detroit Tigers being very young and the Cleveland Indians trading their entire franchise in a series of 18 months.

The signing of Mike Minor off a down year could prove to be the steal of the offseason and be the ace they are in dire need of. Add in the other solid signing of Carlos Santana and you see the Royals trying for the first time in a while. Adalberto Mondesi and Whit Merrifield should still head the Royals lineup with Jorge Soler being the power bat, but this team is surely on the up.

Can the Royals win the division? Probably not. But they are a real sleeper to make some noise this season and contend for a wild card spot.

NL Central: Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers made the playoffs despite having a losing record in the shortened 2020 season and Christian Yelich struggling all season long, not looking like the MVP version of himself. They did so on the back of an impressive bullpen headlined by Devin Williams and Josh Hader, perhaps the best reliever duo in baseball. Even though they made the playoffs, it seems that they are behind in the Central but could easily win one of the more even divisions in baseball.

You have to think in a full 162 game season, Christian Yelich will return to form while Lorenzo Cain will return this season as well. “The Brew Crew” have been contenders in years past and if they get some players to step up into bigger roles, the playoffs seem like a layup at that point. They are sleepers for now but could be a sleeping giant waiting to erupt this season.

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