*Photo from Wikipedia*
Baseball is currently suspended, and there's no telling as to when play will resume. But, when it does, there will be plenty of players to watch around the league. Here's one player from each AL team to keep an eye on whenever play resumes.
*Photo from Business Insider*
Shohei Ohtani, SP/DH, Los Angeles Angels
The two way marvel of Ohtani is returning to pitching in 2020 after being limited to just hitting in 2019 due to surgery. He did well doing both in 2018 over a short sample size, and it'll be interesting to see what he can do for an encore, however long that will end up being due to the current stoppage.
*Photo from CBS Sports*
Jose Urquidy, RHP, Houston Astros
Urquidy dazzled in the 2019 playoffs when the Astros needed him the most, and he's expected to be a part of their starting rotation in 2020. His fastball misses bats, and he's got a good regimen of off speed pitches to compliment his heater. It'll be interesting to see how the hitters of the AL can beat Urquidy in a full season, or if Urquidy can figure out ways to beat them.
*Photo from NBC Sports*
Jesus Luzardo, LHP, Oakland Athletics
Luzardo, one of Oakland's top prospects, finished 2019 in their bullpen, but seems ready for the leap to the starting rotation in 2020. He cruised through the minors and with his electric stuff seems ready for a major role in the major leagues. He should be able to slot in behind Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas, and Mike Fiers in the rotation, so there shouldn't be too much pressure when he takes the mound for the first time. The future is now in Oakland, and it will be fun to watch.
*Photo from Sportsnet*
Nate Pearson, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays
Pearson, Toronto's number one prospect, had an amazing spring training before play was halted, with a 1.29 ERA and 11 strikeouts. He's Toronto's best pitching prospect since Roy Halladay, and has the talent for stardom in the majors. He won't start the year in Toronto, as he needs to round off his game in Triple A, but he should get a mid season callup, and it doesn't seem like he'll be going back down once he gets to Toronto.
*Photo from Sports Illustrated*
Franmil Reyes, OF/DH, Cleveland Indians
Cleveland's 4th outfielder and starting DH has quite the power in his bat. When he drives a ball, it's a no doubt bomb, and he's got some of the hardest contact percentage in baseball. His defense has always held him back, and Cleveland will need him to improve if they will have any chance at competing in 2020, especially since Yasiel Puig is gone. Reyes seems like a boom or bust candidate in 2020, with quite the upside if he booms.
*Photo from Baseball America*
Evan White, 1B, Seattle Mariners
White, who hasn't played a game above Double A, was signed to a 6 year, $42 million deal by the Mariners this winter, so all eyes will be on his performance when games start being played. He did have a good season in Double A, but it remains to be seen how it will translate at the major league level. He is a part of the first wave of Mariners prospects on the way to the majors in the next few years, so White will be someone to watch.
*Photo from UPI*
Trey Mancini, OF, Baltimore Orioles
Mancini is the one glimmer of hope in Baltimore in a pretty awful situation. Mancini did just have surgery to remove a malignant tumor from his body, so it remains to be seen how much time he will miss. But, when he's on the field, he's a valuable player in Baltimore, and will be a part of their future for years to come. I do hope Mancini can recover from his surgery and have a successful season. Tumors are the worst.
*Photo from the Dallas Morning News*
Corey Kluber, RHP, Texas Rangers
The Rangers acquired a top flight pitcher in Kluber this offseason to lead their starting rotation. He hasn't been the same dominant Kluber recently due to injury, but if he can regain his form, he will be a force at the top of the Texas rotation. Despite the recent injuries, Kluber has thrown 200 or more innings in 5 straight seasons, so he is durable when he's healthy. He'll be someone to watch in his comeback season, and could be an early comeback player of the year candidate.
*Photo from DRays Bay*
Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, OF, Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay's Japan acquistion will draw some eyes this season with his incredible power. He struggled a bit in spring training, but his power always has upside. If he can replicate the success he had in Japan in Tampa Bay, he will be a force in Tampa Bay's lineup for years to come. He also has played all positions in the outfield, giving manager Kevin Cash some extra versatility.
*Photo from the Los Angeles Times*
Alex Verdugo, OF, Boston Red Sox
The main return piece in the Mookie Betts trade is currently injured, but the paused season might give him ample time to recover and be ready for whenever the season does end up starting. He had a breakout year for the Dodgers in 2019 before said injury ended his season. He offers defensive versatility, being able to play all outfield positions, and has a well rounded bat that will fit in well at Fenway Park, hitting for both power and gap to gap doubles. He won't be as good as Mookie Betts, but is a very talented player who should fit in well in Boston.
*Photo from USA Today*
Salvador Perez, C, Kansas City Royals
After missing all of 2019, the rock of the Royals is ready for a comeback 2020 season. Perez is a fantastic catcher defensively, and has a power bat in the middle of the lineup as well, being an instrumental part of their 2015 championship team. His power and ability to throw out baserunners is always fun, and will draw lots of eyes in 2020.
*Photo from CBS Sports*
Casey Mize, RHP, Detroit Tigers
Detroit's top prospect could very well find his way into Detroit by the end of the season. He has electric stuff and has breezed through the minor leagues so far, much like Rick Porcello almost 10 years ago. He doesn't strike out a ton of batters, but can pound the strike zone and limit homers, which is a must in today's game for pitchers. With more pitching on the way, Detroit could have a good rotation in a few years, and it all starts with Mize.
*Photo from Twins Daily*
Josh Donaldson, 3B, Minnesota Twins
Donaldson joins the most homer heavy team in baseball, and should add at least 30 homers to that total. He had a resurgence in 2019 with both the bat and the glove, and was a hot commodity this winter. The former MVP will also inject the clubhouse with some added urgency, and should dominate the hot corner for the 4 years he is under contract for.
*Photo from Off the Bench Baseball*
Luis Robert, OF, Chicago White Sox
Robert is the latest prospect the White Sox have extended before playing a major league game, so th eyes will be on him in 2020. He has lots of talent, and should fit in in the outfield and the middle of the order with his impressive power. Teammate Eloy Jimenez dubbed him as the next Mike Trout, so the excitement is building for his debut. The time to compete in Chicago is now, and Robert is at the forefront of it.
*Photo from NY1.com*
Gerrit Cole, RHP, New York Yankees
The Yankees added baseball's best pitcher on a crazy salary. 9 years and $324 million. The pressure is immediately on for Cole, not just because of the salary, but because he is playing in New York, where everything is scrutinized. Cole certainly has the ability and talent to survive in New York. The brightest lights will be shining on Cole every time he steps on the mound, and it will be a sight to see.
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