Hot Takes: Five Bold AL Central Predictions

Sep 21, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Chicago White Sox right fielder Avisail Garcia (26) hits a solo home during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Minny Miggy Finally Shows Up

Avisail Garcia has been on the AL Central radar for quite some time now. Being an exciting prospect first for the Tigers, and then being dealt to the White Sox, Garcia has long been compared to Miguel Cabrera. While those are huge shoes to fill, the resemblances remain. After missing most of last season thanks to an early injury, I think this is the year we finally see some of the promising returns.

In just 42 games for the White Sox in 2013, Garcia hit .304/.327/.447. He launched five home runs and drove in 21 runs on a team that wasn’t any good. He strikes out far too often still (44K/14BB over 46 games in 2014), but his power bat should play plenty. Look for this to be the year Garcia breaks out onto the national stage.

Prediction: Garcia hits .275/.310/.430 with 24 home runs and 85 RBIs