Minnesota Twins Offensive Predictions That Are Sure To Be Wrong
Earlier this week, I brought you my pitching predictions that are sure to be wrong and today we take a look at the other side of the ball. We are predicting what will happen with the hitters… I’m very optimistic. The snow is melting outside and I assume that’s the reason why.
Without further ado, let’s look at these Minnesota Twins predictions that are sure to be wrong.
Sep 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins first baseman Joe Mauer (7) drives in a run in the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mauer Wins A.L. Batting Title
Go big or go home is my theory. Last season, Mauer only hit .277 and Mauer is due for a huge comeback season. The batting champ last season was Jose Altuve of the Houston Astros at .341 which is very doable for Mauer. Heck, the NL title was won at .319 by some guy named Justin Morneau.
Oct 3, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder Torii Hunter (48) singles against the Baltimore Orioles during the fourth inning of game two of the 2014 ALDS playoff baseball game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
Hunter Hits 20-Plus Bombs
Torii Hunter is back and now we sit and wait to see how well the 39 year-old can still play. I’m going to take the optimistic road with Hunter. He’s going to ball and hit over 20 dingers for the first time since 2011 when he was with the Angels. Last season, Hunter hit 17 with the Detroit Tigers.
Jul 31, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Minnesota Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki (8) connects for a one run double in the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Suzuki Regresses
Kurt Suzuki played better than anyone really expected him to in the opening months of the season in 2014 and ended up hitting .288 on the year. His batting average and all of his offensive production will regress back to the norm in 2015. Last season was the first time since 2009 that Suzuki hit over .245. He’ll go back down to that… at least.
Jun 22, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins shortstop Danny Santana (39) congratulates third baseman Eduardo Escobar (5) after scoring in the second inning against the Chicago White Sox at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
The Shortstop Spot Will Get Complicated… In A Good Way
The Twins have a good problem. They have two capable shortstops who are still on the rise: Danny Santana and Eduardo Escobar. Both will crush it in spring and neither will make it clear that they should get the starting gig. Both will fight for the gig throughout the season. Unless, of course, Aaron Hicks absolutely flops in center and Santana gets put back out there again.
Sep 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier (2) hits an RBI single in the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Dozier Dominates
In the pitching predictions I said that Ervin Santana was going to make the All-Star Game, so I shouldn’t exactly predict that again, but I think Brian Dozier has a good chance. Dozier is going to blow us all away in 2015. Dozier will go for 25 home runs (23 last season), 90 RBI (71 last season) and improve his batting average to at least .260 (.242 last season). The offense will improve once again in 2015.
Next: Pitching Predictions Sure To Be Wrong
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