One spring training prediction for every AL Central team

Now that spring training is underway, and games are being played, let's take a look at the AL Central. Here is a prediction for each team in the division.

Chicago White Sox: Mike Clevinger emerges as high-leverage reliever

The White Sox signed pitcher Mike Clevinger to a third consecutive one-year deal on Thursday. This time, his role may be different.

Lamond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reported that the White Sox are considering Clevinger for a bullpen role. The White Sox have little in the way of major league experience throughout the pitching staff, leaving the door open for Clevinger to play a significant role. If he is healthy, he could emerge as a dependable arm as a reliever. While Clevinger may not open the season as a closer, he should be one of the top setup men once the season begins.

Cleveland Guardians: Juan Brito seizes second base opening

The Guardians traded infielder Andres Gimenez during the offseason. One of their top prospects could take over by Opening Day.

Infielder Juan Brito had been the Guardians' eighth-ranked prospect at the end of the 2024 season. The switch hitter had a strong showing at Triple-A last year, posting a .256/.365/.443 batting line with 21 homers and 40 doubles while stealing 13 bases. The likes of utility men Tyler Freeman and Gabriel Arias will be Brito's main competition - neither will stand in Brito's way with a strong showing in spring training.

Detroit Tigers: Jackson Jobe makes Opening Day rotation

Top prospect Jackson Jobe got a brief taste of the majors last season, firing four innings down the stretch. He received two more appearances during the Tigers' playoff run but struggled in those outings.

Although the 22-year-old has just two Triple-A appearances, he has a chance to crack the Opening Day roster. Reigning Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal and Jack Flaherty are a formidable duo atop the rotation; however, the rest of the rotation does not have the same upside. Jobe could be a difference-maker in what should be a closely contested division.

Kansas City Royals: Joey Wiemer earns starting outfield spot

The Kansas City Royals had one of the worst outfields in the majors as their combined .648 OPS ranked 27th in 2024. The only addition to the outfield was Joey Wiemer, who was regarded as a throw-in as part of the Jonathan India-Brady Singer trade.

The 26-year-old Wiemer has not found much success at the major league level despite solid exit velocities and the ability to hit to all fields. Wiemer's biggest issue has been a tendency to hit the ball on the ground, keeping him from tapping into his power potential. He has a wide-open path to playing time if he can adjust his swing to tap into his power potential.

Minnesota Twins: Christian Vazquez gets traded after all

Catcher Christian Vazquez had been the subject of trade rumors during the offseason, although those talks had started to slow before spring training.

Vazquez, who is in the final season of a three-year, $30 million contract, is an expensive part-time player for a team looking to save money. However, he has continued to be an excellent defensive backstop with some pop in the bat. That type of player has plenty of value around the game. As teams deal with injuries, or projected catching plans disappoint in spring training, those talks could start again, with Vazquez finding a new home before Opening Day.