2024 MLB Division Preview: AL Central
Spring Training has officially started, and with that, the 2024 MLB Season is right around the corner. It's time to kick off the 2024 Division Preview Series, starting off with the American League Central.
By Sam Holstine
Baseball is back. Spring training games are underway and we are just about a month away from the Dodgers and Padres kicking off the 2024 season with the Seoul series in Korea. With that being said, I am back with 2024 division preview seasons for the second straight season.
We're gonna kick off this series in the same manner I did a year ago and start off with the American League Central. I feel safe in saying I believe this division will be more competitive than it was in 2023 with the Royals and Tigers improving, but time will tell. Let's not waste any more time and preview the 2024 American League Central.
Chicago White Sox
Key Additions
- RHP Jesse Chavez
- SS Paul DeJong
- OF Kevin Pillar
- RHP John Brebbia
- LHP Tim Hill
- RHP Chris Flexen
- RHP Chad Kuhl
- C Martin Maldonado
- RHP Erick Fedde
- OF Dominic Fletcher
- C Max Stassi
- RHP Mike Soroka
- LHP Jared Shuster
- INF Braden Shewmake
Key Loses
- SS Tim Anderson
- RHP Liam Hendriks
- RHP Gregory Santos
- C Yasmani Grandal
- LHP Aaron Bummer
- RHP Mike Clevinger
After being the definition of average and finishing 81-81 in 2022, the White Sox took a massive step backwards in 2023, ending the season 61-101. Pedro Grifol's inaugural season as the Chicago manger was plagued by injuries and an underperforming roster with very few bright spots. Their offseason included a range of minor league additions, with a few major league signings sprinkled in. It isn't a secret they won't be a competitive squad in 2023, but they could still have some interesting names to follow and see how they perform. Their lone all star last season was Luis Robert Jr., who accumulated 5.0 fWAR and a 128 wRC+, and will be the main show for the White Sox in 2024. Eloy Jimenez, Yoan Moncada, and Andrew Vaughn are going to surround Robert as the core of the lineup, but they are a trio of former top prospects who have either struggled with injuries or not panned out offensively the way Chiago would have liked.
On the pitching side, Dylan Cease will be the main guy to watch. He finished as the runner-up in the 2022 Cy Young voting, took a step back in 2023, and now finds his name consistently in trade rumors. Erick Fedde is making his return from the KBO, and will join Michael Kopech and Michael Soroka as pitchers trying to reestablish themselves in the major league scene. The potential talent is there for team from the South Side, but we are still waiting to see that potential turn into success on the diamond.