How are AL Central teams looking as Spring Training wraps up?

It’s the final week of Spring Training, believe it or not. After more than a month of camp, Opening Day is very much in sight. MLB.com’s American League Central beat reporters, scattered throughout Florida and Arizona, have been watching their teams closely since mid-February, learning and assessing. Now, as the openers approach, we go around the division again to check in on what each of us has seen that’s made an impression in that time. (All stats entering Wednesday’s games.)

What’s one thing you feel better about than you did at the beginning of camp?

Jason Beck (Tigers): Kevin McGonigle's chances of making the Tigers and sticking at shortstop look better than they did when camp began. The offensive punch is legit. The team's No. 1 prospect (No. 2 overall in MLB) has made big strides defensively in just over a month, particularly in getting to ground balls. And he has quickly fit into a lineup that could use his impact bat. If Detroit doesn't carry McGonigle on its Opening Day roster, it won't be out of any fear that he cannot play shortstop.

Matthew Leach (Twins): The left-field mix looks good. Alan Roden and James Outman have both hit well and looked good in the outfield. Whichever one becomes the primary left fielder, most likely in a platoon with Austin Martin, should make the position productive. And overall, seeing the offensive pieces the Twins have, I think the components exist here for this to be a better lineup than most people seem to think.

Scott Merkin (White Sox): The White Sox began to form an identity during Will Venable’s first year as manager, and with the gradual-but-steady 2025 big league promotions of their young core, they have sharpened that identity throughout Spring Training. They are aggressive and will take the extra base at any and every time possible, along with running more throughout their time in Arizona. That aggressiveness carries over to making the right plays and being in the right places defensively. They don’t necessarily have a superstar yet within this crew, but they are playing as a cohesive unit.

Anne Rogers (Royals): It was one thing to know the Royals had starting depth going into spring, but to see it play out is a whole different thing. Kansas City has a very good rotation, if healthy. And its depth is good, too, starting with Ryan Bergert. While Stephen Kolek is dealing with a left oblique strain this spring, the Royals don’t think it’ll sideline him for too long into the season, and he was also great for them after coming over post-Trade Deadline last year. And then there’s Bailey Falter, who has Major League starting experience. Not to mention, the Royals are still deciding on how to use Luinder Avila, their No. 9 prospect. The point is: There is not just depth here but good depth to begin the year.

Tim Stebbins (Guardians): The offense’s outlook. The presence of Rhys Hoskins will add a professional at-bat to the middle of the Guardians’ order, and one from the right side in a left-handed-heavy position player group. Chase DeLauter has been steadily durable this spring and stellar at the plate, and guys such as Brayan Rocchio and Angel Martínez have flashed ahead of a season in which Cleveland will need them and other returnees to take a step forward offensively after a tough 2025 season.

What’s one thing you feel worse about than you did at the beginning of camp?

Beck: Detroit's bullpen has a quartet of proven relievers at the back end and some versatility for long and middle relief. In between, manager A.J. Hinch might have to get creative. Troy Melton (right elbow inflammation) is out until at least the end of May, Beau Brieske is struggling to stay healthy in camp and Brant Hurter and Brenan Hanifee have had up-and-down springs. Tyler Holton is one of the best do-everything relievers in the league, but he can't be asked to do it all in April. Can Drew Anderson or Enmanuel De Jesus step up from starting depth and provide big outs in big situations?

Leach: I really thought the Twins would have added another right-handed reliever by now, and I’m no less worried about the guys they have. Eric Orze, someone I was very excited about, has walked six batters in 6 2/3 innings. Justin Topa has been hit pretty hard. Cole Sands has looked decent and Zak Kent is intriguing, but I remain convinced that they’re at least one pitcher short on the right side. If Liam Hendriks really turns it on, he could be that guy, but while he’s improving, he hasn’t shown closer form yet.

Merkin: Injuries have hit the White Sox near the end of camp, and while all injuries are significant, these have come to key players. Catcher Kyle Teel suffered a Grade 2 right hamstring strain playing for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic and will be out four to six weeks, while right-hander Mike Vasil will undergo Tommy John surgery in early April and is lost for the season. Vasil was in competition for a rotation spot but also was figured in as a key component throughout the pitching staff. Outfielder Brooks Baldwin has not played since March 6 with right elbow soreness and almost certainly won’t break camp with the team.

Rogers: Spring Training stats aren’t the end-all-be-all, especially for the players you know will be playing every day. But it would have been nice to see Isaac Collins get off to a better start with his new team. His .111/.200/.167 slash line isn’t as concerning as the fact that he’s only played six games, due first to the Royals slowly bringing him into Cactus League games early in the spring and now a recent back/side injury. He has played in some Minor League games, so the concern level is not extremely high. But getting Collins through Spring Training healthy so he can be the hitter the Royals envisioned him being when they traded for him this winter is something to keep an eye on.

Stebbins: To a small degree, the back end of the bullpen. Hunter Gaddis is continuing his progression after experiencing right forearm tightness following his Cactus League debut on Feb. 27. The setup man is a crucial piece to the bullpen; Gaddis and Cade Smith (who’s taking over as closer this season) have been as dependable as they come as bullpen anchors the past two seasons. That said, the Guardians beefed up their relief corps this winter in a way that could help them if Gaddis needs a bit of extra time out of the gate.

What’s one thing you still are wondering about?

Beck: How does center field shake out? There seem to be two potential paths depending on whether McGonigle makes the team and Javier Báez becomes a platoon option in center again. Parker Meadows is hitting his way out of a miserable start at the plate this spring, but it still looks iffy whether he can hit with authority again. Wenceel Pérez has had similar struggles with finding his swing. Matt Vierling looks great, but he might be needed more in the corners unless Jahmai Jones shows he can play the outfield more often than last year. Center is a critical position at Comerica Park, and while the Tigers have plenty of options, none are clear-cut at this point.

Leach: Who’s going to close? Early in camp, I think the hope was that Hendriks would seize the job, and he could yet be the guy. But the majority of the most established and effective relievers are lefties, all of whom are more tactical pieces than the kinds of guys you would be willing to let face dangerous right-handed hitters. There may yet be an acquisition, but if there’s not, it’s not clear who’s going to finish off wins.

Merkin: It wasn’t until one week before Munetaka Murakami’s posting period came to an end when the White Sox thought they had a viable opportunity to add the power-hitting first baseman. Now, the question is how does Murakami respond to the United States and Major League Baseball on his two-year, $34 million deal? Murakami homered during his first Cactus League game back from World Baseball Classic action with Team Japan on March 17, his first long ball with the White Sox, and at the absolute least brings a missing pure power factor to the middle of the order. At best? Think American League Rookie of the Year possibility.

Rogers: Back to the starting depth, I’m wondering what the Royals are going to do with Avila to begin the year. Everyone agrees that Avila has a ton of upside as a pitcher, where they diverge is in what role that upside should play out. He has been a starter his entire career and has a good starting arsenal. The stuff could also tick up in the bullpen, as we saw last year and in the World Baseball Classic. If Avila is in Triple-A to begin the year and get stretched out, that’s good for the Royals’ starting depth -- but he also may be making a case as one of the best Kansas City pitchers who should be in the big leagues right now.

Stebbins: The outfield alignment. The Guardians have not officially anointed Steven Kwan their everyday or even Opening Day center fielder, but he made 10 of his first 13 appearances this spring out there. Kwan is the puzzle piece through which everything else will align. If he’s in center field, other options for the Opening Day roster (such as DeLauter, Stuart Fairchild, Petey Halpin, Nolan Jones and Martínez) would primarily slot in the corners, and the Guardians will have some flexibility in deploying them based on matchups. If Kwan remains in left, there could be more of a rotation in center rather than a consistent everyday option.

Predicted order of finish

We took a poll of the five beats, with each of us predicting finish order, and then assigned points in a simple 5-4-3-2-1 manner. The results:

1. Tigers, 25 points (all five first-place votes)
2. Royals, 18 points
3. Guardians, 15 points
4. White Sox, 9 points
5. Twins, 8 points