It’s exactly one month until Opening Day, and MLB.com’s beat writers have been in camp for a couple of weeks now. So we decided to go around the division and ask some questions of the five American League Central beat writers about what they’ve seen in camp to this point.
What’s one encouraging thing you’ve seen from your club so far?
Jason Beck (Tigers): Kevin McGonigle looks like he can handle shortstop in the big leagues if given the chance. He’s not perfect there by any means, but he shows an eagerness and capacity to learn, an accurate arm and an ability to read the situation and the game. That doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll make the Opening Day roster, but it answers a major question about his fit and allows the Tigers to look beyond a Javier Báez/Zach McKinstry platoon.
Matthew Leach (Twins): The contenders for the rotation have looked very good in the early going. Simeon Woods Richardson, Taj Bradley, Mick Abel, and Zebby Matthews all ended last season with strong starts, and all followed those up with strong spring debuts. Even with Pablo López out, if the Twins are going to win in 2026, it’s going to be on the back of the rotation.
Scott Merkin (White Sox): There’s a different feeling, a different vibe, around the White Sox and it’s noticeable in the most positive of ways. This group is pushing for the same goal. Those good vibes began last season with a 28-37 record after the All-Star break and the offense coming alive. They have built around their young core with the addition of first baseman Munetaka Murakami, who has drawn the most notoriety of any White Sox player since Tim Anderson in his All-Star prime.
Anne Rogers (Royals): Their top three starters are all on the mound again, and that’s a welcome sight. Seth Lugo and Kris Bubic ended the 2025 season on the IL, and Cole Ragans missed significant time with a left rotator cuff strain before returning for his final three starts. All three are healthy this spring, and Ragans especially has looked great on the backfields so far (with his first game scheduled for this weekend). The 2024 Royals showed us how important a healthy and dominant rotation is, and the ’25 Royals showed us how turbulent the season can be when you don’t have that. And there’s just a different feeling when Ragans is on the mound. A healthy season for the ace is paramount.
Tim Stebbins (Guardians): David Fry’s return to playing catcher tugged at my heartstrings a bit. Sunday was his first appearance behind the plate since July 23, 2024, and his first since he underwent Tommy John surgery during the ’24-25 offseason. He also underwent facial surgery this offseason after his scary moment in September against Tarik Skubal. He’s been through a lot, and it’s good to see him back in his element.
What’s one disconcerting development from the first two weeks of camp?
Beck: Troy Melton isn’t pitching in games yet due to what the Tigers are calling arm soreness. The Tigers wouldn’t have gotten to the postseason last year without Melton, and there was a ton of anticipation about how he could follow up his impressive stretch run. It’s also a reminder that it doesn’t take many injuries to put this staff in a potentially thin position. Detroit signed Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander in part in reaction to Reese Olson needing shoulder surgery, but it’s difficult to expect the 43-year-old Verlander to make every rotation turn without issue. Melton, Keider Montero and KBO import Drew Anderson are depth starters, but there are questions after that.
Leach: The Twins are already down from eight starting pitching candidates to six, with the injuries to López and David Festa. Six legitimate starters is still more than some teams have, but the depth that appeared to be this team’s greatest strength has been significantly winnowed. All of the contenders have looked quite good early, but there’s no longer the comfort factor of knowing there are multiple options if anyone falters.
Merkin: It’s tough to find anything really disconcerting through just over two weeks in Arizona, but the outfield defense might be a work in progress. Luis Robert Jr. anchored the outfield for the past six seasons with his Gold Glove defense in center, but was traded to the Mets during the offseason. Luisangel Acuña, who was acquired from New York, could be Robert’s replacement, although most of his career outfield experience has come during winter ball. The Robert trade had to happen at this point, but his absence weakens almost any outfield glove work.
Rogers: Closer Carlos Estévez made his spring debut on Tuesday and didn’t throw a pitch above 89.1 mph. The fastballs he was throwing were registering as changeups. The team is projecting low concern because this isn’t a new experience; Estévez was throwing similarly last spring, although he also was dealing with lower back tightness that delayed his appearance in games until mid-March. He didn’t miss any time in ’25 and led MLB in saves (42). He’s a nine-year MLB veteran reliever, so his word carries a lot of weight – and he says he feels good. But it’s not nothing, especially when Estévez is headed for the World Baseball Classic soon, and eyes will be on the radar gun the next time he takes the mound.
Stebbins: You couldn’t help but be worried after Chase DeLauter was scratched from Wednesday’s lineup due to lower-body soreness. The Guardians ultimately said it was precautionary, and they have repeatedly said they will be mindful of DeLauter’s workload this spring due to his physical history. This was right in line with that. But the 24-year-old has had some rough injury luck, and you don’t want to see him miss time.
What’s one thing you’re still wondering about?
Beck: Will the Tigers platoon as much with this roster as they did last year? Jahmai Jones crushed lefties last year to effectively replace Andy Ibáñez, but Jones has positional limitations. Matt Vierling can be a massive boost if he can recapture his 2024 form before his arm injury from last spring, but can he play third base again? Báez was great against lefties, but he can only play one spot at a time. Could Hao-Yu Lee or Max Anderson get a look?
Leach: Have they done enough in the bullpen? The Twins have added a bunch of relievers since camp opened, with Liam Hendriks, Anthony Banda, Andrew Chafin and Julian Merryweather all brought in. But it’s still not clear who the go-to guys in the late innings will be, especially if Hendriks isn’t ready by Opening Day. The left side is bolstered for sure, but it’s hard not to think they could still use help.
Merkin: Who will get the baseball on Opening Day against the Brewers in Milwaukee? OK, it’s safely assumed that honor will go to right-hander Shane Smith, further enhancing his story of moving from the Brewers to the White Sox as the top 2024 Rule 5 selection to a ’25 All-Star to this potential latest honor. But Sean Burke wasn’t exactly the favorite in 2025 when he threw six shutout innings to stop the Angels on Opening Day in Chicago. So, stay tuned.
Rogers: The Royals made offensive additions this offseason with Isaac Collins and Lane Thomas, but I wonder how much of an impact young sluggers Carter Jensen and Jac Caglianone will make on this 2026 team and how far they can take the Royals this year. There’s no question that the Royals need their stars in Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia, Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez to star. No matter how much Collins and Thomas raise the floor of the offense, consistent production from Jensen and/or Caglianone would take this offense to another level – and establish another homegrown hitter to the core of this club.
Stebbins: I’m wondering who will take the next step offensively. The Guardians’ addition of Rhys Hoskins should help boost an offense that collectively had a poor showing in 2025. But given their otherwise quiet offseason, they really need someone from the returning cast, even multiple guys, to take a step up or forward this season. There are a lot of candidates, including rookies Chase DeLauter, George Valera and CJ Kayfus, and players who are more established such as Bo Naylor, Brayan Rocchio and Nolan Jones.
Give us one bold prediction about your team or the division, based on what you’ve seen so far.
Beck: The top three AL Rookie of the Year finishers will come from the AL Central. Take your pick between McGonigle, Chase DeLauter, Travis Bazzana, Carter Jensen, Munetaka Murakami, Braden Montgomery and Walker Jenkins.
Leach: Royce Lewis is going to have a big year. He went to a private hitting coach this offseason, looking to simplify and hoping to have better pitch recognition and more success against fastballs. The early results are very encouraging, highlighted by a homer on a 96 mph heater in his first AB of the spring. We know Lewis has legitimate superstar potential. And maybe he doesn’t get to the level he reached at the end of 2023, but I’m calling it – he’s going to be an All-Star.
Merkin: The White Sox will finish closer to first than last in the American League Central. This team improved greatly from ’24 to ’25, although they couldn’t really fall any deeper down after 121 losses, but they should make a significant step forward in ’26. If that isn’t bold enough for you, how about Colson Montgomery hitting 40 home runs. Tell that one to your friends.
Rogers: Carter Jensen wins AL Rookie of the Year. The 22-year-old catcher had a great September last year after he made his debut, hitting .300 with a .941 OPS in 20 games. He won’t be without challenges this year, but he has a strong track record of strike zone awareness, power and the ability to adjust. He’s also made tremendous strides defensively, and I’m thinking he’ll split more time behind the plate with Salvador Perez as the season wears on and pitchers learn what Jensen can do. Here’s thinking he catches fire and stays hot through the summer, bringing a ROY award back to his hometown team and helping the Royals reach the postseason.
Stebbins: Chase DeLauter wins Rookie of the Year. The boldness of this prediction is not about DeLauter’s talent. We know what his potential is; it just comes down to health. DeLauter has missed extended time in the Minors due to injuries. He wants to show he can play a full season this year. If he stays healthy, he very well may find himself in the thick of the AL Rookie of the Year Award race.