One Player to Watch from Each AL Team's 60-man Player Pool

In this article, I will be looking at a player from every team that could shake up the shortened 2020 MLB season. Whether it is because a spot opened up due to an injury, a player skipping the season, or just a prospect with a chance to make headlines, every team has a few polarizing players that could make or break their team’s success in the 60 game campaign.‍

AL EAST

Baltimore Orioles: RP Mychal Givens

The Orioles, as usual, don’t have much to look forward to in the upcoming season. They’ve already decided to leave their top prospects off their roster in hopes of being somewhat successful in the future, leaving very little to be hopeful for this season. So instead of finding a player who could make an impact on the field, I chose Givens as a player who could be traded for some future value. Considering the shortened season, there will likely be few trades made at the August 31st deadline, but Givens could definitely be one of the names traded given that he has been in trade rumors for years now. If the Orioles are hoping to find any value out of Givens, now is the perfect time to pull the trigger. 

Boston Red Sox: OF Jackie Bradley Jr.

This post-Mookie Betts Red Sox team is in a transitioning phase and should be happy with a wild card spot this season. JBJ is years removed from this phenomenal 2016 season, but if he can even half mimic his 2016 campaign, it will help take a lot of stress off guys like Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers, and JD Martinez which could be the key to Boston’s success.

‍New York Yankees: SP Clarke Schmidt

I have a hunch the Yankees will lean on Schmidt to eat some innings left behind by a possibly injured Masahiro Tanaka and TJ bound Luis Severino over Deivi Garcia. Schmidt has reportedly had his moments at Yankees camp and may be given a chance to prove himself for the Bronx Bombers this season.‍

Tampa Bay Rays: OF Randy Arozarena

Tampa has a really interesting outfield rotation going into this season that includes former Padres Manuel Margot and Hunter Renfroe as well as Austin Meadows, Kevin Kiermaier, and Japanese import Yoshi Tsutsugo. However, I believe Arozarena will see significant playing time this year for the Rays. The team obviously sees something in Arozarena, considering they shipped top 60-70 prospect Matthew Liberatore to get him, so it would make sense for him to at least be a platoon player this season. ‍

Toronto Blue Jays: SP Nate Pearson

The flamethrowing 23 year old is one of the best prospects in baseball and considering the lack of talent in the Blue Jays rotation, he may see quite a few starts this season. The Blue Jays can manipulate his service time and hold him down for seven days to get an extra year of control, but they should throw him into the rotation after those seven days are up. Given enough innings, Pearson could potentially contend for an AL ROY if he lives up to his potential.

‍AL CENTRAL

Chicago White Sox: RP Kelvin Herrera

The White Sox may finally be competitive for the first time in years, but their weak bullpen could prevent any chance at a deep playoff run. Herrera had a brutal 2019, but he was once considered to be amongst the best relievers in baseball. If he can find his old self this season, it will go a long way in helping the Sox’s bullpen.

‍Cleveland Indians: RP Anthony Gose

After a failed career as a utility outfielder for the Blue Jays and Tigers, Gose decided to convert to a hard throwing left handed reliever. After a couple years of roaming the minors, Gose was given a chance in Spring Training and reportedly hit 95-97 MPH consistently, giving some life to his hopes of playing in the majors once more. Guys like Kenley Jansen and Sean Doolittle have successfully transitioned from position player to pitcher, albeit much earlier in their careers, but Gose could very much be next in line. ‍

Detroit Tigers: SP Michael Fulmer

After a pretty elite run between 2016-2017, Fulmer has struggled with injuries for the last 2 seasons. Now that he is reportedly healthy and in the “best shape of his life,” Fulmer should, hopefully, return to a form similar to his 2016-2017 campaign. If Fulmer is able to do so, there is a good chance the Tigers could flip him for a decent haul come off-season time. ‍

Kansas City Royals: OF Kyle Isbel ‍

Isbel has hit for power and contact everywhere he’s gone and had a very impressive spring training. The Royals outfield is extremely questionable coming into this season, and the team may look at this season as an opportunity to give guys like Isbel, Khalil Lee, and Seuly Matias a chance to get big league ABs. ‍

Minnesota Twins: OF/1B Alex Kiriloff

There are a handful of minor leaguers who can rival Kiriloff’s ability as a pure hitter. Though Kiriloff has struggled with injuries for the past three years, he has continued to hit well in the minors, perhaps exemplifying how good of a hitter Kiriloff is. The Twins already have a stacked offense, but if they are ever looking for even more pop, they shouldn’t have much issue with giving Kiriloff a chance to prove himself as an offensive threat. ‍

AL WEST

Houton Astros: SP Lance McCullers Jr.

McCullers would have been a pitcher to keep an eye on even if the season wasn’t shortened. Gerrit Cole’s departure to the NYY means that McCullers will be forced to do some heavy lifting for the Astros’ rotation, and with Tommy John surgery forcing him to miss all of last season, it will be interesting to see how McCullers rebounds. ‍

Los Angeles Angels: INF/OF Arismendy Alcantara

It would be easy to pick Jo Adell or Brandon Marsh for this spot, but Alcantara is an extremely interesting case. Once hyped up as a super utility player for the Cubs, Alcantara has spent several  years in the Mexican League and in the Mets system, struggling in AAA, but was signed by the Angels as a free agent this offseason. Though years removed from the player he was once destined to be, Alcantara’s versatility could go a long way if the Angels experience injuries throughout the season. ‍

Oakland Athletics: INF Robert Puason

At just 17 years old, Puason is the youngest player to make a 60 man player pool. Puason has been described as a 5 tool player and received hype as early as 13 years old. Although the likelihood of him playing a game this season is dim, this young man is someone to keep an eye on. 

Seattle Mariners: SP Taijuan Walker

Walker is making his return to Seattle after three uneventful years in Arizona, only surpassing 13 IP in a season once. Walker was once an extremely highly touted prospect, but his career has been nothing short of disappointing. We’ll see if a return to his first team will ignite the talent that once made him a top 10 prospect in the league. ‍

Texas Rangers: OF Leody Taveras

Taveras is one of the most intriguing prospects in baseball because of how up and down his minor league career has been. He’s both lightning fast and a great defender, but his offensive production is less than preferable. Regardless, the Rangers will be looking for any production from their position players (sans Joey Gallo) in their hope of making a postseason run, leaving guys like Taveras, Sam Huff, and Josh Jung to step up and possibly surpass their limitations.