AL CENTRAL

Quiet superstar Jose Ramirez of the Guardians

- MATT EDDY

TEAM TO BEAT

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS

The Guardians posted a winning record against all four AL Central opponents last season, including taking 13 of 19 from the Twins. That helped push Cleveland to 92-70 and 11 games up on the second-place White Sox. The Guardians won't get the same quantity of matchups versus divisional opponents with the new schedule, but the quality of the club's roster is improved after signing 30-year-old slugger Josh Bell to DH. The rest of the core of baseball's youngest team returns intact, with more help on the way.

Most of the organization's top prospects either finished 2022 at Triple-A or will get there this season, including righthanders Gavin Williams and Tanner Bibee, lefthander Logan T. Allen, catcher Bo Naylor, outfielder George Valera and shortstop Brayan Rocchio.

TOP PLAYER

JOSE RAMIREZ, 3B, GUARDIANS

Ramirez is baseball's quietest superstar. He has played at a high level from the moment he became a regular in 2016, and in that time just three players-Mookie Betts, Mike Trout and Nolan Arenado-have accumulated more WAR than Ramirez. He hasn't broken through for an MVP but has five top-five finishes, including a fourth-place showing last year, when he hit 280/.355/.514 with 29 home runs, an American League-leading 44 doubles and a career-high 126 RBIS. Ramirez played through a wrist injury in the second half, which could be bad news for opposing pitchers this season.

TOP PITCHER

DYLAN CEASE, RHP, WHITE SOX