0It is some fans favorite time of the year again when writers from every site take their stab at bold predictions for the season. They predict unlikely breakout stars, huge busts, World Series Champions, and postseason awards. With that said here is my take at five bold predictions.
2015 MLB Bold Predictions
1) Alex Rodriguez will hit .280 with 25+ homers: Alex Rodriguez has been a popular story so far this Spring Training. The former MVP has not played in an MLB game in over a year and struggled in 2013 the last time he did. However, this season will be a renaissance for the slugger. In every season of his career in which he played over 50 games-all but three- he has hit above .270. The only times he did not were his first two cups of coffee with the Mariners and 2013 with the Yankees. Say what you want about the guy but he can hit and I fully expect him to do just that in 2015. Serving as the primary DH should also help to keep him healthy, something he has not been in several seasons, which should help his power return.
2) Leonys Martin has a 20-20 season: Martin has so far been a big threat on the base paths for the Rangers and has been tabbed by many experts as a power-speed upside combo. So far in the Majors that power has not shown up only hitting 15 homers the past two seasons combined. However, he had good power numbers in the minors .251 ISO in AAA in 2012 and it showed in a small sample in 2012, .196 ISO. With the combination of playing his home games in Texas and yet another season of maturity for the lefty Martin will get to 20 homers joining the 20-20 club.
3) The Mariners win the World Series: The Mariners already feature a dominant front end of the rotation with Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma and will add to that young talented arms like James Paxton and Taijuan Walker. The additions of Seth Smith and Nelson Cruz to go along with Kyle Seager and Robinson Cano also makes their offense a force to be reckoned with. The combination of the two will lead to a division title and postseason run that culminates in a World Series title.
4) Pablo Sandoval gives up switch hitting: In 2014 Pablo Sandoval was bad, extremely bad as a right handed hitter. Against left handers Sandoval hit .199 and had a wRC+ of 59 which, in simple terms is terrible. For comparison terms it was only slightly better than Zach Cozart was overall and he was the worst qualified hitter in 2014. Those struggles will continue again in 2015 and the Red Sox will have Sandoval completely abandon switch hitting much like they recently did with Shane Victorino.
5) Robert Refsnyder wins AL ROY: I previously wrote an article for this site explaining why Refsnyder was the key to the Yankees’ season. New York promptly went on to sign Stephen Drew shortly after my article was posted. Drew was not a very good hitter in 2014 and will likely struggle again to begin the season. If he does the Yankees should turn to Refsnyder, who is hitting .375 so far in Spring Training (for that is worth). Refsnyder has the potential to be an upside bat for the Yankees and when he gets his chance will not give it up it en route to being named AL Rookie of the Year.
