Predicting the Top 3 Offenses in the American League in 2017
As the case is with the National League, the American League also has many, many, many different household names as well as teams that possess a potent offense. Although there is plenty of talent sprinkled throughout all of the 15 teams in the AL, here are the 3 teams that look to lead the league in offense heading into 2017:
1. Boston Red Sox - Boston will once again lead the entire American League in many offensive categories this coming season and will likely rank in the top 5 as far as the entire MLB goes. Boston finished last year with an American League leading 878 runs scored in 5,670 at bats, led the AL in RBI with 836, and possessed the highest batting average out of any other AL team with a cumulative average of .282 over that span. Heading into 2017, Boston will once again rely heavily on Mookie Betts, who finished last season with a team high batting average and recorded the most hits, along with Dustin Pedroia, Xander Bogaerts, Hanley Ramirez, and newly acquired first baseman/designated hitter, Mitch Moreland. The Red Sox offense will take somewhat of a hit following the retirement of David Ortiez as Ortiz led the team in home runs, RBI, and OBP last year, but looks to be able to replace that offense especially with Hanley Ramirez as the team's primary DH. If things aren't good enough in Bean Town right now after the acquisition of Chris Sale, they will be at the end of 2017 when the team is leading in many offensive categories.
2. Cleveland Indians - Last year alone, the Indians had a potent offense and only complimented that with the addition of Edwin Encarnacion earlier this month. Cleveland's offense is headlined by first baseman/designated hitter, Carlos Santana, who led the team last year with 34 home runs and a .366 OBP in 582 at bats. In addition, Santana is complimented by Francisco Lindor, who had the most hits of any other Indians player last year, Jose Ramirez, and Jason Kipnis. As a whole, Cleveland ranked second last season with 777 runs scored in 5,484 at bats behind the Red Sox, finished the season second in the American League with 308 doubles, and came in fourth with 744 RBI. In 2016, Cleveland's offense didn't rely solely on the long ball as evident by their ranking for home runs (10th in the AL with 185), but rather scored runs when they were needed the most with timely hitting. With the loss of Mike Napoli, the Indians might not have ranked in the top 3, but now that Edwin Encarnacion is on board, you can expect the Indians to come up with key hits in important situations at Progressive Field and be an offensive powerhouse in 2017.
3. Detroit Tigers - While some might argue with this pick, the Tigers have a very underrated offensive core headlined by first baseman, Miguel Cabrera, and will make some serious noise in the AL Central this coming season as they attempt to take down the Indians. Last season, the Tigers finished second in the American League with 1,476 hits in 5,526 at bats, had the second highest batting average with .282, and finished the season third in the AL with a .438 slugging percentage over that span. Heading into 2017, Detroit has it's entire core still in the Motor City and will likely have five players who hit 20+ home runs and record 60 or more RBI in 2017. Last year alone, J.D. Martinez, Victor Martinez, Ian Kinsler, Justin Upton, and the aforementioned, Miguel Cabrera, all fell into that category with Cabrera leading the team in every important offensive category with a .316 batting average, 38 home runs, 108 RBI, .393 OBP, and 188 hits in 595 at bats. Things might have been quiet in the Motor City this winter as the only major trade included Cameron Maybin, but when the 2017 regular season rolls around, the motors are going to be revving loud at Comerica Park as the Tigers look to have another successful offensive year.
