Why the Kansas City Royals Will Win the AL Central in 2012

It almost seems like a foregone conclusion at this point that the Detroit Tigers and their stable of three $20 million players will run away with the American League Central crown in 2012. But before you go Denny Green on the season and "just crown 'em," you might want to take a second look at a young, budding team that will be nipping at their heels.

The Kansas City Royals have a plethora of talented young hitters and fielders. Corner outfielders Jeff Francoeur and Alex Gordon finally lived up to their lofty expectations in 2011 and will be flanked in CF by young speedster Lorenzo Cain.

The infield might be even more promising. Alcides Escobar is as good as they get defensively at SS, which more than makes up for his .254 BA. 2011 rookies first baseman Eric Hosmer and third baseman Mike Moustakas impressed everyone and will only improve with time. Chris Getz and Yuniesky Betancourt will compete for playing time at second base and bring experience to this young team.

Finally, the Royals have one of baseball's most underrated players in DH Billy Butler, who is finally hitting for power and average. They also have 21-year-old catcher Salvador Perez. Perez is known more for his defense, but has also shown the ability to hit well above average for a catcher, including .331 in 148 at-bats with the Royals in 2011.

The Kansas City Royals were expected to surprise a season ago, but fell short of expectations, finishing the season just 71-91. The Royals played well at home, winning 40 games, but their downfall was the pitching, and in 2012 they will not compete without improvement in that department.

The Royals acquired San Francisco Giants' starting pitcher Jonathan Sanchez during the offseason to provide more competition and possibly land the team's No. 2 job. They also bolstered their already solid bullpen by adding low-risk, high-reward closer Jonathan Broxton from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Broxton is a former two-time All-Star closer who ran into various problems with the Dodgers a season ago. Sanchez is best known for throwing his no-hitter back in 2009.

The Royals' starting rotation is already shaping up better than in a season ago. Bruce Chen is back after posting a 3.77 ERA in 2011. Also back are Felipe Paulino and his 4.11 ERA and Luke Hochevar, who posted an ERA of 3.52 after the All-Star break. Competing for the fifth starter spot will be young prospects Aaron Crow, Dan Duffy and Mike Montgomery.

Crow made the All-Star Game last season as a reliever but was a starting pitcher in college and may be asked to make the switch back to that role for the Royals. Duffy is a 23-year-old kid who struggled in his time in the big leagues in 2011, but is looking to solidify himself as a legitimate starter in the MLB. Finally, there is Montgomery, the highly touted left-handed pitching prospect who struggled mightily last season in AAA after dominating the lower levels in 2009 and 2010.

The Royals will definitely score a lot of runs, and if the top four starters can post ERAs below or near 4.00, and the fifth starter can finish under 5.00, the Kansas City Royals will be an dangerous team come September.