2012 MLB Predictions: One Bold Hitting Prediction for All 30 Teams

Technically, the Major League Baseball season has already arrived. Doesn't that just make you feel better?

Let me tell you what will make you feel even better: There are going to be some pleasant surprises at the plate for every big-league roster this season.

Right now, I'm going to lay out one bold prediction for one hitter on every ballclub. Some of them will relate to players bouncing back, and some will relate to players busting out. I hope you enjoy it!

Arizona Diamondbacks: Justin Upton Will Go 35-30

I know that these are somewhat unorthodox numbers, but 35-30 is that much more impressive than 30-30. Justin Upton already hit 31 home runs last year and stole 21 bases.

He is only going to turn 25 later this season. There is no reason to believe that he won't be able to continue improving and go 35-30. He could definitely steal more than 30 bases given his raw talent, but since he doesn't run that much, this seemed like a more realistic estimate.

Atlanta Braves: Jason Heyward Will Hit 25 Home Runs with 85 RBI

Jason Heyward definitely had a disappointing 2011. His batting average dropped 50 points from 2010 to 2011, so his other statistics dropped consequently. He was a classic example of a sophomore slump.

The thing about sophomore slumps is that they don't always stick around. Heyward has immense physical talent. He has a powerful swing, and he very well could be one of the top run-producers in an Atlanta Braves lineup that will desperately need him.

Baltimore Orioles: Mark Reynolds Will Hit 40 Home Runs with 100 RBI

I realize that Mark Reynolds is a strikeout machine. However, in 2011 he hit 37 home runs and drove in 86 runs while batting a meager .221.

The bold part of this prediction is that in order to see this type of production, he will need to hit around .250 or maybe even .260. On top of that, he will need to make sure that he doesn't sacrifice his power production to do that. This one is definitely possible, but it is a risky choice.

Boston Red Sox: Carl Crawford Will Return to His 2010 Form

Carl Crawford was somewhat disappointing as a member of the Boston Red Sox last year. He signed a massive contract as a free agent but saw a tremendous decrease in production.

The Boston Red Sox should be able to finally realize the return on their investment. He has been a very talented player and should be able to hit over .300 with approximately 20 home runs, around 80 RBI, over 10 triples and 40 stolen bases. Last year was a deviation; he should return to his normal.

Chicago Cubs: Alfonso Soriano Will Hit over 30 Home Runs

Alfonso Soriano has experienced a drastic drop in batting average. Last season, he only managed to hit .244. This is significant because he has a .274 career batting average.

Because of that discrepancy, it is highly probable that he gravitates towards that career average. Last year was below the average, but statistics tend to converge towards the mean. With a higher batting average, there is no reason to believe that Soriano will not be able to surpass 30 home runs.

Chicago White Sox: Adam Dunn Will Bounce Back

Adam Dunn quite frankly had a terrible 2011. He only managed to hit 11 home runs with a .159 batting average. However, you know the old proverb that says once you hit rock bottom, the only way to go is up.

This is going to happen to Adam Dunn.

I'm not necessarily sure if he is going to quite return to his pre-slump form in 2012. He probably won't hit over 35 home runs and drive in 100 runs; however, he could very easily hit 25 home runs and drive in approximately 80 runs with the potential for even more in subsequent years.

Cincinnati Reds: Brandon Phillips Will Go 25-25

Brandon Phillips has been regarded as one of the better second basemen in baseball for quite a while now. However, over the past few years his home run and stolen base production have dropped a little bit.

Expect that to change in 2012. In fact, if he is able to accumulate 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases, it will only be the second time during his career that he has done that. Phillips is an incredibly well-rounded player, and playing a very hitter-friendly ballpark for half of his games will make this mission a tiny bit more possible.

Cleveland Indians: Asdrubal Cabrera Will Keep His Power

Many people, including myself at times, definitely wonder about Asdrubal Cabrera. We are all wondering whether or not he will be able to replicate his power production from 2011 in 2012.

While I do not necessarily think that 25 home runs will come off his bat again, it is definitely possible to see him hit around 20 this season. Even though this will be somewhat of a step down, it will still serve the purpose of proving that last season was not an entire fluke. Very few shortstops hit for power, but Cabrera might join that fraternity.

Colorado Rockies: Carlos Gonzalez Will Hit .300 with 30-100-30

Carlos Gonzalez came very close to hitting .300 with 30 home runs, 100 RBI and 30 stolen bases last season. However, 2012 will be the year that he finally climbs over the hump.

Gonzalez has been regarded as one of the better all-around talents in baseball, and this season he should finally break out and accomplish a feat that very few players have been able to achieve. He will have a pretty decent lineup around him as well, so these stats are definitely feasible.

Detroit Tigers: Miguel Cabrera Will Hit .370

Miguel Cabrera is one of the best hitters in baseball right now, and I know that many people would argue that he is the best. However, while he does possess 30-home run power, the magic is in his ability to get on base.

The last player to break .370 was Ichiro Suzuki in 2004. It is definitely time that somebody else shows such a knack for getting on base. If anybody in baseball is going to be able to get his average that high or even higher, Miguel Cabrera will be the man.

Houston Astros: Carlos Lee Will Hit 25 Home Runs with 100 RBI

Honestly, the Houston Astros don't have an awful lot to be excited about on offense this season. However, Carlos Lee has been a consistent hitter throughout his career.

His power dropped a little bit last season, but it is definitely possible that he will rebound and hit 25 home runs. Nobody else in that lineup will even approach triple digits in RBI, so it is definitely possible that he will be able to stand out and be the primary run-producer.

Kansas City Royals: Eric Hosmer Will Hit At Least 30 Home Runs

Eric Hosmer was only a rookie last year, but he made a strong impression in that first campaign. He hit 19 home runs in only 128 games.

With more maturity, he should definitely be able to hit more home runs. If he is able to play the entire season, he should definitely be able to hit more home runs.

When you put both of these factors together, 30 home runs is almost a conservative estimate for Eric Hosmer. Look for his power to explode in 2012.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Albert Pujols Will Hit 45 Home Runs

Albert Pujols is one of the best hitters of our era. It is crazy that last season was probably the worst season of his career. Overall, he hit .299 with 37 home runs and 99 RBI. Some people have said that his career is on the decline, but I do not think that will be the case.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have a powerful lineup, and they are definitely going to be one of the top contenders in the American League this year. Pujols will be a large part of that, and you shouldn't be surprised to see him put up 45 home runs.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Matt Kemp Will Go 45-45

Matt Kemp is one of the best all-around athletes in baseball right now. Last season, he hit 39 home runs and stole 40 bases. If he progresses like most other players progress, he should still be rising to his theoretical peak years.

If he is able to pull off this type of season, it would be one of the best individual season performances of all time. The Los Angeles Dodgers do have decent support for him in the lineup, so it should be more difficult for other teams to simply pitch around him. This should help him as he pursues this target.

Miami Marlins: Giancarlo Stanton Will Hit 40 Home Runs

Giancarlo Stanton is a power-hitting machine. He has as much raw power as almost any other hitter in baseball. Because of that, as he gains maturity, those home run totals will continue to rise from the 34 he hit last season.

The Miami Marlins have a brand-new stadium as well as quite a few major free-agent signings, so there will be a lot of excitement around their team this year. However, if Stanton is able to put up power numbers like this, they could be a major force in a very powerful division.

Milwaukee Brewers: Jonathan Lucroy Will Hit .275 with 20 Home Runs

Jonathan Lucroy made his full-time debut last season with the Milwaukee Brewers and seemed to show some power potential by hitting 12 home runs. In 2012, there is no reason that those numbers shouldn't continue to improve.

In fact, in 2008 Lucroy played in 129 minor-league games and hit .301 with 20 home runs. Granted, Major League Baseball is an entirely different level, but players tend to develop more power as they mature. Therefore, if he was able to do that in the minor leagues, it is very possible for Lucroy to at least hit .275 with 20 home runs this season.

Minnesota Twins: Joe Mauer Will Hit .345

Joe Mauer has a .323 career batting average. Obviously, hitting .345 is not too far away from hitting .323; however, this prediction is more bold considering Mauer had a rather frustrating season last year. He was only able to play in 82 games and posted the lowest batting average of his career (although it was still .287).

In 2009, Mauer had his best professional season. He hit .365 with 28 home runs and 96 RBI. The past two seasons have been a bit less successful, but Mauer is a talented hitter. While the power might not necessarily return, expect his batting average to climb again.

New York Mets: Jason Bay Will Rebound

New York City has not been kind to Jason Bay. The season before he joined the New York Mets, he hit 36 home runs. In two seasons with the Mets, he hit a total of 18 home runs. However, 2012 might very well be the year he is able to get his career back together.

The reason 2012 will finally be the year he is able to bounce back is because of his spring training numbers. His batting average was low, but he was drawing more walks.

If you look at his numbers from before he joined the Mets, he almost had double the bases on balls he had last season for the Mets. His best years have been ones where he draws walks, and he seemed to be doing that in spring training.

New York Yankees: Brett Gardner Will Steal 60 Bases

Brett Gardner is becoming one of the better base-stealers in Major League Baseball. He stole 49 bases last season and got caught 13 times. It is definitely possible that he will be able to convert at a higher rate this season.

I know that this technically isn't a hitting prediction, but I wanted to give Gardner credit for becoming one of the better basepath weapons in all of baseball. He should also be able to improve his batting average a little bit so that he will have more opportunities to actually be on base and be able to run. Overall, stealing 60 bases is definitely not an unreasonable estimate for Brett Gardner.

Oakland Athletics: Yoenis Cespedes Will Go 20-20

Yoenis Cespedes was definitely one of the biggest targets on the market this past winter. He has all of the tools to be a very good Major League Baseball player. In fact, it is very possible that we see these tools beginning to come out.

It is rare for players to come into Major League Baseball and make the type of all-around impact that Cespedes should be able to provide. On the international stage, he has definitely demonstrated his talents, so it would definitely not be unreasonable to see 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases out of him.

Philadelphia Phillies: Carlos Ruiz Will Hit .300

Carlos Ruiz is regarded as a primarily defensive catcher; however, in 2010 he hit .302, and last season he hit .283. He doesn't hit for a lot of power, but he makes contact with the ball, and sometimes that is all it takes to get on base.

He has traditionally been near the bottom of the Philadelphia Phillies lineup, but that has been because they have had so much offensive talent over the past few years. Don't be surprised, however, if he is able to push that average over .300 in 2012.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Andrew McCutchen Will Go 30-30

Andrew McCutchen hit 23 home runs and stole 23 bases in 2011. Extending both of those numbers to 30 might be a little bit of a stretch, but he very well might be able to do it.

The reason that he might be able to accomplish this feat is because he only hit .259 last season. His career average is .276. While his career batting average is not incredibly impressive, the point is that he did not have as many hits last season as he would have had in an average season. More hits will probably turn into more home runs and more opportunities to steal bases.

McCutchen has all-around talent, and 30-30 should be in his future.

San Diego Padres: Cameron Maybin Will Steal 50 Bases

Cameron Maybin is incredibly fast. He stole 40 bases last season, so other teams definitely realize his talent. However, the San Diego Padres have revamped their offense and added some run production to the middle of the lineup through Carlos Quentin.

Because of that, they will probably want runners in scoring position more often, and Maybin is able to turn a single into a runner in scoring position. Runs will still be somewhat hard to come by in San Diego, so it makes sense that the Padres will try to get Maybin into scoring position when those few big bats are up there.

San Francisco Giants: Aubrey Huff Will Rebound

Aubrey Huff had a very difficult 2011 that saw his power production drop off to 12 home runs and 59 RBI. However, over his career, he has hit 241 home runs. He is capable of finding that powerful swing once again.

Once he regains his power, other things will begin to fall into place. More home runs will result in more runs batted in as well as runs scored. All of these stats are very important if he is going to regain his status as a solid power hitter.

Seattle Mariners: Ichiro Suzuki Will Hit over .300

Ichiro Suzuki has had an amazing career ever since he joined Major League Baseball in 2001. He very quickly developed a reputation for getting on base using his substantial speed. He is slowing down a little bit as he is getting older, but he still should be able to get on base enough to hit over .300.

The main reason that he will be able to achieve this level again after hitting .272 in 2011 is because he always has. He has had a very strong career and never hit under .300 in any other individual season.

Many great players have experienced bad seasons. It doesn't necessarily mean that something is drastically wrong, and this is definitely the case for Ichiro.

St. Louis Cardinals: Carlos Beltran Will Hit .300 with 30 Home Runs

Carlos Beltran is not the player that he once was. However, last season he hit .300 with 22 home runs as a member of the New York Mets and then the San Francisco Giants. Neither of these teams gave him the support he needed in the lineup.

Now that he is playing for a team with Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman in the same lineup, he should definitely see more solid pitches to hit. With that in mind, it is definitely possible that his power numbers will rise to numbers that he hasn't seen for a few years.

Tampa Bay Rays: Evan Longoria Will Be One of the Best Hitters in Baseball

Evan Longoria had a disappointing 2011 in which he only hit .244 with 31 home runs and 99 RBI. Those run production numbers are solid, but that batting average was a severe drop compared to the .294 he hit it 2010.

However, great players don't remain in slumps forever. His power production never left him, so really the only struggle he needs to overcome is that batting average. I don't really see a problem for him this year; he should be able to regain his spot as one of the best third basemen in all of baseball.

Texas Rangers: Adrian Beltre Will Hit 40 Home Runs

Adrian Beltre has had a rather erratic career. His individual season home run production has ranged all the way from eight to 48 since he became a full-time major leaguer. However, his production has been rising over the past two years, and the Texas Rangers have such a powerful lineup that he will have protection.

The combination of these conditions makes hitting 40 home runs very possible for Beltre. He definitely has the raw power to do it, and he hit 32 last season. Like I said above, he hit 48 home runs at one point, so that could happen again.

Toronto Blue Jays: Jose Bautista Will Hit 50 Home Runs Again

Jose Bautista developed his power in 2010. Prior to that season, he had never hit more than 16 home runs in an individual season. Since then, he has hit 54 and 43 home runs in two seasons, respectively. Don't expect that to change in 2012.

I was personally a little bit hesitant to believe in Jose Bautista after one strong season, but after these two seasons, it would not be unreasonable for him to hit 50 home runs again this season. The Toronto Blue Jays are a team to watch this season, and Bautista is right in the middle of their attack.

Washington Nationals: Jayson Werth Will Rebound

Jayson Werth didn't quite live up to the monster contract he received in 2011. However, that doesn't mean all is lost. As a matter of fact, he is kind of like Evan Longoria. He hit 20 home runs and stole 19 bases, so the main problem was his decreased average.

Batting average has not necessarily been a problem for Werth, so that statistic should continue to rise back to more normal numbers. He is definitely a talented hitter, and he should be able to hit .280 with 25 home runs, 85 RBI and 20 stolen bases. That would represent a return back to the numbers he posted as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies.

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