MLB Power Rankings: Where Your Team Stands Two Weeks from Opening Day

We're coming down the home stretch of spring training, with Opening Day now just two weeks away.

The 25-man rosters are beginning to take shape, but there will still be some major decisions for each manager to make in the days ahead.

As for the rankings, not much has changed from last week, though there were a few tweaks here and there due to a handful of key players being expected to open the season on the disabled list.

For the sake of keeping things interesting, I've picked my projected home run leader for each team during the upcoming season as well as predicting how many home runs I think they'll hit.

So here is a look at where all 30 teams stand with two weeks until the regular season kicks off.

*Note: Rosters taken from MLBDepthCharts.com and all stats taken from Baseball-Reference.com.

30. Houston Astros

My Projected Home Run Leader

LF Chris Carter: 26 HR

A top prospect for years in the A's system, Chris Carter finally broke through last season as the right-handed end of a platoon with Brandon Moss at first base.

Carter hit 16 home runs in 218 at-bats last year, and was dealt to Houston in the Jed Lowrie trade this offseason. Over a full slate of at-bats in the hitter-friendly Minute Maid Park, he could approach 30 home runs.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

SS Tyler Greene
2B Jose Altuve
DH Carlos Pena
LF Chris Carter
1B Brett Wallace
CF Justin Maxwell
C Jason Castro
RF Fernando Martinez
3B Matt Dominguez

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Bud Norris
SP Lucas Harrell
SP Jordan Lyles
SP Phil Humber
SP Erik Bedard
CP Jose Veras

29. Miami Marlins

My Projected Home Run Leader

RF Giancarlo Stanton: 43 HR

Provided he stays healthy and isn't just intentionally walked every time he steps up to the plate (that would be my approach), Giancarlo Stanton should rank among the league's most prolific sluggers.

He launched 93 home runs before his 23rd birthday, and he had a career-high 37 long balls over 449 at-bats last season.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

LF Juan Pierre
3B Placido Polanco
RF Giancarlo Stanton
C Rob Brantly
CF Justin Ruggiano
2B Donovan Solano
1B Casey Kotchman
SS Adeiny Hechavarria
Pitcher

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Ricky Nolasco
SP Henderson Alvarez
SP Wade LeBlanc
SP Nathan Eovaldi
SP Jacob Turner
CP Steve Cishek

28. San Diego Padres

My Projected Home Run Leader

LF Carlos Quentin: 28 HR

On the shelf until May 28 last season, Carlos Quentin finished 2012 with 16 home runs in 284 at-bats, and the Padres saw enough to give him a three-year, $27 million deal.

With Chase Headley on the sidelines to start the season with a broken thumb, Quentin will shoulder the run production load to start the season. If he stays healthy, he still has the pop to hit 30 home runs.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

SS Everth Cabrera
3B Logan Forsythe
1B Yonder Alonso
LF Carlos Quentin
RF Will Venable
2B Jedd Gyorko
CF Cameron Maybin
C Nick Hundley
Pitcher

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Edinson Volquez
SP Clayton Richard
SP Jason Marquis
SP Eric Stults
SP Freddy Garcia
CP Huston Street

27. Minnesota Twins

My Projected Home Run Leader

LF Josh Willingham: 30 HR

After signing a three-year, $21 million deal last offseason, Josh Willingham proved to be a steal. He hit 35 home runs and 110 RBI to capture the Silver Slugger award.

He's posted an OPS north of .810 each of the past seven seasons, and at 34 years old, he should still have at least a few more 30-HR seasons in him.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF Darin Mastroianni
2B Jamey Carroll
C Joe Mauer
LF Josh Willingham
1B Justin Morneau
DH Ryan Doumit
RF Chris Parmelee
3B Trevor Plouffe
SS Pedro Florimon Jr.

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Vance Worley
SP Kevin Correia
SP Mike Pelfrey
SP Liam Hendriks
SP Cole De Vries
CP Glen Perkins

26. Colorado Rockies

My Projected Home Run Leader

SS Troy Tulowitzki: 28 HR

Troy Tulowitzki averaged 30 home runs and 97 RBI from 2009-11 and entered last season as the top all-around shortstop in the game.

A groin injury limited him to just 47 games, though, and the 28-year-old will be looking to get things back on track. Carlos Gonzalez will give him a run, but Tulowitzki has the better power potential. 

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF Dexter Fowler
2B Josh Rutledge
LF Carlos Gonzalez
SS Troy Tulowitzki
RF Michael Cuddyer
1B Todd Helton
C Wilin Rosario
3B Chris Nelson
Pitcher

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Jhoulys Chacin
SP Jorge De La Rosa
SP Juan Nicasio
SP Jeff Francis
SP Drew Pomeranz
CP Rafael Betancourt

25. New York Mets

My Projected Home Run Leader

1B Ike Davis: 34 HR

Ike Davis struggled to the point that he was nearly demoted in the first half last season, hitting just .201 with 12 home runs prior to the All-Star break.

He turned things around in the second half, though, raising his average to .255 and hitting 20 home runs for a team-high 32 long balls. If he can avoid the slow start this time around, he should have no trouble once again pacing the team in the home run department.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

2B Jordany Valdespin
CF Collin Cowgill
RF Marlon Byrd
1B Ike Davis
LF Lucas Duda
3B Justin Turner
C John Buck
SS Ruben Tejada
Pitcher 

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Jon Niese
SP Shaun Marcum
SP Matt Harvey
SP Dillon Gee
SP Jeremy Hefner
CP Bobby Parnell

24. Chicago Cubs

My Projected Home Run Leader

1B Anthony Rizzo: 34 HR

After hitting 38 home runs between Triple-A and Chicago last season, Rizzo is ready to settle into his first full season in the majors after coming over from the Padres in a trade for Andrew Cashner last offseason.

Rizzo has all the makings of a franchise cornerstone, and after hitting 15 home runs in 87 games with the Cubs last year, he is a legitimate breakout candidate and could turn in his first 30-HR, 100-RBI season in 2013.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF David DeJesus
SS Starlin Castro
1B Anthony Rizzo
LF Alfonso Soriano
RF Nate Schierholtz
3B Luis Valbuena
C Welington Castillo
2B Darwin Barney
Pitcher

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Jeff Samardzija
SP Edwin Jackson
SP Scott Feldman 
SP Travis Wood
SP Carlos Villanueva
CP Carlos Marmol

23. Pittsburgh Pirates

My Projected Home Run Leader

3B Pedro Alvarez: 33 HR

After a disastrous 2011 season, Alvarez hit just .244/.317/.467 in 2012, but he did manage 30 home runs (18 in the second half).

The former No. 2 overall pick in the 2008 draft, Alvarez is still just 26. While he is not likely to contend for a batting title anytime soon, he should be a perennial 30-HR threat.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

LF Starling Marte
2B Neil Walker
CF Andrew McCutchen
1B Garrett Jones
3B Pedro Alvarez
C Russell Martin
RF Travis Snider
SS Clint Barmes
Pitcher 

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP A.J. Burnett
SP Wandy Rodriguez
SP James McDonald
SP Jeff Karstens
SP Kyle McPherson
CP Jason Grilli

22. Chicago White Sox

My Projected Home Run Leader

1B/DH Adam Dunn: 39 HR

After a horrendous first season in Chicago in which he hit just .159 with 11 home runs in 415 at-bats, Dunn turned things around last season and clubbed 41 home runs despite a .204 average.

The 33-year-old Dunn may struggle to hit .250 from this point on in his career, but the raw power remains, and he should be able to hold off Paul Konerko for the team HR title.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF Alejandro De Aza
3B Jeff Keppinger
RF Alex Rios
1B Paul Konerko
DH Adam Dunn
LF Dayan Viciedo
SS Alexei Ramirez
C Tyler Flowers
2B Gordon Beckham

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Chris Sale
SP Jake Peavy
SP John Danks
SP Gavin Floyd
SP Jose Quintana
CP Addison Reed

21. Seattle Mariners

My Projected Home Run Leader

1B Justin Smoak: 27 HR

The key acquisition for the Mariners in the Cliff Lee trade back in 2010, Justin Smoak has struggled to hit enough to stay in the lineup despite showing solid power.

The 26-year-old had 19 home runs in 483 at-bats last season, and he closed out 2012 with a .341/.426/.580 line and five home runs in the final month after shortening his swing. He's having a strong spring, and the tools are there for him to out-homer newcomers Michael Morse and Kendrys Morales.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

2B Dustin Ackley
CF Franklin Gutierrez
3B Kyle Seager
LF Michael Morse
DH Kendrys Morales
C Jesus Montero
1B Justin Smoak
RF Michael Saunders
SS Brendan Ryan

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Felix Hernandez
SP Joe Saunders
SP Hisashi Iwakuma 
SP Erasmo Ramirez
SP Blake Beavan
CP Tom Wilhelmsen

20. New York Yankees

My Projected Home Run Leader

2B Robinson Cano: 35 HR

After Curtis Granderson (43 HR in 2012) fractured his forearm, one has to wonder what affect that will have on his power once he makes his season debut.

With Robinson Cano tearing things up in the WBC (15-for-29, 2 HR, 6 RBI), expect him to get out to a hot start and never look back. Playing for a big extension and after a career-high 33 home runs last season, he'll set a new personal best in 2013.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

SS Derek Jeter
RF Ichiro Suzuki
2B Robinson Cano
3B Kevin Youkilis
DH Travis Hafner
1B Juan Rivera
LF Brennan Boesch
CF Brett Gardner
C Chris Stewart

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP CC Sabathia
SP Hiroki Kuroda 
SP Andy Pettitte
SP Phil Hughes
SP Ivan Nova
CP Mariano Rivera

19. Cleveland Indians

My Projected Home Run Leader

DH/1B Mark Reynolds: 31 HR

After he was non-tendered by the Orioles, the Indians signed Mark Reynolds to a one-year, $6 million deal for one reason: home runs.

In 2,973 career at-bats, Reynolds has 181 home runs (one every 16.4 AB) while he's piled up a ridiculous 1,122 strikeouts (one every 2.6 AB). He'll push 200 strikeouts again, but he should be able to also reach the 30-HR mark for the fourth time in his career.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF Michael Bourn
SS Asdrubal Cabrera
2B Jason Kipnis
1B Nick Swisher
C Carlos Santana
DH Mark Reynolds
LF Michael Brantley
3B Lonnie Chisenhall
RF Drew Stubbs

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Justin Masterson 
SP Ubaldo Jimenez 
SP Brett Myers
SP Zach McAllister
SP Scott Kazmir
CP Chris Perez

18. Boston Red Sox

My Projected Home Run Leader

1B/C Mike Napoli: 29 HR

After lengthy contract negotiations followed a failed physical by Napoli, the Red Sox eventually inked the slugger to an incentive-laden one-year, $5 million deal.

He may never reach the .320/.414/.631 triple-slash numbers he put up in 2011, but the 30 home runs he hit that season are within reach. Napoli has roped at Fenway Park throughout his career (1.107 OPS, 7 HR, 62 AB) and should be in line for a solid season.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF Jacoby Ellsbury
2B Dustin Pedroia
SS Stephen Drew
DH Mike Napoli
RF Shane Victorino
3B Will Middlebrooks
LF Jonny Gomes
1B Lyle Overbay
C Jarrod Saltalamacchia

2013 Projected Rotation

SP Jon Lester
SP Clay Buchholz
SP Ryan Dempster
SP Felix Doubront
SP John Lackey
CP Joel Hanrahan

17. Milwaukee Brewers

My Projected Home Run Leader

LF Ryan Braun: 36 HR

Ryan Braun paced the National League with a career-high 41 home runs last season, reaching the 30/30 mark for the second straight season as one of the most dynamic all-around offensive players in the game.

That may be the extent of what he's capable of hitting in a single-season, but he should continue to be a 30/30 guy for the foreseeable future and rank among the leaders in all three Triple Crown categories.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

RF Norichika Aoki
2B Rickie Weeks
LF Ryan Braun
3B Aramis Ramirez
C Jonathan Lucroy
CF Carlos Gomez
1B Alex Gonzalez
SS Jean Segura
Pitcher

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Yovani Gallardo
SP Marco Estrada
SP Michael Fiers
SP Chris Narveson
SP Wily Peralta
CP John Axford

16. Philadelphia Phillies

My Projected Home Run Leader

1B Ryan Howard: 34 HR

Ryan Howard piled up 262 home runs over a six-year span from 2006-11 as one of the most feared sluggers in the game. But injuries ruined his 2012 campaign, as he was limited to just 71 games following a ruptured Achilles in the 2011 postseason.

Howard still managed 14 home runs in 260 at-bats last season, and he has four home runs and 13 RBI this spring. It may not be time to write the 33-year-old off from being one of the game's premier sluggers just yet.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

SS Jimmy Rollins
2B Chase Utley
3B Michael Young
1B Ryan Howard
LF Darin Ruf
RF Domonic Brown
CF Ben Revere
C Erik Kratz
Pitcher

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Cole Hamels
SP Roy Halladay
SP Cliff Lee
SP Kyle Kendrick
SP John Lannan
CP Jonathan Papelbon

15. Texas Rangers

My Projected Home Run Leader

3B Adrian Beltre: 33 HR

A legitimate MVP candidate last year when he hit .321 with 36 home runs and 102 RBI, Adrian Beltre has been fantastic since joining Texas and should continue to thrive at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Beltre has been finding offensive consistency late, with three of the four best seasons of his career coming in the past three years. He'll be asked to shoulder an even bigger load this time around with Josh Hamilton gone.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

2B Ian Kinsler
SS Elvis Andrus
DH Lance Berkman
3B Adrian Beltre
RF Nelson Cruz
LF David Murphy
C A.J. Pierzynski
1B Mitch Moreland
CF Leonys Martin

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Yu Darvish
SP Derek Holland
SP Matt Harrison
SP Alexi Ogando
SP Robbie Ross
CP Joe Nathan

14. Baltimore Orioles

My Projected Home Run Leader

1B Chris Davis: 30 HR

Chris Davis appeared to have a bright future when he hit .285 with 17 home runs over just 295 at-bats as a 22-year-old rookie for the Rangers back in 2008.

However, he struggled to find his footing from there and was traded to Baltimore along with Tommy Hunter for reliever Koji Uehara at the deadline in 2011. The change of scenery did wonders, and he'll now look to settle in as one of the top power-hitting first basemen in the league.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

2B Brian Roberts
RF Nick Markakis
CF Adam Jones
C Matt Wieters
1B Chris Davis
SS J.J. Hardy
LF Nate McLouth
3B Manny Machado
DH Wilson Betemit

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Jason Hammel
SP Wei-Yin Chen
SP Chris Tillman
SP Miguel Gonzalez
SP Jair Jurrjens
CP Jim Johnson

13. Kansas City Royals

My Projected Home Run Leader

3B Mike Moustakas: 27 HR

Even before his strong spring performance (18-for-44, 2 HR, 8 RBI), Moustakas looked like a prime candidate for a breakout season after hitting 20 home runs with 73 RBI in his first full big league season last year.

He launched 36 home runs in the minors in 2010, and while the 24-year-old is not quite ready to put up those sort of numbers in the majors, he should be able to give Billy Butler and Eric Hosmer a run for the team's HR title.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

LF Alex Gordon
SS Alcides Escobar
1B Eric Hosmer
DH Billy Butler
C Salvador Perez
3B Mike Moustakas
RF Jeff Francoeur
CF Lorenzo Cain
2B Chris Getz

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP James Shields
SP Jeremy Guthrie
SP Ervin Santana 
SP Wade Davis
SP Bruce Chen
CP Greg Holland

12. Oakland Athletics

My Projected Home Run Leader

LF Yoenis Cespedes: 28 HR

In nearly any other year, Yoenis Cespedes would have taken home Rookie of the Year honors after hitting .292 with 23 home runs and notching 16 steals. Instead, that was good for a distant second to phenom Mike Trout.

Still, the Cuban defector proved more than up to the task of playing in the majors. After hitting .311 with 14 home runs in the second half of 2012, the best may be yet to come for the 27-year-old.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF Coco Crisp
3B Jed Lowrie
LF Yoenis Cespedes
1B Brandon Moss
RF Josh Reddick
DH Seth Smith
C John Jaso
2B Scott Sizemore
SS Hiroyuki Nakajima

Projected Opening Day Rotation 

SP Brett Anderson
SP Jarrod Parker
SP Tom Milone
SP A.J. Griffin
SP Daniel Straily
CP Ryan Cook

11. Arizona Diamondbacks

My Projected Home Run Leader

1B Paul Goldschmidt: 26 HR

After impressing in a late-season audition in 2011, Paul Goldschmidt had 20 home runs and 82 RBI during his first full season in the big leagues last year.

He hit 35 home runs in the minors in 2010 and another 30 in 2011, so the potential is there for him to take the next step power wise. He looks to have an incredibly bright future at just 25.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF Adam Eaton
3B Martin Prado
2B Aaron Hill
C Miguel Montero
1B Paul Goldschmidt
LF Jason Kubel
RF Cody Ross
SS Cliff Pennington
Pitcher

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Ian Kennedy
SP Trevor Cahill
SP Wade Miley
SP Brandon McCarthy
SP Pat Corbin
CP J.J. Putz

10. St. Louis Cardinals

My Projected Home Run Leader

1B Allen Craig: 27 HR

After serving as a super utility player in 2011, Allen Craig finally settled into a regular position at first base with Lance Berkman missing the bulk of the season. In 119 games, he managed to hit 22 home runs and drive in 92.

Craig should be able to top the career-high 469 at-bats he saw last season. With an established position, a five-year extension (h/t CBSSports) and clean bill of health, he should be a monster in the middle of the St. Louis lineup.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF John Jay
RF Carlos Beltran
LF Matt Holliday
1B Allen Craig
C Yadier Molina
3B David Freese
2B Matt Carpenter
SS Pete Kozma
Pitcher

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Adam Wainwright
SP Jaime Garcia
SP Jake Westbrook
SP Lance Lynn
SP Shelby Miller
CP Jason Motte

9. Tampa Bay Rays

My Projected Home Run Leader

3B Evan Longoria: 32 HR

Tempting as it is to pick uber-prospect Wil Myers here, my choice is a healthy Evan Longoria to once again rank among the elite run producers in the American League.

The Rays were 47-27 in games he played last season, compared to just 43-45 when he was injured. There are few players who mean more to the success of their team. A healthy Longoria could mean big things for an improved Rays offense in 2013.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF Desmond Jennings
SS Yunel Escobar
RF Ben Zobrist
3B Evan Longoria
LF Matt Joyce
DH Luke Scott
2B Kelly Johnson 
1B James Loney 
C Jose Molina

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP David Price
SP Jeremy Hellickson
SP Matt Moore
SP Alex Cobb
SP Jeff Niemann
CP Fernando Rodney

8. Los Angeles Dodgers

My Projected Home Run Leader

CF Matt Kemp: 32 HR

Kemp could get a run from first baseman Adrian Gonzalez if he can regain his power stroke after seeing his home run totals drop the past two seasons —but for now, the dynamic center fielder is my pick.

He put up video-game numbers over the first month last season (.417 BA, 12 HR, 25 RBI) before injuries inevitably cut into his final numbers. Now fully healthy, Kemp should once again be a 30/30 threat with 40/40 potential.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

SS Hanley Ramirez
2B Mark Ellis
CF Matt Kemp
1B Adrian Gonzalez
RF Andre Ethier
3B Luis Cruz
LF Skip Schumaker
C A.J. Ellis 
Pitcher

Projected Opening Day Lineup

SP Clayton Kershaw
SP Josh Beckett
SP Hyun-Jin Ryu
SP Chad Billingsley
SP Chris Capuano
CP Brandon League

7. Los Angeles Angels

My Projected Home Run Leader

1B Albert Pujols: 35 HR

Albert Pujols did not hit his first home run until May 6 last season, but from that point on he had 30 home runs and 100 RBI over 499 at-bats as he looked like the Pujols of old.

The addition of Josh Hamilton behind him in the lineup should only help. As long as Pujols can avoid another slow start, he could put together a more standard full-season stat line in 2013.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

LF Mike Trout
SS Erick Aybar
1B Albert Pujols
RF Josh Hamilton
DH Mark Trumbo
2B Howie Kendrick
3B Alberto Callaspo
C Chris Iannetta
CF Peter Bourjos 

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Jered Weaver
SP C.J. Wilson
SP Joe Blanton
SP Jason Vargas
SP Tommy Hanson 
CP Ernesto Frieri

6. Atlanta Braves

My Projected Home Run Leader

RF Jason Heyward: 31 HR

The Braves have a number of players who should finish the season right around 30 home runs, with Dan Uggla, Justin Upton, B.J. Upton and perhaps Freddie Freeman all capable of approaching that number.

We'll give the nod to Jason Heyward, though, who put a rough sophomore season behind him and hit .269 last season with 27 home runs and 21 steals. Still just 23 years old, his ceiling remains incredibly high, and a big breakout season could be right around the corner.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

SS Andrelton Simmons
RF Jason Heyward
LF Justin Upton
1B Freddie Freeman
CF B.J. Upton
2B Dan Uggla
3B Juan Francisco
C Gerald Laird 
Pitcher 

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Tim Hudson
SP Kris Medlen
SP Mike Minor
SP Paul Maholm
SP Julio Teheran
CP Craig Kimbrel

5. Toronto Blue Jays

My Projected Home Run Leader

RF Jose Bautista: 41 HR

Injuries limited Bautista to just 92 games last season, but he still managed to hit 27 home runs over 332 at-bats, bringing his total home runs over the past three seasons to 124.

He'll benefit from a full season of at-bats hitting in front of breakout star Edwin Encarnacion, and with new table setters Jose Reyes and Melky Cabrera in the fold, he could be in store for a monster season. We'll go with a somewhat conservative prediction of 41.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

SS Jose Reyes
LF Melky Cabrera
RF Jose Bautista
1B Edwin Encarnacion
CF Colby Rasmus
3B Brett Lawrie
DH Adam Lind
C J.P. Arencibia
2B Emilio Bonifacio 

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP R.A. Dickey 
SP Brandon Morrow
SP Mark Buehrle
SP Josh Johnson 
SP Ricky Romero
CP Casey Janssen

4. Cincinnati Reds

My Projected Home Run Leader

RF Jay Bruce: 36 HR

Ray Bruce has quietly emerged as one of the top power threats in the game, topping the 30 mark for home runs in each of the past two seasons and improving his total in each of his five big league seasons.

No sense expecting the 25-year-old to buck that trend now. After hitting 34 home runs with 99 RBI last season, I expect Bruce to add a couple more home runs to his total and break the 100 RBI mark for the first time.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF Shin-Soo Choo
2B Brandon Phillips
1B Joey Votto
LF Ryan Ludwick
RF Jay Bruce
3B Todd Frazier
SS Zack Cozart
C Ryan Hanigan
Pitcher

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Johnny Cueto
SP Mat Latos
SP Bronson Arroyo
SP Homer Bailey
SP Aroldis Chapman
CP Jonathan Broxton

3. Washington Nationals

My Projected Home Run Leader

LF Bryce Harper: 31 HR

Bryce Harper was everything the Nationals could have hoped for and more as a 19-year-old rookie last season, hitting 22 home runs and stealing 18 bases to capture NL Rookie of the Year honors.

He saw the majority of his at-bats in the No. 2 spot in the lineup last season, but he'll be hitting third this year, and I fully expect to see his numbers improve across the board despite the lingering threat of a sophomore slump.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF Denard Span
RF Jayson Werth
LF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
C Kurt Suzuki
Pitcher

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Stephen Strasburg
SP Gio Gonzalez
SP Jordan Zimmermann
SP Dan Haren
SP Ross Detwiler
CP Rafael Soriano

2. Detroit Tigers

My Projected Home Run Leader

3B Miguel Cabrera: 38 HR

Miguel Cabrera topped the 40-HR mark for the first time in his career last season when he slugged 44 on his way to the AL Triple Crown.

He may not break 40 again, but he's a lock to top 30 and should once again rank among the AL leaders. Look out for Prince Fielder, who hit a somewhat disappointing 30 home runs in what was a solid all-around debut season in Detroit, as the 40-plus potential is still there with him.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF Austin Jackson
RF Torii Hunter
3B Miguel Cabrera
1B Prince Fielder
DH Victor Martinez
LF Andy Dirks
SS Jhonny Peralta
C Alex Avila
2B Omar Infante

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Justin Verlander
SP Doug Fister
SP Max Scherzer
SP Anibal Sanchez
SP Rick Porcello
CP Bruce Rondon

1. San Francisco Giants

My Projected Home Run Leader

C Buster Posey: 23 HR

Power hitting is not the Giants' game, as Buster Posey was the only player to top 20 home runs on the team last season when he hit 24. Pablo Sandoval was second with 12.

Hunter Pence hit 24 between Philadelphia and San Francisco combined last season, but seven of those came in his 59 games with the Giants. For now, the pick has to be reigning MVP Posey.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF Angel Pagan
2B Marco Scutaro
3B Pablo Sandoval
C Buster Posey
RF Hunter Pence
1B Brandon Belt
LF Gregor Blanco
SS Brandon Crawford
Pitcher

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Matt Cain
SP Madison Bumgarner
SP Tim Lincecum
SP Barry Zito
SP Ryan Vogelsong
CP Sergio Romo