MLB 2012: 10 American League Central Stars Who Need to Step It Up

The American League Central is a really weird division. This is a division that has been owned by the Minnesota Twins since 2001, but both the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers have reached the World Series over that span.

The Cleveland Indians reached the ALCS in 2007, and then, there’s the Kansas City Royals. The point is that this division is up for grabs once again, and each team needs someone to step up if they want to succeed.

Anything can happen in this division, as evidenced by the two Game 163s that have occurred. But, who needs to step up next season and carry their teams?

Joe Mauer

Joe Mauer is the most popular Twins player, and he’s probably the most popular figure in the division, but he must step up if the Twins want a shot at the division crown.

The main thing Mauer has to do is stay healthy; he only played in 82 games last year.

The Twins had many problems last year, and a major concern was injuries. If Mauer stays healthy, and his bat remains in the lineup, it’s very unlikely the Twins will lose 99 games again.

Adam Dunn

There is nothing but up for Adam Dunn. Last offseason, the White Sox grabbed Dunn by signing him to a four-year, $56 million deal.

How did Dunn repay them? He gave the Sox career lows in hits, runs, home runs, batting average, slugging percentage and on-base percentage.

Dunn’s .159 batting average won’t cut it if the White Sox want to make the playoffs, especially with that humongous amount of money they have invested in him.

Ubaldo Jimenez

In 2010, as a member of the Rockies, Ubaldo Jimenez might have been the best pitcher in baseball. However, he was far from that in 2011 when he split time between Colorado and Cleveland.

A year removed from starting the All-Star game for the National League and a 19-8 record, Jimenez pitched himself to a 10-13 record in 2011. In 2010, Jimenez had an ERA of 2.88, which ballooned to 4.68 in 2011.

In comparison to 2010, Jimenez gave up 22 more hits, 38 more runs, seven more home runs and struck out 34 fewer batters in 2011.

If the Indians want to be competitive, they need a No. 1 starter, and Jimenez needs to get back to pitching like one.

Austin Jackson

In 2010, Austin Jackson was the best rookie position player and finished second in Rookie of the Year voting behind Rangers pitcher Neftali Feliz.

During that year, the lightning bolt Jackson had 27 stolen bases, 10 triples, 34 doubles, 103 runs and a .293 batting average. Compare that to last year with only 22 stolen bases, 11 triples, 22 doubles, 90 runs and .249 batting average.

While this isn't a drastic drop-off and Jackson is still very young, if the Tigers want to keep their hold on the Central Division, they need to get Jackson running around the bases more.

Josh Willingham

Josh Willingham has big shoes to fill; he’s essentially Michael Cuddyer’s replacement.

Willingham is nowhere close to Cuddyer when you are talking about defense, but what Willingham has over Cuddyer is pure power. Willingham slugged 29 home runs and had 99 RBIs last season; Cuddyer had 20 home runs and only 70 RBIs.

If Willingham can show his muscle and step up to the plate to assume a crucial role on this team, Cuddyer will be just a fond, fond memory.

Alex Rios

Alex Rios was once a two-time All-Star and one of the bright, young outfield stars in the game, but it soon came crashing down.

After signing a seven-year, $69 million deal with the Blue Jays in 2008, Rios' stats have been in serious decline.  In 2009, Toronto put Rios on waivers, and the White Sox claimed him and that massive contract.

In 41 games in 2009 with the Sox, Rios batted .199. Rios raised that average to .284 in 2010, but then it slipped to .227 in 2011. He only had 13 home runs and 44 RBIs last year—a year in which he made $12 million.

Rios really needs to step it up if he wants to fully earn the $12.5 million he’s due this year.

Delmon Young

Although the change of scenery may be the biggest help for Delmon Young, he needs to step up even more for the Tigers.

In 2010, Young hit 21 home runs as a member of the Twins. And in all honesty, looking at the size Delmon, he should be hitting at least 21 a year instead of the 12 he hit during time with the Tigers and Twins in 2011. Delmon had only 64 RBIs last year, one year removed from 112 RBIs.

If the Tigers want to make it back-to-back division championships, Delmon needs to start hitting the long ball—if for no other reason than to protect Miguel Cabrera.

Justin Morneau

The Twins lost 99 games last year. Justin Morneau only played in 69 games all year.

After getting a concussion right before the All-Star break in 2010, Morneau has never been the same because he’s never been fully healthy.

If the Twins want to be a success this upcoming season, they need Morneau to stay on the field and get back to his ways of his 2006 MVP season.

Travis Hafner

Remember Pronk? I’ll be honest, I totally forgot. Look at Travis Hafner’s stat line from 2006:

100 runs – 42 home runs – 117 RBIs – 100 walks – .308 batting average – .659 slugging – 1.098 OPS

In actuality, look at any of Hafner’s years between 2004 and 2007, and you’ll see how dangerous he once was. Then, the injury bug bit down on Hafner, and he’s never been quite the same.

In 2011, Hafner played in 94 games and hit .280 with 13 home runs and 57 RBIs.

If Hafner can find the field in 2012 and get back to hitting big bombs and knocking in runs, the Indians could be a tough team to beat. 

Jake Peavy

In 2009, it looked like the White Sox made a big move by trading for Jake Peavy from the San Diego Padres. Since his arrival, Peavy hasn't pitched at the caliber he did out in California.

At Peavy’s best, he had an ERA in the 2 region. Last year, he had an ERA of 4.92 in only 18 starts with seven wins.

Peavy definitely needs to step up now that former ace Mark Buehrle packed his bags for Miami. The former ace is one of many in the cavalcade of fallen stars in the American League Central.

What About the Royals?

Time. Time needs to step up. If you look at the Royals, most of their players had career years last season.

You know the team is young when the 25-year-old Billy Butler is one of the seasoned veterans on the roster.

Soon, the Royals will be one of the best teams in the league. It’ll just take some time.