Ranking the 10 most dangerous hitters in the AL Central in 2024
The over/under win totals for clubs in the AL Central are far from impressive and that's why it should come as no surprise that the Minnesota Twins dominant our preseason list of the 10 most dangerous hitters in the division in 2024.
According to BetOnline, the Twins are expected to win the Central with an over/under win total set at 85.5. The Tigers (78.5), Guardians (77.5), Royals (71.5) and White Sox (63.5) round out the division.
Looking at projected starting lineups for each team, we've ranked who we believe are the five most dangerous hitters on each team.
5 most dangerous Twins hitters
- Royce Lewis
- Carlos Correa
- Eddy Julien
- Byron Buxton
- Max Kepler
5 most dangerous White Sox hitters
- Luis Robert Jr.
- Yoan Moncada
- Eloy Jimenez
- Tim Anderson
- Andrew Vaughn
5 most dangerous Guardians hitters
- Jose Ramirez
- Josh Naylor
- Steven Kwan
- Andres Gimenez
- Bo Naylor
5 most dangerous Tigers hitters
- Spencer Torkelson
- Riley Greene
- Kerry Carpenter
- Javier Baez
- Parker Meadows
5 most dangerous Royals hitters
- Bobby Witt Jr.
- Salvador Perez
- MJ Melendez
- Vinnie Pasquantino
- Nelson Velazquez
With that, let's rank our 10 most dangerous hitters in the division.
1. Jose Ramirez, CLE
The king isn't going anywhere until he proves he's no longer the best hitter in the division. Ramirez has received top-10 MVP votes in six of his last seven seasons and he remains one of the game's most dangerous bats.
2. Bobby Witt Jr., KC
Witt was the top prospect in the majors in 2022 and he was dynamite for the Royals last season, finishing seventh in the American League MVP post after hitting 30 homers, 28 doubles and a league-leading 11 triples. He also stole 49 bases and drove in 96 runs. He's a beast and could very well be the best hitter in the division in 2024.
3. Royce Lewis, MN
If you think this is too high for Lewis, you didn't watch him explode for the Twins last season. He slugged two homers in his first career playoff game and was hitting grand slams like they were simple. At one point, he slugged three grand slams in a span of eight games. Lewis, when healthy, is clearly one of the most dangerous bats in the game.
Oct 3, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins short stop Royce Lewis (23) celebrates with shortstop Carlos Correa after hitting a home run in the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during game one of the Wildcard series for the 2023 MLB playoffs at Target Field.
Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
4. Luis Robert Jr., CWS
Slashing .264/.315/.542 with 38 homers and 36 doubles on a ratting White Sox club last season was impressive for the 26-year-old, who should only get better with experience.
5. Carlos Correa, MN
We've reach the part of the list that includes players who need to stay healthy to realize their potential. Correa battled plantar fasciitis last season the result was career lows in batting average and on-base percentage while grounding into a league-high 30 double plays. Now healthy, Correa should return to All-Star form in 2024.
6. Spencer Torkelson, DET
The No. 4 prospect in the big leagues in 2022, Torkelson's second season with the Tigers saw him blast 31 homers and drive in 94 runs while slashing .233/.313/.446. If he takes another step in 2024 he could be a 40-homer bat in the middle of Detroit's young lineup.
7. Salvador Perez, KC
The soon-to-be 34-year-old catcher made the All-Star Game for the eighth time in 2023 and despite playing on a losing team he still hit 23 homers and finished with 80 RBI. Remember, Perez led the league with 48 homers and 121 RBI in 2021. He might be getting older, but his game is still high-level.
8. Riley Green, DET
Green, like Torkelson, was considered one of the five best prospects in the majors in 2022 and he now has a couple of big-league seasons under his belt. In 99 games last season he slashed .288/.349/.447 with 11 homers, 19 doubles and four triples. He has to continue to elevate in order to live up to being named one of the most dangerous hitters in the division, and he has the ability to do just that.
9. Eddy Julien, MN
Julien was arguably the most pleasant surprise on last year's Twins team and he projects to be the everyday leadoff hitter in 2024. He has power to all fields, draws a ton of walks and doesn't strike out much. If he plays a full season he could hit 20+ homers, 25+ doubles and walk close to 100 times.
10. Byron Buxton, MN
If Buxton is healthy he's one of the most dangerous bats in the game. That's always been the case, but he's always injured. The Twins are confident that he'll start the season in center field after undergoing knee surgery three months ago. He hit 28 homers in just 384 plate appearances in 2022, earning an All-Star nod and hitting a homer in the All-Star Game. Again, if healthy, he's an elite-level talent.
