MLB spring training: 1 bold prediction for every AL East team

The American League East once again boasts a plethora of talented teams. Here’s a bold prediction for each team in the division for 2023.

The American League East is the AL’s most competitive division.

The Yankees are coming off an ALCS appearance and not only re-signed superstar outfielder Aaron Judge, but signed star left-hander Carlos Rodon. The Blue Jays added young outfield slugger Daulton Varsho to an already dangerous roster. The Rays, despite one of baseball’s lowest payrolls, will be competitive as well. The Orioles have a tantalizing group of young talent. The Red Sox, meanwhile, lost Xander Bogaerts and a plethora of other free agents this offseason and will be without shortstop Trevor Story for most, if not all, of the 2023 season.

How will it play out? The Yankees are the favorites to win the division once again, but anything can happen, especially in the AL East.

Here are five predictions for the AL East coming out of MLB Spring Training

New York Yankees

Prediction: Anthony Volpe wins American League Rookie of the Year.

This could go in many different directions. It could center around Aaron Judge. It could be about their starting pitching that’s headlined by Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon. But I’ll go in a different direction.

It’s time to look at Anthony Volpe. First off, I understand it’s spring training. These stats are (mostly) meaningless and it’s an absurdly small sample size. Still, it’s hard to ignore that Volpe, 21, is hitting .353/.450/.647 with a 1.097 OPS in 20 plate appearances.

There’s a reason why the Yankees have passed on two consecutive historically deep free-agent shortstop classes and elected to go with short-term options. They did not want to block Volpe’s path to consistent playing time in the majors, as the team believes he’s bound for stardom sooner than later.

So far, Volpe has given the Yankees every reason to believe they made the right choice. He’s now making a strong case to make the Opening Day roster and if he does, immediately puts himself squarely in the Rookie of the Year competition.