1. New York Yankees
For the first time since 2007, the Yankees have a core group of young players with which they could build a playoff team. Let’s hope they do better here than they did with Joba Chamberlain, Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes.
During his first extended time in the majors last season, catcher Gary Sanchez hit .299/.376/.657 with 20 home runs in 229 plate appearances last year. Though it’s likely impossible to replicate that pace over a full season, Sanchez has already proven that he’s capable of being a star.
As for Aaron Judge, the outfielder struggled at the plate in the majors last season but still managed to flash his power with four home runs in 94 at-bats. He also hit one off the scoreboard in a Spring Training game on Friday. First baseman Greg Bird is coming off an injury, having missed all of last season with a torn labrum, but his .871 OPS in 2015 signaled that he should be a long-term replacement for Mark Teixeira at first base.
Tyler Austin, another first baseman, is the biggest question mark of the four. He’ll be missing six weeks with a foot injury (more on that here) and the team will have to carve out playing time for him. But after tearing up AAA ball and holding his own with a respectable .758 OPS in the majors last season, the Yankees will have to find a place for him.