These Two Central Division Teams

Could Make a Major Impact on the 2024 Season

The 2023 NFL Season has come to an end, and sights are now firmly set on the beginning of the 2024 Major League Baseball season. Pitchers and catchers have officially reported for camp, and while we are all fans of many different teams around the league, the major markets and perennial contenders tend to dominate the conversation. 


Before we go full swing, I’m going to take this opportunity to shine a little light on teams who could be the next breakout squads. Over the last number of years, we have seen teams bottom out, stock up on high-ceiling prospects, and then surge to the top of their respective divisions. Think about the Astros, Rays, Orioles, and even the Rangers most recently. Who could be the next team to turn their fortunes around focusing on an infusion of young talent ready to take it to the next level?


Let’s take a look at one American League and one National League team that we could see rise to the top of their division. They both come from the oft-forgotten Central Divisions and could certainly make some fans on both coasts take notice.

Detroit Tigers

The Tigers have been bad for a lot of years with only glimpses of prosperity in the Miguel Cabrera Era. Miggy is gone, so now what? The Tigers have been putting capital into the rebuilding of their Farm System. Two #1 Overall Picks in 3 years now anchor both the Rotation and the Lineup in Spencer Torkelson and Casey Mize, both ready to take the next step and lead the Tigers forward.

After an injury riddle start to his career, Mize should be able to return to form and what made him the #1 Overall Pick in 2018. Mize will headline a rotation featuring breakout arm Reese Olsen, veteran Kenta Maeda, and fellow 2018 draft pick Tarik Skubal in a rotation that could control the American League Central.

When your rookie season is at the same time, as names like Bobby Witt Jr. and Julio Rodriguez, it is easy to say that Spencer Torkelson didn’t live up to the expectation. If you look at his number, heading into his 3rd season he could, statistically speaking, be in the mix at 1B with names like Rhys Hoskins, Ryan Mountcastle, and even Pete Alonso.

Add this kind of cornerstone to a lineup with other emerging rookies like Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene, and Colt Keith, mixed with veterans like Mark Chana, Akil Badoo, and Javier Baez, this Tigers Lineup could produce enough runs to tear through the competition.

Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds could be one of the most intriguing teams in baseball this season. Much like the Tigers, the Reds' long-time superstar, Joey Votto, has retired. What is left behind is one of the youngest rosters in the league. Players like Elly De La Cruz, Noelvi Marte, and Hunter Greene who have been highly touted prospects will have an opportunity to make the Reds contenders once again.

Last season, as a rookie, Elly De La Cruz was one of the most exciting players to get called up in many years. An outstanding mix of both speed and power, as Elly comes into his own he will be in conversations with players like Julio Rodriguez and Ronald Acuna as one of the best in the league. This lineup though isn’t just Elly. It is compiled up and down with young players ready to make their mark on the league. 

Fans around the league will likely soon know names like Jonathan India, Matt McLain, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Spencer Steer along with the aforementioned Noelvi Marte in a lineup that could score runs in bunches. Then there is a rotation of young arms joining Hunter Greene on the bump. Pitchers Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, and Graham Ashcraft, a group of young arms that showed signs that they were ready and could develop into a force in a relatively weak NL Central. All these players have been in the league for less than 5 years and all have the ability to put on a show every night. In my opinion, the Reds could be the most exciting team to watch this season.


With these two young and hungry franchises ready to make their mark on the 2024 Major League Baseball Season the eyes of fans on the East and West Coast may be turning inward and taking notice when these teams are coming to play.

By Mike Carreiro