Juan Soto

Seven bold predictions for the 2022 MLB season, featuring MVP picks, a rookie sensation & breakout teams

Home » MLB » MLB preseason predictions 2022: Awards, World Series prediction & more

It’s time to make our MLB preseason predictions 2022. Opening Day is just a couple of weeks away and, even though it may seem quite early to talk about the final outcome of the campaign, we feel pretty confident in our picks.

MLB preseason predictions 2022

This has been an offseason for the ages. Some teams have spent cash like crazy, while others still refuse to make a minor investment to try and be competitive. But as history has shown us, it’s not all about spending big bucks and it takes a lot to thrive in Major League Baseball.

So, judging by what we’ve seen thus far, the moves teams made, and the potential of their farm systems, let’s take a look at our boldest predictions for the upcoming campaign. That includes the AL and NL MVP winners and the World Series champion.

Yankees will miss the Playoffs

The Toronto Blue Jays were a perennial playoff contender but eventually fell short of that goal last season. This time, it’ll be the New York Yankees’ turn to watch from the sidelines, as they won’t be able to keep up with the Jays, Boston Red Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays. They just don’t have enough pitching to beat them in the race for the top of the AL East, nor do they seem interested in solving that issue.

Brian Cashman needed to bolster their rotation and add someone besides Gerrit Cole. Instead, he moved Gary Sanchez to land Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. While that move isn’t questionable per sé, the Yankees once again failed to address their biggest flaw. Also, Aroldis Chapman is expected to be on the decline and this might well be Aaron Boone‘s final year in charge.

       

Bobby Witt Jr. becomes a top-10 MVP candidate

Bobby Witt Jr. has yet to play a single minute in the Majors, yet he’s expected to be the most impactful rookie in all of baseball. He’ll make the Kansas City Royals Opening Day roster and prove why he’s one of the most hyped prospects in recent MLB history. He’s got Mike Trout‘s swing and Francisco Lindor‘s defense, all in one.

While there’s no denying that Salvador Perez will still be the Royals’ MVP after such a historical season last year, it won’t take long before Witt Jr. takes all the spotlight from him. Not only will he run away with the AL Rookie of the Year award but he’s also going to be a top-10 MVP candidate for most of the season. He’s coming off slashing .290/.361/.576 in the Minors and is ready to rake in the Big Show.

Tigers will make a big push

The Detroit Tigers made some interesting moves in the offseason. Besides the obvious upside of signing Javier Baez, Spencer Torkelson will finally get the playing time he deserves to break out as the star he’s projected to be.

Moreover, Eduardo Rodriguez will now play in a much easier division, while the Tigers could finally unleash their promising young pitchers in Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize, who spent all of last season on a pitch count.

       

The Tigers still need to address their mediocre bullpen and aren’t likely to top the Chicago White Sox for the top of the division. But they’re well-coached and have a nice combination of youth and experience with enough assets to pull off a couple of impactful trades in the offseason. A.J. Hinch made it clear that they want to win now and they’ve sure put themselves in a position to do so.

Juan Soto posts .500 OBP

Juan Soto will be one of the top MVP candidates this season but we’ll get to that when we make our MLB award predictions 2022. And even if he doesn’t end up taking the award home, we still expect him to make history by emulating the one and only Barry Bonds. That’s perhaps our boldest among all of the MLB preseason predictions 2022.

Soto will be the first player since Bonds to record a .500 OBP or higher. He’s perhaps the best lefty hitter in the game. He’s got the ability to make pitchers pay regardless of their speed and is a master at drawing contact. Hurlers will look to avoid his power more often than not and he’s likely to lead the league in both walks and intentional walks this season. Add 40+ home runs and some elite base-running and you have the recipe for a historically great OBP.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wins AL MVP

Shohei Ohtani stole all the spotlight and the headlines of the MLB award winners 2021 and for very good reason. His Babe Ruth kind of year was historic and exciting to watch. But let’s not act like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wasn’t also spectacular and deserving of at least one first-place vote. Now, with the Jays projected to lead the division and the American League, the table may finally turn.

Vladdy has stepped away from his Hall of Famer father’s shadow. He’s already one of the league’s most terrifying sluggers and has dropped even more weight entering this season. Barring injury, we expect him to lead the AL in homers and total bases while bringing the Jays back to the playoffs.

Ronald Acuña Jr. wins NL MVP

We already projected Juan Soto to make history this season but that still won’t be enough to earn MVP honors. Ronald Acuña Jr is expected to be back on the field just a couple of weeks after Opening Day and he’ll have the best season of his career yet, leading the Atlanta Braves in the post-Freddie Freeman era.

Acuña Jr. has the potential to hit for .300+ while hitting 30+ home runs and stealing 30+ bases. Along with Fernando Tatis Jr. he’s the most offensively gifted and versatile player in the Majors and will be eager to prove that he hasn’t missed a beat since his season-ending injury. The Braves finished the season strong and are expected to build from that momentum. And alternating Acuña Jr. between the outfield and the DH spot will keep him fresh and healthy.

Dodgers win another World Series

Well, this isn’t much of a bold take. The Los Angeles Dodgers have the most firepower in Major League Baseball and it’s not close. Not even losing former World Series MVP Corey Seager could hurt them, as they just shifted their infield by moving Max Muncy to second base, Trea Turner to shortstop, and signed Freddie Freeman to be their new first baseman.

That’s the kind of team one could only dream of or put together in a video game.

Dave Roberts has already guaranteed that the Dodgers will win the 2022 World Series if their pitching staff stays healthy, and it’s hard to argue with that statement. They no longer have a liability in Kenley Jansen and have the most talent of all teams by a very long stretch.

Maybe they could use a fourth starter, especially depending on Trevor Bauer‘s fate and Clayton Kershaw‘s recent health concerns, and Roberts’ decisions are often questionable. But no team can beat them in a seven-game series. That’s our World Series prediction 2022. Sorry if it we didn’t blow your mind with a sleeper pick or a dark hose candidate.

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