The AL Central has plenty of potential draft day bargains for fantasy enthusiasts heading into the 2025 season. The Chicago White Sox have faced struggles over the past few seasons, leading to significant roster changes aimed at rebuilding. With Mike Clevinger signed and young prospects like Dylan Cease on the roster, the Sox struggle with pitching depth, prompting questions about their rotation reliability.

The Cleveland Guardians, on the other hand, boast a strong rotation with Shane Bieber and newcomer John Means, both set to make returns mid-season. Tanner Bibee has emerged as a solid option, while Emmanuel Clase stands out in the bullpen as one of the league’s top closers. Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers hope for bounce-back years from former prospects like Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal, with the bullpen looking shaky due to injuries. The Kansas City Royals are also in transition with promising pitchers in Cole Ragans and Michael Wacha providing depth. Lastly, the Minnesota Twins' pitching depth makes them a contender in the AL Central, led by solid performers like Pablo Lopez and Joe Ryan.

The Chicago White Sox enter the 2025 season following a disastrous previous year, deemed the worst in modern MLB history. Despite offseason moves, expectations remain low. MLB The Show 25 unveiled player ratings, revealing that center fielder Luis Robert Jr. leads the team at 77, marking him as the lowest-rated top player across MLB teams. Relief pitcher Penn Murfee follows with a 75, while a cluster of players, including Davis Martin and Mike Tauchman, hover at 73. Notably, Andrew Vaughn and Andrew Benintendi are absent from the ratings due to injury and performance issues, respectively.

The Sox's lack of standout players is evident when compared to teams like the Miami Marlins and Colorado Rockies, who have more players rated above 76. With fewer elite players, the White Sox face an uphill battle in a competitive league.

The 2025 fantasy baseball season is on the horizon, and savvy managers should focus on pitcher prospects that can make a substantial impact. Roki Sasaki of the Los Angeles Dodgers leads the list, boasting impressive statistics from Japan, including a 2.02 ERA and over 500 strikeouts. With a starting rotation spot secured, he presents great upside for fantasy drafts.

Following Sasaki is Jackson Jobe, anticipated to join the Detroit Tigers' rotation after a solid debut. Andrew Painter of the Philadelphia Phillies is a potential stash option as he recovers from surgery. Other noteworthy names include Bubba Chandler (Pittsburgh Pirates) and Noah Schultz (Chicago White Sox), both of whom have shown promise in the minors. Late additions like Chase Dollander (Colorado Rockies) and Quinn Mathews (St. Louis Cardinals) could also surprise in the big leagues.

The AL Central division presents a paradox with teams operating under lower payrolls, yet each vying for postseason glory. The Minnesota Twins are currently viewed as the favorites, driven by key acquisitions like Harrison Bader and Ty France, but face injury concerns with stars Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa. The Tigers, with Tarik Skubal leading a solid rotation, also added Gleyber Torres, yet question their overall offensive depth. Kansas City hopes new additions will improve last year’s struggles, while the Guardians rely heavily on Jose Ramirez’s performance and need pitching help. The Chicago White Sox continue to underperform and face significant challenges ahead of the season.

As spring training heats up, fantasy baseball enthusiasts are gearing up for draft season. In the American League Central, several players present excellent value picks based on their current average draft positions (ADP). David Festa of the Minnesota Twins shows promise after improving significantly in his later appearances. Lane Thomas of the Cleveland Guardians, despite a shaky batting average last season, offers upside with his potential for home runs and steals. Parker Meadows from the Detroit Tigers rebounded nicely after a rough start to showcase his hitting capabilities. Andrew Vaughn of the Chicago White Sox had an impressive finish in 2024, making him a compelling late-round target. Lastly, Vinnie Pasquantino of the Kansas City Royals has demonstrated remarkable contact ability, making him someone to watch for a potential breakout season.