With the regular season about to begin, there are some players who are sure to make headlines for all sorts of reasons: comebacks from injury, guys turning a corner, turning great talent into even better results and more than a few who can propel their teams into the postseason with peak performances. Who are those 15 for '15 who are the most intriguing players in the American League? And when picking these top players, who better to help us show them off than Topps?
As a rookie, Cuban slugger Jose Abreu belted 36 homers, 29 of them in the first half. What if he does that over a full season? Topps Former triple crown winner and two-time AL MVP Miguel Cabrera followed a four-year run with a 1.037 OPS with an .895 season. Can he return to his former heights? Topps Nelson Cruz silenced critics of his Biogenesis connection with a 40-homer season with the Orioles. But will he now power the Mariners into October? Topps If Chris Davis of the Orioles can get his timing back, a return to his 2013 Crush groove for 53 home runs may not be out of the question. Topps Third baseman Josh Donaldson joins the Blue Jays with expectations of contending for both an AL East title and an AL MVP trophy. Topps Prince Fielder was traded to the Rangers before 2014 with expectations he'd deliver poundings from the plate. Will he do that now that he's healthy? Topps Traded to the A's as part of a package for Josh Donaldson, Brett Lawrie has big shoes to fill at Oakland's hot corner. Topps Manny Machado's sweet fielding at third conjures up memories of Brooks Robinson, but will he finally break out at the plate in his age-23 season? Topps Set to play left field in Fenway Park, Hanley Ramirez is back with Boston and ready to do what he does best: just hit. Topps Hard-throwing Garrett Richards was coming into his own as the ace of Anaheim before tearing up his left knee. If he's back, the Angels might be too. Topps After missing most of 2013 and all of 2014, what does Alex Rodriguez have left in the tank to help an aging Yankees roster contend one more time? Topps A 30-start season from southpaw Chris Sale could put the White Sox atop the AL Central and the lanky lefty into serious Cy Young consideration. Topps In his first three full seasons, Mike Trout won an MVP and Rookie of the Year. What can baseball's best ballplayer do to top an already incomparable start to a career? Topps Can former MVP Justin Verlander adapt to life without 99 mph heat, harness his sweet secondary stuff and become the Tigers' top gun once again? Topps Pumping gas at 97 mph, the Royals' Yordano Ventura had the highest average fastball velocity of any big league starter. Will he whiff 200 or more men? Topps