Detroit Tigers: Five Bold Second-Half Predictions for AL Central

Jun 22, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Kansas City Royals manager

(3) does an interview during batting practice before a game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Ned Yost wins Manager of the Year

It’s a very good possibility that Yost’s biggest competition for manager of the year in the AL will be fellow AL Central manager Paul Molitor, but we went with the bolder pick here.

Yost was a big target for baseball fans last fall even when the Royals kept winning and advanced to the World Series. Many argued Kansas City was winning despite their manager.

But let’s think about what Yost has been able to accomplish through the first half this season.

He is leading an organization that hasn’t won a division title in 30 years to the best record in the AL. As much as the All-Star voting results may say otherwise, Kansas City doesn’t have any huge stars, and they have, by far, the best bullpen in the AL, which has to be at least partially due to the way he manages it.

Molitor would be an excellent choice as well, but fans should not sleep on Yost.

Next: Dozier