Columnist predicts Kolten Wong for Rookie of the Year

When MLB.com columnists recently made some way-too-early predictions for the 2014 baseball season, Richard Justice predicts that St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong will be the National League Rookie of the Year.
Feb 19, 2013; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals player Kolten Wong poses for a picture during photo day at Roger Dean Stadium. Image Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
In addition to predicting Wong as the NL ROY, Justice also says that the Cardinals will defeat the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in seven games. With the money spent on the Angels teams in the last two seasons, I’m surprised that they haven’t made a deep postseason run yet. Of course, the biggest question to ask is just how healthy will Albert Pujols be this season. I’m rooting for Pujols to rebound from a disappointing 2013 season. He’s on pace to achieve two milestones this season: 2,500 career hits and 500 home runs.

Mike Bauman predicts a World Series match-up between the Cardinals and the Detroit Tigers. It nearly happened this year. The teams matched up against each other three times before during the 1934, 1968, and 2006 postseasons. I’m sure Max Scherzer would love the opportunity to have the chance to pitch at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

With the offseason moves, Bauman writes that the Cardinals “appear to be even better than the team that led the league in victories and won the NL pennant.”

While I disagree with Anthony Castrovince on his World Series predictions, I applaud him for saying that Oscar Taveras will become a nationally recognized name.

Columnist Phil Rogers predicts an NLCS matchup between the Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers and an ALCS matchup between the Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers.

Lyle Spencer predicts another Cardinals/Dodgers NLCS, saying that “they’re so deep, so good, it’s easy to see them facing off in another NL Championship Series showdown.”

Spencer also predicts that Allen Craig will win the NL MVP Award. On his prediction, Spencer adds: “Mr. Clutch can drive in 140 runs if he stays healthy behind Matt Carpenter, Peter Bourjos and Matt Holliday.”