Yay!! Yay For Opening Day!! (Make Your Predictions)

Now, I'll be 100% honest. It is quite likely that you will need to remind me toward the end of the season that we should look back at our predictions, but it's always fun to make them! The Twins Daily writers that participated are: @Seth Stohs, @John Bonnes, @Cody Christie, @Ted Schwerzler, @Nash Walker, @David Youngs, @renabanena, @Steve Lein, @Lucas Seehafer PT, @Matthew Lenz, @Jeremy Nygaard, @Dave Overlund, @Andrew Mahlke, and @Theo Tollefson. (Be sure to click on those links and Follow these writers.)

Where do we start? How about we give our thoughts on how this massively-altered Minnesota Twins roster will perform over the course of the full season. No question, the Chicago White Sox are the favorites in the division. Beyond the Southsiders, however, you could make cases for 2nd place finishes or 5th place finishes for the Detroit Tigers, the Cleveland Guardians, the Kansas City Royals, and the Twins. 

Question 1: What will the Twins record be in 2022?

Getting right to the point, right? Well, 13 of our writers provided their predictions, and here is a breakdown: 
92-70 (1)
91-71 (1)
90-72 (1) 
87-75 (1)
86-76 (2)
85-77 (3)
84-78 (1)
82-80 (1)
75-87 (2) 

It appears that the majority think that the Twins will be a mid-80s win team. Seven of the 13 have the Twins winning between 84 and 87 games.

Question 2: Where will the Twins finish in the division? 
Results: 
1st Place (2)
2nd Place (9)
3rd Place (3)

Most think that the Twins will finish in second place. It would seem to put them into a race for a playoffs spot late into the season. 

Question 3: How will the division pan out? 
Results: 
1st Place:  White Sox (12), Twins (2) 
2nd Place: Twins (9), Tigers (2), White Sox (2), Royals (1). 
3rd Place: Tigers (9), Twins (3), Guardians (1), Royals (1) 
4th Place: Guardians (8), Royals (4), Tigers (2) 
5th Place: Royals (8), Guardians (5), Tigers (1) 

So there are the 'Team' predictions. The White Sox certainly go in as the favorites. On a Minnesota Twins site, our writers felt that the Twins are the favorite to finish in second place, with the Tigers in third, Guardians in fourth, and the Royals finishing where the Twins did just last season. 

Now let's get to the Individual Award Predictions. 

Question #4: Will the Twins have any Silver Slugger Award winners in 2022?
The Silver Slugger goes to the best hitter at each position, one winner in each league. Nelson Cruz won a couple of them with the Twins in 2019 and 2020. Mitch Garver did in 2019. 

Results: 
No (7)
Byron Buxton (5)
Carlos Correa (3)
Jorge Polanco (1)
Gary Sanchez (1) 

Question #5: Will the Twins have any Gold Glove winners in 2022? 

Results: 
Byron Buxton (13)
Carlos Correa (13)
No (1) 

Strong up the middle! 

Question #6: Who will be the Twins Top Rookie in 2022? 

Results: 
Joe Ryan (7)
Jhoan Duran (3)
Josh Winder (3)
Jose Miranda (1) 

You get an Opening Day start as a rookie, you're probably pretty good. But a couple of big-time prospects that will start the season in the bullpen also caught our eyes. 

Question #7: Who will be the Twins Most Improved Player in 2022? 

Results: 
Ryan Jeffers (5)
Jorge Alcala (2) 
Joe Ryan (2) 
Also getting (1) vote: Miguel Sano, Alex Kirilloff, Trevor Larnach, Max Kepler, Gary Sanchez 

The Twins have shown their confidence in Ryan Jeffers despite a tough 2021 season, and several of our writers believe he will justify it.

Question #8: Who will be the Twins Top Pitcher in 2022?

Results:
Sonny Gray (9)
Joe Ryan (3) 
Bailey Ober (1)
Dylan Bundy (1) 

The new guys gets to preseason title. Sonny Gray came to the Twins from the Reds. He has had a lot of success over his career. 

Question #9: Who will be the Twins Most Valuable Player in 2022? 

Results: 
Byron Buxton (8)
Carlos Correa (5)
Alex Kirilloff (1)

Like Correa himself said, this is Byron Buxton's team. If he stays on the field, the Twins MVP could be in his sights, but the league MVP could be as well. 

Today also marks Minor League Opening Day for the Double-A and A-ball leagues. The Saints started their season on Tuesday. The final three preseason awards are minor league predictions. 

Question #10: Who will be the Twins Daily Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Year in 2022?

Results: 
Jordan Gore (3) 
Denny Bentley (2)
Ronny Henriquez (2) 
Others who received (1) vote: Steven Cruz, Marco Raya, Jhoan Duran, Ryan Mason, Yennier Cano, Jovani Moran 

This is a tough category as sometimes guys just move to the bullpen without us knowing. Here's hoping that Duran never pitches in the minor leagues and that  Jovani Moran gets to the big leagues quickly. Let's also hope that Marco Raya and Ronny Henriquez remain starters. Gore was the Twins Daily 2021 Minor League All-Star Right-Handed Relief Pitcher. 

Question 11: Who will be the Twins Daily Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year in 2022?

Results:
Matt Canterino (4)
Jordan Balazovic (2) 
Others who received (1) vote: Cade Povich, Simeon Woods Richardson, Ronny Henriquez, Cole Sands, Blayne Enlow, Marco Raya, Sawyer Gipson-Long, Louie Varland. 

Maybe it's just me, but I think it is exciting to see this many names mentioned. We know the potential that Canterino and Balazovich had shown, and yet our writers found several more names that they think could have special seasons. 

Question 12: Who will be the Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Year in 2022? 

Results: 
Royce Lewis (4)
Matt Wallner (3)
Aaron Sabato (2)
Austin Martin (2)
Emmanuel Rodriguez (2)
Jose Miranda (1) 

Our writers generally believe in Royce and in his comeback this season. Good to see Matt Wallner well regarded for his immense power potential. Same with Aaron Sabato after what had to be a frustrating 2021 debut season. And, if Jose Miranda plays well enough in St. Paul to win the Minor League Hitter of the Year award again, you have to wonder why he isn't getting an opportunity with the Twins! 

There you have it... 12 questions for you to consider. We hope you've enjoyed seeing and reading our predictions, but now it's your turn to make your predictions in the comments. That's where you'll be able to find my individual picks.