1 must-watch player for each AL team this spring

As spring training gets underway, we examine one player from every American League club who's worth keeping an eye on ahead of the regular season.

American League East

Blue Jays: Alek Manoah, SP

All eyes will be on Manoah this spring after a disastrous 2023 campaign. The 2022 AL Cy Young finalist was sent down to the Florida Complex League and finished the season with a 5.87 ERA and 1.74 WHIP over 19 starts. Manoah enters spring training with a spot in the rotation, but a bumpy performance will lead to plenty of questions. Returning to the form of his first two MLB seasons would go a long way to helping Toronto maintain its place as one of the best rotations in the American League.

Orioles: Jackson Holliday, SS

Holliday is baseball's top prospect after hitting an impressive .323 with a .941 OPS in the minors last season. The 20-year-old's hit tool is off the charts. He'd be a talented addition to an Orioles lineup loaded with homegrown stars and coming off a surprising AL East title in 2023. Holliday is likely ticketed for Triple-A to start the season, but a strong performance in spring could go a long way to making his stay in the minors a short one.

Rays: Shane Baz, SP

Baz appears ready to return to a major-league mound after missing most of the last two seasons following Tommy John surgery. The 24-year-old was the Rays' top prospect in 2022 and showed brief flashes of his talent in nine career starts. With the Rays' rotation decimated by injuries to Shane McClanahan, Jeffrey Springs, and Drew Rasmussen, they'll be counting on Baz to stay healthy and productive if they're to remain a contender in the always competitive AL East.

Red Sox: Vaughn Grissom, 2B

The Red Sox acquired Grissom in the trade that sent Chris Sale to the Braves. Grissom should have fond memories of Fenway Park; he hit his first MLB homer in his debut at the famed stadium in 2022. The 23-year-old had a hard time earning consistent playing time in a loaded Braves lineup but appears to have the inside track to be Alex Cora's second baseman in 2024. Grissom boasts a strong hit tool and a good eye for the strike zone. There's plenty of reason to think he could emerge as a mainstay in the Red Sox lineup this season and beyond.

Yankees: Carlos Rodón, SP

The Yankees showed strong interest in Yoshinobu Yamamoto in free agency and signed Marcus Stroman to bolster the rotation. Still, Rodón must put a turbulent 2023 behind him if New York is to return to playoff contention. The Yankees will be in major trouble if the talented left-hander can't stay healthy and productive after posting a 6.85 ERA in just 14 starts last season - the first year of a $162-million contract.

American League Central

Guardians: Kyle Manzardo, 1B

Acquired from the Rays last season for Aaron Civale, Manzardo has intriguing power potential and looks positioned to be Cleveland's starting first baseman this season. Manzardo could provide a much-needed boost to a Guardians lineup that finished dead last in home runs last season, 27 long balls behind the Washington Nationals.

Royals: Nick Loftin, IF

Loftin had a successful cameo for the Royals at the end of the 2023 season, hitting .323 with 10 runs scored and 10 RBIs in 19 games. The 25-year-old's path to playing time could be blocked by the signing of Adam Frazier. However, the Royals should seek a pathway to at-bats for Loftin, who could hit double digits in home runs and stolen bases if given an opportunity to play consistently.

Tigers: Colt Keith, 2B

Keith will have plenty of eyes on him in camp after inking a six-year, $28.6-million deal without having played an MLB game. The 22-year-old tore through the Tigers' minor-league system last season, slashing .306/.380/.552 with 27 homers, 38 doubles, and 101 RBIs. If he can produce at a similar clip this spring, the starting second base job in Detroit is as good as his. The Tigers' options aside from Keith include Andy Ibáñez and Matt Vierling.

Twins: Byron Buxton, OF

The oft-injured Buxton is expected to return to full-time duties in center field after suiting up exclusively as a designated hitter in 2023. The one-time Platinum Glove winner is a dynamic player who puts up MVP-type numbers when healthy - but he hasn't played more than 92 games since 2017.

White Sox: Dylan Cease, SP

Cease's name was bandied about in trade rumors for most of the winter, but the White Sox never pulled the trigger on a deal after placing an expensive price tag on their ace. If the righty struggles in spring training, Chicago's new front office will certainly be bombarded with questions about why they didn't trade the hurler while the iron was hot. However, teams with injuries in their rotations could yet target Cease for Opening Day.

American League West

Angels: Mike Trout, OF

With Shohei Ohtani out the door, Trout will be responsible for carrying the bulk of the Angels' offensive workload once again. Doing so might be a tall task for the three-time MVP who's struggled to stay healthy in recent years. When Trout is on the field, he remains one of the game's best, but the Angels could be looking at another playoff absence if he misses significant time. Spring camp should provide a good gauge of how things could go for Los Angeles this season.

Astros: Yainer Diaz

The Astros are entrusting Diaz with their starting catching job after the 25-year-old performed well in his rookie campaign, posting an .846 OPS with 23 homers. Houston is trying to reclaim the crown as the best team in Texas from the Rangers, so any sort of sophomore slump from Diaz in spring camp could lead to veteran backstop Victor Caratini becoming the starter.

Athletics: Mason Miller

Miller looked terrific in a small sample size with the A's last season, lighting up radar guns before an elbow sprain cut his season short. Oakland anticipates using him as a reliever and potential closer this season, which should save the strain on his arm. He'll be an interesting name to keep an eye on in camp, considering the A's other best options at closer are Dany Jiménez and Trevor Gott, who have a combined 18 career saves.

Mariners: Mitch Haniger

Haniger's best years came with the Mariners before he departed for the Giants in free agency last winter. He returns to the Pacific Northwest having sustained a fractured forearm and back issues last season. When healthy, Haniger has 30-homer, 100-RBI potential. Can he avoid the injuries that have limited him throughout his career?

Rangers: Wyatt Langford

Langford absolutely lit up the Rangers' minor-league system (1.157 OPS in 44 games) after they selected him with the fourth pick in last season's draft. His performances were good enough to earn a look in the reigning World Series champions' spring camp, where he could rotate through the outfield and DH spots with Evan Carter, Leody Taveras, and Adolis García.