It also means that Opening Day is around the corner.

For every club, the dream of a championship resonates throughout the organization.

While it may be more realistic for some teams to contend for baseball supremacy in 2015 than others, it is also time to take a look at some teams who are on the brink of contending this season and beyond.

Cleveland Indians

 If the baseball world did not know about Corey Kluber, they do now. The reigning American League Cy Young winner had a sparkling 2.44 ERA in 34 starts striking out 269 batters a year ago. Along with Kluber, the Indians also have young pitchers Carlos Carrasco and Trevor Bauer ready to take the next step for manager Terry Francona.

Offensively, Cleveland ranked roughly in the middle of the pack in the MLB in the most important offensive categories. Catcher Yan Gomes and outfielder Michael Brantley had career years in 2014, and they will look to build on their previous successes. Key offensive cogs Carlos Santana and Jason Kipnis had disappointing years after stellar 2013 campaigns, and they will be looking to lead the charge for the Indians in the now highly competitive American League Central.

Seattle Mariners

 The Mariners were in the playoff race until the final day of the regular season. Despite adding Robinson Cano from the New York Yankees, the Seattle offense was still among the worst in the league.

This winter, the Mariners added outfielder Nelson Cruz, who led the Majors with 40 home runs a season ago, to the fold and give the lineup a little more pop in the heart of the order. Playing half of their game in one of the most spacious ballparks in all of baseball, Safeco Field, will be a hamper on their offensive numbers.

The pitching staff for the Mariners is among the best in the league, anchored by perennial ace Felix Hernandez. Hernandez forms a capable duo with Hisahi Iwakuma ready to lead Seattle to the postseason for the first time since 2001.

The youth of the rotation is ready to take center stage for manager Lloyd McClendon. Southpaw James Paxton had success in his brief stint in the majors before suffering a shoulder injury and missing four months. Young righty Taijuan Walker is also looking to take the next step and become an annual fixture in the Mariner rotation.

 Miami Marlins

 Yes, they have two of the brightest young stars in the league in Giancarlo Stanton and Jose Fernandez. Both, however, are coming off major injuries.                                                                                          

Stanton is getting back into full form after taking a fastball to the face in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers late last year.

Fernandez is coming off of Tommy John surgery and will not be ready until about the All-Star Break in July.

Both will be instrumental in getting the Marlins to the playoffs this season, but a new cast of characters will also be apart of the journey.

Miami was one of the most active teams in the offseason getting the likes of Mat Latos, Dee Gordon, Michael Morse, and Martin Prado through free agency and trades. Miami should be considered one of the dark horses for a playoff spot in the mediocre National League East.

San Diego Padres

 The Padres were arguably the most aggressive team in the offseason. A team that has had four straight losing seasons and ranked dead last in virtually every offensive category needed a change.

They addressed their glaring need for offensive firepower by acquiring Wil Myers, Matt Kemp, Justin Upton, Derek Norris, and Will Middlebrooks to try and ignite the dormant Padre offense.

San Diego were no slouches in acquiring pitching arms either. The Padres acquired James Shields and Brandon Morrow to go along with Josh Johnson, Tyson Ross, and Andrew Cashner to presumably form the 2015 rotation for manager Bud Black.

These teams are looking to break through the proverbial wall to the playoffs in 2015, and should be monitored as potential candidates to make some noise in the postseason.

The post MLB Sleepers Poised to Take Next Step Toward Playoffs appeared first on KRUI Radio.

While pitchers and catchers have already reported, Spring Training games are set to begin, with several teams getting their first look at action on Tuesday, March 3.

With the MLB season kicking off, it presents the perfect time to start thinking about fantasy baseball.

Here are my top 5 players for the upcoming fantasy baseball season.

1. Mike Trout(Angels)-OF

Last season there was a debate for the #1 pick between Mike Trout and Miguel Cabrera.  In 2015, there is no more debate.  The clear number one pick this season, Trout took home his first AL MVP trophy after finishing second to Cabrera in the two seasons prior.  At just 23 years of age, Trout is a five-category monster and can be relied on to stuff the box score every day.  While Trout’s home run total jumped to a career high 36 in 2014, his average (.287) and stolen bases (16) were both career lows.  Trout also finished with a career high in strikeouts.  Despite concerns about those stats last season, Trout will not disappoint as the number one pick.  Trout should be able to raise his batting average to .300 or higher, and there have been reports from the Angels that Trout will try and steal more bases this season.  With the combination of power, speed, and batting average that Trout provides, those with the first pick should take him with confidence.

2. Giancarlo Stanton(Marlins)-OF

The 2014 season ended early for Giancarlo Stanton, who was hit in the face by a pitch and missed the final two weeks due to facial fractures.  It was not all bad for Stanton following the injury, as he received the largest contract in baseball history from the Marlins- 13 years and $325 million.  Even before his injury, Stanton had already set career bests in home runs, RBI, runs, and stolen bases.  Although his average will probably dip from the .288 it was last season, Stanton has a very legitimate shot at 40 home runs.  On top of his personal success, Miami has made some major moves to give the team a winning chance. The greater team success could lead to higher totals like runs and RBI for Stanton.

3. Andrew McCutchen(Pirates)-OF

It does not get much more reliable than Andrew McCutchen in fantasy baseball.  Before last season, when he landed on the disabled list with a rib fracture, McCutchen had not been on the disabled list in his entire six year major league career.  McCutchen has finished as an NL MVP finalist in the last three seasons, winning the award in 2013.  With the ability to hit 30 home runs and steal 20 bases while batting over .310, McCutchen is without a doubt a top three fantasy player.  His power numbers have tapered off since he hit 31 home runs in 2012, as he has failed to reach the 30 mark since.  However, in the prime of his career, McCutchen does have a chance to once again rach 30 home runs while scoring close to 100 runs, 90 RBI, 20 stolen bases, and an above .310 batting average.  Not only is McCutchen a safe pick, he is a five-tool player worthy of his draft spot.

4. Clayton Kershaw(Dodgers)-SP

Fantasy baseball in today’s world has seen pitchers become a deeper pool of talent, while offensive players lack the stability and star power in the deeper rounds.  However, Clayton Kershaw stands out above the rest as the number one pitcher, and a top five pick in all drafts.  After missing time at the beginning of the season with an injury, Kershaw finished with a record of 21-3, with 239 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.77.  His incredible stat line earned him both NL MVP and NL Cy Young.  Many thought is was crazy to expect Kershaw to have a better season than he did in 2013, but he did just that- and in close to 40 fewer innings.  It may be unrealistic to think Kershaw will even further improve on his 2014 campaign, but Kershaw will end up towards the top in each pitching stat by season’s end.  Although offense is hard to find in fantasy baseball, taking the best pitcher in baseball will do nothing but help a team.

5. Paul Goldschmidt(Diamondbacks)-1B

A broken hand after getting hit by a pitch ended Paul Goldschmidt’s season two months early.  This coming after a 2013 campaign in which Goldschmidt hit 36 home runs for 125 RBI.  Now back to full health and entering his prime seasons at the age of 27, Goldschmidt looks to be on track to put up the numbers close to what he did in 2013.  Although he had just 19 home runs before the injury in 2014, Goldschmidt still batted .300.  If a full, healthy season can come from Goldschmidt, a 100 run, 30 home run, 100 RBI, and around .300 average is a good expectation.  Also part of Goldschmidt’s game is his double digit steal totals as a first baseman.  A concern around Goldschmidt could be his team, as the Diamondbacks have been unable to field a solid lineup around him.  Over the past couple of seasons, weak lineups have not seem to have had a big impact on Goldschmidt’s personal statistics.  With the ability to bat for a high average with power, as well as some speed from the first base position, Goldschmidt will once again find himself in the top five offensive players in 2015.

The post Top 5 Fantasy Baseball Players for 2015 appeared first on KRUI Radio.