Elly De La Cruz (Creative Commons: Minda Haas Kuhlma)
The NL Central, as it currently stands, is the Milwaukee Brewers and the four dwarfs. The talent distribution between the five teams seems fairly evenly distributed. It just seems like the Brewers make the best use of their talent. And while the talent in the division is close, it might be that the Brewers might have just a little bit more.
But who has the best talent going forward? I took a brief overview of the five teams and determined who had the best talent going forward. I picked the player I would like to have on my team for the next five seasons. Here’s a quick look:
Catcher: William Contreras
The Contreras brothers are the cream of the crop when it comes to catching in the division. Contreras is just 26 years old and is even better than his older brother, Willson. Gary Stephenson is not bad as the Reds catcher and is just 27 years old. The Pirates and Cubs are like Mrs. Hogwallop of “Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou” fame when it comes to catching. Looking for answers.
First base: Michael Busch
Busch is not the greatest defensive first baseman, but I believe he will get better and be a real force with the bat. His OPS is over .800 and climbing. Paul Goldschmidt seems to be in decline and the Pirates, Brewers and Reds lack a dominant force at the position.
Second Base: Nico Hoerner
I don’t make this pick with a lot of conviction. Actually, depending on how Matt McLain comes back from shoulder surgery, I would go with him. Nolan Gorman provides some power to the Cardinals lineup. but that’s about it. Brice Turang is having a great season for the Brewers and is sporting a WAR of 3.0. Plus, he’s only 24. His bat is much better this season, I’m just not sure that his improvement is sustainable.
Shortstop: Elly De La Cruz
This division is absolutely stacked at this position. I have Dansby Swanson at number five. I have Oneil Cruz at number two, Willy Adames at number three, Masyn Winn at number four and Dansby Swanson at number five. And this isn’t meant as a slam on Swanson. It’s just right now the other four shortstops have a higher ceiling, are younger and cheaper than Dansby.
Third base: Joey Ortiz
I admit I don’t know a lot about Ortiz, but his stats are the best of the division’s third basemen. He has an OPS of .848, along decent defensive metrics and he is only 25. Meanwhile, Ke’Bryan Hayes is a glove first guy who swings a decent bat. No doubt the Pirates hope his offense will grow, though he is 27. Nolan Arenado was perhaps the best in the business for years, but he, like Goldschmidt, is showing his age. The Cubs and Reds hope to upgrade at the position.
Left field: Ian Happ
Once again, no conviction with this pick. Christian Yelich would be my pick for right now, but he’s 32 and Happ is 29, as is Bryan Reynolds who is a pretty similar player to Ian Happ. I’m not overwhelmed by the Cardinals and Reds current options at the position.
Center field: Cody Bellinger
The division is not stacked with good center fielders. Bellinger seems to be the best of a mediocre lot. And at 28, he’s not old. I actually considered going with Pete Crow-Armstrong. I suspect we’ll see a lot of turnover at this position in the next couple of seasons.
Right field: Jackson Chourio
Once again, the division doesn’t have a lot of great right fielders. Or any great right fielders for that matter. Seiya Suzuki may have the best hitting stats, but goes though spells where he looks lost, and isn’t a particularly good fielder. Once again, the Brewers seem to be convinced that Chourio will be outstanding. I’m guessing they’re right. The Cardinals, Reds and Pirates could all use help at the position.
I considered looking at DHs and pitchers but considered those situations to be too fluid to think that far ahead. Who are your picks?
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