On Wednesday we looked at each team in the American League and identified a player on each team who should make a fantasy impact in the upcoming season. Today we are going to do the same thing but we are going to analyze the N.L. teams this time around.
N.L. East
1) Aaron Nola, Starting Pitcher, Philadelphia Phillies
While Nola doesn’t have the most dominating stuff he is much more advanced than the hitters he is currently facing in the minors leading to a likely starting spot in a Phillies rotation that lacks talent outside of Cole Hamels, and Cliff Lee. Nola won’t rack up a ton of strikeouts or get many wins on a bad Phillies team, but he should provide owners with a solid ERA and a good WHIP.
2) Jose Peraza, Second Base, Atlanta Braves
Peraza has a real shot to make the major league roster sooner rather than later this year and make a difference on big league club. With Tommy La Stella now a member of the Cubs this highly touted prospect will probably spend about a month in AAA before getting his call the Braves. He has the tools to be successful from the get go and should provide a ton of speed and a high batting average.
3) Adeiny Hechavarria, Short Stop, Miami Marlins
Hechavarria has been in the majors for two full seasons now and has yet to put it all the way together at the plate. With a much improved lineup around him matched with the improved plate discipline he showed last year Hechavarria should finally have his breakout season and score plenty of runs for his fantasy owners.
4)Drew Storen, Closing Pitcher, Washington Nationals
Four years ago Storen was the Nationals closer and he racked up an amazing 43 saves in just his second year in the big leagues. With Rafael Soriano now gone the closer’s job once again belongs to Storen where I fully expect him to regain his former dominance now that he has healed up from his injuries.
5) Noah Syndergaard, Starting Pitcher, New York Mets
Syndergaard is a flame throwing right hander who has been ranked as the second best pitching prospect in all of baseball. Syndergaard racked up 133 innings last year at AAA and even though he wasn’t overly successful with a 4.60 ERA, he had a 3.70 WHIP and is the type of talent that is going to be very difficult for the Mets to keep in the minors.
A.L. Central
1) Anthony DeSclafani, Starting Pitcher, Cincinnati Reds
DeSclafani has been a consistent pitcher throughout his journey in the minors. He doesn’t do any one thing particularly well but does multiple things at an above average level. Even though he scuffled mightily in his call up last season for the minors, he should get a chance to show what he is capable once again this year with the available rotation spot after the Latos trade.
2) Kris Bryant, Third Base, Chicago Cubs
Bryant has excelled in every level of the minor leagues and has no business remaining there when the season starts up next year. Last season was split half in AA half in AAA where Bryant hit a combined .325 with 43 homeruns, 110 RBI and 118 runs. With Mike Olt failing miserably last year with the Cubs and with the team showing it is more than willing to call up it’s prospects, expect Bryant to make the big league club and make a huge impact right away.
3) Khris Davis, Outfield, Milwaukee Brewers
Davis did not have a good year last season on his way to only batting .244, but he did at least manage to hit 22 homeruns. While Davis may never be able to hit for a very high average he should be able to hit .275 with 25-30 homeruns this year. If Braun is able to stay healthy this season that should really benefit Davis and finally lunge him towards the breakout season many thought he would have last season.
4) Randal Grichuk, Outfield, St. Louis Cardinals
Grichuk has displayed good power through all levels of the minors and got a small taste of big league pitching last season. While he wasn’t successful upon being called up Grichuk has good power upside from the outfield position. The Cardinals outfield is a fairly thin one which could lead to an extended look for Grichuk this season even if he gets off to a slow start.
5) Gregory Polanco, Outfield, Pittsburgh Pirates
Polanco was one of the top prospects in the Pirates system for years and got his first big league action last year. Polanco may not have lived up to the hype last season but already having gotten his feet should be very beneficial for him as he looks to develop into the multi talented prospect that we saw developing in the minors.
A.L.West
1) Joc Pederson, Outfield, Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers called up Pederson last season but he barely saw the field in what was a crowded outfield. Now Matt Kemp is out if the picture leaving centerfield wide open for the extremely talented Pederson. Pederson has all the talent you want in a fantasy player, power, speed and the ability to hit for a high average. Don’t be shocked if he ahs a monster year that wins him rookie of the year in a landslide, he’s that talented!
2) Jedd Gyorko, Second Base, San Diego Padres
Gyorko has always had the talent the problem has been his ability to stay on the field. Injuries have really derailed his career up to this point. If he is able to stay healthy, which is a big if, he can provide plus power from the middle infield position. If Gyorko can bat .260 or higher with his power upside and the improved lineup around him this could be the year he breaks out for a big season.
3) Brandon Belt, First Base, San Francisco Giants
Belt has been a serviceable player for the Giants the last four years but has been unable to put it all together for one big season. Last year may have been that year if it weren’t for an injury that cost him a ton of time and that hampered all year long after he came back. If Belt manages to stay healthy he should be capable of eclipsing the 20 homerun mark and bat for a near .280 mark.
4) Nolan Arenado, Third Base, Colorado Rockies
Arenado was good for the Rockies last year but he is young and has barely touched the surface of his talent. Arenado hit a respectable .287 last year with 18 homeruns but he is capable of much more. Playing half of his games in Colorado is going to provide a big bonus to his power numbers and he should easily top the 25 homerun mark with plenty of RBI and runs to go around with the powerful lineup that surrounds him.
5) Archie Bradley, Starting Pitcher, Arizona Diamondbacks
Last year was supposed to be the year Bradley got called up but he struggled all season long and dealt with injuries that kept him down in the minors. If the Diamondbacks hope to contend this year they are going to need their talented young right hander to help stabilize a rotation that was atrocious last season. Bradley has a 9.5K/9 in his minor league career but has a 4.9BB/9. If he is able to control his pitches he has the type of pitches that can translate into big league dominance.