The NL East is one of the weakest divisions in baseball but that does not mean that it is void of fantasy talent. Fortunately for fantasy owners the overall team talent only plays a small part in how good a player can be. Jose Fernandez plays for the second worst team in all of baseball but still posted fantastic numbers for owners who were lucky enough to grab him in free agency last year. Here’s a look at some of the studs from the NL East that you should look to draft on your team this year.
Freddie Freeman Atlanta Braves, First Base
Freddie Freeman is one of the better first baseman in all of baseball, and at only 24 years old he is just beginning to hit his prime. Freeman has cut his strikeout rate every season and increased his walk rate as well as contact rate. The more consistent contact led Freeman to batting a career high .319 last season while also posting a career high 109 RBI and maintaining his power by hitting 23 homeruns for the second consecutive season.
Besides his constant improvement at the plate every year Freeman has proven himself to be very durable as he has played in at least 147 games every season. Fantasy owners should look for Freeman to post similar numbers to last season with the chance at an increase of power as he enters his prime years.
David Wright New York Mets, Third Base
One of the most consistent and well rounded players in all of baseball David Wright provides fantasy owners with across the boards stats. The only knock on Wright has been the recent durability issues. Two of the last three seasons Wright has played112 or fewer games. When healthy though you can’t ask for a more well rounded player. Year in and year out you can count on around 15 steals, 90 runs, 100 RBI, .300 average, and 25 homeruns, when healthy. There are less than a handful of players who can provide these types of well rounded numbers and you would be lucky to have this player on your fantasy team.
Cliff Lee Philadelphia Phillies, Starting Pitcher
Cliff Lee might be the David Wright of pitchers. He is extremely consistent from year to year posting elite stats in every pitching category. Since Cliff Lee joined the Phillies he has had over 200 strikeouts and an ERA over three only once.
Lee also has what is probably the best control of any pitcher in baseball his walk rate are astonishing low which is really going to help you in WHIP department. Despite his age you would be a fool to bet against Lee as he has some of his best seasons over the past four years.
Stephen Strasburg Starting Pitcher, Washington Nationals
Strasburg is one of the youngest and most dominant pitchers in all of baseball. Strasburg has yet to have a K/9 under 9 and in his age 25 season he looks to improve in his dominance over opposing batters.
Generally with power pitchers you tend to get a higher WHIP but that’s not the case with Strasburg. Strasburg walked 56 batters last season and despite pitching 25 more innings gave up exactly 136 hits for the second consecutive season which was good for a 1.049 WHIP. If you are fortunate enough to draft Strasburg you have a guy on your team capable of posting CY Young type numbers who is generally being drafted in the fourth round.
Ian Desmond Shortstop, Washington Nationals
Ian Desmond has been one of the more underrated players at his position over the past couple of seasons. Desmond puts up top five statistics in nearly every batting category as far as shortstops are concerned. You can usually grab Desmond around the sixth round and I would highly recommend doing so as the drop off at the position after Desmond is a steep one.
Desmond is one of the only shortstops who can provide you with both power and speed, and has put up a 20/20 season in consecutive seasons. He can also provide your team with a decent average but won’t give you much in terms of OBP seeing as his career high in walks was set last season at a measly 43.