MLB Predictions: NL Central

Unlike the NL East yesterday, the NL Central could go many a different ways at the top. But the bottom is looking pretty predictable.


1) St. Louis Cardinals

A lot of people are on the Reds to repeat. I'm not. The Cardinals are looking solid as always and even though they've lost Chris Carpenter. Look out for the guy above, Adam Wainwright. He's a year removed from Tommy John Surgery and he's going to have a big year at the top of the Cardinal rotation. The offense is still there, Beltran is as good as he's ever been, Yaddy is a leader, Freese is a stud if healthy and Allan Craig is a budding star. Also, keep an eye on their top prospects. We got glimpses of Trevor Rosenthal and Shelby Miller on the mound last year in the playoffs. But their biggest stud is in the outfield, Oscar Taveras.

2) Cincinnati Reds

On paper, the Reds might be the best team. My problem with the Reds is they haven't proven they can sustain success. The last time they made the playoffs, they fell off the year after. Joey Votto needs to stay healthy to go with Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce. We know what we'll get from Johnny Cueto at the top of the rotation and we definitely know what we'll get with the back end of the Reds bullpen (Sean Marshall, Jonathan Broxton, Aroldis Chapman). There are three players that will be essential to the Reds this season. First is Mat Latos (above), Mat had a solid season last year but didn't deliver in the playoffs, he needs to be that number two behind Cueto. Second is Todd Frazier, third base is finally all his, he needs to avoid the sophomore slump or else there's a gaping hole there. Lastly is Shin-Soo Choo, it was an odd acquisition to me because the Reds got rid of a really good defensive center fielder in Drew Stubbs and are now replacing him with Choo who has predominantly been a right fielder. Keep an eye on top prospect Billy Hamilton to eventually be the centerfielder because the biggest problem for the Reds was not having a  good leadoff hitter. Hamilton broke the record for stolen bases in the minors last year with over 130.

Sounds like a potential leadoff man to me.

3) Pittsburgh Pirates

First off, really wasn't a fan of the Joel Hanrahan trade in the offseason. I don't get how you can trade away one of the best closers in the NL for a less than stellar package from the Red Sox, but they think Jason Grilli can fill in, we'll see. The Pirates have a stable of starters waiting in the Minors and this is why I like them. Former #1 overall draft pick Gerrit Cole is almost ready for the call up and former #2 overall pick Jameson Taillon is pretty close himself. Those two might play a huge role this season for the Pirates who are still looking for their first .500 season since the early 90s. Andrew Mccutchen (above) is the unquestioned leader of the Pirates. He can do it all, but can he get the next to impossible done for the Pirates and make them a winner?

4) Milwaukee Brewers

A lot of us have heard the Ryan Braun rumor with PEDs. If he gets suspended, this team has no shot. The other running rumor is that he's going to be at some point this season, so I'm not a big fan of the Brewers. They're already down Mat Gamel (Torn ACL) and Corey Hart (Ankle). Rickie Weeks is extremely frustrating and can't be counted on. They have a stud at the top of the rotation in Yovani Gallardo and a pretty solid closer in John Axord. But to me, way to many question marks for this team

5) Chicago Cubs

Here's a shocker right? I mean what can I say about the Cubs? They're still rebuilding and I'm sure eventually Theo Epstein's going to get these guys back, but it will not be this season, and with the Astros in the AL West now. The cellar is all Chicago's to move into for a couple years. They do possess however arguably the best young hitter in the division, first baseman Anthony Rizzo (above). I love their second baseman Darwin Barney. I wish he was on a better team so he could get more notoriety. Starlin Castro is a stud who needs to finally realize how good he can be and scrap the lapses. Still, last place is undoubtedly the fate for these Cubbies.