In My Opinion: Best in the NL Central
This is 100% opinion based on who I see as the best players in the NL East and who I can see having a legit shot at the HOF.
The kind of explain how I get these categories for Honorable Mentions I feel like they aren't the most exciting player, but one who should be paid attention to at this point in their career where they are now and where I think they are going
Most Exciting players are the guys you have to watch that are just electric and going to be around for a while and making noise.
HOF candidates are guys who I can see when their careers are over are likely to be considered for the HOF
Honorable Mentions Hitters
Andrew McCutchen- OF Phillies- He has been one of those that don't own any one category. But has been one of those guys that makes it and has a long time career. That's exactly what McCutchen has done in his career since 2009. Winning 1 MVP, 5x All-Star, 4 Silver Sluggers, 1 Gold Glove/ Honestly McCutchen given his consistency of a 286BA and a 378BA. His consistency for the back end of his career will define his chances of making the HOF.
Paul Goldschmidt- 1B Cardinals- Good ol' Goldy I really had a hard time deciding where to put him on my lists. But he had to be on here. He has a good, solid, consistent career. 243HR, 807RBI, 127SB, 292BA, and 391OBP. 6x All-Star, 4x Silver Slugger, 3x Gold Glove. The resume is there for Goldy but he is 32 and I am sure he when he hangs it up, will end up as a HOF candidate.
Kris Bryant- 3B Cubs- At 28 Kris Bryant has made plenty of his own waves in his young career. MVP, ROY, WS Champ and 3x All-Star. We have seen Bryant be a serious force at the plate for power, his career BA is 284 and OBP is 385. Bryant has more time ahead of him in the MLB and floor for him to continue to rake.
Anthony Rizzo- 1B Cubs- Rizzo is in a little different boat than Bryant. He is a little older at age 30. Rizzo is a WS Champ, 3x All-Star, 1x Silver Slugger, 3x Gold Glove and 1 Platinum Glove. We have seen Rizzo since 2013 be a guy who can easily hit 20+ HR. As we have seen for power in the MLB it ages well and 1B age well in the MLB. Going into the back end of him prime he has 218 career HR to date. If he can find himself an AL where he can DH fulltime in a couple years. I think Rizzo be set for a great end of his career.
Most Exciting Hitters
Luis Urias- 2B/SS Brewers- Urias is on his way for the Brewers at age 22 and struggled in brief MLB exposure. I fully expect to see Urias be a key member of the Brewers starting this year and going forward.
Javier Baez- SS Cubs- Javy is so good its ridiculous at 27 and just starting his prime with already a 110HR a 270BA, 1 WS Chip, 2x All-Star, 1 Silver Slugger. Somehow Javy doesn't have a gold good. But Javy is on his way to greatness among MLB SS. After a career year hitting 29HR, and a 281BA and getting known better as El Mago. Keep an eye on Baez as the face of the cubs for years to come.
Josh Bell- 1B Pirates- What a year it was for Bell last season hitting 37HR, 116RBI, and a 277BA and to give him his first All-Star appearance. Bell is 27 and looks to be showing as a late bloomer. I like to compare him to Rizzo but younger and his name is on my radar for what he will become over the next few seasons. Keep an eye out for all the HR this guy is going to hit the next few seasons.
Nick Senzel- 2B/CF Reds- #2 pick in 2016 who debuted last season for the Reds at 24yo, Senzel showed well in his rookie year in my opinion. Showing 12HR and 14SB a 256BA shows me he has the potential to hit for a great average and be a 20/20 kind of player. I am really excited for Senzel and the career he has ahead of him.
HOF Worthy Hitters
Bryce Harper- OF Phillies- I don't know where else to put him on this list as he has had one heck of a career to this point and he is only 27. 219HR, 635RBI, 276BA, 385OBP, MVP, ROY, 6x All-Star, 1 Silver Slugger, 1x HR Derby Winner, 1 Hank Aaron Award. Just everything that Harper is a player, a competitor, the hair, the personality and he was a #1 pick. Just a talent with a long career still ahead of him.
Christian Yelich- OF Brewers- Right up there next to Harper and very similar in terms of career so far. Yelich now only 28 signed a massive contract with the Brewers to probably go down as the best Brewer to ever play. So far he has 139HR, 500RBI, 124SB, and a 301BA and 383OBP. Add in 1 NL MVP, 2x All-Star, 3 Silver Sluggers and 1 All-MLB First Team, 1 Gold Glove and 2 Hank Aaron Awards. Yelich is on his way to be an all-time great.
Yadier Molina- C Cardinals- Yadi the ageless wonder. Yadi is one of the BEST to ever go behind the plate. Has been a Cardinals his entire career. 1963H, 156HR, 916RBI, 282BA, 333OBP, 2x WS Champ, 9x All-Star, 1x Silver Slugger, 4x Platinum Glove, 9x Gold Glove. Yadi no doubt will be in the HOF for his consistency at the plate and his incredible play behind the plate.
Joey Votto- P Reds- Votto has been a long time favorite of mine as I have watched him since 2007. Votto, when I think of his is reliable and consistent and his career numbers show that. 307BA, 421OBP, 284HR, 944RBI, 1MVP, 6x All-Star, 1 Gold Glove, 1 Hank Aaron Award, and just a player who no pitcher has loved to go against over the years. The thing that I respect Votto for is staying with the Reds through the highs and lows. Which there have been more lows than highs for him. I think the Reds finally have a short to start really contending but with Votto at age 37 I think it's a little too late for him sadly.
Honorable Mentions Pitchers
Yu Darvish- P Cubs-Only being around the MLB since 2012 and having 3 seasons shortened by injuries allowing him to only have 1051IP with 1299SO and a 63-53 record and a 3.57ERA for his career. The 33yo Darvish is looking to build off a solid year and go into the back half of his career and go down as one of the better players from Japan. I think he will without a doubt.
Chris Archer- P Pirates- Archer was dominating in his time in Tampa which leads the Pirates to trade away Austin Meadows and Tyler Glasnow away for him. Look at how that trade is going now for both sides. So far the 31yo has 1235IP, 1349IP, 3.86ERA and a bad record of 60-80 Archer is a 2x All-Star and is decently young enough to show he can be the pitcher he was from 2014-17 and kick the injuries and give the Pirates a good return on investment.
Most Exciting Pitchers
Eric Lauer- P Brewers= impressed me so far in his career and is only 24yo. He showed well in his first full season in 2019 and had a 4.45ERA over 149.2IP and 138SO. Lauer who was a 1st round pick in 2016 looks to be starting a very solid career.
Jake Flaherty- P Cardinals
Aaron Nola- P Phillies- At 26 this guy has shown he can compete at the MLB level over that last 4 years or so. 771.2IP, 826SO, 3.49ERA and a 53-35 record so far in his career. Nola is turning out to be one heck of a pitcher for the Phillies and showing he can be the MAN atop this Phillies Rotation. Keep an eye on this kid as he will only get better and better.
HOF Worthy Pitchers
Adam Wainwright- P Cardinals- What a career for Wainwright 2103.2IP, 1776SO, 162-95 record, 3.39ERA, somehow he got 3 saves, a lifetime redbird, 1WS Championship, 3x All-Star, 1 Silver Slugger, 2 Gold Gloves, Waino has had only a few bad seasons where he wasn't just a good pitcher. Overall his career has been one of consistency and long time dominance. Look for Waino to make it into the HOF>
Jon Lester- P Cubs- Lest is now 36yo and has thrown 2537.2IP, 2355SO, 3.56ERA, 190-108 record, 3xWS Champ, 5x All-Star. Lester has gotten in done in both the AL and NL for since 2006. Having only thrown less than 171.2IP twice in 2006/2007. He has been not the mound and just doing work for years. Lester deserves to go down among the greats for consistency and his role he played in the 3 world series championships.
Craig Kimbrel- P Cubs- Kimbrel is only 31yo and has 346 saves, 898SO over 553.1IP and a career 2.08 ERA with many years to come. Throw in a ROY, 1WS Championship, 7x All-Star, and 4 different relievers of the year awards. Kimbrel has been brilliant for his career as a closer and looks to be on the path to going down as one of the best to ever do it.
The kind of explain how I get these categories for Honorable Mentions I feel like they aren't the most exciting player, but one who should be paid attention to at this point in their career where they are now and where I think they are going
Most Exciting players are the guys you have to watch that are just electric and going to be around for a while and making noise.
HOF candidates are guys who I can see when their careers are over are likely to be considered for the HOF
Honorable Mentions Hitters
Andrew McCutchen- OF Phillies- He has been one of those that don't own any one category. But has been one of those guys that makes it and has a long time career. That's exactly what McCutchen has done in his career since 2009. Winning 1 MVP, 5x All-Star, 4 Silver Sluggers, 1 Gold Glove/ Honestly McCutchen given his consistency of a 286BA and a 378BA. His consistency for the back end of his career will define his chances of making the HOF.
Paul Goldschmidt- 1B Cardinals- Good ol' Goldy I really had a hard time deciding where to put him on my lists. But he had to be on here. He has a good, solid, consistent career. 243HR, 807RBI, 127SB, 292BA, and 391OBP. 6x All-Star, 4x Silver Slugger, 3x Gold Glove. The resume is there for Goldy but he is 32 and I am sure he when he hangs it up, will end up as a HOF candidate.
Kris Bryant- 3B Cubs- At 28 Kris Bryant has made plenty of his own waves in his young career. MVP, ROY, WS Champ and 3x All-Star. We have seen Bryant be a serious force at the plate for power, his career BA is 284 and OBP is 385. Bryant has more time ahead of him in the MLB and floor for him to continue to rake.
Anthony Rizzo- 1B Cubs- Rizzo is in a little different boat than Bryant. He is a little older at age 30. Rizzo is a WS Champ, 3x All-Star, 1x Silver Slugger, 3x Gold Glove and 1 Platinum Glove. We have seen Rizzo since 2013 be a guy who can easily hit 20+ HR. As we have seen for power in the MLB it ages well and 1B age well in the MLB. Going into the back end of him prime he has 218 career HR to date. If he can find himself an AL where he can DH fulltime in a couple years. I think Rizzo be set for a great end of his career.
Most Exciting Hitters
Luis Urias- 2B/SS Brewers- Urias is on his way for the Brewers at age 22 and struggled in brief MLB exposure. I fully expect to see Urias be a key member of the Brewers starting this year and going forward.
Javier Baez- SS Cubs- Javy is so good its ridiculous at 27 and just starting his prime with already a 110HR a 270BA, 1 WS Chip, 2x All-Star, 1 Silver Slugger. Somehow Javy doesn't have a gold good. But Javy is on his way to greatness among MLB SS. After a career year hitting 29HR, and a 281BA and getting known better as El Mago. Keep an eye on Baez as the face of the cubs for years to come.
Josh Bell- 1B Pirates- What a year it was for Bell last season hitting 37HR, 116RBI, and a 277BA and to give him his first All-Star appearance. Bell is 27 and looks to be showing as a late bloomer. I like to compare him to Rizzo but younger and his name is on my radar for what he will become over the next few seasons. Keep an eye out for all the HR this guy is going to hit the next few seasons.
Nick Senzel- 2B/CF Reds- #2 pick in 2016 who debuted last season for the Reds at 24yo, Senzel showed well in his rookie year in my opinion. Showing 12HR and 14SB a 256BA shows me he has the potential to hit for a great average and be a 20/20 kind of player. I am really excited for Senzel and the career he has ahead of him.
HOF Worthy Hitters
Bryce Harper- OF Phillies- I don't know where else to put him on this list as he has had one heck of a career to this point and he is only 27. 219HR, 635RBI, 276BA, 385OBP, MVP, ROY, 6x All-Star, 1 Silver Slugger, 1x HR Derby Winner, 1 Hank Aaron Award. Just everything that Harper is a player, a competitor, the hair, the personality and he was a #1 pick. Just a talent with a long career still ahead of him.
Christian Yelich- OF Brewers- Right up there next to Harper and very similar in terms of career so far. Yelich now only 28 signed a massive contract with the Brewers to probably go down as the best Brewer to ever play. So far he has 139HR, 500RBI, 124SB, and a 301BA and 383OBP. Add in 1 NL MVP, 2x All-Star, 3 Silver Sluggers and 1 All-MLB First Team, 1 Gold Glove and 2 Hank Aaron Awards. Yelich is on his way to be an all-time great.
Yadier Molina- C Cardinals- Yadi the ageless wonder. Yadi is one of the BEST to ever go behind the plate. Has been a Cardinals his entire career. 1963H, 156HR, 916RBI, 282BA, 333OBP, 2x WS Champ, 9x All-Star, 1x Silver Slugger, 4x Platinum Glove, 9x Gold Glove. Yadi no doubt will be in the HOF for his consistency at the plate and his incredible play behind the plate.
Joey Votto- P Reds- Votto has been a long time favorite of mine as I have watched him since 2007. Votto, when I think of his is reliable and consistent and his career numbers show that. 307BA, 421OBP, 284HR, 944RBI, 1MVP, 6x All-Star, 1 Gold Glove, 1 Hank Aaron Award, and just a player who no pitcher has loved to go against over the years. The thing that I respect Votto for is staying with the Reds through the highs and lows. Which there have been more lows than highs for him. I think the Reds finally have a short to start really contending but with Votto at age 37 I think it's a little too late for him sadly.
Honorable Mentions Pitchers
Yu Darvish- P Cubs-Only being around the MLB since 2012 and having 3 seasons shortened by injuries allowing him to only have 1051IP with 1299SO and a 63-53 record and a 3.57ERA for his career. The 33yo Darvish is looking to build off a solid year and go into the back half of his career and go down as one of the better players from Japan. I think he will without a doubt.
Chris Archer- P Pirates- Archer was dominating in his time in Tampa which leads the Pirates to trade away Austin Meadows and Tyler Glasnow away for him. Look at how that trade is going now for both sides. So far the 31yo has 1235IP, 1349IP, 3.86ERA and a bad record of 60-80 Archer is a 2x All-Star and is decently young enough to show he can be the pitcher he was from 2014-17 and kick the injuries and give the Pirates a good return on investment.
Most Exciting Pitchers
Eric Lauer- P Brewers= impressed me so far in his career and is only 24yo. He showed well in his first full season in 2019 and had a 4.45ERA over 149.2IP and 138SO. Lauer who was a 1st round pick in 2016 looks to be starting a very solid career.
Jake Flaherty- P Cardinals
Aaron Nola- P Phillies- At 26 this guy has shown he can compete at the MLB level over that last 4 years or so. 771.2IP, 826SO, 3.49ERA and a 53-35 record so far in his career. Nola is turning out to be one heck of a pitcher for the Phillies and showing he can be the MAN atop this Phillies Rotation. Keep an eye on this kid as he will only get better and better.
HOF Worthy Pitchers
Adam Wainwright- P Cardinals- What a career for Wainwright 2103.2IP, 1776SO, 162-95 record, 3.39ERA, somehow he got 3 saves, a lifetime redbird, 1WS Championship, 3x All-Star, 1 Silver Slugger, 2 Gold Gloves, Waino has had only a few bad seasons where he wasn't just a good pitcher. Overall his career has been one of consistency and long time dominance. Look for Waino to make it into the HOF>
Jon Lester- P Cubs- Lest is now 36yo and has thrown 2537.2IP, 2355SO, 3.56ERA, 190-108 record, 3xWS Champ, 5x All-Star. Lester has gotten in done in both the AL and NL for since 2006. Having only thrown less than 171.2IP twice in 2006/2007. He has been not the mound and just doing work for years. Lester deserves to go down among the greats for consistency and his role he played in the 3 world series championships.
Craig Kimbrel- P Cubs- Kimbrel is only 31yo and has 346 saves, 898SO over 553.1IP and a career 2.08 ERA with many years to come. Throw in a ROY, 1WS Championship, 7x All-Star, and 4 different relievers of the year awards. Kimbrel has been brilliant for his career as a closer and looks to be on the path to going down as one of the best to ever do it.
Comments
Post a Comment