Preseason Preview: National League Central
The National League Central is up for grabs this year, and with the three-time defending division champions getting weaker in their strongest position group, the division could be in for a tighter race than it has seen in a couple of seasons.
Rookie of the Year candidates, a Cy Young award winner, and a former MVP all reside in the National League Central this year. Although on paper the divisional race looks less competitive, with the St. Louis Cardinals in the midst of a rebuild and the Pittsburgh Pirates waiting for the top prospect in Major League Baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, Konnor Griffin, to make his debut later this season. Three teams escaped and made the playoffs last season, and with the other two National League divisions loaded with talent, that number could drop to two if teams lose steam in the heat of the summer.
The reigning division champions, the Milwaukee Brewers, traded away their ace, Freddy Peralta, over the winter. This has become a theme with the Brewers' pitching staff. When it comes time to pay their premium arms, they opt to move on and find the next one in their ranks. A few seasons ago, they moved on from Corbin Burnes in the offseason, and what did they do? Win another division title. Milwaukee has found its success on the mound in recent seasons, and it will be important for Jacob Misiorowski to take the jump to the next level.
Looking at a team in a different position, the Cardinals. The Redbirds were once the kings of this division, but in the latter seasons under John Mozeliak, the team was uncompetitive, and when they were on the edge of being competitive, they would cap out just above .500.
Now it is Chaim Bloom's turn in St. Louis, and the team moved on from four players this offseason, three of whom were veterans with expensive contracts that did not fit the mold of the current trajectory. While trading away Brendan Donovan stings, the future of the Cardinals has made the Opening Day roster, JJ Wetherholt. A Rookie of the Year candidate already, and will be one of the most exciting players to watch at Busch Stadium this season. One of the most interesting additions to the starting rotation will be Dustin May. May has been hampered by injuries in his career.
Taking a drive up Interstate-55 to the next team in the division, the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs finished second in the division last year, but lost a big piece in their lineup when Kyle Tucker signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. While that stings, the Cubs responded well by signing Alex Bregman to a five-year contract in the Windy City.
The Cubs also made upgrades to their pitching staff, adding Edward Cabrera in a trade with the Miami Marlins. The Cubs are going to be towards the top of the division once again this summer, and with the Brewers having question marks surrounding the top of their rotation, it could be their time to reclaim the division crown for the first time since 2020.
Justin Steele underwent Tommy John surgery last April, and when he returns, he will be the guy to watch and can really vault the Cubs into another threshold if he comes back healthy. The former Cy Young candidate is the make-or-break piece of the Cubs' rotation, which will open the season without a true ace.
From one team with an ace on the injured list to another, next up the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds made the postseason last year with a fairly weak race in the National League. It is hard to believe that the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves won't rebound this season and be competitive in the National League East.
The San Diego Padres are going to be pushing for a division title in the West, so it will be difficult for the Reds to make back-to-back postseason appearances, but it is not impossible. In a weak division, if the Reds can stay afloat as they wait for Hunter Greene to make his return, they could be primed for a back half that can vault them into the heat of the division race.
It will be on Chase Burns to live up to the hype, and he will be the guy to watch as the Reds take the field to start this season. If he has a strong start to the season, the Reds will have one of the best 1-2 punches in the division. The Reds also brought back Eugenio Suarez to their lineup, which should provide some protection to Elly De La Cruz in the middle of their lineup.
Lastly, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team with the reigning Cy Young Award winner on their roster, will be in another season of their rebuild. Top prospect Griffin will not open the season on the major league roster, but it is just a matter of time before he does. With his potential, if the Pirates' pitching staff can keep them in games, his addition to the lineup could be the most impactful. Paul Skenes is going to come out and do what he does, but it is up to the rest of their rotation to keep the Pirates in games and in the race.
Over the winter, the Pirates added Ryan O'Hearn and Marcell Ozuna to their lineup, which brings a much-needed punch to the middle of their order. O'Hearn was an All-Star last season, and if he can build upon that this season, he could look at a second consecutive appearance.
When Griffin makes his debut, he will be the guy to watch, but until then, it will be Oneil Cruz. Cruz hits the ball harder than anyone in baseball, but since his rookie campaign, he has yet to truly reach his full potential. The Pirates centerfielder led the National League in steals last season, but has a career high of 21 home runs in a season. If he can find that swing, he could be a 30-30 candidate this season.
My Pick: Chicago Cubs
Dark Horse: Cincinnati Reds
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