by David Uberti
The NL Central was one of baseball’s weakest divisions last year, evident by the fact that the Chicago Cubs were somehow able to overcome The Milton Bradley Mistake and win 83 games. While 2010 should be somewhat better, it is still too early for the division to make anything more than small strides toward competitiveness.
Despite the weakness of its six squads, the NL Central still boasts a bevy of individual talent. Here are the division’s best players, by position, for 2010:
Chris Carpenter, Pitcher
The man doesn’t lose. The 34-year-old posted a career-best 2.24 ERA last season en-route to a 17-4 record. Although the 2005 Cy Young Award winner isn’t getting any younger, he’s not quite ready to play second fiddle the Cardinals’ other ace, Adam Wainwright.
With Matt Holliday in St. Louis to stay, an improved offense should help Carpenter to monster win totals in 2010. Expect to hear his name announced at the All-Star game and in the thick of the Cy Young conversation.
Yadier Molina, Catcher
No one has ever questioned the defensive ability of the youngest Molina brother: He has a strong arm, blocks balls well and calls a good game. His hitting, however, was formerly a different story. But after batting only .238 in his first three seasons, Molina’s average has steadily increased. He’s turned himself into a serviceable hitter, making him one of the game’s premier catchers.
Albert Pujols, First Base
I hate to give St. Louis three selections in a row, but there’s no getting around El Hombre. He’s the only hitter in Major League Baseball who has the talent, durability and consistency to win the Triple Crown.
Rickie Weeks, Second Base
(AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)
This could be the year that Weeks overtakes Brandon Phillips as the best second baseman in the division. In 2009, the Brewers’ infielder appeared to have finally figured out big league pitching: He hit nine homeruns and slugged .517 in only 37 games last season. What’s more is that his .351 career OBP makes him a good option for Milwaukee at the top of the order.
The keys for Weeks will be consistency and durability. He has yet to finish an entire season in the majors, due to either injuries or demotions to the minors. If he can consistently hit in 2010 how he began to in 2009, he will be among baseball’s best.
Ryan Theriot, Shortstop
Theriot is one of the more underrated shortstops in the MLB. Though he doesn’t have the pure talent of other shortstops in the division, such as Milwaukee’s Alcides Escobar, he hits for a high average, steals bases and plays sure-handed defense.
Aramis Ramirez, Third Base
The man can flat out hit. Before missing half of last season due to injury, Ramirez hit at least 26 homeruns and batted in 101 or more runs from 2006-2008. Even though he only played 82 games last year, he still proved that he can get it done: 15 homeruns, 65 RBI and a .317 batting average.
Ryan Braun, Left Field
Braun is a more complete player than both Carlos Lee and Matt Holliday, even though he doesn’t boast a $100 million contract. In 2009, he scored 100+ runs, totaled 200+ base knocks, mashed 77 extra-base hits and stole 20 bases. Even more impressive is that he hits good pitching extremely well. On defense, Braun’s arm strength and speed help him overcome his lack of experience. But expect him to gradually grow into a serviceable outfielder.
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Andrew McCutchen, Center Field
After he was called up to Pittsburgh last season, McCutchen was one of the best players in baseball. He has incredible speed, evident by his 22 stolen bases in 103 games in 2009. Additionally, he has tremendous power for a speedster: He hit 47 extra-base hits last season. Barring a sophomore slump, McCutchen should cement his position as one of the MLB’s premier leadoff hitters.
Jay Bruce, Right Field
Bruce will hit in the heart of a Cincinnati lineup that is suddenly loaded with young talent. He was regarded as one of baseball’s top prospects before being called up to the big leagues in 2008, and has shown some of the growing pains expected from power-hitting prospects: a low average and high strikeout totals. Nevertheless, he has hit 43 homeruns in only 758 career at-bats. If he can improve his contact rate and raise his average, a 30 homerun-100 RBI season is not out of the question.
