Fansided

2016 MLB season: NL Central preview

By Nathaniel Reeves

Mar 29, 2016; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta against the Oakland Athletics during a spring training game at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2016; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta against the Oakland Athletics during a spring training game at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Sep 19, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Domingo Santana (16) hits an RBI single in the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Domingo Santana (16) hits an RBI single in the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Milwaukee Brewers

At the very least, the Brewers are ahead of the Reds in the rebuilding process. David Stearns has quietly done a great job of restructuring the team since taking over in September, as Milwaukee heads in the right direction.

Projected lineup:

1. Jonathan Villar, SS

2. Jonathan Lucroy, C

3. Ryan Braun, LF

4. Chris Carter, 1B

5. Domingo Santana, RF

6. Scooter Gennett, 2B

7. Aaron Hill, 3B

8. Keon Broxton, CF

Before Stearns was hired, the Brewers got a nice haul from the Houston Astros in the Carlos Gomez deal. Santana will likely be the only player from that deal in the Opening Day lineup, giving him a chance to show his vast potential. The Brewers will hope Santana can improve upon his 110 wRC+ in 52 games as a rookie last season per FanGraphs.

While the development of the young players is critical, Lucroy might be Milwaukee’s most important position player this season. Lucroy struggled last season, but was one of the best players in the game as recently as 2014, and will be attractive trade bait if he can put together a strong first half.

Other holes are going to keep the Brewers from having a strong lineup this year. Hill isn’t an everyday player at this point, Broxton is a placeholder until more outfield talent arrives, and Carter slumped for large portions of 2015.

Projected rotation: 

1. Wily Peralta

2. Jimmy Nelson

3. Matt Garza

4. Taylor Jungmann

5. Chase Anderson

While Peralta is the de-facto ace, Nelson is the best pitcher in the Brewers’ rotation, and will be worth keeping an eye on this season.

Nelson posted a 4.11 ERA (4.10 FIP) in his first full season last year per FanGraphs. While Nelson is solid enough as a league-average pitcher, there is some room to grow, and he has the raw stuff to generate a much higher strikeout rate of 19.7 percent he posted last year.

If the Brewers are going to have much value in their rotation this year,  Jungmann will also need to show some consistency. Jungmann was terrific for the first few months of 2015 before a terrible September brought down his overall numbers.

The Brewers aren’t competing for a playoff spot in 2016, but there will be some flashes of the brighter times ahead.

Projected record: 72-90

Next: 3. Pittsburgh Pirates

Home/Chicago Cubs