Spring Training: Fantasy Players to Watch in the NL Central
By Brad Kelly
With spring training now upon us, there are numerous players that fantasy owners should be monitoring. Who in the NL Central should owners be focused on?
Pitchers and catchers have reported, initiating the start of the 2018 season. There are still a ton of free agents on the market, storylines to be fleshed out, and more. But, this is what every fantasy owner has been waiting for. Fantasy titles are won and lost during the spring as breakout stars, and potential busts show themselves. In this article, we take a look at the NL Central.
The NL Central will once again be one of the more competitive divisions in baseball. The Cubs appear to be the favorite yet again, but the upstart Brewers and ever-present Cardinals, are nipping at their heels. It would not be a surprise to see both Milwaukee and St. Louis to make noise in the playoff race in 2018.
The Pirates and Reds are in the middle of rebuilds and will surely struggle at times this season, yet both teams have plenty of intriguing fantasy players as well.
While there is a ton of player turnover, the division still offers its fair share of continual producers, yet exciting rookies.
AL Spring Previews: East, West, Central
NL Spring Previews: East, West
Chicago Cubs: Kyle Schwarber
Kyle Schwarber is only 24-years-old, yet has been a mainstay among fantasy circles since he debuted in 2015. After an injury cost him nearly the entire 2016 season, he was a popular breakout pick heading into 2017. Unfortunately, Schwarber swung the bat terribly the first three months of the season.
He hit no higher than .204 in any one month, and only mustered 12 HR/28 RBI across 64 games. The Cubs had enough and demoted him June, and predictably swung it well once at AAA. Once recalled in July, Schwarber showed some signs of life to close out the year, posting a .253/17 HR/30 RBI/.894 OPS line to end the year.
Heading into 2018, Schwarber is the ultimate wildcard. It was encouraging to see that he found his stroke during the second half, but it is hard to ignore just how bad he was at the beginning of 2017. Yet, Schwarber showed up to spring training looking like a new man quite literally. The slimmer figure will surely help him in the OF and relieve the pressure on his repaired knee, but owners will have to make sure that the power does not vanish either.
He is one of the must-watch players this spring, in not only the central but in the entire league as well.
Honorable Mention: Ian Happ
Rookie impressed last season with 24 HR/68 RBI in only 115 games, but the team wants him to clean-up his approach at the plate. He has a ton of upside, yet the Cubs have a lot of moving parts. The bat will play, yet he needs to avoid a slow spring in order to get the necessary at-bats.
St. Louis Cardinals: Alex Reyes
We have multiple takes on Reyes and his value this season. Like him or not, Reyes is an extremely talented arm. The Cardinals are making things difficult in terms of determining his value this season. It is already safe to say that he will miss all of April. He is actively throwing and slowly shedding restrictions, yet the Cardinals want to put him in the safest role possible for his elbow.
The team has some starting depth, yet the bullpen shapes up to be shaky. Therefore, no matter what role he winds up falling into he will hold value. Owners need to watch him this spring to see that for one that he avoid any setbacks and to get a better read on how the team plans to utilize him.
Honorable Mention: Matt Carpenter
Perennial fantasy stud had an odd season. He registered a career-best in walks, but his AVG slipped and he struggled mightily versus lefties. He battled injuries in 2016, last season, and is already banged up this spring. He is either going to be a buy-low candidate or a player to avoid. This spring will help decide that.
Milwaukee Brewers: Eric Thames
Eric Thames was a popular name discussed last spring, as his transition back to the majors from the KBO was a heated debate. His first season back was a roller coaster ride that saw him have extreme highs and the lowest of lows. He was the hottest hitter in the league in April, yet by the end of the season, he saw himself in a platoon role.
The Brewers have brought in Christian Yelich, and Lorenzo Cain this offseason, casting further doubt to what role Thames will have. Ryan Braun is getting looks at first base, Keon Broxton and Domingo Santana are still lurking the outfield, and platoon mate Jesus Aguilar is still in tow. With no path to steady at-bats, Thames could very well play himself off the fantasy radar with a rough spring. Keep an eye on the situation.
Honorable Mention: Jonathan Villar
Villar was arguably the biggest bust in fantasy last season. He was essentially replaced at second base by Eric Sogard last season, yet the team will give him another chance to start at second yet again in 2018. The speed is undeniable and why he still has to be on the fantasy radar, but a bad spring could end all that.
Cincinnati Reds: Anthony DeSclafani
After missing all of 2017 due to TJ surgery, Anthony DeSclafani is back and ready to be the Reds’ ace. In his breakout 2016, he posted a 3.28 ERA/1.21 WHIP/105 K line over 20 starts. He never relied on velocity as his calling card on the mound, attacking hitters more with offspeed offerings and command.
Usually, command of those pitches are the last thing to coming around after TJ surgery, but DeSclafani is well removed from surgery.
In his first spring outing in 2018, he looked great. He tossed two scoreless innings, and his stuff was sharp. The Reds will rely heavily on DeSclafani to be their ace, and he has the stuff to be one of the best hurlers in the central.
The breakout started in 2015, manifested itself in 2016, and was destined to evolve. If he continues to look sharp this spring, he could be a great sleeper pick.
Honorable Mention: Jose Peraza
Heated up to close the year, and his profile points to him possibly breaking out in 2018. If he can secure the leadoff spot in the Reds’ order with a strong spring, his value continues to rise. Monitor him this spring.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Gregory Polanco
Polanco is simply one of the most frustrating players in the game. With a tantalizing raw skill set, and seemingly untapped upside, Polanco was looking like a must-own heading into 2017. Unfortunately, he could never stay on the field due to numerous nagging injuries. He finished the season with a .251/11 HR/35 RBI/8 SB/.695 OPS line over 108 games.
His batted ball data was not terrible, but the injuries sapped his power and his legs, as his 20 HR/20 SB is what buoys his value. His AVG will not likely be pretty, he is too much of a free swinger, so he leans on the power/speed combo.
He changed his body and diet this offseason, making Polanco an intriguing fantasy selection yet again this spring. A strong spring would do wonders to instill confidence in owners, yet a setback would tank all the hope as well.
Pay close attention.
Honorable Mention: Tyler Glasnow
Former stud pitching prospect has failed to live up to the hype when given a chance. Yet, he has reworked his delivery and his velocity is back up in the upper-90s. He is on the outside of the rotation right now, yet if he can continue to flash with his new delivery, he could be a name to watch.
The NL Central is an interesting division. The Cubs have the team to contend for World Series ring, yet they can not look past the moves that the Brewers have made and the danger that the Cardinals always bring.
The Reds have more fantasy options than owners realize, making them a team that will always be fun to watch in the spring and into the season. The Pirates are in a full-on rebuild and will not make much noise in the central, yet have a few players that fantasy owners will find it hard to ignore.
There are still a ton of players to watch in the division, and there will surely be more player movement heading into 2018. Spring games are starting up, and fantasy owners should be fully tuned in the players above, and many more.