The American League has already got its due, now the National League takes the stage. The Senior Circuit has a different brand of baseball than its DH-possessing counterparts, but they are no different when it comes to having players break out. Constant in game maneuvering makes roster construction much more important in the National League, and that gives even more players opportunities to make a name for themselves. From relievers to pinch players, the NL will surely have its share of performers transitioning from bit pieces to valuable assets in their organizations. Here are the candidates for each National League team to break out in 2016. Let’s start in the desert with the Diamondbacks.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS- Yasmany Tomas, LF
The Diamondbacks made some huge moves this offseason. They traded #1 overall pick Dansby Swanson for Shelby Miller. They added Tyler Clippard from the National League champion Mets to solidify the bullpen. But their biggest move was coming out of nowhere to sign free agent starter Zack Greinke. Arizona has made drastic changes to their pitching contingent because frankly, their offense was pretty damn good. They scored the second most runs in the NL last year and eighth most overall. They are only going to get better. Paul Goldschmidt and A.J. Pollock were MVP candidates for their stellar play and are just entering their primes. One player that Arizona is hoping to join them this season is Yasmany Tomas. The Cuban signed for 6 years, $68.5 million after defecting from his home country. Originally a third baseman, Tomas struggled with the position in the Majors and it affected his play at the plate as well as in the field. Now with a move to left field, with plus defenders around him, Tomas can focus on improving from his .273/.305/.401 slash lines from 2015. He is part of a killer lineup with guys who consistently get on base. Expect his RBI numbers to skyrocket this year and show off a bit more speed on the bases, something he was reluctant to do in his rookie season.
ATLANTA BRAVES- Manny Banuelos, SP
The Braves are coming into the 2016 in full rebuilding mode. They’ve traded away the majority of their high priced players in the past two years, and will still be looking to do the same this year. While their lineup is still riddled with old dogs, their pitching staff will be one of the youngest in the National League this year. With just three guys over 30, and none of the three guarantees to be on the team at season’s end, it will be a highly experimental year at Turner Field. That experiment is also heavily reliant on an odd staff construction. After their flurry of trades last year, and the non-tendering of Mike Minor, Manny Banuelos remains as the only left hander in Fredi Gonzalez’s rotation plans this year. Once a fireballing top prospect for the Yankees, Banuelos hasn’t quite recovered from his 2012 Tommy John surgery. Unlike most surgery vets these days, Manny’s fastball has taken a nosedive since his promotion to the Bigs. He found himself having to reinvent the wheel on the fly and he got pounded to the tune of a 5.13 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, and 19/12 K/BB ratio last year. But coming into 2016, Banuelos is healthy and should be one of the most potent fourth or fifth starters in the National League. If he can further control and develop what could be a devastating southpaw changeup, Banuelos will be one of Atlanta’s most productive pitchers and an ample bounty for the trade of middle reliever David Carpenter.
CHICAGO CUBS- Addison Russell, SS
Picking a player from the Chicago Cubs to break out in 2016 felt like cheating. There are so many young players in the organization on the cusp of stardom that I could really pick anybody and not look foolish on the back end. They have MVP candidates on either side of the infield, an embarrassment of riches up the middle and one of the most balanced outfields in the National League. So how did I come to my selection of Addison Russell? Well, that is because Russell is the youngest of the lot and the one with the potential to become the next superstar at his position. Addison Russell and Javier Baez were both teetering on the brink of everyday playing time with the Cubs last year. Baez was the homegrown product while Russell came to town in the fleecing of the A’s for Jeff Samardzija. But with Ben Zobrist brought in on a big deal to man second, there is room for only one and that one for now is Russell. And if he continues to increase his power stroke, as well as his eye at the plate, Baez will become expendable altogether. Russell is a player that does not shy away from the big spot, and was calm at just 21 years old starting every game for the Cubs in the National League playoffs before a hamstring injury ended his season. He’s already hitting home runs this spring and will continue to do so wherever Joe Maddon puts him for the preseason World Series favorites.
CINCINNATI REDS- Anthony DeSclafani, SP
With staff ace Homer Bailey still recovering from Tommy John Surgery, the Cincinnati Reds have some real evaluation to do this spring. Bailey should be back in mid-to-late May, but until then manager Bryan Price has a trio of arms looking to fill the void. The man on the top of that list is Anthony DeSclafani. The former Marlins prospect is a bit of a watered down version of Bailey, but last year showed that he is equal to the task when called upon to fill in for the ace. He made 31 starts for the Reds last season, the vast majority of them as the #1 starter after Bailey’s injury. It was a mixed learning experience for DeSclafani as he got the experience of having to battle a team’s best each time out, but also with the caveat of developing his pitch arsenal. His control (55 walks in 184.1 innings) suffered a bit in 2015, but DeSclafani’s biggest weakness is his location. He pounds the strike zone, something that can be commended, but gives up more than a hit an inning, which attributed to his subpar 1.35 WHIP. But there is cause for optimism with the right hander after the brutal ending to his 2015. His strikeouts got a huge uptick over the final two months and his walks dropped due to that aforementioned pitch development. His sinker, curveball, and slider are getting leaps and bounds better. Those pitches will help him lay off his very hittable fastball in unfavorable counts. Bailey is in the plans for Cincinnati for the foreseeable future, but until he’s 100% they have an outstanding deputy that is on the rise.
COLORADO ROCKIES- Chad Bettis, SP
Pitching in Colorado is no fun task. It is a hitter’s paradise at altitude that has slaughtered some of the most promising of pitching careers and made many a free agent signing look asinine. So when a pitcher comes in and doesn’t make a complete mess of himself, you take notice. It was just a twenty game sample, but that is what Chad Bettis did last year for the Rockies. After two forgettable campaigns in the pen and making spot starts for Colorado, Bettis transitioned to the starting rotation full time after starting last season in Triple-A. His front and center numbers take their normal Colorado hit, but his peripherals look as if the full time starting gig may have caused the Rockies to unearth a hidden gem. Usually a player’s strikeout rate dips in the move from reliever to starter, but Bettis’ was the opposite. His rate went from 12.8% as a reliever to 19.5% in a full time starting role. It should also be noted that while his home numbers were much uglier than his away ones (4.99 ERA, 1.52 WHIP vs. 3.35 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), Bettis’ games where he got roughed up the most were on the road. A player who is able to eat innings and battle through the eventual jams that come with having Coors Field as a home is something to keep your eye on. Bettis will slot in as either the number two or number three starter this year in and will get plenty of tests in the pitching rich National League West. With a full season of starting, he is only going to improve off his impressive baseline in 2015.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS- Corey Seager, SS
I’ve gushed and gushed about my thoughts about the sky high ceiling of Corey Seager. The Dodgers’ top prospect, and in the whole sport in many’s humble opinion, will be the starting shortstop on Opening Day. The soon to be 22 year old may also lead off for a Dodgers team looking to finally get over the hump in the National League. Seager’s September cameo was stupendous with a .337/.425/.561 slash line with 4 home runs and 17 RBI in 27 games. Like Chicago’s Russell, Seager also featured prominently in Los Angeles’ playoff run. Granted said playoff experience wasn’t the greatest, as the Dodgers were ousted by the eventual NL champ Mets, but Seager getting postseason at-bats at 21 was a sign of their faith in the youngster. With Kike Hernandez on the mend and Jimmy Rollins out of town, Seager will get the lion’s share of at-bats for 2016. His batting average probably won’t stay at the astronomical one month snapshot level, but fans can expect that power to hold true over 162 games. He is patient, can spray the ball to all fields, and even in a pitcher’s haven like the National League West, Seager is going to approach 20/20 territory. He is going to be an All-Star caliber player for the future, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it even happened this upcoming season.
MIAMI MARLINS- Christian Yelich, LF
The Marlins have been the “sneaky” pick in the National League for the past few years by baseball experts. Their blend of young talent and veteran leadership is quite the alluring combination for pundits but hasn’t exactly produced the expected results. This year may be the year that all changes though. Slugger Giancarlo Stanton and staff ace Jose Fernandez are both returning from injury and they possess arguably the most talented double play combination in the National League in Dee Gordon and Adeiny Hechavarria. But the player that Miami is depending on most to take that next step this year is outfielder Christian Yelich. Incredibly hyped since his selection in the first round of the 2010 Draft, Yelich has been a more than serviceable option in either corner outfield slot for the Marlins. However, the Marlins are hoping that the lanky Pete Davidson look-alike can finally become the bopper they had projected him to be. Now they weren’t pigeonholing him as a second Stanton for their outfield, but management surely felt that 20 home runs could be a yearly thing rather than a three year output. Yelich has enough talent to produce such figures but also has had his issues staying on the field in his young career. With a bonafide table setter in front of him and a potential 50 home run guy behind him, there is no reason to believe Yelich won’t eventually grow into a 20/20 guy with solid RBI output. If he recovers in spring and plays at least 90% of his team’s games in 2016, that growth will happen this year.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS- Orlando Arcia, SS
Milwaukee is in a tough spot. They clearly are in rebuilding mode, but are doing so in the most stacked division in all of Major League Baseball. The NL Central put three teams into the postseason last year, by a wide margin as well, and put a hurting on the Brew Crew in the process. But fear not Brew City faithful, reinforcements are on the way and they could be patrolling Miller Park as soon as this spring. The Brewers had a tremendous find with Jean Segura a few years back. However, the shortstop was due a 400% raise entering 2016 and with a plethora of cheaper options at their disposal, he was shipped to Arizona in January. The brightest of those more cost effective choices is top prospect Orlando Arcia. The younger brother of Twins outfielder Oswaldo Arcia, Orlando’s glove has been ready for the Bigs since probably his Single-A days. His bat is starting to catch up though (.307 BA, 8 HR, 69 RBI at Double-A) and if he spends any time in the Minors this year, it will be minimal. Jonathan Villar and Yadiel Rivera are both young, but neither provide the upside that Arcia does. If Milwaukee wants to have any chance of moving up the pecking order in the National League Central, having Arcia with the big club is a perfect way to start.
NEW YORK METS- Michael Conforto, LF
Coming out of Oregon State, there was little detraction from the notion that Michael Conforto was on the fast track to the Major Leagues. It took a little over a year from the Mets selecting him 10th overall in the 2014 Draft to him donning the blue and orange at Citi Field. Conforto quickly made himself a fixture in a crowded Mets outfield, registering a four hit game in just his second appearance. As was the case with Addison Russell and Corey Seager, Conforto cemented himself as a vital part of a playoff team in New York. He was the Mets’ best offensive player in the World Series, including hitting two home runs in Game 4, but also showed a glove on par with Gold Glover Juan Lagares. What Conforto lacks in speed he makes up for with savvy beyond his years and a knack for the game he’s had from a young age. He’s one of just three players to play in the Little League, College, and MLB World Series, and I wouldn’t bet against him making it several trips to the latter before all is said and done. A full season in left field is going to only help his power grow and with a strong lineup, the Mets will be able to put him wherever there will be the least pressure on him. Comparisons made to his direct opposition in the World Series, Alex Gordon, are fairly spot on. The Royals newly minted man took much longer to get acclimated though than Conforto has. Yoenis Cespedes’ re-signing was the banner move for the Mets’ offense this winter, but Michael Conforto will be stealing the spotlight come this time next year.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES- Aaron Nola, SP
Like his National League compatriot Conforto, Aaron Nola was selected high in the 2014 Draft with a fast track to the Show all but guaranteed. He similarly spent just over a year in the Minors before Philadelphia called him up in July of last year. While many pitchers get early call-ups due to a triple digit fastball or a hook that leaves batters jelly-legged, Nola got his by well…pitching. His fastball doesn’t strike fear in the hearts of the opposition and his changeup is underwhelming to say the least. His strikeout pitch is a curveball, nearly 2/3 of his 2015 K’s came from it, but even that is tame in comparison to most. What Nola lacks in stuff, he more than makes up for with the guile of a seasoned veteran and a baseball IQ that makes working through even the toughest of lineups more manageable. His delivery also helps provide a bit of deception that makes his pitches look to have more bite than they truly do. He has the confidence to throw any pitch in any count in any scenario. Now it is abundantly clear that the Phillies are going to stink again this year. But they were at quite the piss poor level last year and Nola still went 6-2 with a 3.59 ERA. With a full season to work his magic, from presumably the number three slot in the rotation, it is not out of the realm of possibility for Nola to at least double that win total and maintain an ERA in the neighborhood of his 2015 statistics.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES- Gregory Polanco, RF
After decades in the cellar of the National League, the Pirates have become a recent mainstay in the playoff scene. They’ve done so primarily with homegrown talent coming from one of the NL’s more bountiful farm systems. One of those that has given Bucs fans the most cause for joy, and concern, is Gregory Polanco. He became a .300 hitter in the Minors with stolen bases in bunches. His eye at the plate and patience give him even more opportunities to swipe bags than normal. He’s viewed as a plus defender as well because of his range stemming from that speed. But since his call-up in the summer of 2014, Polanco hasn’t been completely as advertised. The walks and steals are still there, but the contact is lagging far behind. After hitting just .235 in his debut season, Polanco upped that to .256 in 153 games last year. If he can experience another uptick this season, Pittsburgh will surely get the complete player he was hyped to be. He’s improving against lefties and is cutting down on his weak groundouts. While the home runs of Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte may still come, Pirates fans can look forward to a version of Polanco that drives the ball much better this year and gets on base more frequently. And we all know what he can do once he gets in the basepaths.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS- Randal Grichuk, CF
The Cardinals have a tendency to fly below the radar on everything they do and still come out ahead. From free agent signings, to trades, to promotions from within, there are very few times when the Cardinals get it wrong. So when the worries last season about an untested Randal Grichuk moving from the corners of the Cardinals outfield to center starting emanating from the fans and media, one had to take a step back and breath. St. Louis wasn’t going to take a risk like that, especially in the uber competitive National League Central, unless they were damn sure it was going to work out. However, the concern over Grichuk wasn’t just about his defense. A .239 hitting strikeout machine being asked to bat clean up was a bit distressing as well. But as you can imagine, it all worked out. And this year it is going to get even better. Grichuk exceeded all projections last year and was invaluable in the middle of the outfield and the lineup. He hit 17 home runs, much needed power with Matt Holliday spending the better part of 2015 injured. His strikeouts are still high and he still “can’t throw” from center, but everything else about the 24 year old is trending up. The Cardinals got hit hard this offseason with the departures of Jason Heyward and John Lackey to the rival Cubs. But with Adam Wainwright coming back and Grichuk primed to blossom even further, they aren’t too worried.
SAN DIEGO PADRES- Brandon Maurer, SP
San Diego was the talk of the National League last winter. Rookie general manager A.J. Preller threw caution to the wind and made a flurry of moves that reshaped his entire franchise seemingly overnight. Unfortunately for Preller and the Padres, his Dr. Frankenstein approach to building a baseball squad went horribly awry. Now the club must try a new approach to reinserting themselves into the NL West title picture. The roster is undergoing a rather massive overhaul, but one thing that has remained relatively intact is their thin starting pitching staff. James Shields and Tyson Ross lead the way, but San Diego is hoping that their third through fifth starters progress accordingly to turn a weakness into a strength. The man whose breakthrough would provide the most benefit to the Padres is Brandon Maurer. Maurer was generally ineffective in two years in Seattle as he bounced between the pen and the starting five. As a full-time reliever last season in San Diego, he had his best campaign as a pro. But now with Fernando Rodney, Jon Edwards, and Drew Pomeranz manning the late innings for the Padres, Maurer makes a return to starting. His revived curveball seems to be the focus this spring after abandoning it last year out of the pen. His checkered injury history, including over a month on the shelf in 2015, leaves many to think that more innings could be harmful. But he’s come into 2016 thus far with a clean medical record and is making the necessary adjustments to his pitch repertoire to handle the larger workload. If he holds up, the Padres rotation gets a whole lot deeper and the National League West gets even more interesting.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS- Hunter Strickland, RP
If recent history tells us anything, the fact that 2016 ends in an even number all but insures that the San Francisco Giants are winning the World Series. The Giants recent history has been spurred mostly by its pitching, and this year will be no different. They’ve added Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija to an already stacked starting staff. Their bullpen is battle tested, but it is old and fragile at the back. That is where Hunter Strickland comes in. The right hander brings a distinct change of pace from the rest of the Giants’ bullpen. His one taste of the postseason was rough on the eyes, but that experience was vital in his continuing progression as a reliever. He can hit 100 with his fastball and also possesses a curveball that is hard to square up on. He rarely walks batters (10 BB in 51.1 innings in 2015) and keeps the ball in the yard (4 HR allowed). Both of those qualities are rare in today’s power arms as most sacrifice control and location to maximize velocity. Strickland’s combination of skills makes him the prime candidate if, and let’s face it probably when, Santiago Casilla and/or Sergio Romo go down with injuries to become the new closer. Throw a comical beard on him and you could have the second coming of Brian Wilson in the Bay Area.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS- Joe Ross, SP
We round up the National League with perhaps the club that had the most disappointing 2015, the Washington Nationals. Prohibitive favorites to win the National League, and the World Series, before the season started, Washington could not get out of their own way throughout the year and were eventually bested by the Mets in the division and finished miles clear of the Wild Card race. Max Scherzer threw two no-hitters and Bryce Harper won the NL MVP, but the man who could swing the tide between another lost year and a fulfillment of their potential is fifth starter Joe Ross. Scherzer was a huge expenditure last year as was the outlay for closer Jonathan Papelbon. Second baseman Daniel Murphy was similarly expensive this offseason. However, the most astute piece of business done by the Nats may be the three way trade that netted them both Ross and Trea Turner from the Padres for peanuts. At just 22, Ross may be one of the most talented back of the rotation arms in baseball. He can strike people out (69 K in 76.2 IP) but is just as effective as a ground ball guy with his devastating sinker, very similarly to his brother Tyson in San Diego. But the trait that the older Ross brother lacks is control. While Tyson gets himself into many a jam via the base on balls, Joe is far less inclined (2.4 BB/9) to do so. Ross won 5 games last year on a team in free fall. If Washington, rights their ship, expect Ross’ talent to bring upwards of triple that haul in 2016.