Left Field
1. Ryan Braun Brewers
Braun came up in 2007 and started hitting right away. There is no question that he has one of the elite bats in the game. He had to be moved from third base because he racked up 26 errors in 116 games. They moved him to left field where he was respectable (-2.6 UZR) especially when you consider that he is one of the best hitters in the game.
2. Alfonso Soriano Cubs
Cubs fans give Soriano a ton of heat for because of his big contract, but when he has played he has been really good. He was never going to repeat his 40/40 season of 2006, but his bat as been really good in the leadoff spot. His defense is also maligned, but as I have wrote here before, its not as bad as people like to think. Nobody runs on his arm, and considering the other left fielders in baseball he isn't bad at all.
3. Carlos Lee Astros
Lee can flat out hit when he is healthy. He is a RBI machine and absolutely crushes the Cubs. He strikes out a lot, and can't really run the bases which is a downside. His worst characteristic is his defense which is nothing short of horrid. People who think Soriano is bad at defense should watch Lee out there. His UZR was only -3.7 last season, but that was probably a result of him missing the last six weeks of the season.
Another giant gap
4. Chris Duncan Cardinals
Duncan pulled a disappearing act last year, because of injury. He won't hit for a high average but he will hit about 20 homers and drive in some runs. He enjoys strikeouts and isn't very good on the base paths. The real problem is his defense, which isn't as bad as Carlos Lee, but its bad. If healthy he will certainly be a little bit better than average, but don't confuse him with a good player.
5. Nyjer Morgan Pirates
Morgan is another Pirates prospect who will get all the time he wants to play this year. His defense is above average and his bat has some promise. His main asset is his speed, and if he gets on base he can certainly swipe some bases. I think he can get on base about 35% of the time and that will be effective on a team that isn't good.
6. Chris Dickerson Reds
Dickerson came up last season and did some things. Showing he has some power and the ability to steal bases. Just like Morgan he is a prospect with some upside. His best attribute is his athleticism. His numbers last season in the big leagues were obviously inflated, but if he can get the job done the Reds will be that much better. On defense there are certainly worse options (Adam Dunn) but Dickerson's defense will be about league average.
Center Field
This is by far the worst position in the division. Even the top ranked guy is going to be very average this season.
1. Nate McLouth Pirates
He had a breakout season for the Pirates last season hitting 26 homers and stealing 23 bases. He was their hitting star last season and if he can maintain what he did last season he will be the only bright spot in that lineup. My one issue is his defense in center. Somehow he won a gold glove last season despite having a UZR of -14.4. If he is going to play that bad on defense it might be time to move him to left or right.
2. Dick Ankiel Cardinals
The "feel good story" of a few years ago that came crashing to earth because it was aided by steroids. Ankiel has made a successful transition from being a pitcher who didn't know what a strike is to a hitter who likes to hit the ball far. If it weren't for an injury at the end of last season he might have hit 30 homers. Batting average and strikeouts are a concern and his defense is way overrated. Like Jim Edmonds before him Ankiel earned a reputation as a good defender because of some nice catches. In center last season he had a UZR of -4.5, not that good.
3. Mike Cameron Brewers
Cameron is another Cubs killer. He joins his Brewers teammates in their ability to strikeout a lot, but he can hit for power. His .243 batting average isn't good, but 25 homers is good. Considering the rest of the crap this division has in center, he isn't bad. His defense is awesome, and the main reason he is on this team. His UZR of 12.2 really helps with the butchers in right and left.
4. Reed Mantle/Kosuke Fukudome/Joey Gathright Cubs
There are still some Cub fans who have visions of the opening day homer in their heads, and they swear Fukudome will rebound. If he does, good then the Cubs have another solid bat in the lineup. Since he won't be good he will platoon with Reed Mantle who killed left handers last season. I think by the end of May Johnson will be starting every day, and Gathright will get starts over Fukudome sometimes. They are all average to below-average hitters who will catch some balls in the outfield.
5. Michael Bourne Astros
NOT GOOD. He can steal bases and play league average defense. That's it, he can't hit at all, doesn't walk much, and likes to strikeout.
6. Willy Taveras Reds
He isn't very good either. His defense sucks for a guy who is so fast. He will steal tons of bases, but that's about it.
Right Field
1. Milton Bradley Cubs
This is a stacked position in the division, and the newcomer Bradley is the best. When healthy he is a great hitter. He has motivation to play this season and people mock his defense even though its above average. People like to mock this singing, but I think the Cubs will really enjoy him being in right. Great hitter who gets on base and hits homers, what's not to like.
2. Jay Bruce Reds
This is a bit of a reach, but if everything works out Bruce will be a star this season. He arrived last season and tore it up leading to some thinking he might challenge Soto for the ROY. The league did catch up to Bruce and his numbers settled at .250/21/52. I think he breaks out this season hitting either third or fourth in that lineup. In a ballpark that loves homers a line of .275/30/95 wouldn't surprise me. His right field defense was just awful last season, and the Reds might benefit from him going back to center where his UZR was much much better.
3. Corey Hart Brewers
Hart made the all star team last year and then had a difficult second half offensively. I think he will rebound, he is still a 20/20 guy who drives in runs. He doesn't walk enough which is his biggest offensive problem. His defense isn't very good, he takes some bad routes and his UZR was -4.4 last season. If he can improve his defense to league average he will make a lot of noise for Milwaukee.
4. Ryan Ludwick Cardinals
Prepare for some regression to the mean by Ludwick. He was unreal last season hitting .299 with 37 homers. At age 30 its hard for me to believe that he is for real. He strikes out a ton and got real lucky last season at the plate. I don't see him doing better than .280/25/80. That's not bad at all, but certainly not close to the MVP caliber numbers he put up last season. His RF defense was pretty darn good last season, so even if he does suffer some regression at the plate, his defense helps him retain his value.
5. Hunter Pence Astros
Pence hits for some power for a little guy and has the ability to be a giant pest. His batting average wasn't very good last year, but he hit 25 homers and drove in 83. He needs to walk more and strikeout less, but that could be said for a lot of players. His defense is awesome in right field and may be the best in the division. Considering the butcher they have in left, the Astros really help themselves by putting Pence in right.
6. Brandon Moss Pirates
Moss came over from the Red Sox in the Jason Bay/Manny deal. He isn't anything too special at the plate, but he is capable of hitting about .270 and hitting homers somewhere in the teens. His defense is really good in right, and as is the common theme with the Pirates, if he can produce on defense and hit a little, the Pirates have to be happy.
Pitchers coming sometime this weekend
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