Based on a lot of different reasons, this writer thinks the National League East race is going to be a tightly contested one. Though it’s not yet time to actually predict the division winners, player awards or the World Series champion (we’ll wait for the ridiculous World Baseball Classic to be over), I thought it would be interesting to pick an All-NL East team.
First Base: Carlos Delgado is coming off a fine season, Nick Johnson appears healthy, and when he is, he’s a fine player. I have always thought very highly of Casey Kotchman, and am anxious to see him play every day for the Braves this year. The Marlins haven’t yet decided who will play first base, as Dallas McPherson and fellow prospect Gaby Sanchez are battling for that job. But however fun it will be to see either of those young players, the class of the NL East at first is Ryan Howard. Coming off his third straight season of 130-plus RBIs, Howard is an old-school slugger with monstrous power and the ability to carry a team despite his near-200K’s a season.
Second Base – Every time Dan Uggla takes the field, someone in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ front office had a searing pain in their head. (Funny how the D’Backs offense would perform if they had former Wally Backman pupils Uggla and Carlos Quentin on board. But no matter, I digress.). Luis Castillo, at the moment anyway, is a bad contract taking up undeserved space, while the Nationals will continue to see who wins their 2B job; Ronnie Belliard is a serviceable player with a sloppy work ethic and questionable defensive commitment, while Anderson Hernandez is a spectacular defensive player with excellent speed but little batting skills. The Braves’ Kelly Johnson is a scrappy grinder who can help teams win games, but Philadelphia’s Chase Utley is the world champions’ most important player.
Still slated to return by Opening Day, Utley has recovered nicely from off-season hip surgery and is ready to go. He has driven in 100-plus runs in each of the last four years, field his position well, and is a rugged leader.
Shortstop – Very deep group, and even Christian Guzman at the bottom could start for most teams in MLB. I rate Yunel Escobar a bit higher for his raw potential. Yes, Jimmy Rollins has an MVP trophy on his shelf, but Jose Reyes is a better overall player, in my opinion. Reyes is the most exciting player in baseball, and his enthusiaism — which is as aggravating to opposing team and fans as much as Gary Crater fist-pumping curtain calls were — is infectious for the Mets faithful. However, Hanley Ramirez, though, is the best shortstop in baseball, and is a favorite for this year’s MVP Award. Pay attention to this kid all year, he’s about to break out into cover-boy territory.
Third Base – Another talented group, as Jorge Cantu’s bat is as impressive as his defense is lacking. Like Pedro Feliz, he fills a very important role in his team’s respective lineup. Fortunately for the Phils, Feliz can pick it at third. The San Francisco Giants must regret giving uo on Pedro Feliz every time Bruce Bochy will have to write Bengie Molina’s name in the cleanup spot. Linked together since childhood, Ryan Zimmerman might be the face of the National franchise, but he’s second behind David Wright of the New York Mets as the divion’s top occupant of the hot corner.
Every year he’s started Opening Day, he’s hit over 40 doubles, 25-plus homers, 100-plus RBIs and has hit over .300. He’s on a Hall of Fame track. Unclutch? Beyond stupidity. There’s not a team in baseball that wouldn’t want this guy playing third for them.
Topics: Baseball Digest, Carlos Delgado, David Wright, jorge cantu, Jose Reyes, Nick Johnson, NL East, Pedro Feliz, Philadelphia Phillies, Ryan Howard, Ryan Zimmerman
Latest Headlines
- Possible La Russa Replacements
- Rodriguez Proves To Be Valuable For Rays
- Welcome To The Team Cut Your Hair
- Inside the Hobby – Online Trading
- BD Fantasy: The Buck Stops Here
- Retro Box Breaks – 2005 Topps Total
- BD Fantasy: Highlighting September Call-Ups
- Baseball Digest Classic Discussion: Higher Standards – Part IV
- Francouer And Mets Agree To Just Be Friends
- Burnett Joins The Race
- Former Met, Royal Hearn To Be Honored At Nephcure Foundation Night At Citi Field
- A Look At The Reds Pitchers-Part 2 The Bull Pen
- I-70 Baseball Radio And WWPM MediaNet Reach Agreement
- Javy In, Andy Waits
- Gotham Baseball LIVE: Adam Worthington Interview
In The News
BD Fantasy: Can Aroldis Chapman Help You?
After a lights-out debut by
Pinstripe Recap: Yankees & Rays Set For Battle To The Wire
A five-hundred week allowed the Rays to catch the Yankees and set up a race to the AL East finish.
Rushing Niemann Was Not Smart
The Rays activated Jeff Niemann from the disabled list couple of weeks ago, but it has not been smooth sailing for him so far.
Baseball Digest Classic Discussion: Higher Standards – Part III
Kirk Verner provides Part III of our series on players as role models, an ideal he has a hard time accepting.
Would make for interesting chemistry with two Mets, Wright and Jose Reyes on the left side and the Phillies Howard and Utley on the right side.
I think Kelly Johnson will be a surprise in the next couple years. He’s under the radar due to Chase Utley and Dan Uggla, but I think he will emerge as one of the top second basemen in the league as he enters his prime.
I’m glad to hear your appreciation for Casey Kotchman. He doesn’t get much love.
[...] [...]