2016 Fantasy Baseball: Top 10 Players In The National League Central

2016 Fantasy Baseball: Top 10 Players In The National League Central

By Brad Berreman

February 26, 2016

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Fantasy baseball season is nearly here, and these 10 players from the NL Central will be the best the division has to offer in 2016.

arrow-left — Braun is expected to be ready for opening day after offseason back surgery, but durability concerns are not going away at age 32. That said, there's value in a .280 batting average and the potential for a 20-20 season, and Braun offers that.

arrow-right — Braun is expected to be ready for opening day after offseason back surgery, but durability concerns are not going away at age 32. That said, there's value in a .280 batting average and the potential for a 20-20 season, and Braun offers that.

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arrow-left — Carpenter's 28 home run power surge in 2015 does not look repeatable, but outside of stolen bases (four last season) he offers good production across the board. Be wary of the potential draft day cost now, but Carpenter is a solid fantasy option.

arrow-right — Carpenter's 28 home run power surge in 2015 does not look repeatable, but outside of stolen bases (four last season) he offers good production across the board. Be wary of the potential draft day cost now, but Carpenter is a solid fantasy option.

arrow-left — A hip injury derailed Mesoraco's 2015 season, but his power potential (25 home runs in 2014) is real at a position where it's hard for fantasy owners to find it.

arrow-right — A hip injury derailed Mesoraco's 2015 season, but his power potential (25 home runs in 2014) is real at a position where it's hard for fantasy owners to find it.

arrow-left — After an injury-plagued 2014, Votto rebounded last year (.314, 29 HRs, 80 RBIs, 11 SB and 95 runs scored). The Reds' lineup looks thin, especially if Jay Bruce is traded, but Votto is a solid across the board producer with added value in OBP leagues.

arrow-right — After an injury-plagued 2014, Votto rebounded last year (.314, 29 HRs, 80 RBIs, 11 SB and 95 runs scored). The Reds' lineup looks thin, especially if Jay Bruce is traded, but Votto is a solid across the board producer with added value in OBP leagues.

arrow-left — Cole had a breakout 2015 season, topping 200 innings (208) for the first time with 19 wins and good peripherals (8.7 K/9, 1.9 BB/9). A rib cage injury early this spring is a minor concern, but Cole is an ace and fantasy owners can draft him as such.

arrow-right — Cole had a breakout 2015 season, topping 200 innings (208) for the first time with 19 wins and good peripherals (8.7 K/9, 1.9 BB/9). A rib cage injury early this spring is a minor concern, but Cole is an ace and fantasy owners can draft him as such.

arrow-left — Marte contributed across the board in 2015 (.287, 19 HRs, 81 RBIs, 84 runs scored and 30 stolen bases), and he's at a peak age (27). There's value to be had here, with big upside potential, and Marte could finish 2016 as a top 10 fantasy outfielder.

arrow-right — Marte contributed across the board in 2015 (.287, 19 HRs, 81 RBIs, 84 runs scored and 30 stolen bases), and he's at a peak age (27). There's value to be had here, with big upside potential, and Marte could finish 2016 as a top 10 fantasy outfielder.

arrow-left — Arrieta was good in 2014, but he went to a different level in 2015 (22-6, 1.77 ERA, 229 IP) as he finished in epic fashion (0.41 ERA over his final 12 starts). Even with expected normalization, Arrieta is a nice way to start a fantasy pitching staff.

arrow-right — Arrieta was good in 2014, but he went to a different level in 2015 (22-6, 1.77 ERA, 229 IP) as he finished in epic fashion (0.41 ERA over his final 12 starts). Even with expected normalization, Arrieta is a nice way to start a fantasy pitching staff.

arrow-left — Bryant didn't disappoint upon arriving in the big leagues in 2015, with 26 home runs, 99 RBIs and 13 steals. He is strikeout prone (199) and had good fortune (.383 BABIP), which puts his .275 batting average in line to regress, but let's not nitpick.

arrow-right — Bryant didn't disappoint upon arriving in the big leagues in 2015, with 26 home runs, 99 RBIs and 13 steals. He is strikeout prone (199) and had good fortune (.383 BABIP), which puts his .275 batting average in line to regress, but let's not nitpick.

arrow-left — A downward trend in stolen bases is worth watching (11 in 2015), but back, knee and Achilles issues may have limited his running. Assuming full health and a rebound toward 20 steals, McCutchen is one of the most stable fantasy options around.

arrow-right — A downward trend in stolen bases is worth watching (11 in 2015), but back, knee and Achilles issues may have limited his running. Assuming full health and a rebound toward 20 steals, McCutchen is one of the most stable fantasy options around.

arrow-left — Rizzo became a fantasy star in 2015, with 31 home runs, 101 RBIs, 94 runs scored and 17 stolen bases. It's hard to bank on upside, but Rizzo has a legitimate chance to hit 40 home runs, drive in over 100 and score 100 runs this year.

arrow-right — Rizzo became a fantasy star in 2015, with 31 home runs, 101 RBIs, 94 runs scored and 17 stolen bases. It's hard to bank on upside, but Rizzo has a legitimate chance to hit 40 home runs, drive in over 100 and score 100 runs this year.

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