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

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As I wrap up my series of the top players in each division for fantasy baseball in 2016, here are the top-10 fantasy options in the National League East.

10. Washington Nationals 3B Anthony Rendon

Washington Nationals 3B Anthony Rendon Rob Foldy - Getty Images
Rendon's 2015 season was an injury-riddled mess, and his numbers were dismal (.264, six home runs and 25 RBI). The arrival of Daniel Murphy as a free agent will push Rendon to third base full-time this year, which should help ease durability concerns. Multi-position eligibility (59 games at second base, 28 games at third base last season) and upside (.287, 21 home runs, 83 RBI, 17 stolen bases in 2014) make Rendon a solid fantasy option.

Rendon's 2015 season was an injury-riddled mess, and his numbers were dismal (.264, six home runs and 25 RBI). The arrival of Daniel Murphy as a free agent will push Rendon to third base full-time this year, which should help ease durability concerns. Multi-position eligibility (59 games at second base, 28 games at third base last season) and upside (.287, 21 home runs, 83 RBI, 17 stolen bases in 2014) make Rendon a solid fantasy option.

9. New York Mets SP Noah Syndergaard

New York Mets SP Noah Syndergaard Mike Stobe - Getty Images
"Thor" arrived on May 12 with a strikeout hammer worthy of the nickname last year (10.0 K/9), and he had nine wins and a 3.24 ERA over 24 starts. An innings limit is possible this year, but otherwise Syndergaard should be a worthy part of any fantasy pitching staff.

"Thor" arrived on May 12 with a strikeout hammer worthy of the nickname last year (10.0 K/9), and he had nine wins and a 3.24 ERA over 24 starts. An innings limit is possible this year, but otherwise Syndergaard should be a worthy part of any fantasy pitching staff.

8. Philadelphia Phillies 3B Maikel Franco

Philadelphia Phillies 3B Maikel Franco Getty Images
Franco hit .280 with 14 home runs, 50 RBI and 22 doubles over 304 at-bats last year, and if not for missing two months with a fractured left wrist those home run and RBI totals would have been better. Full health and 500 at-bats puts 20-25 home runs and 80-90 RBI well within reach for Franco this year, even with a dismal lineup around him.

Franco hit .280 with 14 home runs, 50 RBI and 22 doubles over 304 at-bats last year, and if not for missing two months with a fractured left wrist those home run and RBI totals would have been better. Full health and 500 at-bats puts 20-25 home runs and 80-90 RBI well within reach for Franco this year, even with a dismal lineup around him.

7. Atlanta Braves 1B Freddie Freeman

Atlanta Braves 1B Freddie Freeman Scott Cunningham - Getty Images
Freeman hit 18 home runs for the second straight year in 2015, in nearly 200 fewer at-bats. A wrist injury hampered him after the All-Star break (.241, six home runs, 25 RBI), so the prospect of full health this year brings upside potential. The rest of the Braves' lineup does not look great, but Freeman could still hit 30 home runs, drive in 100 and post a .300 batting average in 2016.

Freeman hit 18 home runs for the second straight year in 2015, in nearly 200 fewer at-bats. A wrist injury hampered him after the All-Star break (.241, six home runs, 25 RBI), so the prospect of full health this year brings upside potential. The rest of the Braves' lineup does not look great, but Freeman could still hit 30 home runs, drive in 100 and post a .300 batting average in 2016.

6. New York Mets SP Jacob deGrom

New York Mets SP Jacob deGrom Getty Images
After a Rookie of the Year campaign in 2014 (2.69 ERA, 9.2 K/9, 2.8 BB/9), deGrom had a worthy follow-up last year (14 wins, 2.54 ERA, 9.7 K/9, 1.8 BB/9). The next step is 200 innings pitched, and that is easily within reach in 2016.

After a Rookie of the Year campaign in 2014 (2.69 ERA, 9.2 K/9, 2.8 BB/9), deGrom had a worthy follow-up last year (14 wins, 2.54 ERA, 9.7 K/9, 1.8 BB/9). The next step is 200 innings pitched, and that is easily within reach in 2016.

5. Miami Marlins OF Giancarlo Stanton

Miami Marlins OF Giancarlo Stanton Getty Images
Stanton has had more than 500 at-bats just once in the last four seasons, and he was limited to 279 at-bats and 74 games last year due to a wrist injury. But he hit 27 home runs and drove in 67 runs during his limited action, which points to his substantial upside. Health permitting, fluke injury or otherwise, Stanton's fantasy value rests on the likelihood of 40 home runs and the possibility he could push toward 50 round-trippers.

Stanton has had more than 500 at-bats just once in the last four seasons, and he was limited to 279 at-bats and 74 games last year due to a wrist injury. But he hit 27 home runs and drove in 67 runs during his limited action, which points to his substantial upside. Health permitting, fluke injury or otherwise, Stanton's fantasy value rests on the likelihood of 40 home runs and the possibility he could push toward 50 round-trippers.

4. New York Mets SP Matt Harvey

New York Mets SP Matt Harvey Al Bello - Getty Images
Talk of an innings limit, and the emergence of others, obscured Harvey's very good first season after Tommy John surgery (2.71 ERA, 8.9 K/9, 1.8 BB/9, 46 percent ground ball rate) that included improvement late. There's still a bit of risk, but Harvey is absolutely a potential fantasy ace who should come at a relative discount in drafts and auctions.

Talk of an innings limit, and the emergence of others, obscured Harvey's very good first season after Tommy John surgery (2.71 ERA, 8.9 K/9, 1.8 BB/9, 46 percent ground ball rate) that included improvement late. There's still a bit of risk, but Harvey is absolutely a potential fantasy ace who should come at a relative discount in drafts and auctions.

3. Washington Nationals SP Max Scherzer

Washington Nationals SP Max Scherzer Getty Images
The Nationals, and fantasy baseball owners, got their money's worth from Scherzer in 2015. A relatively low win total (14) was not ideal, but everything else (2.79 ERA, 228.2 innings, 10.9 K/9, 1.3 BB/9, two no-hitters) screams ace in every way. As crazy as it sounds, there's potential value here on draft day, if other owners in your league dismiss the overall repeatability of last season.

The Nationals, and fantasy baseball owners, got their money's worth from Scherzer in 2015. A relatively low win total (14) was not ideal, but everything else (2.79 ERA, 228.2 innings, 10.9 K/9, 1.3 BB/9, two no-hitters) screams ace in every way. As crazy as it sounds, there's potential value here on draft day, if other owners in your league dismiss the overall repeatability of last season.

2. Miami Marlins 2B Dee Gordon

Miami Marlins 2B Dee Gordon Mitchell Layton - Getty Images
Gordon had a solid breakout with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2014 (.289, 92 runs scored, 64 stolen bases and 12 triples), and followed that up well with the Marlins last year (.333, 88 runs scored and 58 stolen bases). Don't look for any sort of power numbers, but elite level contribution in three categories makes Gordon a top fantasy option at second base.

Gordon had a solid breakout with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2014 (.289, 92 runs scored, 64 stolen bases and 12 triples), and followed that up well with the Marlins last year (.333, 88 runs scored and 58 stolen bases). Don't look for any sort of power numbers, but elite level contribution in three categories makes Gordon a top fantasy option at second base.

1. Washington Nationals OF Bryce Harper

Washington Nationals OF Bryce Harper Getty Images
Harper stayed healthy last season, and he delivered big numbers (.330, 42 home runs, 99 RBI, 118 runs scored, 1.109 OPS). His prior injury history should not be completely forgotten, and there's a chance of some regression (27 percent home run/fly ball rate and .374 BABIP in 2015), but Harper is sure to be a top-five pick in fantasy drafts.

Harper stayed healthy last season, and he delivered big numbers (.330, 42 home runs, 99 RBI, 118 runs scored, 1.109 OPS). His prior injury history should not be completely forgotten, and there's a chance of some regression (27 percent home run/fly ball rate and .374 BABIP in 2015), but Harper is sure to be a top-five pick in fantasy drafts.

Brad Berreman is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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