2007 Team of the Future: National League
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by user Timothy Moreland (Bball3345)
I will be doing an ongoing MLB preview series over the next two months, until Opening Day. Here is the first installment.
Rules
- Just like last year (NL Team of the Future), I will assemble a team of players to build the best team for the next five years
- Salaries are not a factor
- Whether or not the player will play for a major league team all five years or start for them is not a factor; therefore, i can select minor leaguers who may not be in the majors for two more years if I feel they are the best player to have. They will be starters on my team.
- The players do not have to be a certain age. Although, selecting Clemens may be a bad move because he would more than likely retire or fade very quickly.
Catcher
Brian McCann: McCann is far and away the best catcher in the National League. At only 23 years of age, he has 30 HR potential and could win a batting title. His defense behind the plate is not fantastic, but is about average. McCann's bat is strong enough to play any position, but makes him an MVP candidate at catcher.
Honorable Mentions: Russell Martin, Chris Iannetta (2006: 1.038 OPS in AA and .887 OPS in AAA/ highly-rated defense)
First Base
Albert Pujols: While Howard did slug 58 HRs, no one is as good a player as Prince Albert. They are both 27-years-old, but Pujols is a multiple MVP winner and frequent All-Star selection, while Howard has only one full season under his belt. Offensively, Pujols gets a slight nod, but it is defense and speed that polarizes them. Pujols plays Gold Glove defense and steals 10-15 bases per season, while Howard is atrocious in the field and has no stolen a base since AA in 2004. Pujols career low OBP is .394 and his career low SLG is .561, both in the same season. Last year, Pujols had a line of .331/.431/.671. Howard may win some more MVP trophies in the future, but Pujols will be the most valuable of the two for a long time.
Honorable Mentions: Ryan Howard, Lance Berkman, Prince Fielder
Second Base
Chase Utley: Utley stands out among all other second baseman with his bat. He is a lock for 30 HRS and could get hot and go for 40 without surprising anyone. Utley is also an intelligent baserunner, with 37 steals and only 8 caught stealings in his career. Last season, Utley's defense declined, but it was solid for the first couple years of his career.
Honorable Mentions: Eric Patterson(46 steals in 2006/ 43 in 2005), Orlando Hudson, Dan Uggla
Third Base
Miguel Cabrera: Third base has three superstars with Zimmerman, Cabrera, and Wright. Cabrera has the best bat among the three, but either Wright or Cabrera could hit 40 HRs and either two could have a .400+ OBP. Wright clearly has the most value on the basepath. The other two don't factor into the run game. Cabrera lags behind the other two defensively. Zimmerman has the best glove, but Wright plays near Gold-Glove caliber as well. The upside for all three is relatively equal, but Wright and Cabrera have already shown they are superstars. Zimmerman has a bit more to prove, but he is also two years younger than the other two.
Honorable Mentions: Ryan Zimmerman, David Wright
Shortstop
Hanley Ramirez: Again, there is a three-way race. Rollins has the best glove of the three, but none of them are that good in the field. After a slump to start the year, Rollins exploded for 25 HRs. His OBP is relatively low, usually somewhere around .340. He can be penciled in for 30 steals. Reyes should hit between 15-25 HRs each season, with a .300 average. His OBP jumped from terrible to strong last season. It will be essential for the youngster to maintain this new level. Reyes is the type of player who could steal 80 bases in a season. His defense has been rather ugly. Ramirez is a year younger than Reyes and was just as good on offense last year as Reyes. His defense is below-average, but not the atrocity that Reyes' is. He has good power and will crack 20 HRs soon. Ramirez may not steal 80 bases, but 45 is a sure-thing. It is more likely that Ramirez will sustain his high OBP than Reyes. Overall, any three of these guys have MVP upside.
Honorable Mentions: Jose Reyes, Jimmy Rollins
Left Field
Jason Bay: Dunn, Soriano, and to a lesser extent, Holliday make the decision interesting, but the answer is clearly Bay. He plays for one of the most poorly run organizations in sports; however, Bay is one of the best outfielders in the game. Defensively, Bay has great range, has only 7 career errors in left, and had 10 outfield assists last season. One can expect 35-40 HRs, a .280 average, a .400 OBP, and extremely efficient basestealing (2005-06: 32/35). Bay is a complete player and would be an MVP candidate on any other team.
Honorable Mentions: Adam Dunn, Alfonso Soriano, Matt Holliday
Center Field
Carlos Beltran: Since Chris Young really hasn't played at the major league level, this selection has to go to Beltran. Last season was the best of his career. He topped 40 HRs, which is unlikely to happen again, hit 38 doubles, and showed off his tremendous speed on the basepaths and in center. He was the most valuable player on the Mets team last season. Young projects to be Beltran Jr., but for know, the nod goes to the original version.
Honorable Mentions: Chris Young
Right Field
Jeremy Hermida: Not to take anything away from Hermida, but this pick was due more to a lack of superstars in right than Hermida's accomplishments. Still, Hermida has a lot to be proud of. Last season he showed no power, but he should be a 20 HR player with 30 doubles. His OBP should approach .400 over the next few years. On the bases, Hermida has average speed, which translates into some nicely timed steals. As well, he plays average defense in right. An MVP is probably not in his future, but Hermida should make a few All-Star games over the next decade.
Honorable Mentions: Jeff Francoeur, Jay Bruce(athletic/ good arm/ power), Carlos Quentin, Austin Kearns
Complete NL Lineup
2B Chase Utley
LF Jason Bay
Rotation
I didn't include any pitchers last season, so here is my rotation, just for fun.
Just missed... Cole Hamels and Tim Lincecum
