MLB Preview 2011: Picking the Preseason All-NL East Team

The National League East is a division that was dominated by the Braves for years, but the Phillies are now top dogs. That is not to count the Braves out, however, as they have a wealth of young talent and a solid pitching staff.

The Marlins are another young team that continues to get better each season, and could be a contender sooner rather than later, while the Nationals seem ready to open up their wallets, as they inked Jayson Werth to a huge contract in the off season and made a run at Cliff Lee. The Mets will look to begin rebuilding, as they have a ton of money coming off the books next season, so a number of young players could get a look this season.

So here is a position-by-position preview of the NL East, as we turn our sights to opening day later this week.

Catcher: Brian McCann, Braves

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ATLANTA - JUNE 30: Brian McCann #16 of the Atlanta Braves against the Washington Nationals at Turner Field on June 30, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

2010 Stats
BA: .269
OBP: .375
SLG: .453
H: 129
HR: 21
RBI: 77
R: 63

The Rest
2. Carlos Ruiz, Phillies
3. John Buck, Marlins
4. Ivan Rodriguez, Nationals
5. Josh Thole, Mets

Not many divisions can boast having four catchers who have been All-Stars at some point in their career, and another who may well be on his way, as the NL East has an impressive field of backstops.

McCann is still the cream of the crop, however, and the best offensive catcher in the National League. However, Ruiz took a big step last season, and should continue to thrive in the Phillies offense, while Buck may have over performed last year and Rodriguez only has so much left at 39. Thole is the wild card here, as he is entering his first season as a starter after an impressive showing in limited action last season.

First Base: Ryan Howard, Phillies

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CLEARWATER, FL - MARCH 06: First baseman Ryan Howard #6 of the Philadelphia Phillies watches his second inning home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during a Grapefruit League Spring Training Game at Bright House Field on March 6, 2011 in Sarasota, Florida

2010 Stats
BA: .276
OBP: .353
SLG: .505
H: 152
HR: 31
RBI: 108
R: 87

The Rest
2. Adam LaRoche, Nationals
3. Gaby Sanchez, Marlins
4. Freddie Freeman, Braves
5. Ike Davis, Mets

Howard is clearly at the top of this list, but the rest of the group is interesting. Howard, however, is among the game's best run producers, and he will need to have a big season with Chase Utley hobbled early and Jayson Werth gone to Washington.

As for the rest of the group, LaRoche may be the most underrated signing of the off season, as he was a steal for just $6 million. Sanchez and Davis both showed signs of things to come in their rookie seasons, while Freeman is one of the leading candidates for Rookie of the Year this coming season. This position could be an interesting one five years from now.

Second Base: Chase Utley, Phillies

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NEW YORK - JUNE 15: Chase Utley #26 of the Philadelphia Phillies bats against the New York Yankees on June 15, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

2010 Stats
BA: .275
OBP: .387
SLG: .445
H: 117
HR: 16
RBI: 65
R: 75
SB: 13

The Rest
2. Dan Uggla, Braves
3. Danny Espinosa, Nationals
4. Omar Infante, Marlins
5. Brad Emaus, Mets

Utley looks as though he will start the season on the disabled list, but once he comes back, he will once again take his place as the game's most complete second baseman.

Uggla stays in the division, but switches teams after what was the best offensive season of his career. Also moving in that deal was super utility man Omar Infante who will get a crack at an everyday job with the Marlins. With the release of Luis Castillo, the Mets hand the second base job to Emaus, who will make his MLB debut on Opening Day. He and Espinosa have both been given jobs where they shouldn't have to look over their shoulders this season.

Third Base: David Wright, Mets

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ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 01: David Wright #5 of the New York Mets against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on September 1, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

2010 Stats
BA: .283
OBP: .354
SLG: .503
H: 166
HR: 29
RBI: 103
R: 87
SB:19

The Rest
2. Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals
3. Placido Polanco, Phillies
4. Chipper Jones, Braves
5. Wes Helms, Marlins

Wright and Zimmerman are numbers 1 and 1A in this discussion, and most teams would love to have either of them at the hot corner. However, after a bounce back season last year, he is just a small step above Zimmerman going into the 2011 season.

The other three in this division are solid veterans, with the Braves not entirely sure what to expect from Jones, who is coming back from a torn ACL. Helms and Polanco on the other hand are guys whose teams know exactly what to expect from them.

Shortstop: Hanley Ramirez, Marlins

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ATLANTA - JULY 02: Hanley Ramirez #2 of the Florida Marlins against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on July 2, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

2010 Stats
BA: .300
OBP: .378
SLG: .475
H: 163
HR: 21
RBI: 76
R: 92
SB: 32

The Rest
2. Jimmy Rollins
3. Jose Reyes
4. Ian Desmond
5. Alex Gonzalez

Ramirez is one of the most exciting players in all of baseball, combining speed and power like few players in the game, and he will need to lead a young Marlins team that is moving closer and closer to contention each season.

Rollins and Reyes are both looking to bounce back from injury plagued 2010's, and Reyes will be playing for a contract as he is a free agent at season's end. Desmond is one of a slew of promising young players in Washington and Gonzalez provides good pop at the bottom of the Braves lineup.

Left Field: Jason Bay, Mets

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SAN FRANCISCO - JULY 18: Jason Bay #44 of the New York Mets bats against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on July 18, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

2010 Stats
BA: .259
OBP: .347
SLG: .402
H: 90
HR: 6
RBI: 47
R: 48
SB: 10

The Rest
2. Raul Ibanez, Phillies
3. Martin Prado, Braves
4. Logan Morrison, Marlins
5. Mike Morse, Nationals

While it seems more and more unlikely that Bay will approach the numbers he put up with the Red Sox in 2009, it is also a safe bet that Bay will bounce back to something in the neighborhood of .280 BA, 25 HR, 90 RBI with potential for more.

Really there are question marks at this position for every team, as Ibanez is another year older, Prado is learning a new position, and Morse and Morrison were good in limited action last year and will be entering their first season as starters.

Center Field: Shane Victorino, Phillies

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SAN FRANCISCO - APRIL 27: Shane Victorino #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies bats against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on April 27, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

2010 Stats
BA; .259
OBP: .327
SLG: .429
H: 152
HR: 18
RBI: 69
R: 84
SB: 34

The Rest
2. Chris Coghlan, Marlins
3. Angel Pagan, Mets
4. Rick Ankiel, Nationals
5. Nate McLouth, Braves

Victorino saw his batting average slip last season over 30 points, but he still had a productive season, and there is no reason not to think his average won't make its way back up to the .280 neighborhood this season, as he continues to be a valuable table setter at the top of the Phillies potent lineup.

Coghlan will look to regain his Rookie of the Year form after missing much of 2010 due to a celebration related injury. Pagan was one of the breakout players of 2010 and will look to build off of that success, while Ankiel and McLouth are serviceable starters at best.

Right Field: Jason Heyward

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WASHINGTON - JULY 27: Jason Heyward #22 of the Atlanta Braves is hit by a pitch in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 27, 2010 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

2010 Stats
BA: .277
OBP: .393
SLG: .456
H: 144
HR: 18
RBI: 72
R: 83
SB: 11

The Rest
2. Jayson Werth, Nationals
3. Mike Stanton, Marlins
4. Carlos Beltran, Mets
5. Ben Francisco, Phillies

The Nationals signing of Werth was one of the stories of the off season, but Heyward should have no trouble building off of his rookie numbers as he continues to emerge as the game's next superstar.

As for Werth, his contract drew some criticism as many view him as overpaid, but he will continue to do a little bit of everything offensively. If Stanton can cut down on his strikeouts he could give Heyward a run for this spot, as he has 50 home run power. Beltran is in the final year of the monster deal he signed and is looking to get one last big contract. Francisco is keeping right field warm for Domonic Brown, the Phillies top prospect.

Starting Pitcher 1: Roy Halladay, Phillies

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 21: Roy Halladay #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch against the San Francisco Giants in Game Five of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at AT&T Park on October 21, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra

2010 Stats
Wins:
Losses:
ERA:
ERA+:
WHIP:
Ks:

Halladay was the story of 2010, pitching a perfect game during the season and throwing a no-hitter in the first playoff start of his career. That was capped off with his second Cy Young Award, as he became just the fifth pitcher to win the award in both leagues.

Now, he will serve as the ace of one of the best staffs that the game has ever seen, as the Phillies will be overwhelming favorites to win the NL pennant in 2011.

Starting Pitcher 2: Cliff Lee

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 28: Cliff Lee #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch against the New York Yankees in Game One of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 28, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Phillies won 6-1. (Ph

2010 Stats
Wins: 12
Losses: 9
ERA: 3.18
ERA+: 130
WHIP: 1.003
Ks: 185

In what was the surprise move of the off season, the Phillies swooped in and signed Lee, after it seemed as though the choice was between the Rangers and Yankees. As if the Phillies rotation was not already dangerous enough, they now boast arguably the best left hander in the game and one of the most clutch postseason pitchers of our time.

Starting Pitcher 3: Josh Johnson

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NEW YORK - APRIL 05: Josh Johnson #55 of the Florida Marlins pitches against the New York Mets during their Opening Day Game at Citi Field on April 5, 2010 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty I

2010 Stats
Wins: 11
Losses: 6
ERA: 2.30
ERA+: 182
WHIP: 1.105
Ks: 186

While injuries have been an issue throughout Johnson's career, and they cut his breakout season short last year, he proved that he is the real deal in 2010, winning the NL ERA title, and making his second straight All-Star team as he finished fifth in Cy Young voting.

The Marlins look to be an improved team in 2011, and are heading towards contention. That should mean more wins for Johnson, as he continues to emerge as one of the NL's top arms.

Starting Pitcher 4: Cole Hamels

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ST. LOUIS - JULY 22: Starting pitcher Cole Hamels #35 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on July 22, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Phillies defeated the Cardinals 2-0. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty I

2010 Stats
Wins: 12
Losses: 11
ERA: 3.06
ERA+: 132
WHIP: 1.179
Ks: 211

Hamels, though his record didn't necessarily show it, was one of the NL's top pitchers in 2010 as he bounced back well from a disappointing season in 2009.

With the addition Cliff Lee and a full season from Roy Oswalt, Hamels could find himself matched up against the bottom of many team's rotations, which could mean a lot of wins for the young lefty, as he is no doubt the best fourth starter in all of baseball.

Starting Pitcher 5: Roy Oswalt

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 17: Pitcher Roy Oswalt #44 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants in Game Two of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park on October 17, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pe

2010 Stats
Wins: 13
Losses: 13
ERA: 2.76
ERA+: 143
WHIP: 1.025
Ks: 193

No one was happier than Oswalt to get out of Houston and come to the Phillies, and it showed as he went 7-1 with a 1.74 ERA in 12 starts following the trade. He could be in line for a return to the 20-win seasons of old, as he is still on 33 years old.

Next Five Starters
6. Tim Hudson, Braves
7. Johan Santana, Mets (injured until mid-season)
8. Tommy Hanson, Braves
9. Jair Jurrjens, Braves
10. Ricky Nolasco, Marlins

Closer: Francisco Rodriguez

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PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - MARCH 03: Pitcher Francisco Rodriguez #75 of the New York Mets throws against the St. Louis Cardinals at Digital Domain Park on March 3, 2011 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

2010 Stats
Games: 46
Saves: 25
ERA: 2.20
Ks: 67
K/9: 10.5

The Rest
2. Craig Kimbrel, Braves
3. Leo Nunez, Marlins
4. Drew Storen, Nationals
5. Brad Lidge, Phillies

Rodriguez had some problems last year, both on and off the field, but he is still one of the game's premier late inning arms, and there is no reason he shouldn't bounce back with a great season in 2011.

Kimbrel is one to watch, and could contend for NL Rookie of the Year, after going 4-0, 0.44 ERA, 40 Ks in 20.2 innings pitched last season. A pair of young arms in Nunez and Storen look to take the next step as closers, while Lidge will open the season on the disabled list, and could very well lose his job to Ryan Madson if he performs well in his absence.