25 NL Central Players You Must Have on Your Fantasy Team

The arrival of a new baseball season means the arrival of a new fantasy baseball season as well.

Baseball season may still be three months away, but it is never too early to start speculating about which players you should add to your fantasy squad in 2012.

The NL Central has a solid crop of players who would contribute to any fantasy team on a consistent basis.

Here are 25 players from the NL Central you must have on your fantasy team, in no particular order:

Aramis Ramirez

Aramis Ramirez hit .306 last season with 26 home runs and 93 RBI. He also had a .361 on-base percentage.

Ramirez is no longer in a Chicago Cub uniform, but will play for Milwaukee in 2012. This is a change of scenery, but it keeps Ramirez in the division he is so familiar with.

The Brewers will rely on Ramirez early and often to provide power to their lineup. Prince Fielder is all but gone, and Ryan Braun will miss the first 50 games of the season.

Ramirez will provide that pop in Milwaukee, and should provide many fantasy points in the process.

Joel Hanrahan

Joel Hanrahan had a 1.83 ERA with 40 saves and 61 strikeouts in 2011. He also had a 1.05 WHIP.

Hanrahan is a power pitcher. He puts up major strikeout numbers, and seems to be entering the prime of his career.

He is a closer so he is probably worth a late-round pick, but Hanrahan provides solid depth to any fantasy pitching staff.

Brett Wallace

Brett Wallace his .259 with five home runs and 29 RBI in 2011. These numbers are not gaudy, but Wallace is just scratching the surface of his potential.

Wallace is a power bat in an otherwise suspect Houston Astros lineup. His numbers should continue to improve as he gains more experience at the plate.

He will probably not hit much higher than .270 at his best, but Wallace has 30- to 35-HR power and the RBI potential to match.

Chris Carpenter

Chris Carpenter was 11-9 last season with a 3.45 ERA, 191 strikeouts and a 1.26 WHIP.

Carpenter is a reliable and consistent pitcher in the Cardinal rotation. With Adam Wainwright back in the mix he won't be expected to shoulder as heavy of a load.

He doesn't wow anyone, but Carpenter gets the job done. Assuming he can stay healthy, Carpenter is a solid second or third pitcher in your fantasy rotation.

Matt Garza

Matt Garza was 10-10 with a 3.32 ERA and 197 strikeouts last season. His numbers should be better in his second season in Chicago, assuming he is still there when the season begins.

It is very possible that Garza is playing in Miami or Detroit when the season begins. Until that happens, Garza should be a coveted starter among NL Central arms.

Garza provides solid power numbers and will be expected to carry the Chicago Cubs rotation.

If Garza is still on the fantasy draft board, don't be afraid to take a chance on his electric arm.

Brandon Phillips

Brandon Phillips hit .300 with 18 home runs and 82 RBI last season. He also had a .353 on-base percentage.

In terms of offensive production at second base, Phillips is right up there with anyone in baseball.

Phillips will hit .280 to .300 and has consistent 15- to 20-HR power. He is surrounded by a lot of talent in the Cincinnati lineup, and that will provide him with many RBI opportunities.

He is a guy you want to get in your lineup somehow.

John Axford

John Axford went from bartender to one of the best closers in baseball. He posted a 1.95 ERA with 46 saves and 86 strikeouts last season. 

Axford was the backbone of the Brewer bullpen in 2011. With their depleted lineup, the Brewers will rely on their top arms to win games for them next season.

He is only in his third full season at the major league level, but Axford has already proven he has big-time ability in the late innings.

Expect that trend to continue next season.

Jay Bruce

Jay Bruce hit .256 with 32 home runs and 97 RBI in 2011.

Bruce provides big-time power potential from his right field position. He is a middle-of-the-order bat for an excellent Reds lineup.

He doesn't provide consistent average at the plate, but Bruce has the ability to pop up to 40 home runs any given year. The talent surrounding him in Cincinnati assures that many of these home runs will not be solo shots.

Bruce is a can't-miss player if you need power production in your lineup.

Corey Hart

Corey Hart didn't replicate his 2010 All-Star season numbers, but he did have a solid year at the plate in 2011.

Hart hit .285 with 26 home runs and 63 RBI. With Ryan Braun out of commission to start the year, expect Hart to shoulder a much bigger load for the Brew Crew.

He is a talented player with an unorthodox style. His experience at the plate will keep him in the mix among the NL Central's best outfielders.

Hart isn't a first-round pick, but is a solid pickup in the middle rounds of any fantasy draft.

Matt Holliday

Matt Holliday hit .296 with 22 home runs and 75 RBI in 2011. He also had a .388 on-base percentage.

Holliday will be relied upon even more in 2011 for St. Louis. With Albert Pujols moving west, the Cardinals will desperately need Holliday to be a consistent presence in the middle of the lineup.

He is a proven power hitter at the major league level. As long as he stays healthy, Holliday is worthy of an early round pick.

Solid power numbers and a .270 to .280 average are typical of Holliday.

Neil Walker

Neil Walker hit .273 with 12 home runs and 83 RBI for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season.

Some may consider Walker's numbers a bit fluky, but Walker looked like the real deal at the plate last season. He does not provide tremendous home run power, but he has the ability to park 20 balls a year.

He has gap-to-gap power and is a consistent doubles hitter. He is also a clutch player, and seems to hit better with runners in scoring position.

Walker isn't Brandon Phillips or Rickie Weeks in the NL Central. However, he is a solid dark-horse pick that could pay off later for any willing fantasy owner.

Yovani Gallardo

Yovani Gallardo was 17-10 with a 3.52 ERA and 207 strikeouts in 2011.

Last season added to the quiet career Gallardo has had in Milwaukee. He has been a reliable option for the Brewers and possesses a ton of raw ability.

Gallardo will be relied upon to carry the Brewers along with the rest of the Brewer pitching rotation. Expect his numbers to stay on point next season, and for many more to come.

If Gallardo is there, take him. You won't be disappointed.

Joey Votto

Joey Votto hit. 309 with with 29 home runs and 103 RBI in 2011. He also had an on-base percentage over .400.

Votto is as good as it gets at the plate. He is an NL MVP candidate, and is still getting better as his approach at the plate continues to mature.

He is surrounded by a ton of talent in Cincinnati. This gives him the chance to knock runners in on a consistent basis.

Votto is a great fantasy choice, and worthy of a top pick in the first round. He is arguably the best hitter in the NL Central, and one of the best hitters in baseball.

Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson hit .251 with seven home runs and 42 RBI in 2011.

Johnson had a down year, but should bounce back this season. He has great potential from the left side of the plate, and is just scratching the surface of his ability.

Johnson, along with Brett Wallace, was sent down to the minor leagues to work on his approach at the plate last season. He has too much talent not to bounce back, and Houston is relying on him to get his head on straight.

He isn't an early round pick, but Johnson can fill a hole at third base. He could make someone look like a genius if he can bounce back in 2012.

Jaime Garcia

Jaime Garcia was 13-7 with a 3.56 ERA in 2011. Expect that performance to continue in 2012.

Garcia was St. Louis' second starter in 2011. With Adam Wainwright back in the Cardinal rotation, Garcia will probably bump down to the third slot.

Bumping down could cause Garcia's win total to jump, and another year of experience should allow his other statistics to follow suit.

Garcia isn't a great power arm, but he provides solid ground-ball numbers. He is an admirable choice for the middle of any fantasy rotation.

Rickie Weeks

Rickie Weeks hit .249 with 20 home runs and 49 RBI in 2011. As long as he is healthy, Weeks should be better in 2012.

Weeks is one of the better, hitting, second baseman in baseball. Some may consider him the best hitting second baseman in baseball. Either way, he is capable of starting for any fantasy team, in any league.

The Brewers would like to see Weeks' average climb somewhere between .260 and .270 or higher next season. He has the ability to hit another 20 home runs, or more, next season. He also has the ability to swipe a few bases.

Lance Berkman

Lance Berkman hit. 301 with 31 home runs and 94 RBI for the St. Louis Cardinals last season. He also had an on-base percentage just over .400.

Berkman surprised everyone with his massive production in St. Louis last year. This season he will move from right field to first base. Filling Albert Pujols' enormous shoes is no easy task, but Berkman is up to the challenge.

He is not a young man anymore, but Berkman doesn't appear to be slowing down. His average could drop this season, but Berkman still possesses big-time power from both sides of the plate.

If Berkman is available you need to snag him and run with it.

Andrew McCutchen

Andrew McCutchen hit .259 with 23 home runs and 89 RBI last season. Those numbers should improve as McCutchen fine-tunes his plate approach.

McCutchen has established himself as one of the game's youngest stars, and one of the best center fielders around.

He is a consistent 30-30 candidate, and his average should spike as he learns to hit for power without sacrificing contact.

If McCutchen can find the balance between his 2010 season and his 2011 season, he is worthy of a first-round selection.

Starlin Castro

Starlin Castro hit .307 with 10 home runs and 66 RBI in 2011.

Castro has unbelievable talent at the plate, and the size to grow into even more production as he gets older.

He is the backbone of a Cubs' rebuilding movement and with good reason. He struggles with consistency on defense at times, but he has the raw hitting ability to start for any team in baseball.

Expect Castro's average to stay around .300 and his power numbers to jump. He has 20-HR ability and could realize that this season.

Carlos Beltran

Carlos Beltran will be playing in a new home this season. Last year, Beltran hit .300 with 22 home runs and 84 RBI between the Mets and Giants. 

Beltran will face big expectations in his new home. The Cardinals lost Albert Pujols to the Angels and Tony La Russa to retirement. That leaves a huge gap in their offense and clubhouse in 2012.

Veteran leadership and solid production are two things Beltran will provide to his new squad. If he stays healthy, Beltran is a solid pickup in the early to middle rounds of your fantasy draft.

His average may drop, but his power numbers should stay the same. The talent surrounding him in St. Louis could give Beltran a power surge next season.

Mat Latos

Mat Latos was 9-14 with a 3.47 ERA for a bad Padres team in 2011. Latos' numbers should improve with his move to Cincinnati.

Petco Park is an unbelievable pitchers' park in San Diego. This helped Latos, but his win total should be higher on a great Reds team.

Don't give his former ballpark all of the credit when it concerns Latos' numbers. He has as much talent as any young pitcher around.

He was one of the strikeout leaders in baseball last year. Expect the same this year, along with more victories for the young right-hander.

Zach Greinke

Zach Greinke was 16-6 with a 3.13 ERA for Milwaukee in 2011. He got off to a slow start and could improve in 2012.

When Greinke is healthy and receives run support he is one of the best pitchers in the game today. He has great stuff and understands how to approach any type of batter.

Greinke has ace potential for your fantasy team next season. As he settles into Milwaukee and the Brewer lineup starts to come together, Greinke should continue to get better as the season rolls along.

Adam Wainwright

Adam Wainwright missed all of 2011 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. In 2010, he was 20-11 with a 2.42 ERA.

When he is healthy, Wainwright is one of the best starters in all of baseball. Assuming there are no residual effects from his elbow surgery, there is no reason Wainwright won't bounce back in 2012.

Wainwright will be the St. Louis ace from day one. He is extremely consistent, strikes out his fair share without walking a tremendous amount of batters.

If you trust his arm take Wainwright with your first or second pick. If you don't trust his arm, take him anyway.

Johnny Cueto

Johnny Cueto was 9-5 with a 2.31 ERA in 2011. With Edinson Volquez and Travis Wood's departure from Cincinnati, Cueto will have a larger load to shoulder.

Cueto has all the talent but lacks consistency at times. If he can find his zone on a regular basis he could emerge as one of the best starters in the National League.

He should win at least 10 games on a very good Reds team. His strikeout numbers will be above average, and he doesn't give up many home runs.

Cueto isn't an ace of your fantasy team, but he adds great depth to any rotation. He could be a big surprise if he puts it all together.

Yadier Molina

Yadier Molina hit at a .305 clip with with 14 home runs and 65 RBI last season. He is arguably the best catcher in the game, and that doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon.

Molina's defense is unrivaled behind the plate, but his offense should not be overshadowed. He is an underrated hitter with the ability to hurt team's at any time.

He will never be a 30- to 40-HR guy but is capable of popping 20 bombs in a season. His average will stay up, and he knocks runners in on a consistent basis.

Molina should be one of the first catchers off the board in any league.