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

Part two in a preseason preview series. With the NL East already completed, this will take a look at the NL Central.

In a division that seems to be a toss-up year in and year out, the NL Central surprised once again last season, as the Reds snuck in and won the division backed by NL MVP Joey Votto. They will look to contend once again as they return with basically the same team in 2011.

The Cardinals seem to be contenders every season, but they will have to overcome the loss of ace Adam Wainwright. The Cubs look to bounce back from a disappointing season with the additions of Matt Garza and Carlos Pena. The Brewers were the big winners this offseason, trading for two top arms in Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum. The Pirates continue to build from within and have a number of good young pieces, while the Astros are in the early stages of a rebuild themselves.

So here is a position-by-position breakdown of the NL Central, and a look at who has the top player at each position.

Catcher: Yadier Molina, Cardinals

Marc Serota/Getty Images

JUPITER, FL - MARCH 01: Catcher Yadier Molina of the St. Louis Cardinals prepares for the Florida Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium on March 1, 2011 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

2010 Stats
BA: .262
OBP: .329
SLG: .342
H: 122
HR: 6
RBI: 62
R: 34

The Rest
2. Geovany Soto, Cubs
3. Ramon Hernandez, Reds
4. Cory Snyder, Pirates
5. Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers
6. Humberto Quintero, Astros

While he may not provide top flight offense, Molina is one of the best defensive catchers to ever play the game, and has an absolute cannon for an arm. He is also a solid run producer and a very good contact hitter. As long as he hits enough to keep from being a liability, his defense more than accounts for him being in the top spot here.

Soto, after a rough sophomore campaign in which he hit just .218 a year after winning Rookie of the Year and starting the All-Star game, bounced back with a solid 2010 season. He could be counted on more in the middle of the Cubs' lineup this season with Derrek Lee gone.

Snyder provides solid offense, while Quintero handles the staff very well. Lucroy is the wild card here, as he hit well enough in his debut last season to win the starting spot this season.

First Base: Albert Pujols, Cardinals

Al Bello/Getty Images

NEW YORK - JULY 27: Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals flies out against the New York Mets during their game on July 27, 2010 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

2010 Stats
BA: .312
OBP: .414
SLG: .596
H: 183
HR: 42
RBI: 118
R: 115

The Rest
2. Joey Votto, Reds
3. Prince Fielder, Brewers
4. Carlos Pena, Cubs
5. Lyle Overbay, Pirates
6. Brett Wallace, Astros

As far as the top three on this list, there may be no stronger position in any division in all of baseball, and at the top is the undeniable top dog as far as hitters go in the game today, Pujols. While his future in St. Louis is in question, there is little question he will continue to crush the ball.

From there, Votto took a big step last season, winning MVP and asserting himself as a future star, passing an injury-plagued Fielder in the process. Much like Pujols, Fielder's future is uncertain in Milwaukee, but the Brewers have set themselves up for a run this season. Overbay will give a young Pirates team some veteran leadership, while Wallace, a top prospect for years, finally gets a crack at an everyday job in Houston.

Second Base: Brandon Phillips, Reds

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CINCINNATI - JULY 18: Brandon Phillips #4 of the Cincinnati Reds is pictured during the game against the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park on July 18, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

2010 Stats
BA: .275
OBP: .332
SLG: .430
H: 172
HR: 18
RBI: 59
R: 100
SB: 16

The Rest
2. Rickie Weeks, Brewers
3. Neil Walker, Pirates
4. Bill Hall, Astros
5. Skip Schumaker, Cardinals
6. Jeff Baker, Cubs

The 2010 season was a coming out party of sorts for Rickie Weeks, and it earned him a big contract, but until he proves he can stay healthy and duplicate that production, the top spot still belongs to Phillips here.

Hall will once again be an everyday player in the NL Central, after leaving the Brewers to take on a utility role in Boston last year. Schumaker is just a season removed from back to back .300 batting averages, while Baker could be pushed for playing time by Darwin Barney and Blake Dewitt in what will at the very least be a platoon.

Third Base: Pedro Alvarez, Pirates

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CINCINNATI - SEPTEMBER 12: Pedro Alvarez #17 of the Pittsburgh Pirates is pictured during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark on September 12, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

2010 Stats
BA: .256
OBP: .326
SLG: .461
H: 89
HR: 16
RBI: 64
R: 42

The Rest
2. Casey McGehee, Brewers
3. Scott Rolen, Reds
4. Aramis Ramirez, Cubs
5. David Freese, Cardinals
6. Chris Johnson, Astros

This is a position that Rolen dominated for years during his prime with the Cardinals, and he enjoyed a bounce back season in 2010 with the Reds. However, the future is now for Alvarez, the former second overall pick in the 2008 draft, and he should be a big-time run producer over a full season.

McGehee proved that all he needed was a chance, after toiling in the Cubs' minor league system for years, as he built off a solid 2009 season with a .285 BA, 23 HR, 104 RBI year in 2010. Rolen and Ramirez are both getting old and are constant injury risks, but are still capable of putting up big numbers. Freese will look to stay healthy after his rookie season was cut short, while Johnson will try to build off a great audition last season when he put up a .308 BA, with 11 HR and 52 RBI in just 92 games.

Shortstop: Starlin Castro, Cubs

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - MAY 14: Starlin Castro #13 of the Chicago Cubs prepares to hit against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on May 14, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Pirates defeated the Cubs 10-6. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

2010 Stats
BA: .300
OBP: .347
SLG: .408
H: 139
HR: 3
RBI: 41
R: 53
SB: 10

The Rest
2. Ryan Theriot, Cardinals
3. Yuniesky Betancourt, Brewers
4. Edgar Renteria, Reds
5. Ronny Cedeno, Pirates
6. Angel Sanchez, Astros

As far as weak positions go, this is by far the weakest in the division and may be one of the weakest in all of baseball. That said, Castro is a stud, and a superstar in the making for the Cubs. He should only get better as he will be just 21 years old this coming season.

From there, the falloff is a big one, as Theriot is a good average hitter but little else. Betancourt had a breakout season last year with 16 HR and 78 RBI but at 29-years-old, that seems like his peak rather than what to expect. Renteria will fill the role Orlando Cabrera did last year for the Reds, while Cedeno and Sanchez are stopgap options at best.

Left Field: Matt Holliday, Cardinals

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 09: Matt Holliday #7 of the St. Louis Cardinals against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on September 9, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

2010 Stats
BA: .312
OBP: .390
SLG: .532
H: 186
HR: 28
RBI: 103
R: 95

The Rest
2. Ryan Braun, Brewers
3. Alfonso Soriano, Cubs
4. Jose Tabata, Pirates
5. Carlos Lee, Astros
6. Johnny Gomes, Reds

This one, much like third base in my NL East preview, is as close as they come, with Braun being number 1A to Holliday's one. Both are great contact hitters and terrific run producers. Holliday had slightly better numbers across the board last year, but really you can't go wrong with either.

Soriano is still capable of getting hot and carrying an offense for stretches, but he is far from the player he once was, and the same can be said for Lee in Houston. Gomes gives you some pop but is a horrendous fielder and strikes out a ton. Tabata, a former Yankees prospect, showed solid potential with a .299 BA, 4 HR, 35 RBI, 19 SB rookie season, and is just one of many good-looking young players in Pittsburgh.

Center Field: Andrew McCutchen, Pirates

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CINCINNATI - SEPTEMBER 12: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates swings at a pitch during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark on September 12, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He hit a three run double in the ninth inning to

2010 Stats
BA: .286
OBP: .365
SLG: .449
H: 163
HR: 16
RBI: 56
R: 94
SB: 33

The Rest
2. Drew Stubbs, Reds
3. Marlon Byrd, Cubs
4. Colby Rasmus, Cardinals
5. Michael Bourn, Astros
6. Carlos Gomez, Brewers

There are few players in the game today with more potential than McCutchen, and he may have only scratched the surface of what he is capable of. He is still just 24 years old and could be in line for a huge season in 2011 with an improved lineup around him.

Byrd was a leader for the Cubs both on and off the field last season and made the All-Star team, but Stubbs showed that he could be a star in the making with a .255 BA, 22 HR, 77 RBI, 30 SB season in his first full year.

Rasmus has all the potential in the world, but seems unhappy in St. Louis and is not always the most focused guy. Otherwise he could top this list. Bourn is arguably the fastest player in the game, while Gomez is a stellar defender, but could be pushed by recent acquisition Nyjer Morgan.

Right Field: Corey Hart, Brewers

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - JULY 15: Corey Hart #1 of the Milwaukee Brewers against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on July 15, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

2010 Stats
BA: .283
OBP: .340
SLG: .525
H: 158
HR: 31
RBI: 102
R: 91

The Rest
2. Jay Bruce, Reds
3. Hunter Pence, Astros
4. Lance Berkman, Cardinals
5. Garrett Jones, Pirates
6. Kosuke Fukudome, Cubs

Hart, the subject of a good amount of trade rumors last season, played his way right into a contract extension in Milwaukee with the best season of his career. He will need to replicate his 2010 season if the Brewers hope to make a run.

Bruce had what some would consider a breakout season last year, but there is a reason he was once the No. 1 prospect in all of baseball, and he is capable of much more in the seasons to come. The Berkman experiment will be a fun one to watch, and chances are John Jay will see a good amount of time in right field as well for the Cards. Chances are Jones will be out of Pittsburgh by season's end, while Fukudome is just taking at bats from Tyler Colvin at this point, and will be gone after the season if not sooner.

Starting Pitcher 1: Chris Carpenter, Cardinals

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 17: Chris Carpenter #29 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on August 17, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

2010 Stats
Wins: 16
Losses: 9
ERA: 3.22
ERA+: 122
WHIP: 1.179
Ks: 179

The loss of Adam Wainwright was a dagger for the Cardinals, but the fact of the matter is, they still have the best pitcher in the division with Carpenter. He is getting older and has an injury history, but there is no reason to believe he won't continue his dominance into 2011.

Starting Pitcher 2: Zack Greinke, Brewers

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 18: Pitcher Zack Greinke #13 of the Milwaukee Brewers warms up during a MLB spring training practice at Maryvale Baseball Park on February 18, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

2010 Stats
Wins: 10
Losses: 14
ERA: 4.17
ERA+: 100
WHIP: 1.245
Ks: 181

The Brewers surprised the baseball world when they pulled the trigger on a deal to land Greinke from the Royals, and he immediately makes them the sexy pick to win what seems to be a wide open division. However, he has battled injuries this spring and will open the season on the DL, so that will be something to watch.

Starting Pitcher 3: Carlos Zambrano, Cubs

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - APRIL 15: Starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano of the Chicago Cubs, wearing a number 42 jersey in honor of Jackie Robinson, delivers the ball against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field on April 15, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan D

2010 Stats
Wins: 11
Losses: 6
ERA: 3.33
ERA+: 131
WHIP: 1.450
Ks: 117

Say what you will about Zambrano, and there is plenty to say after a season in which he was kicked off the team for a stretch, relegated to the bullpen, and found himself in anger management. Through all that, however, he finished out the season going 8-0 with a 1.40 ERA over his last 11 starts and looks to still be the ace he once was.

Starting Pitcher 4: Yovani Gallardo, Brewers

Scott Boehm/Getty Images

MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 05: Pitcher Yovani Gallardo #49 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches the baseball against the Colorado Rockies at the Miller Park on April 05, 2010 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Rockies defeated the Brewers 5-3.(Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty

2010 Stats
Wins: 14
Losses: 7
ERA: 3.84
ERA+: 103
WHIP: 1.368
Ks: 200

While much of the talk in Milwaukee has surrounded the acquisition of Greinke, and rightfully so, the team already had one of the best pitchers in the National League in Gallardo. He could be in line for the best season of his career now that he no longer has the burden of carrying what was a well below average staff last season.

Starting Pitcher 5: Matt Garza, Cubs

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

MESA, AZ - MARCH 09: Matt Garza #17 pitcher of the Chicago Cubs throws a ptich against the Kansas City Royals during the spring training baseball game at HoHoKam Stadium on March 9, 2011 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

2010 Stats
Wins: 15
Losses: 10
ERA: 3.91
ERA+: 101
WHIP: 1.251
Ks: 150

The Rest
6. Bronson Arroyo, Reds
7. Brett Myers, Astros
8. Jaime Garcia, Cardinals
9. Edinson Volquez, Reds
10. Ryan Dempster, Cubs

The Cubs mortgaged some of what was a strong farm system to acquire the Rays' right-hander, but he is coming off a very good season and will not become a free agent until 2014. He will join Zambrano and Dempster to give the Cubs a formidable front of the rotation.

Closer: Carlos Marmol, Cubs

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - JUNE 24: Relief pitcher Carlos Marmol #49 of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 24, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

2010 Stats
Games: 70
Saves: 38
ERA: 2.55
Ks: 138
K/9: 16.0

The Rest
2. Ryan Franklin, Cardinals
3. Francisco Cordero, Reds
4. John Axford, Brewers
5. Brandon Lyon, Astros
6. Joel Hanrahan, Pirates

In his first season as closer, Marmol did everything the Cubs could have hoped for and more, as he set the MLB record for K/9 innings with a staggering 16.0 mark. He will continue to devastate hitters with his slider, and should benefit from the addition of Kerry Wood to the setup role.

Franklin continues to be an effective closer despite his lack of closer stuff, as he blew just two saves last season in 29 opportunities.

Cordero, who has 113 saves in three seasons in Cincinnati, could be in jeopardy of losing his job to Aroldis Chapman before the season is over, as he will be a free agent at season's end.

From there, Lyon and Hanrahan are solid veterans perhaps better used in a setup role, while Axford will look to prove that 2010 wasn't a fluke and he is in fact the closer of the future in Milwaukee.