*Photo from Wikipedia*
We did the AL a few days ago, so now it's time for the NL.
*Photo from NBC Sports*
Dansby Swanson, SS, Atlanta Braves
While Ronald Acuna Jr was grabbing all the headlines with a fantastic 2019, Swanson was quietly putting together a monster season, becoming one of the better defensive shortstops in the NL, and he has killer power as well. Swanson will look to build on his momentum into 2020, and the rest of the league may start to take note soon.
*Photo from Brew Crew Ball*
Keston Hiura, SS, Milwaukee Brewers
There's no question Christian Yelich is the guy in Milwaukee, but Hiura had a fantastic rookie season in 2019 and is poised for a leap forward in year two. The first round pick added onto his impressive 2019 with a fantastic spring training, posting a 1.185 OPS with 3 homers in Cactus League Play before the games were cancelled, including a mammoth bomb over the batters eye in center field. Expect Hiura to at the very least replicate his 2019 production in 2020.
*Photo from Bleacher Report*
Jack Flaherty, RHP, St.Louis Cardinals
Flaherty had a fantastic breakout season in 2019, leading to speculation that he would become the next great ace of baseball. He finished 4th in Cy Young voting in 2019, and has taken large steps forward in each of his 3 seasons in the majors. He is poised to do it again in 2020, and become the true force of the St.Louis rotation.
*Photo from NBC Sports*
Yu Darvish, RHP, Chicago Cubs
Coming off a forgettable first season in Chicago, Darvish rebounded and had a solid season in 2019. While the Cubs as a whole collapsed in September to fall out of a playoff spot, Darvish was excellent and was the team's only reliable pitcher in that stretch. Darvish is poised to continue that in 2020, and when he's on top of his game, very few can stop him.
*Photo from Yahoo! Sports*
Ketel Marte, OF/2B, Arizona Diamondbacks
Marte had an incredible breakout season in 2019, finishing 4th in NL MVP voting. He led the Diamondbacks to the brink of a playoff berth after they traded Zack Greinke, but ultimately fell short. His efforts inspired the D-Backs front office to bring in Kole Calhoun, Hector Rondon, Madison Bumgarner, and Starling Marte to bolster this offseason, and Marte appears ready to lead the D-Backs again in 2020, hopefully with a different result this time around.
*Photo from USA Today*
Mookie Betts, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers, who didn't have many issues to begin with, decided to add more top tier talent by trading for David Price and Betts this offseason from the Boston Red Sox. This year figures to be a big year for Mookie, as he will be a free agent at the end of the season, and will be looking to cash in big time. This could be a match made in heaven, as Mookie in Dodger Blue is a sight many wanted to see.
*Photo from the San Francisco Examiner*
Mauricio Dubon, SS, San Francisco Giants
With Joey Bart likely to spend all of 2020 in the minors, Dubon is the most intriguing prospect on this year's Giants team. After being acquired from Milwaukee at the trade deadline, Dubon showed promise at the plate down the stretch, along with good defense to end the year for the Giants. Watching Dubon grow in 2020 will be something to see as he looks to become a pillar of the infield.
*Photo from the Miami Herald*
Jazz Chisholm, SS, Miami Marlins
The Bahamian Shortstop is one of several Marlin prospects who could make their major league debuts this season. He joined the Marlins at last year's trade deadline, and had a strong spring before the games were cancelled, hitting .308 with a homer and 4 walks. He might not make the opening day roster, but he'll be up in Miami at some point this season, and it should be fun to watch. He'll be a key piece of Miami's future, so he is worth watching this season.
*Photo from the New York Times*
Jacob Degrom, RHP, New York Mets
Degrom, coming off his second straight NL Cy Young winner, hasn't had the best run support, and his record shows it. But any Degrom start is worth watching because of his electric stuff and amazing pitch control. One of baseball's best pitchers is always worth watching, and Degrom is no different, so watch him when you get a chance.
*Photo from NBC Sports*
Juan Soto, OF, Washington Nationals
Soto, one of baseball's best players, had a postseason to remember in 2019, having several electric moments in Washington's title winning season. Oh yeah, he's only 21 too. Soto, who has already matched some of baseball's greats in some categories, still hasn't reached his prime yet. Watch this baseball treasure every chance you get, it will be worth it.
*Photo from NBC Sports*
Chris Paddack, RHP, San Diego Padres
Paddack, who surprisingly made San Diego's opening day roster last season, had a fantastic rookie season. This season, the innings limit is off of Paddack as he will become the team's new ace starter as the Padres look to make noise this season with a core of top young prospects. While Fernando Tatis Jr steals headlines, Paddack will dominate for the Padres this season.
*Photo from the New York Post*
Bryce Harper, OF, Philadelphia Phillies
The guy who signed a 13 year, $330 million deal will obviously be the focus here. In his first season as a Philly, Harper had a solid season, but he only had a few game changing moments, with one of them being a walkoff grand slam. Watching his former team win a world series might have ignited him, as he was hitting .500 with more walks than strikeouts in spring training before the games were cancelled. Harper seems poised for a big year in Philadelphia, and his big power will only lead to good things for the future.
*Photo from Sports Illustrated*
Josh Bell, 1B, Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates don't have a whole lot of good things this season, as they are in the middle of a rebuild, but Josh Bell is one of them. He had a monster year in 2019, mashing homer after homer in a bad season otherwise for Pittsburgh. With Starling Marte gone, Bell is now the king of Pittsburgh's lineup, and he'll be fun to watch in 2020.
*Photo from Cincinnati.com*
Shogo Akiyama, OF, Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati's Japan acquisition this winter will have to prove he can survive in the MLB. He's got good power in his bat, and can flash the leather in the field as well. Akiyama will have to earn his playing time all season, as Cincinnati's outfield picture is quite crowded so far. Expect to see Akiyama fighting for a spot night in and night out this season.
*Photo from Mile High Sports*
Trevor Story, SS, Colorado Rockies
Story, often overshadowed by Nolan Arenado, is a terrific player for the Rockies, and he's always good when he's healthy. Story can flash the leather, making terrific plays at shortstop, and he's got quite the power bat, smashing homers left and right. He's also got the speed to be a 30 homer 30 steal threat. With Arenado's Colorado future cloudy, Story could become the leader of this team real soon, and he seems up to it.
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