The NL East is loaded with good pitching again this season. Each team has an ace that could potentially be in the Cy Young talks. This being said, don't let all the pitching fool you; there are definitely still plenty of sluggers in this division as well. Let's take a look at the players that will impact the NL East the most this season:
Catcher: Evan Gattis, Atlanta Braves
Gattis possesses an enormous amount of power in his bat but lacks consistency. If he can figure this out, the front of the Braves lineup will be one of the most explosive in the league. Gattis would have been a Rookie of the Year candidate if he could have remained healthy last season. Also noteworthy: his nickname while playing in Venezuela was "El Oso Blanco," meaning "The White Bear."
First Base: Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves
Freeman had a terrific 2013 and was a candidate for MVP in the National League. He's only 24, and still has much room for improvement. The Braves gave him the biggest contract in the team's history. If Freeman improves on last season, he will be in the MVP talks again.
Second Base: Chase Utely, Philadelphia Phillies
Utely finally returned in 2013 from an injury that had sidelined for nearly two years. At 35-years old, he's not the young man that helped the Phillies win the World Series in 2008. Even with his slow start this Spring, Utely will certainly contribute to a Phillies' lineup that is in need of some bats.
Third Base: David Wright, New York Mets
Wright is another great veteran player that will be looking to get back on track in 2014. He will try to help the Mets build on a rough year in 2013. If Wright can stay healthy, he will be productive as usual.
Shortstop: Ian Desmond, Washington Nationals
Desmond is a versatile offensive threat that combines both speed and power. He's coming off a 2013 season where he hit 20 home runs and swiped 21 bases. Desmond has been a Silver Slugger winner the past two seasons as well.
Left Field: Justin Upton, Atlanta Braves
Justin Upton went on a tear at the beginning of the 2013 season, ripping homer after homer over the walls of MLB stadiums. He finished the month of April with 12 home runs. He only hit four in the next three months, but resurged in August with eight bombs.
Center Field: B.J. Upton, Atlanta Braves.
B.J. Upton had the worst year he's had as a professional last season after leaving Tampa Bay for Atlanta on the biggest free agent signing the Braves had made in team history. He'll be looking to prove his worth in 2014.
Right Field: Giancarlo Stanton, Florida Marlins
Stanton will be the only serious offensive threat on the Marlins' lineup card. That said, he will still awe the crowd with some impressive swings this season. Stanton appears to have to returned to his 2012 form, where he hit 37 home runs.
Starting Rotation: Washington Nationals
Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez and Jordan Zimmerman have been a very strong core for the Nationals' rotation the past couple seasons. This year, the Nats add right-hander Doug Fister from the Detroit Tigers. Fister won 14 games in 2013 and will fit nicely into the fourth spot. Lefty Ross Detwiler will fill out the fifth spot in the rotation, looking to have a better year after winning only two games in 2013.
Bullpen: Atlanta Braves
The Braves have one most complete pitching staffs in the game at this point. The rotation took a hit with Kris Medlen's injury, but the signing of Ervin Santana should suffice. The hidden gem of the 2014 Braves is their bullpen. The Braves have kept their bullpen intact for the most part. The Braves' philosophy will be to get Craig Kimbrel on the hill as many times as possible.
Honorable Mentions:
RHP Jose Fernandez, Miami Marlins
The National League Rookie of the Year winner and Cy Young candidate might be one of the few exciting things about the Miami Marlins organization this season. Fernandez is easily the best young pitchers in the league going into the 2014 season.
RF Jason Heyward, Atlanta Braves
The Braves are putting Heyward as the leadoff man for 2014. With more plate appearances, Heyward will be able to improve his consistency along with his power.
LF Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
Harper returns for his third season in the majors. He had an injury-plagued 2013 that still wasn't bad, statistically. He's still in the process of becoming an elite baseball player and this could be the year he puts up explosive numbers.
RF Jayson Werth, Washington Nationals
If Werth can stay healthy, he will be a tremendous offensive weapon for the Nationals. He's a complete hitter that will get on base along with hitting the long ball.
Be sure to check out each division's preview by clicking one the links below:
Back to the MLB Newsfeed