Best Player on Every MLB Team: NL Central
As the 2023 postseason is currently in full-swing, fans are also looking back at 2023 and ahead to 2024. Let's continue this series by going to the NL Central.
Brewers - Corbin Burnes
The 2021 Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes has established himself as one of the best starting pitchers in MLB over the past few years. Burnes will likely test free agency after the 2024 season, and he’ll look for his fourth straight 200+ strikeout season before he likely gets a large contract from a big market franchise in 2025. For now, Burnes has been the face of the Brewers since his breakout 2020 season, when he placed sixth in Cy Young voting and recorded an impressive 2.11 ERA in just nine starts due to the pandemic-shortened season. Burnes is one of the most complete pitchers in baseball, with a good curveball, changeup, slider, and fastball, along with an elite cutter that he throws 55% of the time.
Cubs - Cody Bellinger
Cody Bellinger’s 7-year career has been a rollercoaster. Bellinger was one of the best players in the game from 2017-2019, but then his numbers significantly declined from 2020-2022. The Dodgers let Cody Bellinger walk in free agency, and it turned out that a change of scenery was all he needed to start performing again. Bellinger hit 26 home runs this season and slashed .307/.356/.252 in his first season in Chicago, as well as playing elite defense in centerfield.
Reds - Matt McLain
Despite winning over 80 games, the Reds don’t have many big names on their roster. TJ Friedl, Spencer Steer, Will Benson, Elly De La Cruz, and many others made massive contributions to this ballclub in 2023, but rookie infielder Matt McLain was the best Red in 2023. McLain debuted in mid-May and has been great ever since. McLain slashed .290/.357/.507, hit 16 home runs and played above-average defense at shortstop and second base. The Reds have a very talented young roster that should be competitive for the next few years, and Matt McLain is certainly a vital part of that group.
Pirates - David Bednar
Unfortunately, David Bednar hasn’t gotten the national recognition he deserves because he’s on the Pirates, but he’s been one of the best relievers in baseball since 2021. Bednar led the NL in saves this year with 39 saves and an impressive 2.00 ERA in 66 appearances. Bednar’s path to the big leagues is unique. He was drafted in the 35th round of the 2016 draft by the Padres, had a short stint on the Padres active roster in 2019 and 2020, then traded to Pittsburgh in the Joe Musgrove deal, and he took off from there. Bednar has recorded a 2.25 ERA and 61 saves since being traded to the Pirates and has been named to two All-Star teams.
Cardinals - Paul Goldschmidt
Paul Goldschmidt finally won MVP for the first time in his career in 2022, after finishing top 3 in voting three times earlier in his career with Arizona. Although Goldy wasn’t as good in 2023, but he was still among the best hitters on a disappointing Cardinals team. Goldschmidt had a 121 OPS+ this year, which was his worst since his rookie season, but still not bad. When it’s all set and done, Goldschmidt could end up in the Hall of Fame.