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| NL Central RF: Lance Berkman |
Before turning to another awesome edition of the All-Division Team, I must make an announcement. An apology, actually. In my post comparing Prince Fielder and Yu Darvish, I incorrectly reported that the Blue Jays had won his bidding rights, which I believed to be true at the time of writing. Although the Jays were the second-closest team to earning the rights, the Rangers actually won them. I got some faulty information. Won't happen again. OK? OK!
In the creation of the All-Division Team, however, selections are subjective. Feel free to disagree and argue against any of the winners!
C Yadier Molina, STL
'Yadi' has been a key contributor to both World Champion Cardinals teams from the past half-decade. Since 2006, though, he has also developed into probably the best defensive catcher in the National League. His knack for throwing to the bases after pitches to keep runners close proves very effective, and the team leader is still only 28. At the plate Molina displays rare contact skills from a catcher, striking out under 50 times in 475 at-bats. Batting .305 doesn't hurt either. Competition: Geovany Soto (CHC), Michael McKenry (PIT), Humberto Quintero (HOU), Jonathan Lucroy (MIL), and Ramon Hernandez (CIN).
1B Prince Fielder, MIL
In his ever-pivotal walk year, the Prince put on a show. Ever wonder how Ryan Braun really beat Matt Kemp in the MVP race, even though Kemp's stats were better? Look no further. Providing Braun with ultimate lineup protection, Fielder walked more than he struck out in 2011 (highly rare for a power hitter) and blasted 38 homers and 120 RBIs while slugging .566. It's no wonder that a feared power hitter like Braun, who bats directly in front of Fielder, went the whole season being intentionally walked just twice. If I were a pitcher, I wouldn't want to face the Prince either. Competition: Albert Pujols (STL), Carlos Pena (CHC), Joey Votto (CIN), Lyle Overbay (PIT), and Brett Wallace (HOU).
2B Brandon Phillips, CIN
Who's the best shortstop in the NL Central? Why of course, it's Dat Dude BP! Brandon Phillips, who entertains fans on Twitter with the aforementioned handle, enjoyed one of his best seasons in a year that found him taking home his first Silver Slugger and his third Gold Glove after making his second All-Star appearance in July. Besides continuing to be a 20-20 threat and a consistently clutch run producer, Phillips batted .300 for the first time in his career. His positive leadership and attitude and vital traits to the Reds organization at the moment as its future is unclear. Way to go, Brandon. Competition: Skip Schumaker (STL), Neil Walker (PIT), Jose Altuve (HOU), Darwin Barney (CHC), and Rickie Weeks (MIL).
3B Aramis Ramirez, CHC
Ramirez had another slow start in the power department for the second year in a row. This time, however, his swing was looking good and his mechanics were correct, he just wasn't clearing the wall for whatever reason. The Chicago weather heated up around the same time his bat did, though, and he finished with 26 homers. A rare breed of the low-strikeout slugger, Ramirez struck out only 69 times. In his final season with the Cubs he cemented his place as one of the Cubs' great third basemen of all-time. Competition: Scott Rolen (CIN), David Freese (STL), Casey McGehee (MIL), Pedro Alvarez (PIT), and Chris Johnson (HOU).
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| NL Central SS: Starlin Castro |
In one of the better breakout performances of 2011, this sophomore was the National League's hit king with 207 knocks. Developing power began to show its potential as the season went on, and much improved baserunning skills showed the makings of a franchise player. While defense is still an issue, it was better than it was a year before and strides of improvement can be expected for 2012. With so much raw talent, there's no telling the ceiling on this guy's future. If 2011 was just the beginning, it was pretty awesome. Competition: Clint Barmes (HOU), Ryan Theriot (STL), Yuniesky Betancourt (MIL), Ronny Cedeno (PIT), and Paul Janish (CIN).
LF Ryan Braun, MIL
Steroids, anyone? Even if Braun took performance-enhancing drugs during the 2011 season, it was exciting to watch while it lasted. He took the middling Brewers to the NLCS and led the best team in the league for most of the season. Braun put up above average numbers even for power hitters but perhaps more impressive was the .397 OBP, which meant runners on base for the batters behind him, most notably the Prince. An outburst of speed at age 27 also had pitchers distracted. Competition: Alfonso Soriano (CHC), Carlos Lee (HOU), Matt Holliday (STL), Ryan Ludwick (PIT), and Yonder Alonso (CIN).
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| NL Central CF: Andrew McCutchen |
McCutchen put it all together in his second full season. The Pirates, who surprised the world with their contention into July, relied on McCutchen's 20-20 talent everyday. His energy invigorated a dead Pittsburgh franchise and the winning ways will be back sometime soon as long as Andrew McCutchen is in center. He revealed a newfound patience in 2011, a tool that eludes most young power-speed dual threat players. Competition: Jason Bourgeois (HOU), Marlon Byrd (CHC), Nyjer Morgan (MIL), Drew Stubbs (CIN), and Jon Jay (STL).
RF Lance Berkman, STL
Say what? I was thinking the Cardinals' signing of Berkman - to start in right field, no less - would be something along the lines of disastrous. Apparently Berkman still has game though, and he proved it with an incredible .412 OBP and 31 homers, batting .301 overall. His defense was okay in right field, but his offensive production far outweighed any criticism there. Playing 145 games, he also walked 92 times, among the leaders in the NL. This was simply one of the best offensive seasons in baseball, not just of right fielders or comeback veterans.
SP Matt Garza, CHC
The NL Central was a surprisingly weak division for starting pitchers. Garza, though, was huge for his team. In a Cubs rotation that essentially imploded with the loss of the #4 and #5 starters in the first week of the regular season, Garza provided stability and consistent outings all season long. In return, he earned some of the worst run support in the NL. Being a leader and ultimate team player, however, was not lost on this writer. Competition: Yovani Gallardo (MIL), Chris Carpenter (STL), Kevin Correia (PIT), Bronson Arroyo (CIN), and Wandy Rodriguez (HOU).
CP John Axford, MIL
Any Cubs fan who watched the Cubs fail in Milwaukee last season got to see a load of this guy, but not for very long because the Cubs were little resistance to Axford's dominant ways. He finished the season 46-for-48 in saves with a 1.95 ERA, striking out almost four for each batter he walked. The Brewers can't ask for much more out of this 6-5 beast who seemingly came out of nowhere to become the shutdown closer on the NL's most complete team. What a stud. Competition: Carlos Marmol (CHC), Mark Melancon (HOU), Francisco Cordero (CIN), Jason Motte (STL), and Joel Hanrahan (PIT).
That does it for another installment of the MLB All-Division Team! Next up is the AL West, followed by the NL West and finally a summary of the whole thing.
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