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2016 Fantasy Baseball: 5 Bold Predictions For NL Central

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The NL Central is home to not only the NL Cy Young Award Winner in Jake Arrieta, but also the NL Rookie of the Year in Kris Bryant. Both players will be hot commodities on draft day, as will some of the other big names in the division. So for those of you with National League bias, here are five bold fantasy baseball predictions in the NL Central for the 2016 season.

2015 Standings:

St. Louis Cardinals: 100-62

Pittsburgh Pirates: 98-64

Chicago Cubs: 97-65

Milwaukee Brewers: 68-94

Cincinnati Reds: 64-98

5. Raisel Iglesias Will Not Have A Breakout Season

Raisel Iglesias Will Not Have A Breakout Season Getty Images
Iglesias has been one of the most hyped pitchers this spring. He is on every single sleeper list and seems pegged to have an All-Star season. However, he doesn’t have a long track record. He recorded a 4.15 ERA in his rookie season to go along with a 3-7 record and a 1.14 WHIP. These aren’t the numbers you expect from a bona fide sleeper. There is no need to go out and reach for Iglesias, because he is no more than a SP4 in standard formats.

Iglesias has been one of the most hyped pitchers this spring. He is on every single sleeper list and seems pegged to have an All-Star season. However, he doesn’t have a long track record. He recorded a 4.15 ERA in his rookie season to go along with a 3-7 record and a 1.14 WHIP. These aren’t the numbers you expect from a bona fide sleeper. There is no need to go out and reach for Iglesias, because he is no more than a SP4 in standard formats.

4. Jake Arrieta Will Take A Big Step Back

Jake Arrieta Will Take A Big Step Back Getty Images
Arrieta’s 2015 fantasy season was one for the record books. He won the NL Cy Young over Clayton Kershaw and did it in a truly dominant fashion. He finished with a 22-6 record to go along with a spotless 1.77 ERA and 0.86 WHIP. Unfortunately, there is nowhere for him to go but down. I still have him inside the top-15 fantasy arms, but I think it is too risky to grab him as the second or third arm off the board this spring.

Arrieta’s 2015 fantasy season was one for the record books. He won the NL Cy Young over Clayton Kershaw and did it in a truly dominant fashion. He finished with a 22-6 record to go along with a spotless 1.77 ERA and 0.86 WHIP. Unfortunately, there is nowhere for him to go but down. I still have him inside the top-15 fantasy arms, but I think it is too risky to grab him as the second or third arm off the board this spring.

3. Adam Wainwright Will Have Bounce Back Season

Adam Wainwright Will Have Bounce Back Season Getty Images
Wainwright was a top-five fantasy arm across the board last spring, but the veteran tore his Achilles in spring training and missed the entire season. Fortunately, it was not an arm injury, so it didn’t impact his velocity or pitches at all. He has also looked outstanding this spring and quickly reclaimed his spot atop the team's rotation. Waino should walk back into a 200-inning season.

Wainwright was a top-five fantasy arm across the board last spring, but the veteran tore his Achilles in spring training and missed the entire season. Fortunately, it was not an arm injury, so it didn’t impact his velocity or pitches at all. He has also looked outstanding this spring and quickly reclaimed his spot atop the team's rotation. Waino should walk back into a 200-inning season.

2. Kris Bryant Will Hit 35 HRs

Kris Bryant Will Hit 35 HRs Getty Images
After waiting in the minors for the first few weeks of the 2015 season, Bryant quickly lived up to the hype. He smacked 20 home runs in his rookie season to go along with 99 RBI, which was fifth best in the National League. Bryant is just scratching the surface of his potential and will have the first of many 35-HR campaigns in 2016.

After waiting in the minors for the first few weeks of the 2015 season, Bryant quickly lived up to the hype. He smacked 20 home runs in his rookie season to go along with 99 RBI, which was fifth best in the National League. Bryant is just scratching the surface of his potential and will have the first of many 35-HR campaigns in 2016.

1. Andrew McCutchen Will Hit A Career-High In HRs

Andrew McCutchen Will Hit A Career-High In HRs Getty Images
McCutchen hit 31 home runs in 2012, but the slugger has averaged a meager 23 home runs in three past three seasons. Luckily, he entered this spring training fully healthy and has been crushing the ball this spring. Cutch is ready to have another monster fantasy campaign and will rival his career-high in home runs in 2016.

McCutchen hit 31 home runs in 2012, but the slugger has averaged a meager 23 home runs in three past three seasons. Luckily, he entered this spring training fully healthy and has been crushing the ball this spring. Cutch is ready to have another monster fantasy campaign and will rival his career-high in home runs in 2016.

Adam McGill is a writer for RantSports.
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