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2016 Fantasy Baseball: 5 Bold Predictions For NL West

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Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The NL West features some of the biggest names in fantasy baseball, including Clayton Kershaw, Paul Goldschmidt, Zack Greinke and Madison Bumgarner. So to help those of you out with a National League bias, here are five bold fantasy baseball predictions in the NL West for the 2016 season.

2015 Standings:

Los Angeles Dodgers: 92-70

San Francisco Giants: 84-78

Arizona Diamondbacks: 79-83

San Diego Padres: 74-88

Colorado Rockies: 68-94

5. Carlos Gonzalez Will Be Traded

Carlos Gonzalez Will Be Traded Getty Images
Gonzalez finished a resurgent 2015 season with 40 home runs and 97 RBI. He continued to produce despite trade rumors swirling all year, and the veteran will likely have to go through the same thing in 2016. Unfortunately, the team has several outfielders bidding their time in the minors, which means CarGo’s time in Colorado is quickly coming to an end.

Gonzalez finished a resurgent 2015 season with 40 home runs and 97 RBI. He continued to produce despite trade rumors swirling all year, and the veteran will likely have to go through the same thing in 2016. Unfortunately, the team has several outfielders bidding their time in the minors, which means CarGo’s time in Colorado is quickly coming to an end.

4. Jeff Samardzija Will Be A Bust

Jeff Samardzija Will Be A Bust Getty Images
The G-Men spent a good deal of money luring Samardzija to the West Coast, but the veteran has not looked good this spring. Through five starts, he has an awful 8.53 ERA to go along with a 1.63 WHIP. Samardzija is being drafted as a SP3/SP4 in standard formats, which is far too high to me given his lackluster spring numbers.

The G-Men spent a good deal of money luring Samardzija to the West Coast, but the veteran has not looked good this spring. Through five starts, he has an awful 8.53 ERA to go along with a 1.63 WHIP. Samardzija is being drafted as a SP3/SP4 in standard formats, which is far too high to me given his lackluster spring numbers.

3. Wil Myers Will Finish As A Top-10 1B

Wil Myers Will Finish As A Top-10 1B Getty Images
In three professional seasons, Myers has yet to play more than 88 games due to various injuries. Myers is attempting to convert into a first basemen with Matt Kemp, Melvin Upton Jr. and Jon Jay claiming starting spots in the outfield. The 2013 Rookie of the Year is fully healthy this spring and ready to finally have a breakout fantasy season. Myers is a sleeper pick to crack the top-10 first basemen when it is all said and done.

In three professional seasons, Myers has yet to play more than 88 games due to various injuries. Myers is attempting to convert into a first basemen with Matt Kemp, Melvin Upton Jr. and Jon Jay claiming starting spots in the outfield. The 2013 Rookie of the Year is fully healthy this spring and ready to finally have a breakout fantasy season. Myers is a sleeper pick to crack the top-10 first basemen when it is all said and done.

2. Paul Goldschmidt Will Hit 40 HRs

Paul Goldschmidt Will Hit 40 HRs Getty Images
Goldschmidt is coming off an impressive 33-HR season, which was his second 30-HR campaign in the past three seasons. He also recorded a career-best .321 batting average and .435 On Base Percentage. Goldschmidt will have more protection in the lineup this season and my money is on him finally eclipsing the 40-HR mark.

Goldschmidt is coming off an impressive 33-HR season, which was his second 30-HR campaign in the past three seasons. He also recorded a career-best .321 batting average and .435 On Base Percentage. Goldschmidt will have more protection in the lineup this season and my money is on him finally eclipsing the 40-HR mark.

1. Clayton Kershaw Will Strikeout 300 Batters

Clayton Kershaw Will Strikeout 300 Batters Getty Images
Kershaw had a down season by his standards. After two straight seasons with a sub-1.85 ERA, Kershaw’s ERA went up to 2.13 in 2015. However, he did fan a staggering 301 batters, which was the first time the feat had been reached since Randy Johnson fanned 334 batters in 2002. Kershaw will have another 300-K campaign in 2016 and continue to solidify his case as the best arm in this generation.

Kershaw had a down season by his standards. After two straight seasons with a sub-1.85 ERA, Kershaw’s ERA went up to 2.13 in 2015. However, he did fan a staggering 301 batters, which was the first time the feat had been reached since Randy Johnson fanned 334 batters in 2002. Kershaw will have another 300-K campaign in 2016 and continue to solidify his case as the best arm in this generation.

Adam McGill is a writer for RantSports.
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