The best team in the National League in 2019 resides in the NL West -- the 106 win LA Dodgers! With this post, we'll be 25/30 teams into the 2019 Bot Set! I hope you've been enjoying the ride so far. Here, 3/5th of the teams were sub-.500 and the 85 DBacks aren't much to look at.... but those Dodgers, wowza! Even if the majority of teams aren't contenders in a full sim, there's still plenty of draftable players to look into here, so let's get into it!
Buster Posey is putting up numbers like this again in 2021, but don't expect this MVP card below
5. San Diego Padres (70-92)
Lineup: The name of the game in San Diego's lineup: extreme value! For instance, as nuts as it sounds, Austin Hedges is probably getting drafted in the first four rounds as a 10 point catcher with a +11 arm. Likewise, OB 9 with position flexibility and decent speed Greg Garcia is going to be an early-round bargain piece someone will scoop up, prepared to wait until later to grab best available 2B or 3B option that presents itself. Of course, the star attraction (and launcher of 1,000 arguments against Mitch Garver) Fernando Tatis is likely the first Padre off the board, probably in the first round! He's the stud rookie we all hoped he would be, putting up a 530 point SS card that's got elite speed and power in an OB 9. He's a community favorite who lots of managers love to build around. Meanwhile, while he's not the 400+ point player the Padres envisioned when they gave him a megadeal, Machado is a super draftable and useable OB 8 with position flexibility and lots of pop for only 270 points. Beyond those guys, this lineup is mostly scrapes you can by-pass, unless you want to spend 230 points on an OB 6 with massive 13-20 HR pop.
Rotation: The Padres get one of their best pitcher cards in Showdown sets in Chris Paddack -- Tier 2, C4 with no doubles! I love his K range, but his IP 5 will make him controversial as an ace pick (maybe he'll be someone's ideal #2). He's supported by a solid Tier 3 pitchers, Joey Lucchesi and Cal Quantrill, who's IP 4 makes him extra affordable. Then there's Eric Lauer, who's forgettable come draft time.
Bullpen: The Padres can turn it over to the absolute closer god, KIRBYYYYYYY -- Tier 1, Control 6 for 270 points. He's a bargain Tom Gordon and I'll take him all day. Stammen gives him a great set up man as a Tier 2, C5 option. Then there's a strong pair of IP 2 pitchers, helping this team manage having starters with looooow IP. Rounding it out is a 70 point, C4 in Erlin, and call me crazy, but I think he'll be a popular target as a 4th or 5th bullpen arm in most drafts.
Overall: The Padres were showing all the signs of the playoff powerhouse they've turned into with the brown jerseys in the 2019 season -- they're an incomplete team, but they have WEAPONS that haven't let up. Fun to see them before they popped off in 2020, as here they're "only" a 4490 points squad. However, they already had the second most "points per player" in the NL West in 2019 and were truly a couple moves/call-ups away from being the stud squad we're hoping overtakes the Dodgers (and Giants, I guess) today!
4. Colorado Rockies (71-91)
Lineup: Another year, another Rockies team absolutely loaded with pop. The two stars are obviously: 500 point SS Trevor Story and 440 point 3B Nolan Arenado. I think Arenado is a no-brainer in the first round -- OB 9, HR at 17, XBH at 15, 1B at 9, 3B+4!!! He's the perfect #3 hitter. I'm more hesitant on Story, because he's an OB 8, but the dude brings everything -- speed A, +5 defense, 17-20 HR and XBH at 11! However, the guy many of y'all will target early in your draft.... Tony Wolters of all people! That's right, for a mere 110 points, you can have an OB 8 with 2B+5/C+8 locked into your squad. You could have him, with Hedges on your bench and a decent hitting 2B with low defense... then at the end of the game, move Wolters to 2B and Hedges to C for a super defense squad. Lot of nice things going on there. However, the star players are not done yet on this team -- OB 9 Charlie Blackman putting together yet another 400+ point card in the OF, with all star David Dahl putting together a very, very nice OB 8 card for 360 points (xbh starts at 13!) to give the Rockies four legit problems for pitchers in their lineup. Overall, a fun lineup for sure!
Rotation: One of the best Rockies pitchers we've seen is undoubtedly German Marquez, who put together a strong Tier 3, no doubles card despite pitching in Coors Field -- Mike Hampton could never! Outside of him, not a lot of guys you plan on drafting and they'll have to count on their stacked lineup to deliver a lot of support (just like real life).
Bullpen: Probably the difference between their 2018 playoff run and the collapse in 2019 -- the bullpen, which went from a strength to a reflection of the rotation. There's still Scott Oberg putting up a great Tier 2, no doubles card and a couple solid Tier 3 arms, but there's a Tier 4, Tier 5 and a Tier 6(!!!) closer back here too... a far cry from the four Tier 2 arms + Tier 3 closer in 2018.
Overall: The Rockies come in at 4670 points, obviously bolstered by the three 400+ hitters in the lineup. The Rockies also had 21 players, so their points per player is actually lower than both SF and ARI.
3. San Francisco Giants (77-85)
Lineup: Ok, let's just get this out of the way -- that Posey card is CLEAN. Big, big props to Matt for that cut out, holy cow it looks good.... and it may get drafted as an affordable OB 7 with decent doubles with a +9 arm. In terms of weapons for your team, this isn't really the lineup to look towards. The best hitter is OB 8 slugger Mike Yaz, who followed this card up with an even better 2020 card. I also like the sneaky OB 9 for under 300 points that Solono put together at 2B/SS -- definitely a strong middle infielder on affordable salary. After those guys, nothing here that I would write home about.
Rotation: Tier 3, Control 3 central at the top of the rotation, with former fav-players of the early 2010s of mine Madison Bumgardner and Jeff "wide receiver legend with Brady Quinn" Samardzija putting out decent cards. Cueto is not his elite self this set, and Rodriguez is a weak Tier 4 with 4 IP.
Bullpen: Will Smith is a very, very good closer as a Tier 2, no doubles guy for 250 pts. He's supported in the 'pen by a pair of guys with no doubles, although they're Tier 3 and Tier 4. Rounding it out is an IP 2 for 10 points... which may get Suarez drafted... but unfortunately gives the Giants arguably the weakest bullpen in the division.
Overall: San Fran comes in at 3870 points, and honestly looks like the weakest squad in here by a large margin. It's a testament to their managerial swagger that they pulled off 3rd place, and should've prepared us for a slight improvement/adding Godausman to the rotation would somehow make them the best team in the NL in 2021.
2. Arizona Diamondbacks (85-77)
Lineup: The DBacks are an interesting lineup, in part because of their reliance on some OB 7 studs. However, a guy who's going to get selected in the first few rounds of any draft is their sole OB 9 hitter -- Ketel Marte. He may be 510 points, but he brings good D at both CF and 2B, with A speed, on at 4, single at 7, with XBH starting at 15 and a decent 18-20 HR range. Essentially, a 5-tool showdown card you can plug into the 1 or 2 hole and build around. After him, I think my favorite option is David Peralta for an OB 8, double at 14. I know my "focus on the xbh on guys" strategy has taken off, so he may get taken before I get to him, but hey -- gotta stick to your guns! Ahmed may get picked as an affordable SS with good D and stellar xbh pop for a mere 230 points. Finally, I definitely expect Wilmer Flores to be a very pleasant late round surprise for someone at 250 points -- 1B/2B with singles starting at 5, meaning this dude could be an RBI machine late in the lineup!
Rotation: Luke Weaver came out of nowhere to put up an absolute ACE card at the top of the rotation, and he's supported by.... ooft a gang of Tier 4, Control 2 arms. Honestly, not sure how they won 85 games with this rotation when Colorado has a lineup that should eat those pitchers alive and the Padres have some *dudes* in their lineup, but c'est le vie.... I would draft Weaver and avoid the rest.
Bullpen: Chafin is the guy I'm sure will be drafted as a C5 with no doubles, and Bradley likely makes a roster as a C6 (even as a Tier 3). After that.... not much to see here.
Overall: The NL West's second place squad comes in at a measly 4260 points! Honestly, this team is incredibly underwhelming and if I were to play out a season with these five teams, I don't think they'd come in second... or third..... maybe they stave off the Giants for fourth, but I like the Rockies and Padres over the DBacks in a re-sim!
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (106-56)
Lineup: The only way to describe the Dodgers lineup is OVERWHELMING. First, you have to respect the NL MVP -- 610 point Cody Bellinger. He's got positional flexibility, speed A, an OB 10 and 17-20 HR pop: definitely a future first-round pick. He's got plenty of lineup protection too. David Freese brought an uncharacteristic OB 10, HR at 18, 520 pt card; then there's a pair of superstrong OB 8 hitters in catcher Will Smith and (primarily) OF Joc Pederson; and that foregoes maybe the best 2B in the set, power hitter Max Muncy.... and I guess the SIXTH player we'll mention from this lineup is OB 9, HR at 18 Justin Turner..... and we haven't even gotten to Chis Taylor, Corey Seager, or Alex Vurdugo -- all guys with a shot at being drafted... same with good 220 point OF AJ Pollack (pop and lots of singles on an OB 7). Overall, definitely one of the best lineups we've seen thus far!
Rotation: What can I saaaaay except you're welcome.... to try to get a hit -- this rotation is arguably the best in baseball! FOUR Tier 2 starters. That's right, not a single dip in quality as they go from C4, 1-17 out no doubles to a normal C4, 1-17 out to a C5, 1-16 out and back to C4, 1-17 out, no doubles. Unbelievable. You best count on all four of these guys getting drafted as #1 or #2 starters!
Bullpen: Aaaaand no "relief" for lineups when the aces turn it over to the 'pen, where (that's right) FOUR MORE tier 2 arms await weary hitters. Yeesh, I don't know what to tell y'all except this team should've won the Pennant (and with me as manager, definitely 115+ wins). Headlining the group is the 420 point Julio Urias, who may be worth it at IP 2 depending on your IP rules. I love C6, 1-15 out Kolarek for my squad. Overall, a loaded pitching staff!
Ranked by Points -- So far:
- Dodgers -- 7450 points (339 points per player)
- Rays -- 7100 points (296)
- Twins -- 6850 points (311)
- Yankees -- 6540 points (297)
- Nationals -- 6280 points (299)
- Braves -- 6200 points (282)
- Brewers -- 6190 (295) (6830 points (310) with PR Suter)
- Cleveland -- 6150 points (307)
- Cubs -- 5670 points (284)
- Red Sox -- 5620 points (281)
- Cardinals -- 5510 (250)
- Reds -- 5480 (288)
- Mets -- 5280 points (278)
- Phillies -- 4750 points (238)
- White Sox -- 4680 points (246)
- Rockies -- 4670 points (222)
- Padres -- 4490 points (249)
- Diamondbacks -- 4260 points (237)
- Blue Jays -- 4190 points (220)
- Pirates -- 4120 points (229)
- Giants -- 3870 points (228)
- Orioles -- 3660 points (183)
- Marlins -- 3520 points (195)
- Royals -- 3470 points (192)
- Tigers -- 2650 points (147)
Hope you're enjoying this Bot Set -- only one division to go!! Will anyone unseat the Dodgers as the best team in the set? I know one squad that has an excellent shot at it ;)
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