Dynasty player of 10+ years. Helping you find the building blocks of your championship rosters as a co-host on the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast since mid-season 2023, joined Prospects Live at the start of 2024.
The NL Central may have been the most fun division to discuss yet, not so much because of elite top end talent but because you could rationally make an argument for any team ending up in any spot from one to five in the division. There is lots of talent, and there are some fun minor league systems, and we’re here to help you parse through the info and find some good dynasty buys heading into 2025.
*These notes are current up to the recording date of the podcast episode (February 8, 2025)
Chicago Cubs
Lineup (per Roster Resource)
C - Miguel Amaya
1B - Michael Busch
2B - Nico Hoerner
3B - Matt Shaw
SS - Dansby Swanson
LF - Ian Happ
CF - Pete Crow-Armstrong
RF - Kyle Tucker
DH - Seiya Suzuki
Rotation (per Roster Resource)
SP1 - Shota Imanaga
SP2 - Justin Steele
SP3 - Jameson Taillon
SP4 - Matthew Boyd
SP5 - Javier Assad
SP6 - Colin Rea
Bullpen (per Roster Resource)
CL - Ryan Pressly
SU - Porter Hodge
SU - Ryan Brasier
Projected IL (per Roster Resource)
N/A
Top 5 prospects (per Prospects Live top 500)
1. Matt Shaw
2. Owen Caissie
3. Moises Ballesteros
4. Cade Horton
5. Kevin Alcantara
Off-season additions/subtractions
Subtractions
Cody Bellinger
Isaac Paredes
Mike Tauchman
Additions
Kyle Tucker
Ryan Pressly
Matthew Boyd
Colin Rea
Quick thoughts
Taylor:
I think they are a team on the rise. There are some holes in the lineup and rotation but when you consider the depth they have in the upper minors this is a team that could really surprise this year.
Kyle:
Made moves to get better this offseason but I still can’t see them competing with the big dogs in the league
Pitching lacks the big name(s) necessary to make it deep in the playoffs
MLB dynasty buy
Taylor: Ben Brown
Was mid-break out last year when a neck injury ended his season in June
Fully healthy now
Not currently on roster resource but could easily win a job out of ST
Back of rotation is Boyd, Assad, and Rea.
Was fantastic last season
3.58 ERA (3.11 FIP), 1.08 WHIP, 28.8% K rate, 8.6% BB rate
Walk rate is particularly encouraging after he walked 15.8% of batters at AAA in 2023
Split time between starting and relieving
Was actually better as an SP: 3.23 ERA, 0.97 WHIP
Two pitch pitcher
51% whiff rate on his knuckle curve
Fastball averaged 96.4 and had a positive run value.
With Tyler Zombro there now, I wouldn't be surprised if he adds an effective third pitch this spring.
If he does, the sky's the limit
Invest now while the price is relatively cheap
Kyle: Matt Shaw
Was also one of my underrated picks in the 3B article
Should be opening day 3B barring any further moves (Cubs are rumoured to be in talks with Bregman, but may move Hoerner if that happens)
“An overpay today could be an underpay tomorrow” fits Shaw perfectly
Has 20/20 potential in his rookie year
Undersized for 3B but still possesses plus power and speed, good contact ability, excellent zone recognition
Could be five category contributor as early as his rookie year
Might need to move to 2B at some point but that could make his offensive profile even stronger
MiLB dynasty buy
Taylor: Cole Mathis
54th overall pick in the 2024 draft
6’1 210 RHH 1B/3B
Was a two-way player who is focused on hitting after undergoing TJ
Has good power and contact ability (we gave him 55 for both)
Patient approach and doesn’t chase
Maximizes his power with pulled fly balls
From a small school but raked in the Cape Cod league with wood bats
Had the 5th highest 90th EV in that league
Going 60th in FYPD if you don’t count non-FYPD
Kyle: Angel Cepeda
Turned 19 in October
Grew up in jersey prior to moving to Dominican Republic and signing for $1 million in 2023 international class
Should make full-season debut after hitting .286 in the DSL in 2023 and .298 in complex ball in 2024
Aggressive (but not overly so) approach with strong bat-to-ball skills
Hasn’t shown a ton of game power but many believe that will come as he grows into his body and starts using his legs more in his swing
Very strong defender who could play all over the infield
High floor (for a player so far from the bigs)
If he continues to hit well and adds some power in 2025 he could really rise
Dynasty player of 10+ years. Helping you find the building blocks of your championship rosters as a co-host on the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast since mid-season 2023, joined Prospects Live at the start of 2024.
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
Dynasty player of 10+ years. Helping you find the building blocks of your championship rosters as a co-host on the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast since mid-season 2023, joined Prospects Live at the start of 2024.
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
A Giants fan living in San Diego, been playing fantasy baseball since 2005 and dynasty since 2021. Started the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast in June 2023 and joined Prospects Live in March of 2024.
Dynasty player of 10+ years. Helping you find the building blocks of your championship rosters as a co-host on the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast since mid-season 2023, joined Prospects Live at the start of 2024.
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
