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.

Division Dynasty Preview - Prospects Live
Prospects LiveKyle Sonntag

*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