Predicting the Top 3 Offenses in the National League in 2017
The National League is loaded with talent on all 15 clubs and there certainly are tons of mashers that make up the league. However, some teams strive when it comes to offense, while others struggle severely. Here are the three offenses that look to put up big numbers and rank in the top 3 in 2017:
1. Colorado Rockies - With the addition of Ian Desmond over at first base, Colorado will likely lead the National League in several offensive categories including home runs and RBI. Certainly, you could say that they have an advantage because of where they play, but they look like a legit team even away from the Mile High City. The Rockies offensive core is led by Carlos Gonzalez and Nolan Arenado and includes the likes of Charlie Blackmon, D.J. LeMahieu, and the often forgotten about, Trevor Story. Arenado will continue to mash the ball and be a beast like he always has been, LeMahieu will continue to have an underrated year, and Story will likely put together another nice season after starting 2016 off with a bang. Last year, Colorado led the league with 845 runs scored in 5,614 at bats, came in third with 204 home runs, and finished the year with a league leading 805 RBI. Look for them to duplicate that success and have even more of it this coming season headlining what could be another cast of Blake Street Bombers in the Mile High City.
2. Chicago Cubs - After the Rockies come the reigning World Series champions on the north side of Chicago. The Cubs have several power bats incorporated throughout their lineup and a tremendous amount of impact players at every position around the diamond. Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant will once again lead the cast of characters when it comes to offense in Chicago followed by Ben Zobrist, Javier Baez, Addison Russell, and Wilson Contreas. Rizzo and Bryant combined to hit 71 home runs last year along with 211 RBI in 1,186 and will have success once again this coming season. Even with the subtraction of Dexter Fowler, who led the team with the highest OBP last season, the Cubs have plenty of bats to make up for the loss. Last season, the Cubs ranked second in the league behind Colorado with 808 runs scored in 5,503 at bats, finished the year 5th with 199 home runs, and had the highest OBP in the league at .343. Heading into the coming season, look for Chicago to once again bring out the big bats and produce runs in key situations when offense is needed the most.
3. Arizona Diamondbacks - Arizona has a great young core of position players that make up it's offense who will likely help the team to finish in the top 3 in 2017. Arizona's offense is headlined by America's First Baseman, Paul Goldschmidt, and is complimented by the likes of A.J. Pollock out in centerfield, Jake Lamb, Brandon Drury, David Peralta, and Yasmany Tomas who struggled severely during his first season in the big leagues in 2015, but made huge improvements last year. While Arizona faced injuries to several key players last year, the team still had a successful year offensively as they led the league with 56 triples, ranked fifth with 709 RBI, and had the third best slugging percentage in the NL at .432. Heading into 2017, Arizona is led by a new manager in Torey Lovullo and has several new coaches all of whom with bring out the most in the players and help lead Arizona to another offensive driven season. Although the Snakes didn't have much dazzle in their rattle this winter, look for them to make some noise in the NL West and rank among the top three offenses in the NL in 2017.
