While it is always hard to predict the future, the sport of baseball tends to be on the easier end of being able to see what teams are going to look like in the near future. With contract structures, minor league systems, and the developing free-agent markets, teams are able to forecast what players are going to be available, how they would fit their needs and how much they would cost to acquire their services.
With the powerhouse franchises like the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Dodgers, their status as the league leaders does not look to change all that much for the 2020 MLB season. Built as they are, their financial gains and aspirations have led them to be dominant so far, and 2020 will be more of the same.
So while those teams should again be on top, this article is more to dive into interesting National League rosters for 2020, based on potential, youthfulness and any other parts that may make a team interesting.
San Diego Padres
C Francisco Mejia
1B Eric Hosmer
2B Luis Urias
SS Fernando Tatis Jr.
3B Manny Machado
LF Wil Myers
CF Manuel Margot
RF Franmil Reyes
SP Joey Luchesi
CL Kirby Yates
With large amounts of money tied to both Eric Hosmer and Manny Machado for a number of years from now, those two will be pillars of the Friars’ infield when 2020 comes around. Both have justified their contract (to a point), so neither will be moved from this team unless some sort of drastic, unseen move occurs.
The prized gem acquired for closer Brad Hand from the Cleveland Indians, young stud catcher Francisco Mejia is the future behind the plate. While Austin Hedges is a very serviceable backup for this team, Mejia’s time to shine is already in 2019, but 2020 will be yet another test for the 23-year old.
Luis Urias was just called up to the big-league squad, and his familiarity with the big leagues should play well for him to earn the starting nod next season. Teaming Urias and Fernando Tatis Jr. up the middle for years to come has got to make it one of the best young, up-the-middle combinations in the league.
Miami Marlins
C Jorge Alfaro
1B Garrett Cooper
2B Isan Diaz
SS Miguel Rojas
3B Brian Anderson
LF Monte Harrison
CF Lewis Brinson
RF Victor Victor Mesa
SP Sandy Alcantara/Sixto Sanchez
CL Adam Conley
Full of potential, the Miami Marlins of 2020 should be a lot of fun to watch, even if they are still pretty bad. Their roster is already filled with prospects that they received from sending out big pieces, and it looks to only grow as the years go on.
Jorge Alfaro was one of the top two gets in the J.T. Realmuto deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, along with starter Sixto Sanchez. Alfaro already is the team’s starter and looks to be fully entrenched in that role for the time being.
Isan Diaz, Monte Harrison, and Lewis Brinson are all former Milwaukee Brewers, who came over in the deal for 2018 National League MVP Christian Yelich, which also included starting pitcher Jordan Yamamoto. While the quartet of prospects is not even close to the type of value Yelich has given the Brewers, they look to all be reaching the majors around the same time, even with Brinson’s massive struggles in the field.
Victor Victor Mesa may be the most hyped-up international signing of late, as he was a huge get for the Marlins. Someone who is pegged as a quick riser through the minor leagues, Mesa currently sits in Advanced-A ball but is projected to make the majors sometime next year. A strong finish to the season in the minors could result in a spring training invite, something that he could very well turn into a starting job for a team that needs quality players on their big-league roster.
Milwaukee Brewers
C Yasmani Grandal
1B Travis Shaw
2B Keston Hiura
SS Orlando Arcia
3B Mike Moustakas
LF Ryan Braun
CF Lorenzo Cain
RF Christian Yelich
SP Brandon Woodruff
CL Josh Hader
For a team that fell one game short of making the World Series, the Milwaukee Brewers lacked that big name that everyone knew, until Yelich decided to set the league ablaze with his breakout National League MVP season. With Yelich fully a part of this team, the Brewers need to build around him.
Resigning catching Yasmani Grandal is a key decision for David Stearns and company over the offseason, but he should be brought back after showing his handling of the bat and the pitching staff calling games.
With the struggles that Travis Shaw has experienced in 2019 and the emergence of super rookie Keston Hiura, Shaw now seems to be without a guaranteed starting spot. If the team elects to resign Mike Moustakas, who represents the second-most important pending free agent, to play third base, then Shaw would have to be moved to start over at first base for any regular playing time.
The outfield looks to remain the same, as does their closer role with Josh Hader. Brandon Woodruff looks to be the staff’s ace of the future, as he made his first All-Star game this season and is a great, young, fireballing arm.
Tampa Bay Rays
C Mike Zunino
1B Yandy Diaz
2B Brandon Lowe
SS Willy Adames
3B Joey Wendle
LF Tommy Pham
CF Kevin Kiermaier
RF Austin Meadows
SP Blake Snell/Tyler Glasnow
CL Jose Alvarado
Led by recently-extended youngster Brandon Lowe, the youth movement is in full force down in the Trop. While young, their team is solid up and down and is currently locked into the National League Wild Card race in 2019.
A very young infield will have a ton of growing pains, but with Lowe eventually healthy, combining him with Willy Adames up the middle will be very deadly, both in the field and at the plate. Supported by Joey Wendle and Yandy Diaz at the corners, the Rays are looking good for the future.
In the outfield, veterans Tommy Pham and Kevin Kiermaier are supported by youthful corner outfielder Austin Meadows, who was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Chris Archer deal, along with Tyler Glasnow. For pitching, Blake Snell is already the team’s ace and looks to remain that way, and Jose Alvarado is currently injured but is a great young arm who profiles very nicely for this club.
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