MLB · 3 weeks ago

Bregman Joins the North Side: Ranking the 10 Best Players in the NL Central for 2026

SportsGrid Contributor Just Baseball

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Who is YOUR Pick for NL Central MVP in 2026?
Join the Debate: The Battle for the Central
- With Alex Bregman joining the Cubs and William Contreras leading the Brewers, the race for the division crown is wide open.
- Do you think Elly De La Cruz will finally unlock his 40/40 potential, or will Pete Crow-Armstrong take home the MVP hardware?
- Cast your vote: Who is the best player in the NL Central right now?
- Drop a comment with your Opening Day predictions and tell us who we missed!
Top 10 Best Players in the NL Central for the 2026 MLB Season
A New Era of Dominance in the National League Central
- The NL Central has evolved into a powerhouse division, featuring the 2025 Milwaukee Brewers, who finished with the best record in Major League Baseball.
- Young superstars like Elly De La Cruz are redefining the game with dynamic speed and power, while established veterans maintain the division's competitive edge.
- The landscape shifted this winter when the Chicago Cubs signed superstar third baseman Alex Bregman to a massive five-year, $175 million deal.
- As we approach Opening Day 2026, we rank the top 10 players currently calling the NL Central home.
The post Top 10 Best Players in the NL Central for the 2026 MLB Season appeared first on Just Baseball.
Honorable Mentions: Who Just Missed the Cut?
Elite Talent on the Outside Looking In
- Dansby Swanson (Chicago Cubs): A defensive anchor who posted a 20/20 season and 3.3 fWAR in 2025; he remains one of the sport's most consistent shortstops.
- Oneil Cruz (Pittsburgh Pirates): Known for "breaking Statcast" with elite exit velocity, Cruz needs a bounce-back from a tough 86 wRC+ campaign to rejoin the elite ranks.
- Masyn Winn (St. Louis Cardinals): The young shortstop is a defensive wizard coming off back-to-back 3.5 fWAR seasons as the Cardinals embrace a rebuild.
- Iván Herrera (St. Louis Cardinals): Following a career year in homers and fWAR, Herrera is emerging as a top-tier offensive threat behind the dish.
9. Eugenio Suárez, Cincinnati Reds
A Powerhouse Reunion at Great American Ball Park
- Eugenio Suárez returned to the Cincinnati Reds on a one-year, $15 million deal after a stint with the Seattle Mariners.
- Suárez flashed elite power in 2025, blasting 49 home runs and driving in 118 runs across 159 games.
- He finished the season with a 3.8 fWAR and a 125 wRC+, proving he is still one of the most dangerous sluggers in the league.
- Playing in the hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park, Suárez is expected to maintain his elite home run pace throughout 2026.
8. Michael Busch, Chicago Cubs
The Breakout First Baseman Joins the Elite
- Michael Busch officially arrived in 2025, smashing 34 home runs and recording a 140 wRC+.
- He became one of only three National League first basemen to receive MVP votes, joining stars Matt Olson and Pete Alonso.
- Busch set career highs in OBP (.343), SLG (.523), and fWAR (3.5) during his breakout campaign.
- With refined plate discipline and massive raw power, Busch is now considered a cornerstone of the Cubs offense.
7. Jackson Chourio, Milwaukee Brewers
A Historical Start for the Young Phenom
- Jackson Chourio made history in 2025 as the youngest player to join the 20/20 club (20 HR, 20 SB) in each of his first two seasons.
- Before his 22nd birthday, Chourio has already accumulated nearly 7.0 total fWAR, showcasing his "five-tool" potential.
- In 131 games last season, he posted a 111 wRC+ and provided elite outfield defense for the division-leading Brewers.
- Analysts expect Chourio to challenge for the top spot on this list as he enters his physical prime.
6. Brice Turang, Milwaukee Brewers
Elite Defense Meets a Major Offensive Leap
- Brice Turang transformed his game in 2025, pairing his "Gold Glove" caliber defense with a career-high 124 wRC+.
- He was one of only three MLB second basemen to record at least 4.0 fWAR and a wRC+ over 120 last season.
- Turang swiped 24 bases and hit 18 home runs, proving he is a dynamic threat at the top of the lineup.
- His growth was a primary factor in the Brewers securing the best record in baseball last year.
5. Nico Hoerner, Chicago Cubs
The Gold Standard of Consistency at Second Base
- Nico Hoerner continues to be the most reliable player in the division, playing over 150 games for three consecutive seasons.
- An elite defender, Hoerner posted a 4.8 fWAR in 2025 while maintaining a high .297 batting average.
- He is a menace on the basepaths, recording 29 stolen bases and providing elite "contact-first" hitting with a 109 wRC+.
- While he lacks high home run totals, his overall value as a Gold Glove winner makes him indispensable to the Cubs.
4. Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs
A 5-Tool Star with MVP Potential
- Pete Crow-Armstrong enjoyed a dominant 2025, recording 31 home runs and 35 stolen bases.
- He earned his first Gold Glove Award and finished as one of only 17 MLB players to surpass 5.0 fWAR.
- Despite a streaky second half, PCA showed flashes of being a perennial MVP candidate due to his elite speed and defensive range.
- If he finds offensive consistency in 2026, he is a favorite to become the No. 1-ranked player in the NL Central.
3. Alex Bregman, Chicago Cubs
The $175 Million Man Arrives in the Windy City
- The Chicago Cubs landed a premier superstar this winter, signing Alex Bregman to anchor third base.
- Coming off a strong season with the Boston Red Sox, Bregman posted a 125 wRC+ and his best slugging percentage since 2019.
- Bregman brings championship experience and an elite .360 OBP to the middle of the Cubs' lineup.
- He is widely expected to be the most impactful "external" addition to the division for the 2026 season.
2. Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds
The Most Dynamic Talent in Professional Baseball
- Elly De La Cruz is a "budding superstar" who lowered his strikeout rate below 30% for the first time in 2025.
- He combined for 22 home runs and 37 stolen bases, producing a 4.3 fWAR as the face of the Cincinnati Reds.
- At just 24 years old, his "Statcast-breaking" speed and arm strength make him a threat to impact the game on every play.
- If De La Cruz continues to refine his plate discipline, he will likely become the #1 player in the NL Central—and the entire MLB.
1. William Contreras, Milwaukee Brewers
The Best All-Around Catcher in the National League
- William Contreras has established himself as the premier catcher in the division, combining elite hitting with defensive leadership.
- In what was considered a "down year" by his standards, Contreras still produced 17 home runs and a 3.6 fWAR.
- He has recorded three consecutive seasons with at least 3.5 fWAR, proving to be the most consistent producer in the NL Central.
- Beyond his 113 wRC+, his ability to manage the Brewers' young pitching staff makes him the most valuable player in the division heading into 2026.
Who is YOUR Pick for NL Central MVP in 2026?
Join the Debate: The Battle for the Central
- With Alex Bregman joining the Cubs and William Contreras leading the Brewers, the race for the division crown is wide open.
- Do you think Elly De La Cruz will finally unlock his 40/40 potential, or will Pete Crow-Armstrong take home the MVP hardware?
- Cast your vote: Who is the best player in the NL Central right now?
- Drop a comment with your Opening Day predictions and tell us who we missed!
Top 10 Best Players in the NL Central for the 2026 MLB Season
A New Era of Dominance in the National League Central
- The NL Central has evolved into a powerhouse division, featuring the 2025 Milwaukee Brewers, who finished with the best record in Major League Baseball.
- Young superstars like Elly De La Cruz are redefining the game with dynamic speed and power, while established veterans maintain the division's competitive edge.
- The landscape shifted this winter when the Chicago Cubs signed superstar third baseman Alex Bregman to a massive five-year, $175 million deal.
- As we approach Opening Day 2026, we rank the top 10 players currently calling the NL Central home.
The post Top 10 Best Players in the NL Central for the 2026 MLB Season appeared first on Just Baseball.

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Bregman Joins the North Side: Ranking the 10 Best Players in the NL Central for 2026

Join the Debate: The Battle for the Central

A New Era of Dominance in the National League Central

Elite Talent on the Outside Looking In

A Powerhouse Reunion at Great American Ball Park

The Breakout First Baseman Joins the Elite

A Historical Start for the Young Phenom

Elite Defense Meets a Major Offensive Leap

The Gold Standard of Consistency at Second Base

A 5-Tool Star with MVP Potential

The $175 Million Man Arrives in the Windy City

The Most Dynamic Talent in Professional Baseball

The Best All-Around Catcher in the National League

Join the Debate: The Battle for the Central

A New Era of Dominance in the National League Central

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