Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)
*All statistics are regular season only*
National League East:
1. New York Mets
Projected Rotation: (with 2015 statistics)
- Matt Harvey (13-8, 2.71 ERA)
- Jacob deGrom (14-8, 2.54 ERA)
- Noah Syndergaard (9-7, 3.24 ERA)
- Steven Matz (4-0, 2.27 ERA)
- Bartolo Colon (14-13, 4.16)
New York is number one in the division simply because they have the most talent and poise amongst the other rotations in the NL East. Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, and Noah Syndergaard, who all throw north of 95 MPH are the best 1-2-3 punch in the league. Once Zack Wheeler comes back from Tommy John surgery, Colon should be moved into the bullpen to make room for Wheeler, which could then be the best rotation in baseball, barring injuries. The Mets finished fourth in the league with an ERA of 3.44.
2. Washington Nationals
Projected Rotation: (with 2015 statistics)
- Max Scherzer (14-12, 2.79 ERA)
- Stephen Strasburg (11-7, 3.46 ERA)
- Gio Gonzalez (11-8, 3.79 ERA)
- Tanner Roark (4-7, 4.38 ERA)
- Joe Ross ( 5-5, 3.64 ERA)
Washington falls at the number two spot in the NL East, simply because, they lost Jordan Zimmermann (Signed with Detriot Tigers) and Doug Fister, who is still a free agent. Before the 2015 season the Nationals had one of the best rotations in baseball. Strasburg and Fister struggled early and they did not fully re-cover. With the loss of Zimmermann and Fister the Nationals did not get anyone to fill those holes, thus putting the pressure on Tanner Roark and Joe Ross, to fill those shoes.
3. Miami Marlins
Projected Rotation: (with 2015 statistics)
- Jose Fernandez (6-1, 2.92 ERA)
- Jarred Cosart (2-5, 4.52 ERA)
- Tom Koehler (11-14, 4.08 ERA)
- Adam Conley (4-1, 3.76 ERA)
- David Phelps (4-8, 4.50 ERA)
Miami is number three only because of the star they have at the top of the rotation, Jose Fernandez, coming off of Tommy John surgery he should be ready to go and have a Cy Young caliber season for the Fish. Jarred Cosart and David Phelps will need to have bounce back seasons, and young, Adam Conley who looked solid in his 11 starts he made as a rookie last season should produce for the Marlins.
4. Philadelphia Phillies
Projected Rotation: (with 2015 statistics)
- Aaron Nola (6-2, 3.59 ERA)
- Jeremy Hellickson (9-12, 4.62 ERA w/ Arizona Diamondbacks)
- Charlie Morton (9-9, 4.81 ERA w/ Pittsburgh Pirates)
- Jerad Eickhoff (3-3, 2.65 ERA)
- Brett Oberholtzer (2-2, 4.46 ERA w/ Houston Astros)
Philadelphia is lead by their young stud, Aaron Nola, who is only 22 years old. Jeremy Hellickson, Charlie Morton, and Brett Oberholtzer will fit into their roles as planned to give some cushion to young, Jerad Eickhoff. They acquired former, number one overall pick, Mark Appel from the Houston Astros in a trade involving closer, Ken Giles. Appel, 24, may see some innings this year, and look for Nola, Eickhoff, and Appel to be the future of this staff. The Phillies were 29th in the league with an ERA of 5.23, look for improvements this upcoming season.
5. Atlanta Braves
Projected Rotation: (with 2015 statistics)
- Julio Teheran (11-8, 4.04 ERA)
- Matt Wisler (8-8, 4.71 ERA)
- Manny Banuelos (1-4, 5.13 ERA)
- Bud Norris (3-11, 6.72 ERA w/ Baltimore Orioles & San Diego Padres)
- Mike Foltynewicz (4-6, 5.71 ERA)
Atlanta lost their ace this off-season in Shelby Miller, who was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks. That leaves the bulk of the work to 24 year-old, Julio Teheran, who has the potential of becoming an ace, but needs to be in the right situation. Bud Norris had a terrible year, so expect him to hopefully bounce back for the Braves. Foltynewicz, 23, Banuelos, 24, and Wisler, 22, are all very young and still can develop into good starters, just don’t expect it this year.
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