The Z Files: Monitoring National League Camps

Earlier in the week, a wish list for news coming out of American League camps was presented. Here's a similar review for the Senior Circuit.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Like the rest of the National League, how the playing time will be distributed at designated hitter is important. However, without exhibition games, unearthing the players who gain extra ABs, either in the field or at DH, will be difficult. Reports on Kevin Cron and Seth Beer will be especially useful as they're two prime candidates, along with Jake Lamb.

Mike Leake's decision to sit out the 2020 season helps clear up the rotation, though it's up in the air how long Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly and Luke Weaver will be allowed to work early. Knock on wood, there will be reports on how many pitches each are throwing in bullpens or scrimmages.

Atlanta Braves

The Braves have announced Marcell Ozuna will be the primary designated hitter, opening up an outfield spot. With Austin Riley capable of playing third base and left field, where he sees the bulk of action in camp is a precursor to the likely lineup. If Riley mans the hot corner, Ender Inciarte and Adam Duvall could benefit. If Riley spends more time shagging flies, that's a sign Johan Camargo will play more third base.

Atlanta has stated they plan to limit innings the first couple times through the rotation, using bulk relievers to follow the starters. The obvious repercussion is dropping Mike Soroka, Max Fried, Mike Foltynewicz and Cole Hamels down the ranks. If Felix Hernandez wins the No. 5 spot, that leaves Bryse Wilson, Sean Newcomb and Kyle Wright as potential relievers to target since they could be in line for some wins. Hey Brian Snitker, letting us know about the innings limit was cool, but noting who will start and relieve would be even better.

Chicago Cubs

While it appears Jason Kipnis has a leg up on Nico Hoerner and David Bote for the majority of the time at second base, at least when a righty is on the hill, playing time up the middle is still unclear. Who gets the most reps as Javier Baez' double play partner would be telling.

The Cubs have several options at designated hitter, including Kyle Schwarber, Steven Souza and Willson Contreras. Contreras is the most intriguing since the added plate appearances would lift him to elite fantasy status. Victor Caratini is the reserve backstop, but if Contreras were to move out from behind the dish, Josh Phegley would be the backup on those days, provided he's on the roster. Monitoring how many reps Phegley receives in camp could be a means to gauge if he'll make the 30-man roster, suggesting Contreras will grab time as DH. Otherwise, Phegley would be part of the three-man traveling taxi squad.

Heading into camp, it appeared Tyler Chatwood and Alec Mills would continue to joust for the No. 5 rotation spot. However, with Jose Quintana requiring thumb surgery, they both could begin the season as starters. While the competition will likely carry over into the regular season, how they're used late in camp could reveal who has the edge to remain in the rotation.

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds lineup is pretty well set, save the, wait for it… designated hitter. Cincinnati has several outfielders whose best defensive spot is DH (Nick Castellanos, Jesse Winker and Aristides Aquino). Castellanos is going to play every day regardless, but slotting at DH opens up playing time in the outfield. Chances are, the Reds will divvy up the added playing time, but how much time Castellanos spends playing defense in camp might help identify who benefits (Phillip Ervin, Shogo Akiyama or Winker).

Cincinnati's experienced starting rotation could be one of the few with limited restrictions. While they'll suffer from having to fact a DH, the NL Central benefits from facing the weak AL Central, so Reds starters are intriguing from a fantasy perspective. Tracking pitch totals could confirm the likelihood of a regular workload to begin the season.

Colorado Rockies

With Ian Desmond opting not to report, there's playing time available in the Rockies outfield. It was unclear how much Desmond was going to play, but whatever action he was slated for will go to Raimel Tapia, Sam Hilliard and Garrett Hampson. Camp usage should help reveal the main beneficiary.

The assumption is Daniel Murphy leaves his first baseman's mitt at home to occupy designated hitter. One possibility to back fill is sliding Ryan McMahon over and installing Brendan Rodgers at second base. If this is the plan, Rodgers should see most of the reps in camp, which should be public knowledge at some point.

Normally, it isn't worth the time researching Colorado pitchers. However, with 20 away games in good pitcher's parks within the NL West, and the possibility of a series in Seattle, Oakland and Texas, there could be some streaming opportunities. Even so, it's probably best to pick up candidates in FAAB or from waivers, but being aware of the back end of the Colorado rotation could pay dividends during this unusual season.

Los Angeles Dodgers

This is obviously a bit hyperbolic, but the Dodgers' list of 30 reserves (i.e., the guys who don't make their 30-man roster) could hang with the Pirates' and Orioles' active 30. The only real question is whether Gavin Lux opens at second base or Enrique Hernandez and Chris Taylor keep the spot warm. If Lux is earmarked for major playing time, it will be apparent in camp.

The front three in the rotation are set with Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler and David Price forming a formidable trio. After that, who knows? Julio Urias is assured of a rotation spot, but will he be limited? Having no innings restrictions in a truncated season doesn't necessarily mean younger arms with an injury history will get a regular workload. As such, Dave Roberts would be doing us all a favor if he lets is in on how many pitches Urias is throwing in bullpens and scrimmages.

Miami Marlins

Sure, they aren't the '27 Yankees, but for the first time in a long time, the Marlins have some fantasy-relevant batters. Many can play multiple positions, but the likes of Brian Anderson and Jonathan Villar will be regulars. However, the manner Don Mattingly sets his troops defensively matters for Matt Joyce, Jon Berti, Harold Ramirez and Garrett Cooper. Camp deployment will be key.

Rotation plans for the Fish seem to be set with Sandy Alcantara, Caleb Smith, Pablo Lopez, Jose Urena and Jordan Yamamoto. However, it's unclear whether any will be under any restrictions. This is another staff where pitch counts in camp will be important to track. In addition, with an improved offense, the Marlins closer is an intriguing late pick. Confirmation Brandon Kintzler gets first crack would be swell.

Milwaukee Brewers

When we last left the Brewers, Orlando Arcia was showing he didn't want to lose the shortstop gig to Luis Urias. Arcia popped five long balls in the Cactus League but is more intriguing for steals since he won't be restrained by batting ahead of the pitcher. If it's evident Arcia will open as the regular shortstop, he's in play for cheap speed.

All eyes will be on Corey Knebel. Well, at least by those who invested heavy draft capital in Josh Hader. Even if Knebel proves healthy, there's no guarantee he'll supplant, or even share, ninth-inning duties with the incumbent. That said, the first step is monitoring Knebel's progress in camp.

Brandon Woodruff likely is ticketed for a full workload. After that, the rotation is unclear. The Brewers have proven adept at using the opener/bulk reliever gambit and have several arms ideal for that scenario. Maybe if we all close our eyes and think good thoughts, Craig Counsell will let us in on his plans.

New York Mets

The spotlight will be on Yoenis Cespedes as the DH spot clears a path to steady playing time. This is crucial, since J.D. Davis and Dominic Smith are both major-league bats able to contribute significantly to a fantasy roster. Davis is already ticketed for enough playing time to be mixed-league worthy, but a few extra trips to the dish elevates him from corner or fourth outfield status to third base.

The Mets are another squad with a solid front three (Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman and Rick Porcello), then it gets murky. If Luis Rojas indicates either Steven Matz or Michael Wacha will be used as a bulk reliever, they're more attractive from a fantasy sense.

Philadelphia Phillies

The main question in Phillies camp is how long will it be before Alec Bohm sees action? A third baseman by trade, Bohm is blocked by Jean Segura, who is making the transition from shortstop. However, Scott Kingery was placed on the injured list. If he's out for an extended stretch, Segura could shift to second base, opening the hot corner for the rookie. As such, monitoring how many reps Bohm gets at third along with clarification of Kingery's health are on the ledger.

Like Kingery, closer Hector Neris was put on the IL without an explanation. With David Robertson and Seranthony Dominguez out for the season, Joe Girardi may have to get creative if Neris is absent for an extended period. Obviously, the hope is Girardi sheds some light on the situation.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Ke'Bryan Hayes' presence on the Pirates' 60-man roster isn't assurance he'll make his debut this season, but it fortifies the possibility. His reps at third base in camp will be a strong hint as to Derek Shelton's intentions.

If Hayes indeed snags the hot corner, Colin Moran shuttles to DH, at least against righties. There aren't many other obvious candidates, but Jose Osuna is an option. Hopefully we get reports from intrasquad scrimmages, though to be frank, there are better places to look for offense than the Bucs lineup.

The bats may not move the needle but there are a handful of interesting arms here, particularly since Pittsburgh lines up to face the weak AL Central. Getting a feel for the velocity and pitch mix from Joe Musgrove and Mitch Keller could avail a couple of cheaper starting pitcher targets.

San Diego Padres

While all NL clubs likely welcomed the universal DH, the Padres were especially giddy, seeing as they were looking at a logjam in the outfield. Even so, it's still not obvious who benefits the most, as a case can be made for Josh Naylor or Franchy Cordero. San Diego is one of the clubs whose playoff chances increase in the shortened season, so hopefully new manager Jayce Tingler decides early and is kind enough to share.

With the puncher's chance to make the postseason, the Friars may opt to accelerate MacKenzie Gore and/or Luis Patino. Both are on the 60-man roster, though that could be simply to have them under coaching tutelage for the rest of the summer. Where they're assigned will be a clue. If they're practicing with the regulars, a call-up is more likely.

San Francisco Giants

Apparently, the Giants didn't get the memo they were supposed to sign Yasiel Puig, most likely to serve as DH. It could obviously still happen, but in the meantime identifying those likely to fill the spot without Puig could be useful. For instance, if Billy Hamilton is more than a pinch-runner, he's an asset in NL-only, along with mixed formats with daily moves.

Giants pitchers are always in play for streaming, there just isn't anything worth tracking, other than whether Tony Watson appears to be the primary closer. The prevailing narrative is to invest in top closers during this odd season. Personally, I prefer the opposite tack. As such, options like Watson are targets since San Francisco isn't apt to generate many save chances, so Watson would be in less danger of losing some to rest.

St. Louis Cardinals

The chief question for the Cardinals is how long before Dylan Carlson is a regular? He's on the 60-man roster and most consider it a matter of when, not if. Complicating things is the truncated season means teams only need to have prospects work on their defense for one week before securing an extra year of service time. The Redbirds have the depth to manage, the conundrum will be wanting their best lineup on the field to maximize getting off to a fast start and elevate their odds of a playoff berth.

St. Louis has indicated Kwang-Hyun Kim could start the season as a reliever. From a fantasy point of view this isn't a deal breaker, as some member of the rotation (Adam Wainwright, Dakota Hudson and Miles Mikolas) could be eased into action, setting Kim up to come in and vulture some wins. The length of his bullpens and scrimmage appearances could reveal how he'll be utilized.

Washington Nationals

Even with Ryan Zimmerman taking the summer off, there isn't much to be decided with respect to the lineup for the defending World Series champs. The exception is Carter Kieboom, as his transition to third base was a work in progress back in March. The Nationals brought in Starlin Castro and retained Asdrubal Cabrera, so they're adequately covered if Kieboom's glove isn't ready. That said, even though Howie Kendrick stands to benefit from Zimmerman's absence and the presence of the DH, there is now a way to keep Keiboom's developing bat in the lineup without sacrificing defense. Who gets the most reps at third base will be important to follow.

Joe Ross' announcement he's not going to play this season leaves Austin Voth and Erick Fedde vying for the No. 5 spot in the Nationals rotation. We may not know right away, but hopefully Dave Martinez names the winner before later drafts occur.