Call to the Pen’s All-NL Central Team

Oct 28, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher

(50) throws against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning of game five of the MLB baseball World Series at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

STARTING PITCHERS

Coming off a World Series berth and being named a runner-up to the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw in the NL Cy Young Award voting, it’s no surprise that Cardinals’ right-hander Adam Wainwright was unanimously named the division’s best starting pitcher. Posting his first 20-win season of his career at age 31 last season, many believe Wainwright has plenty left in the tank. Taking a career .635 winning percentage into 2014, he’s proven time and time again he’s not one to bet against.

He’s joined on the top five list by fellow Cardinals’ pitchers Michael Wacha (2) and Shelby Miller (4) – both of whom will have to prove their dominance down the stretch last year was no fluke. Wacha especially was lights-out come postseason time, and will have to be in top form to repeat his performance.

Pirates rookie sensation Gerrit Cole was ranked as the third-best pitcher in the division, based on our voting, after going 10-7 for the club down the stretch and even being named the club’s playoff starter over veteran right-hander A.J. Burnett.

Voting: STL Adam Wainwright, STL Michael Wacha, PIT Gerrit Cole, STL Shelby Miller, CIN Mat Latos — Next two vote-getters: PIT Francisco Liriano, CIN Johnny Cueto

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Mat Latos comes in at fifth in our rankings, coming off a 14-7 campaign in which he posted an ERA just above 3.00 after making 30-plus starts for the fourth consecutive season.

NON-CLOSING RELIEVERS

In a role that is often overlooked, we took the time to compile our top five non-closing relievers. In a rather-lopsided vote, Pittsburgh reliever Mark Melancon, who made 72 appearances and posted a minuscule 1.39 ERA last season, earned the top slot. Moving forward, it’s worth noting that his 2013 earned run average was nearly two runs lower than his career mark of 3.24.

Carlos Martinez of the Cardinals came in second, despite having just one season of big league experience under his belt. At 22 years old, he’s coming off a season that, despite his electric fastball, saw him post a 5.08 earned run average during the regular season.

Southpaw Sean Marshall ranks third, proving as reliable as ever in a division he has come to know well, spending time with the Cubs and the Reds during his career. The top five is rounded out by the Brewers’ Francisco Rodriguez, who returned to Milwaukee this offseason, and Pedro Strop, who hopes to build upon a solid 2013 season with the Cubs.

Voting: PIT Mark Melancon, STL Carlos Martinez, CIN Sean Marshall, MIL Francisco Rodriguez, CHC Pedro Strop

CLOSING PITCHERS 

Flamethrowing left-hander Aroldis Chapman, who lives in the triple-digit range on the radar gun, tops our list of closers in the NL Central. Last season, he saved 38 games for the Reds, tying a career-high he set just a year earlier, while averaging a career-best 15.9 K/9. Wild at times, when he’s on, he’s near-unhittable.

Jason Grilli finished second in our voting after a breakout season with the Pirates. He posted a 2.70 ERA and notched 33 saves in his 11th professional season. Prior to last season, the right-hander had a total of five big league saves.

Young fireballer Trevor Rosenthal of the Cardinals came in third in the balloting, and he will look to build upon last year’s success in 2014. The top five are rounded out by Milwaukee’s Jim Henderson and the Cubs’ newly-acquired closer Jose Veras, who finished a step behind the initial trio in the voting.