We continue toward the Opening Day of the 2023 MLB season. We have broken down the AL East, AL West, and NL Central, now we look at the NL East for locks, busts, and sleepers for each team.

Atlanta Braves

Lock: Austin Riley, 3B

Riley had a great season in 2022 and enters this season as one of the top Third Basemen. Two straight seasons with 30+ HRs and 93+ RBIs. Riley had a career-high BB%. Riley is a clear lock for the Braves this season.

Bust: Matt Olson, 1B

Olson is not your traditional bust, but the Braves do not have many bust candidates. Olson has an ADP of 37 but saw a small decline last season. The most worrisome stat is his SO% which went from 16.8% in 2022 to 24.3% in 2023. Olson still holds value, but I like him at pick 50 much better than 37.

Sleeper: Sean Murphy, C

Murphy benefits by getting out of Oakland, and your fantasy team could benefit from Murphy later in your draft. An ADP of 126 Murphy’s stats will not be far off from the top catchers. He had a career-best batting average last season which paired with career highs in HRs, RBIs, and Runs, and a career-low in SO%.

Miami Marlins

Lock: Luis Arraez, 1B/2B

Arraez is the shiny toy Miami acquired this off-season. He will continue to see his stats improve as he has each year of his MLB career. He will not be great at much but will be consistent all season.

Bust: Jazz Chisholm Jr, 2B

Everyone seems to think Chisholm is going to have a career year this year. He has yet to break 125 games in a major league season, He strikes out 27% of the time, and his only real value is in stolen bases. Chisholm is making the move to OF which will increase his risk of injury. An ADP of 45 puts Jazz on my do-not-draft list.

Sleeper: Bryan De La Cruz, OF

I am not the only one who thinks De La Cruz will carry a nice fantasy value this year. His ADP is 273 but his value is much higher. In his 173 games in the Majors, he has 18 HRs. He does strike out too much, but considering where he is being drafted he could be a great fifth OF on your fantasy roster.

New York Mets

Lock: Pete Alonso, 1B

Alonso is known for his power, but his availability is a large reason for this lock also. He has brought his SO% down each season and has brought his batting average up the last two seasons.

Bust: Jeff McNeil, 2B/OF

Those who value McNeil, do so for his 2B eligibility. The reality is McNeil brings little value to your team. He has only hit 10 or more HRs in one of his five seasons and has not had more than five stolen bases in the three years.

Sleeper: Starling Marte, OF

His ADP is 72 which is the right area for him, but many have been listing Marte as a bust this season, which is why I selected him as a sleeper. Health is a major factor for Marte, but he should give your team solid power, stolen bases, and batting average.

Philadelphia Phillies

Lock: Trea Turner, SS

A huge addition to the Phillies, Turner brings everything to the table. There are few players in the league who are more clearly a fantasy lock than Turner.

Bust: Nick Castellanos, OF

Last year no one saw Castellanos’ downfall. This year some are banking on a bounce-back year. He should have a better year than last year, but it is highly unlikely he finds 25+ HRs again.

Sleeper: Brandon Marsh, OF

His ADP is 286 as he enters his first full season with the Phillies. Given the strength of the lineup around him, he has a great chance to drive in runs this season. I love Marsh as a fourth or fifth OF on my fantasy teams.

Washington Nationals

Lock: Lane Thomas, OF

There is not a traditional lock on this team, but Thomas will most likely bat leadoff, which gives him value. Finally getting a real opportunity last season he had 17 HRs and raised his batting average. I am not sure I want any Nationals on my team, but Thomas will at least get considered.

Bust: Dominic Smith, 1B/OF

Smith never lived up to his potential in New York, but the Nationals are hoping they can find his power in DC. There are several bust candidates with the Nationals, but Smith is a guaranteed bust.

Sleeper: Lane Thomas, OF

Thomas was my lock but fits better as a sleeper. His ADP is 324, take him in the last round of your draft and take a shot at a breakout season.

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