If you could have one person help you with your fantasy baseball draft prep, who would you pick? Wouldn't it be a real-life MLB general manager? Having that much baseball experience and knowledge at your disposal would be one of the most invaluable fantasy tools you could be given.

As part of the 2024 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide, you have this exact type of exclusive access.

 

 

Meet Jim Bowden, a 16-year veteran of the MLB GM ranks, who has forgotten more about baseball than many of us will ever learn in our lifetime. His connections to the front offices of all 30 MLB teams will provide you with access to information no one else gets. 

With our Front Office Insights series, we go team-by-team examining everything from starting lineups and bench depth, to starting rotations and bullpens, to offeason moves and prospects, and everything in between. We even go straight up the ladder to look at how a team’s front office traditionally handles the trade deadline.

In other words: Front Office Insights gives you everything you possibly want to know about a team for fantasy baseball purposes.

Today we're looking at the National League Central.

2024 NL Central Fantasy Preview: Front Office Insights With GM Jim Bowden

The NL Central is one that's largely on the rebuild, led by the in-progress rebuild of the upstart Cincinnati Reds. They'll be looking to make some noise with their young group of core players, led by Elly De La Cruz and Matt McLain. Playing half their games in the hitter-friendly confines of the Great American Ballpark, you absolutely should be taking notes on Cincinnati's fantasy preview.

The Milwaukee Brewers made changes this offseason, headlined by trading former Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes. Many are hopeful top prospect Jackson Chourio will be up soon and making an impact in their lineup. 

The Pittsburgh Pirates are hoping to get a full season from Oneil Cruz after he was limited to just nine games last season due to injury. With his ability to hit for power and make plays on the basepaths, Cruz brings some serious swagger to the Pirates lineup. But is he the only Pirate that's fantasy relevant?

The Chicago Cubs won the Shota Imanaga sweepstakes this offseason, signing the 30-year old pitcher from Japan. They also brought back Cody Bellinger after he hit .307 with 26 homers and 20 stolen bases in 2023. Will Chicago break its three-year playoff drought in 2024?

Lastly, we have the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals rotation has been completely overhauled, with Sonny Gray, Kyle Gibson and Lance Lynn all joining the pitching staff. The batting order will largely remain the same, anchored by Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado and Willson Contreras, with hopes that Jordan Walker will have a break-out sophomore season.

Let's go team-by-team with our NL Central Predictions & Preview for the 2024 season.

Welcome to the National League Central!

2024 Cincinnati Reds Prediction & Preview

 

2024 Milwaukee Brewers Prediction & Preview

 

2024 Chicago Cubs Prediction & Preview

 

2024 Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction & Preview

 

2024 St. Louis Cardinals Predictions & Preview

 

Get More Front Office Insights In The 2024 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide

The NL Central certainly will be one to watch, both on the diamond as well as your fantasy teams.

Get even more Front Office Insights from GM Jim Bowden. Predictions and previews for every division are available with your purchase of the 2024 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide.