The National League Central has been a battle between the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and Milwaukee Brewers over the last few years. The Houston Astros always seem to make a run. The Cincinnati Reds have improved and are hoping to compete in 2010. The Pittsburgh Pirates always hope to play well but they field a team of young talent that every team hopes to make a trade for. Every veteran team needs young talent to win. The Brewers have become successful with the infusion of Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, and Corey Hart. The Cardinals have seen Yadier Molina become the best catcher in the game. The Cubs may have a double-play combination of Ryan Theriot and Mike Fontenot (who played together at LSU). The Reds have Cuban phenom pitcher Aroldis Chapman to go with Dominican hurlers Edison Volquez and Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey. Every year the Pirates have new talent to throw into the fire with last year bringing up outfielders Andrew McCutchen and Garrett Jones. Who will have a breakout year in 2010? Let’s take a look.

Colby Rasmus

Colby Rasmus, St. Louis Cardinals (CF): Rasmus was the best player in the disappointing three game sweep at the hands of the LA Dodgers in the National League Division Series. He doubled three times and reached base six times, which was a resurgence for the outfielder who struggled in the second half. However the sky is the limit for Rasmus.

“I think Colby was, overall, remarkable,” manager Tony LaRussa said. “He had to live up to the expectations of fans. The organization has hyped him. He had to earn the job on a club that had a chance to win.” These expectations came with the honor of being named the Cardinals number 1 prospect and a preseason candidate for Rookie of the Year.

Heading into the 2009 spring training, Rasmus lifted weights to hopefully add more power to his well-rounded game. However he dealt with injuries and illness in the second half that saw him hit just .216 with 5 homeruns and 18 RBIs. Overall he hit .261 with 25 doubles, two triples, 16 homeruns, and 52 RBIs. So this offseason he focused more on endurance that will keep him effective for six or seven months. The key for Rasmus is to expand his 2009 first-half numbers (.278 average) over an entire season.

Rasmus believes a year of experience will help him live up to the expectations. “I feel more relaxed,” Rasmus said. “I kind of know that to expect going in.” The club will be counting on Rasmus at the top of the order and one of their only left-handed bats. He will need to improve his on-base percentage if Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday, and Ryan Ludwick want to put up huge RBI numbers. When Skip Schumaker is in the lineup, Rasmus will probably bat further down in the order. He does not feel entitlement to the centerfield job. He knows he needs to work just as hard to help the Cardinals win. So far this spring training, Rasmus is 4-for-7 with zero strikeouts.

Casey McGehee

Casey McGehee, Milwaukee Brewers (3B): In 2009, McGehee was slated for a utility role (though he was a long shot to even make the club out of spring training), but he became an everyday player with a .368 average and 5 homeruns in June. He cooled off in mid-summer but finished strong in September with a .337 average and 5 homeruns. Only Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard had more RBIs in September than McGehee (27 to 26). His performance made Bill Hall expendable.

Brewers GM Doug Melvin has compared McGehee to the LA Dodgers Casey Blake, in that Blake developed late. The big question is whether or not McGehee can carry his stellar rookie season over to 2010. If not, the 27 year old could give up at-bats to prospect Mat Gamel. McGehee played 2009 on a bum knee but had surgery to clean out loose bodies, though the problem could persist. However McGehee proved he can push and perform through the pain. “I think there’s a huge difference between being injured and being hurt. If you can get out there and play, you should get out there when you’re called upon,” McGehee said. McGehee is 2-for-7 so far in spring training. Look for McGehee to give Prince Fielder protection in the order throughout the 2010 season.