One Potential Under-the-Radar, Breakout MLB Postseason Star by Team (National League)

Alright, we looked at the American League yesterday, and now it’s time to move to the Senior Circuit. We hit the nail on the head with Tommy Edman last year, as he went on to win NLCS MVP honors. Let’s look at some potential breakout candidates now on the NL side of things for all remaining contending teams:

MILWAUKEE BREWERS

Quinn Priester, SP

At a time when the Brewers rotation is almost in tatters with injuries, who will step up behind Freddy Peralta? Priester seems like the obvious candidate as he has been one of the best surprises in baseball this year, turning in a 13-2 record and 3.25 ERA over 28 games (23 starts). There is also an incredible stat where the Brewers have won the last 19 games Priester has appeared in (16 starts, three relief appearances). With Brandon Woodruff and Jose Quintana on the IL and Jacob Misiorowski possibly headed to the bullpen, Priester has a chance to prove to the baseball world that he is a true front-of-the-rotation arm.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

Harrison Bader, OF

Let’s “run it back” here, if you will, shall we? Three years ago, Bader emerged in a big way for the Yankees in October, mashing five home runs over nine games. He has clearly provided the Phillies’ offense with a spark, hitting .329 with five dingers over 44 games since being traded from Minnesota. Bader provides defense and energy and even being in a lineup that features superstars like Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper, he has a chance for a few more big postseason moments.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Jack Dreyer, RP

Dreyer has been one of the team’s most dependable relievers in a year in which the bullpen has given away its fair share of leads. Undrafted out of the University of Iowa in 2021, the Dodgers are being validated for protecting Dreyer from last year’s Rule 5 Draft. In 64 appearances, Dreyer has delivered 74 innings and a 2.80 ERA, allowing just 54 hits and picking up four saves along the way. With Evan Phillips and Michael Kopech on the shelf, Brusdar Graterol unlikely to return, and the struggles of Tanner Scott and Blake Treinen, Dreyer could find himself in some huge spots this postseason.

CHICAGO CUBS

Moises Ballesteros, DH

While Brad Keller seemed like the obvious choice, I have to try one “stretch” pick, don’t I? Perhaps Ballesteros could be that guy, a youngster with big-time power in a lineup that has been slumping of late (they scored a measly seven runs over four games while being swept in four games by the Reds this weekend). Kyle Tucker’s return is still uncertain, and Pete Crow-Armstrong has had a rough second half. It’s been a very small sample size for the 21-year-old (16 games), but Ballesteros has a .827 OPS with a pair of home runs.

SAN DIEGO PADRES

Bradgley Rodriguez, RP

Alright, fine, let’s make it two “stretches.” The San Diego lineup really doesn’t feature any under-the-radar names, and you certainly know about the Pads’ high-leverage arms. But the 21-year-old Rodriguez, should he crack the postseason mix, has an electric arm, and just picked up his first Major League win last night by delivered a shutdown 11th inning to help the Padres clinch a playoff berth. With a triple-digits fastball mirroring that of star relievers Robert Suarez and Mason Miller, Mike Shildt may not be able to keep Rodriguez off the playoff roster after the youngster has produced five outings to the tune of a 1.69 ERA. It’s not a lock for him to pitch in October, but if he does, he could add even more length to what is already baseball’s best bullpen.

CINCINNATI REDS

Tony Santillan, RP

Before the sabermetric nerds jump all over me about Santillan’s concerning peripherals (4.48 xERA, 45.4% hard-hit percentage), let’s look at all the positives: league-leading 77 appearances, 6.5 H/9 IP, seven saves, and no earned runs allowed in 16 of his last 17 appearances. The Reds have a dependable closer in Emilio Pagan (29 saves in 35 chances), but Santillan is extremely dependable and may find himself even pitching the ninth inning in a playoff game.

NEW YORK METS

Nolan McLean, SP

In a season reminiscent of the 2007 of 2008 collapses, the Mets are hanging on for dear life. But if they can find their way back to the playoffs, they may be looking at McLean as their Game 1 starter. The rookie is 4-1 with an eye-popping 1.27 ERA over seven starts, and if New York is going to make any kind of October run, they need a frontline starter to step up in a year where the rest of the rotation has been quite underwhelming. The man known as “Cowboy Ohtani” for his two-way prowess in the Minor Leagues has not allowed more than two earned runs in any of his starts is a Met because after being drafted by the Orioles in 2022, he failed his physical. While long-term durability remains to be seen, McLean has been a godsend and may very well hold the keys to any possible success the Mets have in October.

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Geraldo Perdomo, SS

Perdomo has been not only the D-Backs’ MVP (especially in the second half), but how about this for value: he has a LEAGUE-LEADING 6.8 Wins Above Replacement. Perdomo has played all but one of the team’s games this year, and his second-half numbers are stellar: .330 average, nine homers, 32 RBI, and 13 stolen bases. Arizona continues to be one of baseball’s scrappiest and most resilient teams, and despite trading away Eugenio Suarez, Josh Naylor, and Merrill Kelly, it’s fair to wonder if there are some 2023 vibes going on. Though their playoff odds remain slim, should they reach the playoffs (where they would face a Dodgers team they swept in the ’23 NLDS), Perdomo will undoubtedly be a prominent figure that will garner national attention if he continues his outstanding season.