Around 5 years from now you are at the bar watching the two best teams in the majors face off. The New York Mets and Chicago Cubs are playing on a windy night at Wrigley Field. While watching third baseman Kris Bryant up to bat in the bottom of the 5th against Mets Noah Syndergaard you remember something. You think back around 5 years ago, how these two teams had the best young pitching and and the best young hitting. It amazes you how time has flied and that the future is now. But what does the MLB look like now? Who are the best players in the league and what has changed over the years?

These are my predictions for the 2020 season.

Lets start with batting

Here are my top 5 hitters in the majors for 2020 (with projection):

1. Bryce Harper 39HR/95R/108RBI/15SB/.317 BA/.420 OBP
2. Mike Trout 34HR/107R/105RBI/21SB/.303 BA/.391 OBP
3. Joc Pederson 44HR/92R/102RBI/17SB/.265 BA/.382 OBP
4. Anthony Rizzo 35HR/99R/101RBI/9SB/.290BA/.385 OBP
5. Kris Bryant 38HR/95R/105RBI/4SB/.276BA/.381 OBP

Lets go over these top 5:

Bryce will keep on being Bryce and signs with the Yankees. Trout will become a part time meteorologist for the LA news but still brings the thunder with all his skills. Joc stays with the Dodgers and learns from his mistakes and is less prone to…the K. Anthony Rizzo continues his greatness while batting in front of the almighty Bryant. Kris Bryant is now 28 and has already etched his names in the record books with 74HR in a season in 2019 but because of new drug testing in 2020, well the projections tell the story.

Now lets talk about some other guys who should be interesting:

Carlos Correa:

With an aging/injured Troy Tulowitzki and Hanley Ramirez becoming the #1 SS in the majors becomes a lot easier. Correa also has his hitting potential translating to becoming a legend for the Astros. He will also be on those highlight reels all year long with great plays. With him and Jose Altuve making one of the greatest middle infields in major league history as well.

projection for 2020:

24HR/95R/88RBI/13SB/.292 BA/.370 OBP

Yasiel Puig:

At age 29 Puig will have been a top 10 OF for the past 4 years and is going to be a staple at the position. With all the young talents including him in the lineup he is sure to score runs and drive them in. Puig still is one of the most entertaining players in the game.

Projection for 2020:

21HR/94R/95RBI/17SB/.302 BA/.375 OBP

Anthony Rendon:

In 2020 he is just turning 29 and after a slow 2015 and 2017 he turns it on from 2018–2020 putting up incredible infield numbers, he is top 5 at 2nd and 3rd base. Bryce is no longer there but he is still putting in hard work to become the best.

Projection for 2020:

17HR/105R/84RBI/23SB/.294 BA/.371 OBP

Time for a break

Now lets talk about some changes that have happened in the league. With the new advertising on jerseys instituted in 2017 it has made for some interesting looks. For example seeing a Budweiser logo on the side of Blue Jays jerseys just seems natural now. Another change that will happen in the league is the pitch clock, game times have sped up incredibly. It hasn't effected the young pitchers much but it has affected some of the veteran pitchers causing much more stress. It is fun hearing the crowd chant down 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 when the opposing pitcher is running out of time to throw his pitch.

Time to talk pitching

Here are my top 5 pitchers in the majors for 2020 (with projection):

1. Jose Fernandez 17W/2.21 ERA/0.94 WHIP/255K/29QS
2. Marcus Stroman 18W/2.43 ERA/0.98 WHIP/235K/26QS
3. Noah Syndergaard 15W/2.65 ERA/0.97 WHIP/254K/26QS
4. Matt Harvey 16W/2.58 ERA/1.01 WHIP/243K/25QS
5. Danny Salazar 14W/2.70 ERA/0.99 WHIP/251K/25QS

Looking over this top 5:

Since coming back from his Tommy John surgery in 2015 Jose has been the most dominant pitcher in the league and has proven to be on track to become one of the best international pitchers of all time. Stroman another player who had a season halting injury in 2015 comes back stronger then ever in 2016. Noah Syndergaard and Matt Harvey, in 2020 the best 1–2 punch pitching in baseball, being the top 3 and 4 fantasy pitchers. Salazar who had many questions as his career started as being overrated and unproven but in 2015 he breaks out and continues to be a stable pitchers who strikes out a lot of batters and is consistent for fantasy owners.

Some other interesting pitchers in 2020:

Jake Odorizzi:

Odorizzi will be 30, he will be a great pitcher, obviously not as good as the other guys I listed above but top 15. He will put it all together and build on from his 2015 season.

projection for 2020: 15W/2.88 ERA/1.02 WHIP/234K/24QS

Madison Bumgarner:

Bumgarner also 30 has become one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball, not best but consistent. He is reliable and puts up numbers you can count on each year.

projection for 2020: 15W/2.96 ERA/1.09 WHIP/210K/23QS

Who will be the most dominant closer in the league who can shut the door whenever needed?

It’s a close battle between Craig Kimbrel and Ken Giles. Both have put up fantastic numbers both averaging 40+ saves from 2016–2020. For Kimbrel he stays in San Diego and strikes out the side when needed. Giles now is the closer that there is no competition like Jonathan Papelbon.

Now for the 2020 Awards (NOT for fantasy):

AL MVP: Mookie Betts

NL MVP: Joc Pederson

AL Cy Young: Marcus Stroman

NL Cy Young: Jose Fernendez

ROY’s

This is really not something at all to be predicted yet.

WS Champ: New York Mets

Final part, notable players who are no longer in the bigs in 2020 and have moved on:

Matt Holiday

Nelson Cruz

CC Sabathia

James Shields

This wasn't supposed to be an accurate analysis of what the future holds for fantasy owners but more just a look of who will be at the top of the game. Thanks for reading, hope you found it entertaining.