Hey, Mitch Nelles here. Before I get started, I should introduce myself. Born and raised in Boston, I moved to Wisconsin in 1990, and went to Nicolet High School in Glendale, a suburb of Milwaukee.

I graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 2000, where I got a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. I worked for a newspaper in Port Washington, Wis., and for Time Warner Cable before coming over to Milwaukee’s ESPN Radio (www.espnmilwaukee.com).

I split my time between sales and being an on-air producer for Steve “The Homer” True and “The World’s Greatest Sports Talk Show,” on the air from 2pm to 6pm every weekday.

I also work on a show called “Fantasy Sports Weekly” every Saturday from 9am to 11am. We have quite a rivalry on the show, and that is why I was asked to help out with MidwestBaseballMagazine.com.

I’ve put together my “All-Midwest” fantasy team—using just the AL Central and NL Central. I think it would be a very competitive team with any mixed-league squad.

So, without further ado, here’s my offense:

Catcher: A very strong position for the Midwest teams. My sleeper pick is definitely Ronny Paulino—he could have a strong year for the Pirates, who might not be as bad on offense as people think, especially if Freddy Sanchez (see 2B) can come back. Victor Martinez is great, too, and Michael Barrett is solid, but the pick here is a no-brainer: Joe Mauer, Twins. May not hit what he did last year, but is so pure, he’ll be just fine.

First Base: Derrek Lee will have a huge year. Justin Morneau just had a huge year. Lance Berkman is a stud. And don’t forget Adam LaRoche, who is on the Pirates now, or Mike Sweeney on the Royals, if he can stay healthy. That being said: Albert Pujols, Cardinals. The No. 1 overall player. Hands down. 

Second Base: Eww! A VERY weak position in the majors this year, and it’s even weaker in the Central divisions. I even checked Chase Utley to see if he was from the Midwest – no such luck, he’s a California boy. I know people like Rickie Weeks, but I just don’t trust it until I actually see it on the field. Josh Barfield comes to the Indians from the Padres, but again, he has some work to do. Sanchez, Brandon Phillips and Tad Iguchi are all in the same boat—decent starters, but don’t pop. So who is it? Chris Burke, Astros. Yes, he is playing CF this year, but is 2B eligible after last year. I just think he is a nice player, and no one else is very good.

Third Base: A Royals sighting? Yes, rookie Alex Gordon will get lots of pub this year. And Mark Teahen is still 3B-eligible. Scott Rolen is consistent, if not spectacular, but an injury waiting to happen. Joe Crede was nice last year, but again, this one isn’t hard: Aramis Ramirez, Cubs. Especially with Soriano and Lee in that lineup? Look out. 

Shortstop: About as bad as second base—weak middle infield in the Centrals. It’s just ugly out there. Carlos Guillen is OK. Jhonny Peralta should rebound a bit. So the pick? Bill Hall, Brewers. Like Burke, he is going to centerfield but retains his SS eligibility. Might not hit 35, but should be good for 25+ homers. 

Outfield: I’m going with four here, but I will discuss more. Hall is debatable in this category, Burke is not. There are tons of guys here, and for a position that is weak in the NL, a lot of the top OFs come from the Centrals. Let’s get an obvious one out of the way: Alfonso Soriano, Cubs. OK, done with that one. …Carlos Lee is back in the NL Central after a couple months off and could have a huge year, or could have a bad wrist. Jason Bay wants to be a superstar, and almost is, but isn’t quite there yet. So my No. 2 is: Grady Sizemore, Indians. Just a stud who is getting better every year. Coco who?.... After that, we’re looking at guys like Jermaine Dye, Gary Sheffield (remember, on the Tigers now and still OF eligible even though he will be mainly a DH this year), Mags Ordonez, and Torii Hunter. But my No. 3 is: Lance Berkman, Astros. Just a hitting machine in the OF or at 1B….My last pick will surprise many: Adam Dunn, Reds. I know his average hurts, but he homers a ton, and if you play with on-base percentage, he’s even better as he walks a ton.

CORNER INFIELD: I am going with Derrek Lee here. He should be a Top 10 offensive player this year in five categories. He many not duplicate ’05, but he’ll make owners smile and steal double-digit bags.

MIDDLE INFIELD: Do I have to? Can’t I pick another position? I guess I should pick someone who actually is going to play the position this year: Freddy Sanchez. He won’t miss too much time, and is a great hitter. His spring training knee injury might start him on the DL to begin the season, but he will be eligible at 3B and 2B.

DESIGNATED HITTER:  How about someone who actually plays the position? Easy. Travis Hafner, Indians. Some leagues let you play him at first, but he’s a DH, through and through. And he rakes.

Listen to Mitch's show, Fantasy Sports Weekly, on Milwaukee ESPN radio - Saturdays 9am - 10am