Friday player news

Cole Hamels, sp, Phi: Made a 41-pitch bullpen session. Reports all went well. If he continues on that course, should be able to return by Opening Day. Keep monitoring.

Garret Anderson, of, Atl: Strained calf. Hopes to return to spring training games by late next week. Opening day shaky.

Manny Ramirez, of, LA: Strained hamstring. Hopes to play DH on Monday. Should be fine for Opening Day. Is there anyone out there who doesn't think that Manny is trying to avoid as much of spring training as possible?

Claudio Vargas, sp, LA: Has emerged as top candiate for No. 5 rotation spot.

Eric Byrnes, of, Arz: Made first spring training start on Friday. Still likely to be Arizona's No. 4 outfielder to start the season at best.

Ivan Rodriguez, c, Hou: Signed one-year deal with Astros and is now the clear-cut starter at catcher for Houston.

Chase Utley, 2b, and Pedro Feliz, 3b, Phi: Manager Charlie Manuel expects both players to be ready for Opening Day.

John Lannan, sp, Was: Has been named Nationals opening day starter. Woohoo!

Rick Ankiel, of, StL: Tearing it up this spring, ensuring he'll open season as everyday starter.

Livan Hernandez, sp, NY: On verge of claiming Mets' No. 5 rotation spot.

Player rankings -- Relievers

1. Brad Lidge, Phi
2. Francisco Rodriguez, NY
3. Jose Valverde, Hou
4. Carlos Marmol, Chi
5. Jonathan Broxton, LA
6. Francisco Cordero, Cin

7. Matt Capps, Pit
8. Heath Bell, SD

9. Brian Wilson, SF

10. Trevor Hoffman, Mil
11. Mike Gonzalez, Atl
12. Chad Qualls, Arz

Player rankings -- starting pitching

1. Johan Santana, NY
2. Tim Lincecum, SF
3. Brandon Webb, Arz

4. Cole Hamels, Phi
5. Dan Haren, Arz
6. Jake Peavy, SD
7. Roy Oswalt, Hou
8. Chad Billingsley, LA
9. Matt Cain, SF
10. Javier Vazquez, Atl

11. Yovani Gallardo, Mil

12. Ricky Nolasco, Fla
13. Ted Lilly, Chi
14. Rich Harden, Chi
15. Carlos Zambrano, Chi

16. Adam Wainwright, StL

17. Ryan Dempster, Chi

18. Edinson Volquez, Cin
19. Derek Lowe, Atl

20. Max Scherzer, Arz
21. Aaron Harang, Cin

22. Josh Johnson, Fla

23. Randy Johnson, SF
24. Chris Young, SD
25. Brett Myers, Phi
26. Johnny Cueto, Cin

27. Hiroki Kuroda, LA

28. Chris Carpenter, StL

29. John Maine, NY

30. Clayton Kershaw, LA

31. Jair Jurrjens, Atl

32. Manny Parra, Mil

33. Oliver Perez, NY

34. Wandy Rodriguez, Hou

35. Bronson Arroyo, Cin

36. Mike Pelfrey, NY

37. Chris Volstad, Fla

38. Kenshin Kawakami, Atl

39. Jonathan Sanchez, SF

40. Ubaldo Jimenez, Col

Player rankings -- Outfield

1. Ryan Braun, Mil

2. Alfonso Soriano, Chi
3. Carlos Beltran, NY

4. Carlos Lee, Hou
5. Manny Ramirez, LA
6. Matt Kemp, LA

7. Corey Hart, Mil

8. Nate McLouth, Pit
9. Shane Victorino, Phi
10. Hunter Pence, Hou
11. Jay Bruce, Cin

12. Raul Ibanez, Phi

13. Adam Dunn, Was

14. Ryan Ludwick, StL

15. Andre Ethier, LA

16. Brad Hawpe, Col
17. Justin Upton, Arz

18. Lastings Milledge, Was

19. Chris Young, Arz

20. Connor Jackson, Arz

21. Jaysun Werth, Phi
22. Rick Ankiel, StL

23. Willy Taveras, Cin

24. Milton Bradley, Chi

25. Cameron Maybin, Fla

26. Elijah Dukes, Was

27. Mike Cameron, Mil

28. Randy Winn, SF

29. Chase Headley, SD

30. Jeff Franceour, Atl

31. Eric Byrnes, Arz

32. Ryan Church, NY

33. Cody Ross, Fla

34. Jeremy Hermida, Fla

35. Michael Bourn, Hou

Player rankings -- catcher

1. Brian McCann, Atl
2. Russell Martin, LA
3. Geovany Soto, Chi
4. Ryan Doumit, Pit
5. Bengie Molina, SF

6. Chris Iannetta, Col
7. Ramon Hernandez, Cin

8. Ivan Rodriguez, Hou
9. Chris Snyder, Arz
10. Yadier Molina, StL
11. John Baker, Fla
12. Jesus Flores, Was

Player rankings -- third base

1. David Wright, NY
2. Aramis Ramirez, Chi
3. Chipper Jones, Atl

4. Garrett Atkins, Col
5. Ryan Zimmerman, Was
6. Mark Reynolds, Arz
7. Edwin Encarnacion, Cin

8. Pablo Sandoval, SF

9. Kevin Kouzmanoff, SD

10. Troy Glaus, StL
11. Casey Blake, LA

12. Pedro Feliz, Phi

Player rankings -- shortstop

1. Hanley Ramirez, Fla
2. Jose Reyes, NY
3. Jimmy Rollins, Phi

4. Rafael Furcal, LA
5. Stephen Drew, Arz

6. Troy Tulowitzki, Col
7. Miguel Tejada, Hou

8. J.J. Hardy, Mil
9. Yunel Escobar, Atl
10. Ryan Theriot, Chi
11. Edgar Renteria, SF

12. Cristian Guzman, Was

Player rankings -- second base

1. Chase Utley, Phi
2. Brandon Phillips, Cin
3. Dan Uggla, Fla
4. Kelly Johnson, Atl
5. Rickie Weeks, Mil
6. Orlando Hudson, LA
7. Felipe Lopez, Arz
8. Freddy Sanchez, Pit
9. Kaz Matsui, Hou
10. Mike Fontenot

11. Clint Barmes, Col

12. Luis Castillo, NY

Player rankings -- first base

1. Albert Pujols, StL
2. Lance Berkman, Hou
3. Ryan Howard, Phi

4. Prince Fielder, Mil
5. Adrian Gonzalez, SD
6. Derrek Lee, Chi
7. Joey Votto, Cin

8. Carlos Delgardo, NY
9. James Loney, LA
10. Adam LaRoche, Pit
11. Jorge Cantu, Fla

12. Todd Helton, Col

Player rankings

Getting ready for draft day can be tough. But with it being less than 3 weeks away, it's best to get started early.

The best way to prepare is by creating your own personal player rankings position by position. To help you with the process, I've created some baseline rankings from which you can start your own rankings. These rankings are a composite ranking from MLB.com, ESPN.com and FBLG player rankings from last season's points.

Use these rankings as a starting point, then over the course of the next 2 1/2 weeks, move players up or down, in or out of your rankings.