Fantasy rankings, according to Sports Weekly fantasy baseball preview:
1. Brian McCann, Atl
2. Miguel Montero, Arz
3. Bengie Molina, SF
4. Yadier Molina, StL
5. Russell Martin, LA
6. Geovany Soto, Chi
7. Chris Iannetta, Col
8. Ryan Doumit, Pit
9. Carlos Ruiz, Phi
10. John Baker, Fla
11. Jesus Flores, Was
12. Nick Hundley, SD
Commish's take: This is not a particularly strong position, and it thins out very quickly. Bengie Molina is No. 3, but he's not likely to get as many at-bats this season as the Giants plan to give him more rest. Martin will start the season on the DL, dropping his value. Soto has lost weight and hoping to rebound. Iannetta will now battle Miguel Olivo for playing time. Flores may need surgery on his shoulder that could sideline him for a while.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Fantasy rankings: Third basemen
Fantasy rankings, according to Sports Weekly fantasy baseball preview
1. David Wright, NY
2. Ryan Zimmerman, Was
3. Mark Reynolds, Arz
4. Pablo Sandoval, SF
5. Aramis Ramirez, Chi
6. Chipper Jones, Atl
7. Ian Stewart, Col
8. Scott Rolen, Cin
9. Casey Blake, LA
10. Casey McGehee, Mil
11. Andy LaRoche, Pit
12. Chase Headley, SD
Commish's take: Wright remains the class at 3B, despit a sub-par season last year. Zimmerman has closed the gap on Wright, and Reynolds might as well if he didn't kick the ball around the infield so much. There's a definite drop after Sandoval. A-Ram has injury issues, and Chipper says if he doesn't bounce back, he'll retire. Stewart could be an up-and-comer, but the Rockies' signing of Melvin Mora could cut into playing time. LaRoche could lose his job to top prospect Pedro Alvarez.
1. David Wright, NY
2. Ryan Zimmerman, Was
3. Mark Reynolds, Arz
4. Pablo Sandoval, SF
5. Aramis Ramirez, Chi
6. Chipper Jones, Atl
7. Ian Stewart, Col
8. Scott Rolen, Cin
9. Casey Blake, LA
10. Casey McGehee, Mil
11. Andy LaRoche, Pit
12. Chase Headley, SD
Commish's take: Wright remains the class at 3B, despit a sub-par season last year. Zimmerman has closed the gap on Wright, and Reynolds might as well if he didn't kick the ball around the infield so much. There's a definite drop after Sandoval. A-Ram has injury issues, and Chipper says if he doesn't bounce back, he'll retire. Stewart could be an up-and-comer, but the Rockies' signing of Melvin Mora could cut into playing time. LaRoche could lose his job to top prospect Pedro Alvarez.
Fantasy rankings: Shortstop
Fantasy rankings, according to Sports Weekly fantasy baseball preview
1. Hanley Ramirez, Fla
2. Troy Tulowitzki, Col
3. Jose Reyes, NY
4. Jimmy Rollins, Phi
5. Stephen Drew, Arz
6. Yunel Escobar, Atl
7. Rafael Furcal, LA
8. Alcides Escobar, Mil
9. Everth Cabrera, SD
10. Orlando Cabrera, Cin
11. Ryan Theriot, Chi
12. Brendan Ryan, StL
Commish's take: Last year's big three of Ramirez, Reyes and Rollins is down to one: Ramirez. Reyes has been told to take 2-8 weeks of rest to treat at hyperactive thyroid. No baseball activities. Given that he is coming off a serious hamstring injury, you've got to add a month after he returns to baseball activities. So we're looking at late April return at the earliest, but he may not be back until July. That drops him on this list. Everth Cabrera's ranking here is quite curious. Orlando Cabrera and Ryan Theriot are better options.
1. Hanley Ramirez, Fla
2. Troy Tulowitzki, Col
3. Jose Reyes, NY
4. Jimmy Rollins, Phi
5. Stephen Drew, Arz
6. Yunel Escobar, Atl
7. Rafael Furcal, LA
8. Alcides Escobar, Mil
9. Everth Cabrera, SD
10. Orlando Cabrera, Cin
11. Ryan Theriot, Chi
12. Brendan Ryan, StL
Commish's take: Last year's big three of Ramirez, Reyes and Rollins is down to one: Ramirez. Reyes has been told to take 2-8 weeks of rest to treat at hyperactive thyroid. No baseball activities. Given that he is coming off a serious hamstring injury, you've got to add a month after he returns to baseball activities. So we're looking at late April return at the earliest, but he may not be back until July. That drops him on this list. Everth Cabrera's ranking here is quite curious. Orlando Cabrera and Ryan Theriot are better options.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Fantasy rankings: Second basemen
Ranking of second baseman, by Sports Weekly fantasy baseball edition.
1. Chase Utley, Phi
2. Brandon Phillips, Cin
3. Martin Prado, Atl
4. Rickie Weeks, Mil
5. Dan Uggla, Fla
6. Skip Schumaker, StL
7. Kelly Johnson, Arz
8. Clint Barmes, Col
9. Luis Castillo, NY
10. Kaz Matsui, Hou
11. Jeff Baker, Chi
12. Freddy Sanchez, SF
Commish's take: These rankings are the reason you need to watch out for fantasy rankings. Most fantasy baseball leagues value things that don't help much in our league. Dan Uggla should not be slotted at No. 5. In leagues that value average or on-base percentage, Uggla does not score high. But he hits high in the order. So in our league, as long as he gets his ABs, his average doesn't matter much. In other words, a guy who goes 1 for 4 is just as valuable as a guy who goes 1 for 5. Prado ranks high on this list because in some fantasy leagues, he carries eligibility at 1B and 3B as well. But in our league, he'll be a 2B because that's where the Braves plan on playing him. The one thing you need to know is if you don't take Player No. 1 or Player No. 2, you are taking on some bit of a risk. Prado takes over as a full-time starter this year. Weeks has loads of talent, but can't seem to stay healthy for a full season. Kelly Johnson is a good player coming off a bad year. If Luis Castillo doesn't hit near the top of the order (like he did last year with Jose Reyes out), he won't score. And even though he has injury issues, I'd take Freddy Sanchez higher than he's slotted here.
1. Chase Utley, Phi
2. Brandon Phillips, Cin
3. Martin Prado, Atl
4. Rickie Weeks, Mil
5. Dan Uggla, Fla
6. Skip Schumaker, StL
7. Kelly Johnson, Arz
8. Clint Barmes, Col
9. Luis Castillo, NY
10. Kaz Matsui, Hou
11. Jeff Baker, Chi
12. Freddy Sanchez, SF
Commish's take: These rankings are the reason you need to watch out for fantasy rankings. Most fantasy baseball leagues value things that don't help much in our league. Dan Uggla should not be slotted at No. 5. In leagues that value average or on-base percentage, Uggla does not score high. But he hits high in the order. So in our league, as long as he gets his ABs, his average doesn't matter much. In other words, a guy who goes 1 for 4 is just as valuable as a guy who goes 1 for 5. Prado ranks high on this list because in some fantasy leagues, he carries eligibility at 1B and 3B as well. But in our league, he'll be a 2B because that's where the Braves plan on playing him. The one thing you need to know is if you don't take Player No. 1 or Player No. 2, you are taking on some bit of a risk. Prado takes over as a full-time starter this year. Weeks has loads of talent, but can't seem to stay healthy for a full season. Kelly Johnson is a good player coming off a bad year. If Luis Castillo doesn't hit near the top of the order (like he did last year with Jose Reyes out), he won't score. And even though he has injury issues, I'd take Freddy Sanchez higher than he's slotted here.
Fantasy rankings: First basemen
Ranking of first basemen, based on Sports Weekly fantasy baseball edition.
1. Albert Pujols, StL
2. Prince Fielder, Mil
3. Ryan Howard, Phi
4. Adrian Gonzalez, SD
5. Joey Votto, Cin
6. Lance Berkman, Hou
7. Derrek Lee, Chi
8. Adam Dunn, Wash
9. Todd Helton, Col
10. James Loney, LA
11. Adam LaRoche, Arz
12. Aubrey Huff, SF
Commish's take: This list looks about right from here. Berkman could be a steal at No. 6, but his health issues from last year leave lingering questions. Curious to see if Dunn lasts the spring as the 1B for the Nationals, or whether he picks up some OF eligibility. Helton also could be a steal, but comes with much bigger risks than Berkman. Loney may be a safer pick. Also, Jorge Cantu of the Marlins seems a better No. 12 than Huff.
1. Albert Pujols, StL
2. Prince Fielder, Mil
3. Ryan Howard, Phi
4. Adrian Gonzalez, SD
5. Joey Votto, Cin
6. Lance Berkman, Hou
7. Derrek Lee, Chi
8. Adam Dunn, Wash
9. Todd Helton, Col
10. James Loney, LA
11. Adam LaRoche, Arz
12. Aubrey Huff, SF
Commish's take: This list looks about right from here. Berkman could be a steal at No. 6, but his health issues from last year leave lingering questions. Curious to see if Dunn lasts the spring as the 1B for the Nationals, or whether he picks up some OF eligibility. Helton also could be a steal, but comes with much bigger risks than Berkman. Loney may be a safer pick. Also, Jorge Cantu of the Marlins seems a better No. 12 than Huff.
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