[Editor’s note: With the fantasy baseball season fast approaching, SportsJudge continues its preseason positional preview. Please be sure to check back every Tuesday at 9 a.m. for a weekly positional analysis that will lead you right into your fantasy draft. In case you missed it; take a look at last weeks preview where SportsJudge focused on Second Basemen.]
Welcome back to another edition of “The Buzz Around the Bullpen.” With pitchers and catchers reported in every camp, the 2009 Major League Baseball season is officially underway. For fantasy owners, this means only one thing. Now’s the time to scour the internet for depth chart updates, player injury news and any reports of stud and dud performances throughout major league camps.
For right now, let’s get back to some preseason projections. Last week we focused on the Second Basemen and today we will stay up the middle. Let’s talk about the Shortstop position.
Studs
1. Hanley Ramirez (FLA): If you’ve landed the first pick in your draft, you have to look long and hard at Hanley Ramirez. For starters, he has the ability to give you ridiculous numbers at the shortstop position. Last year Ramirez hit .301 with 33 HRs, 67 RBIs and 35 stolen bases. In addition to these numbers, Ramirez is only 25 years old and there is also word out of Miami that he may move to the middle of the lineup. That is if prospect Cameron Maybin can nail down the leadoff position in Spring Training. Ramirez has to be the first shortstop taken and don’t be afraid to make him the first pick in your draft.
2. Jose Reyes (NYM): If you miss out on Ramirez on draft day, Jose Reyes is definitely a great back plan. Reyes has stolen at least 50 stolen bases for the past four seasons and he may just be the most exciting player in baseball. He put up some great numbers in ’08 and I look for them only to improve in ’09. His OBP has improved each year over the past four seasons and as we’ve seen, anytime this guy is on base he’s liable to create some offense. He’ll be gone midway through the first round, so act fast if you want him.
3. Jimmy Rollins (PHI): While I don’t expect Rollins to return to the 30 HRs he hit in ’07, I can definitely see Rollins finishing ’09 with around 20-22 HRs. If you add this to 75+ RBIs and 35+ stolen bases, Rollins is a nice option at a fairly thin shortstop position. You’ll have to weigh your options in the late first/ early second round to decide whether you’d rather have Rollins, a stud outfielder or a front-end starter.
Wingmen
4. Derek Jeter (NYY): I’m a huge believer in finding a diamond in the rough on a weak team. But every once in a while, you just have to stick with what works. After Ramirez, Reyes and Rollins are off of the board, there really isn’t a proven option at the shortstop position. With that being said, you can’t go wrong with a future Hall of Famer who will find himself in an explosive lineup in ’09. However, Jeter is only a good pick several rounds into your draft. It’s a win-win situation if you think about it. You either pick him up around the 4th or 5th round or wait till much later to get a guy that will put up somewhat similar numbers. The only thing you’re risking by waiting and going with another shortstop is that he won’t bring the consistency that Jeter possesses.
5. Stephen Drew (ARI): This is a huge year for Stephen Drew. There is a great disparity between his numbers in ’07 and ’08. Most notably, his average went from .238 in ’07 to .291 in ’08. Although I do expect his numbers to continue to improve, it will be interesting to see where Drew finishes in ’09. My guess is that he ends up hitting somewhere around .280 with 26 HRs and a ton of extra base hits. He’s a future star and as his body matures, those extra base hits are going to turn into homeruns.
6. J.J. Hardy (MIL): I made the mistake of giving up entirely too early on Hardy in ’08. While he hasn’t nailed down that “consistency” thing quite yet, he has proven he can put up above-average numbers at the major league level. After the upper-echelon guys are off of the board, there isn’t too much power available at the shortstop position. If you need some convincing, take a look at the guys that are left on the board.
7. Troy Tulowitzki (COL): Tulowitzki is one guy I’m really anxious to see where he goes on draft day. While some may be deterred by his sophomore slump, others will draft him based on his impressive 2007 rookie season. In limited at-bats last season, Tulowitzki continued to build on his strong rookie season. If healthy, Tulowitzki can put up Hardy/Drew-like numbers.
8. Jhonny Peralta (CLE): Peralta was one of the lone bright spots for the Tribe in ’08. After several injuries to some of the Indians’ middle of the lineup hitters, Peralta took over the four spot in the lineup and put up some great power numbers. With the return of Hafner and Martinez, the Indians’ lineup gets a lot better and this will give Peralta an opportunity see even more pitches.
9. Mike Aviles (KC): If you recognize Aviles’ name from the preseason rankings, it is because he was also included in the 2B rankings. Fortunately for you, other members of your league might not be reading these projections and they may have never even heard of this guy. If the guys listed above are off of the board, you have to take a chance on this guy. If you need some coercing, think about the fact that he’s eligible at both middle infield positions and there really aren’t too many guys left. If you look at the players left, they all put up similar numbers and no one really distinguishes themselves from the others. If you’ve waited this long, it is worth taking a chance on a guy that could be a huge sleeper. You can always pick up a Guzman or a Greene type player as a back-up plan.
10. Michael Young (TEX): The days of Michael Young dominating the shortstop postion are long past. However, with the ability to consistently hit around .300 and his added positional versatility with his move to 3B this season, Young is still a serviceable fantasy option. If I’m drafting Young, I’m also taking a chance on a shortstop prospect later in the draft. (See Elvis Andrus)
The Best of the Rest
11. Miguel Tejada (HOU)
12. Rafael Furcal (LAA)
13. Orlando Cabrera (FA)
14. Ryan Theriot (CHI)
15. Yunel Escobar (ATL)
Please be sure to check back next week when we take a look at Third Basemen.
As with any SportsJudge articles, please feel free to post any questions or comments. Until next time, keep your ears open for the Buzz Around the Bullpen.
Welcome back to another edition of “The Buzz Around the Bullpen.” With pitchers and catchers reported in every camp, the 2009 Major League Baseball season is officially underway. For fantasy owners, this means only one thing. Now’s the time to scour the internet for depth chart updates, player injury news and any reports of stud and dud performances throughout major league camps.
For right now, let’s get back to some preseason projections. Last week we focused on the Second Basemen and today we will stay up the middle. Let’s talk about the Shortstop position.
Studs
1. Hanley Ramirez (FLA): If you’ve landed the first pick in your draft, you have to look long and hard at Hanley Ramirez. For starters, he has the ability to give you ridiculous numbers at the shortstop position. Last year Ramirez hit .301 with 33 HRs, 67 RBIs and 35 stolen bases. In addition to these numbers, Ramirez is only 25 years old and there is also word out of Miami that he may move to the middle of the lineup. That is if prospect Cameron Maybin can nail down the leadoff position in Spring Training. Ramirez has to be the first shortstop taken and don’t be afraid to make him the first pick in your draft.
2. Jose Reyes (NYM): If you miss out on Ramirez on draft day, Jose Reyes is definitely a great back plan. Reyes has stolen at least 50 stolen bases for the past four seasons and he may just be the most exciting player in baseball. He put up some great numbers in ’08 and I look for them only to improve in ’09. His OBP has improved each year over the past four seasons and as we’ve seen, anytime this guy is on base he’s liable to create some offense. He’ll be gone midway through the first round, so act fast if you want him.
3. Jimmy Rollins (PHI): While I don’t expect Rollins to return to the 30 HRs he hit in ’07, I can definitely see Rollins finishing ’09 with around 20-22 HRs. If you add this to 75+ RBIs and 35+ stolen bases, Rollins is a nice option at a fairly thin shortstop position. You’ll have to weigh your options in the late first/ early second round to decide whether you’d rather have Rollins, a stud outfielder or a front-end starter.
Wingmen
4. Derek Jeter (NYY): I’m a huge believer in finding a diamond in the rough on a weak team. But every once in a while, you just have to stick with what works. After Ramirez, Reyes and Rollins are off of the board, there really isn’t a proven option at the shortstop position. With that being said, you can’t go wrong with a future Hall of Famer who will find himself in an explosive lineup in ’09. However, Jeter is only a good pick several rounds into your draft. It’s a win-win situation if you think about it. You either pick him up around the 4th or 5th round or wait till much later to get a guy that will put up somewhat similar numbers. The only thing you’re risking by waiting and going with another shortstop is that he won’t bring the consistency that Jeter possesses.
5. Stephen Drew (ARI): This is a huge year for Stephen Drew. There is a great disparity between his numbers in ’07 and ’08. Most notably, his average went from .238 in ’07 to .291 in ’08. Although I do expect his numbers to continue to improve, it will be interesting to see where Drew finishes in ’09. My guess is that he ends up hitting somewhere around .280 with 26 HRs and a ton of extra base hits. He’s a future star and as his body matures, those extra base hits are going to turn into homeruns.
6. J.J. Hardy (MIL): I made the mistake of giving up entirely too early on Hardy in ’08. While he hasn’t nailed down that “consistency” thing quite yet, he has proven he can put up above-average numbers at the major league level. After the upper-echelon guys are off of the board, there isn’t too much power available at the shortstop position. If you need some convincing, take a look at the guys that are left on the board.
7. Troy Tulowitzki (COL): Tulowitzki is one guy I’m really anxious to see where he goes on draft day. While some may be deterred by his sophomore slump, others will draft him based on his impressive 2007 rookie season. In limited at-bats last season, Tulowitzki continued to build on his strong rookie season. If healthy, Tulowitzki can put up Hardy/Drew-like numbers.
8. Jhonny Peralta (CLE): Peralta was one of the lone bright spots for the Tribe in ’08. After several injuries to some of the Indians’ middle of the lineup hitters, Peralta took over the four spot in the lineup and put up some great power numbers. With the return of Hafner and Martinez, the Indians’ lineup gets a lot better and this will give Peralta an opportunity see even more pitches.
9. Mike Aviles (KC): If you recognize Aviles’ name from the preseason rankings, it is because he was also included in the 2B rankings. Fortunately for you, other members of your league might not be reading these projections and they may have never even heard of this guy. If the guys listed above are off of the board, you have to take a chance on this guy. If you need some coercing, think about the fact that he’s eligible at both middle infield positions and there really aren’t too many guys left. If you look at the players left, they all put up similar numbers and no one really distinguishes themselves from the others. If you’ve waited this long, it is worth taking a chance on a guy that could be a huge sleeper. You can always pick up a Guzman or a Greene type player as a back-up plan.
10. Michael Young (TEX): The days of Michael Young dominating the shortstop postion are long past. However, with the ability to consistently hit around .300 and his added positional versatility with his move to 3B this season, Young is still a serviceable fantasy option. If I’m drafting Young, I’m also taking a chance on a shortstop prospect later in the draft. (See Elvis Andrus)
The Best of the Rest
11. Miguel Tejada (HOU)
12. Rafael Furcal (LAA)
13. Orlando Cabrera (FA)
14. Ryan Theriot (CHI)
15. Yunel Escobar (ATL)
Please be sure to check back next week when we take a look at Third Basemen.
As with any SportsJudge articles, please feel free to post any questions or comments. Until next time, keep your ears open for the Buzz Around the Bullpen.
Posts
3 comments:
Word is that Reyes might bat third this year with Castillo/Beltran in front of him. Could only help his numbers.
Jeter at four? I can only assume you are a Yankees fan and feel that they will score at least 10 runs a game.
Jeter is coming down to the tail end of his career. Yes, he will still probably hit over .300 and he will probably get 100+ runs in that lineup. But he will still only get you around 10 Home Runs, 60-70 RBI's and won't help you in the stolen base department. Everyone is acting like this is the best lineup to ever exist and there is this huge change... their lineup has been stacked his entire career!
I see very few differences between Derek Jeter and Michael Young besides the fact that Derek Jeter is named Derek Jeter and he plays for the Yankees. Jeter is absurdly high. If there is a position to take a "risk" on it is the SS position because it is easily the thinnest (outside of catcher of course). I would rather draft the up and coming stars like Drew or Tulowitzki before Jeter even crosses my mind.
Chris,
I actually read something similar this week and as you said, this can only be good news for Reyes and his owners.
Kevin,
Is Jeter maybe too high? Yes. But who else has CONSISTENTLY proven over the past 10 years that he deserves to be even mentioned with the top-tier guys. Drew had a great year last year but he is only one year removed from hitting .230....that's really bad.
Tulo had some injury problems last year and remember he has had limited MLB at-bats when you really look at it.
I'm not a Yankees fan...matter of fact, I'm the furthest thing from it. However, look back at your league stats over the past 10 years and look for the only name that is in the top 5-6 every year.
I'm usually one to take an "upside" player over a veteran but in this case, I have to go with Jeter. This is one of those picks that you have to make on your gut though. For me, Jeter is the guy there.....that is, if it is in the right time of the draft.
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