2-13. Justin Upton, RF, Arizona Diamondbacks
It feels
like Upton has been playing for years, but he’s only 24 years old. A 30-30
season is coming soon.
2-14. Hanley Ramirez, 3B-SS, Miami Marlins
There
are tons of questions surrounding Hanley (is he fully healthy again, will he
finally make peace with moving to third base), but if he’s firing on all
cylinders, Ramirez could easily be the most valuable player in fantasy this
season. Throw in the added third base eligibility (meaning you can plug him in
at two of the weakest positions), and he’s well worth the risk at this point in
the draft.
2-15. Justin Verlander, SP, Detroit Tigers
Verlander’s
2011 performance was extraordinary, and it would be foolish for anyone to think
he can duplicate it. In increase from last seasons ridiculous .236 BABIP was a
certainty even before it was announced that Miguel Cabrera would spend time at
third base. He will still be good, but if someone takes Halladay or Cliff Lee
ahead of him in your draft, don’t snicker at him or her.
2-16. Roy Halladay, SP, Philadelphia Phillies
Halladay’s
incredible consistency has almost made him a boring player to draft. He might
not be the top fantasy pitcher this season, but there isn’t anyone else who is
a safer bet to finish the year in the top-5.
2-17. Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Boston Red Sox
Fresh
off a career year in home runs and steals, Pedroia is poised to have another
stellar all-around campaign.
2-18. Carlos Gonzalez, LF-CF-RF, Colorado Rockies
Don’t
ever expect his 2010 numbers again, but you shouldn’t be too bummed out about
50 combined homers and steals. You do need to be prepared for a batting average
that can be anywhere from .260 to .320.
2-19. Jose Reyes, SS, Miami Marlins
If
you like to gamble, you’ll bet on Reyes staying healthy for 150 games and
giving you 50 steals and tons of runs hitting in front of Hanley Ramirez and
Mike Stanton. If you’re conservative, you’ll stay away from him because of his
injury history. He’s essentially the MLB version of Mike Vick.
2-20. Mike Stanton, RF, Miami Marlins
I’ve
done a full 180 on Stanton, which may or may not be related to the fact that I
took him in the eighth round of my keeper league draft last year. He should
have more than enough RBI opportunities with Reyes and Ramirez hitting in front
of him.
2-21. Cliff Lee, SP, Philadelphia Phillies
Cliff
Lee attacks the strike zone in a similar manner that George W. Bush assaulted
the English language. Like Halladay, another dude that’s not exciting to draft.
2-22. Ian Kinsler, 2B, Texas Rangers
Kinsler’s
BABIP last seasons suggests that his batting average is due for an increase
this year. The fact that 2011 was the first season Kinsler ever dodged the DL
suggests that he is due for at least one 15-day stint. Whichever of those last
two sentences you feel more strongly about should determine what pick (or money
in an auction) you’re willing to spend on him.
2-23. Cole Hamels, SP, Philadelphia Phillies
While
his first two teammates who were drafted are considered boring, Hamels is the
trendy choice. His excellent ERA and WHIP hasn’t translated to the win column
the past two seasons, which one could argue means that he’s due for a 20 win
season.
2-24. Mark Teixeira, 1B, New York Yankees
He
won’t do you any favors in the batting average department, but 35+ homers and
110+ RBIs aren’t easy to come by in the post-steroids era.
3-25. Jered Weaver, SP, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Weaver
delivered a career season last year, but don’t be shocked if his ERA creeps
closer to 3 if his BABIP moves closer to the norm. Wins are a tough stat to
predict, but with Pujols on board, they should be easier to come by for Weaver
and the rest of the Angels staff.
3-26. Andrew McCutcheon, CF, Pittsburgh Pirates
McCutcheon
was terrible after the All-Star Break, which derailed a potential breakout
season. If he can play an entire season with a .280+ batting average, we could
be talking about one of the ten most valuable players in fantasy.
3-27. Felix Hernandez, SP, Seattle Mariners
King
Felix still might be the most talented starter in MLB, but Seattle’s anemic
offense severely handicaps his win potential. Unless you’re in a league that
has more categories than the standard 5x5 league, you have to drop him down
your rankings.
3-28. Curtis Granderson, CF, New York Yankees
Ever
since the second half of the 2010 season, Granderson has been the modern day
version of Mickey Mantle. Like Teixeira, Granderson will more than likely sport
a poor batting average, but walks enough to still set the table for Cano,
Teixeira, and Alex Rodriguez.
3-29. C.C. Sabathia, SP, New York Yankees
His
peripheral numbers aren’t as strong as the other elite starters, but there
isn’t a safer pitcher to bet on winning 20+ games than C.C. Bump him up your
rankings even more if you are in a league that counts innings pitched as a stat
category.
3-30. Josh Hamilton, LF-CF, Texas Rangers
The
last time I remember a player going 10 to 15 picks later than he should because
of alcohol issues was Miguel Cabrera. Cabrera is pretty good (incase you didn’t
know), and so is Hamilton. He’s an injury risk, but I feel better taking him in
the middle of the third round as opposed to the second.
3-31. Tim Lincecum, SP, San Francisco Giants
Lincecum
is the NL version of Felix Hernandez, with a slightly better offense supporting
him and more injury concerns.
3-32. David Wright, 3B, New York Mets
Thanks
to the devastating loss of Jose Reyes, Wright’s supporting cast is a cast of
misfit toys (with the exception of Ike Davis, if he’s healthy). Wright could be
top-10 player in the second half if he gets traded, so he should be a player
that is on your radar all season long after the draft.
3-33. Pablo Sandoval, 1B-3B, San Francisco Giants
No
Credentials predicts that this will be the season that the 25-year old Sandoval
will crack the 30-homer mark. He won’t rack up a bunch of RBIs (he doesn’t
exactly have the TECMO Super Baseball versions of Barry Bonds and Matt Williams
on his team), but he delivers enough in the batting average department to
warrant being the third player added to a team.
3-34. Desmond Jennings, LF-CF, Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays
This pick
is way to early. I’ll acknowledge that. However, guys with the potential to
steal 50 bases and hit 15 home runs don’t grow on trees. If he keeps his average
above .270 (which he was well above before a disastrous September last season),
he’ll be one of the top 20 players in fantasy.
3-35. Nelson Cruz, LF-RF, Texas Rangers
One
of the greatest teases in fantasy baseball. If healthy, Cruz could easily top
45 home runs. However, Cruz pulls a groin about as often as Lindsey Lohan
violates her probation. I’d prefer to get him in the middle of the fourth
round.
3-36. Adrian Beltre, 3B, Texas Rangers
Amazingly enough, Beltre is the fifth Rangers hitter
off the board (think they’ll score some runs this year?) Beltre smashed 32
homers last year in only 124 games. Forecasting 40+ dingers would be a little
optimistic (his health won’t allow it), but Beltre is still one of the sexier
options at third base in the majors.
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