2015 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Catchers

            What better way to start our position reviews than a look at the least valuable position in fantasy baseball? We might as well start small and build up to something important. Or in other words, get catcher out of the way.

            Catchers are worthless for a multitude of reasons, but they all stem from the fact they get more days off than any other offensive player due to the wear and tear of the position. This leads to lower counting stats across the board. If you take the top total by a catcher in each of the standard fantasy scoring categories in 2014, here’s what you’d come up with…

BA = .311 (Buster Posey)

HR = 27 (Carlos Santana, and in leagues with stricter position eligibility rules he isn’t even a catcher this year)

RBI – 89 (Posey)

R = 73 (Jonathan Lucroy)

SB = 5 (Santana)

            We’ll touch on why this is important when we discuss our first tier, which happens to be a one-player tier.

Tier I – Buster Posey

B.Posey, SF 1B

            Posey has been the most reliable fantasy catcher for three years running, and was the only catcher to be ranked in the top 100 in overall value a year go, but I’m not taking him in any re-draft league at his current average cost of 28.4 (we’re referencing Yahoo for our average draft stats). With the weak offensive talent around him in San Francisco, his ceiling is too low to justify taking him ahead of a stud outfielder or potential staff ace in the third round. For auction players, his average going rate of $23 is much more reasonable.

Tier II – Best Catchers Not Named Buster Posey

J.Lucroy, MIL 1B

C.Santana, CLE 1B-3B

D.Mesoraco, CIN

Y.Gomes, CLE

            Carlos Santana’s inclusion in this group may not apply to your league, as his catcher eligibility hinges on what your league’s position eligibility requirements are. Keep that fact in mind if you’re drafting or bidding in a keeper league, as it’s unlikely he makes any starts at catcher in 2015.

            Of these four, Lucroy has the lowest floor, Santana has the greatest all-around upside (although increased production after moving away from catcher has proven to be a myth in the past), Mesoraco has the most power, and Gomes is the cheapest. Gomes is picked on average in the middle of the eleventh round, so he would be the only guy in this tier I’d consider targeting. The rest of the group will be picked in the seventies and eighties, which is an area I’d rather spend on my outfield or pitching.

Tier III – Best Values

E.Gattis, HOU

S.Perez, KC

B.McCann, NYY 1B

Y.Molina, STL

M.Wieters, BAL

W.Rosario, COL

R.Martin, TOR

            If one of these guys is your starting catcher, that should mean your first 10 or 11 picks were spent on players who would’ve delivered more value than taking a catcher earlier (that’s a weird sentence, but it makes sense in my head). Of this group, Brian McCann and Matt Wieters are my two favorites, as they possess the highest power ceilings.

Tier IV – Sleepers

Y.Grandal, LAD

W.Ramos, WAS

T.d'Arnaurd, NYM

            Ramos and d’Arnaurd are often injured, but are a worth a late round flyer for the chance they put together a healthy campaign. Grandal is very interesting now that he escapes spacious Petco Park. Dodger Stadium isn’t the easiest place to hit a home run, but anything is an improvement over playing 81 games in San Diego. Add in a loaded Dodgers lineup, and it would be no shock to see Grandal put up top-5 value at the catcher position.

Tier V – You Shouldn’t Waste a Draft Pick on These Guys

M.Montero, CHC

M.Zunino, SEA

J.Castro, HOU

D.Norris, SD

J.Jaso, TB

C.Ruiz, PHI

            Keep an eye on them just in case your catcher gets hurt, but there is really no point in employing a back-up catcher.

No Cred At All Keeper Team Ranks

We're a little late, but here's the mid-season rankings of the order I would consider keeping the players that are currently on my keeper team if I were forced to decide today. I am able to keep five players for next season. The price of keeping player is a draft pick that corresponds to where a player was taken the year before.

Barring Injury, the Cornerstones of My Franchise

1. Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees – With the early season struggles of Hanley Ramirez, I was wishing I could go back in time and draft Cano first overall. Fortunately, I was able to put together a blockbuster trade to secure Cano on my team through 2015.

2. Michael Pineda, SP, Mariners – The only pitcher at this point that is locked in to be kept on my team. If I keep him for the full five years, he’ll only cost me a 12h round pick in 2015.

3. Hanley Ramirez, SS, Marlins – Perhaps it’s the second hand smoke from 80-year old Jack McKeon, but Hanley has been on fire ever since the Marlins switched managers.

4. Evan Longoria, 3B, Rays – Another player that I gave up a lot to acquire mid-season, Longoria still hasn’t fully emerged from his early season slump.

     On the Bubble

5. Prince Fielder, 1B, Brewers – Fielder has been the offensive MVP of my team, but it’s 2012 and beyond that scares me. Will Fielder still be motivated after signing a $175 million contract, or will he eat 175 million Big Mac’s to celebrate his new found wealth?

      First Four Out

6. Eric Hosmer, 1B, Royals – He hasn’t lit the world on fire, but he’s still been the second best offensive rookie so far this season (behind Dustin Ackley, who I shipped out to acquire Cano). Fielder is without question the better player right now, but Hosmer has a very good chance to be a better player as soon as next season.

7. Mike Stanton, OF, Marlins – Plate discipline is certainly an issue, but then again, discipline is usually an issue for anyone that is 21 years old. He would probably go in the first five rounds of next years draft if I don’t protect him.

8. James Shields, SP, Rays – His insanely low price tag (I snagged him in the 25^th round) plus his ridiculous performance (nearly a strikeout per inning, six complete games) has forced me to place Shields higher on this list. The wise move for me would be to find a trade partner that would intend to keep Shields and swing him for another arm and a quality bat.

9. Tommy Hanson, SP, Braves – He has put it all together this season with a 2.73 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP.

      Too Expensive

10. Cole Hamels, SP, Phillies – With only five players allowed to be kept, Hamels 4^th round price tag is too expensive a price to pay for a pitcher.

      Nice Guys, But Can’t Keep You

11. Matt Wieters, C, Orioles – Buster Posey’s injury is exhibit A of why you shouldn’t spend too much on a catcher. They are one nasty home plate collision away from missing a full season.

12. B.J. Upton, OF, Rays – Doesn’t hit for average, but his power and speed make him a valuable fantasy commodity.

13. Gio Gonzalez, SP, Athletics – His WHIP is a little too high for my liking (making him a candidate for potential regression), but otherwise he’s been an unsung hero for No Cred At All.

14. Adam Jones, OF, Orioles – I just traded Brandon Phillips for Jones the other day (Phillips was expendable after the acquisition of Cano). His inability to take a walk is a bit scary, but Jones is capable of delivering 10-15 home runs and 5 steals the rest of the way.

      Top Three Farm Hands Left

15. Brett Lawrie, 2B-3B, Blue Jays – Lawrie broke his hand the day before Toronto was going to call him up in June. We should see him sometime around the trade deadline.

16. Desmond Jennings, OF, Rays – Tampa held back Jennings longer than expected, and then he suffered a small fracture in one of his fingers.

17. Kyle Gibson, SP, Twins – I was hopeful that Scott Baker’s DL stint would allow the Twins to call up their top pitching prospect, but there has been no word yet of such a move.

      Un-keep-able

18. Justin Masterson, SP, Indians

19. Jose Tabata, OF, Pirates

20. Mike Moustakas, 3B, Royals

21. Colby Rasmus, OF, Cardinals

22. Jordan Walden, RP, Angels

23. Vernon Wells, OF, Angels

24. Chris Perez, RP, Indians

25. Kyle Farnsworth, RP, Rays

26. Jamey Carroll, 2B-3B-SS-OF, Dodgers

27. Mike Leake, SP, Reds

28. Joe Nathan, RP, Twins

29. Randy Wolf, SP, Brewers

30. Carlos Marmol, RP, Cubs

31. Ted Lilly, SP, Dodgers

Quarter Pole Keeper League Team Review

            We’ve just crossed the quarter pole of the fantasy baseball season. At this point you should be starting to get a good feel for what your team needs to compete for a championship in your league. Or, if you’re in a keeper league, you might be realizing that it’s already time to start planning for 2012 and beyond.

            In this column, I’ll review the 35 players that are on my keeper league team (you can review the draft review for the league here, if you’re struggling to fill a day that was never supposed to happen because the world was supposed to end yesterday). I’ve got five players on the disabled list right now, which gives me an extra five guys to rank. The exercise here is very simple. I’m going to rank 1-35 the order I would consider keeping a player for next season. This is the first season of the No Credentials Baseball keeper league. We are only allowed to keep five players after this first season, then 10 after 2012, and 15 for every year after that. The price for a keeping a player would be losing the draft pick that they were selected for the previous season (for example, I took Marlins outfielder Mike Stanton in the 8^th round. If I keep him for 2012, he would cost me an 8^th round pick in next years draft). The top five would be the guys I would keep if I needed to decide today.

            Before I begin, I’ll give a quick overview of my team. So far, my team is off to a 44-15-1 start (I’m leading 7-2 as of right now going into the final day of week 7), which gives me a 9.5 game lead on the second place team. There’s been a little smoke in mirrors involved, as a few of the weeks I was lucky to face a team that struggled to bat .230 for a full week. Pitching has been a strength, with late round picks Michael Pineda and James Shields providing a huge boost. I also had the foresight to load up on a bunch of minor league prospects. Eric Hosmer has already arrived and made an impact at the major league level. I should have the flexibility to consider trading virtually any player on my roster (for the right price).

            Without further ado, here’s how I’m currently ranking my team.

           

35. Brandon McCarthy, OAK, SP (30^th)

34. Maicer Izturis, LAA, 2B-3B-SS (30^th)

33. James McDonald, PIT, SP (30^th)

            All three of these guys are waiver wire plug-ins that have no chance of being kept on my team for the 2012 season.

32. Chris Perez, CLE, RP (14^th)

           

            As predicted before the season by No Credentials, Perez has been a solid source of cheap saves. He’s gotten a nice bump in the saves department thanks to Cleveland’s surprising start.

31. Ted Lilly, LAD, SP (18^th)

            Lilly has been pretty miserable so far this season. His strikeout rate is down (only 39 in 57 innings), and he’s looked very hittable. Other than Matt Thornton (who barely made it two weeks on my roster), Lilly has been my worst draft pick so far.

30. Pedro Alvarez, PIT, 3B (30^th)

            After being picked in the 12^th round, Alvarez found himself on the league’s waiver wire for the past two weeks. I scooped him up with the intentions of stashing him on my bench to see if he can turn it around. The news that he hit the DL today is a bit discouraging, but a rehab assignment in the minors might not be the worst thing for him. If he does, I’ll be able to shop a 24-year old 3^rd baseman that would only carry a 30^th round price tag for someone who might want to keep him.

29. Kyle Farnsworth, TB, RP (30^th)

            It’s fitting that the Tampa Bay Rays figured out how to make Farnsworth a usable closer. It must have something to do with Joe Maddon’s glasses.

28. Tsuyoshi Nishioka, MIN, 2B-SS (24^th)

            It’s hard to gauge what the newest Japanese import can bring to the table after Nick Swisher broke his fibula sliding into 2^nd base. He’s on track to be back in the Twins lineup within a month.

27. Brian Matusz, BAL, SP (16^th)

            A long DL stint has kept Matusz off of both of my team’s since the start of the season. He’s expected to make one or two more rehab starts before potentially rejoining the Baltimore rotation. If he finishes strong, it’s not out of the question that he could make a late push to be kept for next season.

26. Carlos Marmol, CHC, RP (7^th)

            Marmol has been awesome so far, delivering 27 strikeouts in 20 innings along with a 1.35 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. I’d have him ranked higher if I were able to keep 15 players for next season, but can’t justify using one of my five spots on a closer that was drafted in the 7^th round.

25. Derek Holland, TEX, SP (26^th)

            Holland struggled in April, but has rebounded to post a 3.38 ERA so far in May. The only issue left for him is the lack of run support he has been receiving. Eventually, he should develop into a solid 2^nd or 3^rd starter.

24. Adam Lind, TOR, 1B-OF (19^th)

            Even despite a back injury that has landed him on the DL since May 7^th, Lind is still enjoying a solid bounce back season. At age 27, he’s young enough that someone could potentially consider keeping him for the price of a 2012 19^th round pick.

23. Jordan Walden, LAA, RP (30^th)

            I scooped Walden off of waivers after Fernando Rodney finally was stripped of closing duties for the Angels. It’s been bumpy at times, but I won’t complain about 21 strikeouts in 19 innings and seven saves coming from the waiver wire.

22. Jordan Zimmerman, WAS, SP (22^nd)

            Zimmerman has been decent in his first full season after returning from Tommy John surgery. He doesn’t look like he will jump to a level where I would consider keeping him, but he should be a solid option to fill out my rotation for the year. The only concern for me going forward with him is if the Nationals decide to shut him down come September to limit his innings.

21. Dustin Ackley, SEA, OF (23^rd)

            As written here by ESPN’s David Schoenfield, Ackley should be called up from Triple-A within a week or two. He will man 2^nd Base, and has the potential to make a Dustin Pedroia like impact. If he delivers a batting average over .300 in the majors, he will be much higher on this list when I re-rank my roster in August.

20. Ryan Zimmerman, WAS, 3B (3^rd)

            When I first owned Zimmerman on a fantasy team back in 2008 he was hurt for half the season, so it’s fitting that by the time he returns in June he will have already missed six weeks in 2011. Hopefully he’s healthy when I need him in September (which is really, all that matters in a head to head fantasy league, assuming your team is slated to make the playoffs). He could still impress enough that either I may consider keeping him for 2012 or find another owner that would like to acquire him for the fantasy playoff run.

19. Jose Tabata, PIT, OF (15^th)

            Tabata was on a tear to start the year before falling into a deep funk that has dropped his average to .235 (as of today). I expect his average to settle somewhere in the .265-.270 range by seasons end. He only turns 23 this August, so he is also a trade chip that can be used.

18. Lance Berkman, STL, 1B-OF (30^th)

            Berkman’s performance so far this year makes you either think that A) maybe he got some “training” tips from Lance Armstrong, or B) it’s a lot easier to hit in a lineup that has Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday as opposed to a lineup that features a very overweight Carlos Lee. I picked Berkman up off of waivers about three weeks ago (which seems ridiculous, but this is a keeper league, so a 35-year old player isn’t that attractive to most owners), and have been enjoying the ride ever since. If he keeps this up all year (which I doubt he will), I’d have to seriously consider keeping him at the cost of a 30^th round pick next season.

17. B.J. Upton, TB, OF (9^th)

            Upton has been solid this year, and has a chance to deliver both 30 homers and 30 steals. His low batting average is the reason he’s ranked so low on this list.

16. Colby Rasmus, STL, OF (12^th)

            Rasmus hasn’t been hitting for a ton of power, but he’s been getting on base and scoring a ton of runs out of the second spot in the Cardinals lineup. The power should show up at some point, resulting in somewhere between 20-25 dingers by season’s end.

15. Desmond Jennings, TB, OF (30^th)

            Jennings is a Carl Crawford clone (not the Crawford that has played for the Red Sox so far, but the one that was awesome in Tampa Bay for several years) that will be called up from Triple-A sometime during the month of June. I picked him up on waivers very early in the season, which means he’s another prospect that I could keep for a 30^th round price tag.

14. Brett Anderson, OAK, SP (11^th)

13. Gio Gonzalez, OAK, SP (13^th)

            These are two solid young pitchers that have a very pitcher-friendly home ballpark. If Oakland could ever put some semblance of an offense together, these two guys could easily put together multiple 20-win seasons.

12. Brandon Phillips, CIN 2B (5^th)

            Phillips is well on his way to delivering 20 homers, over 100 RBIs, and over 100 runs scored for both of my fantasy teams. If Dustin Ackley produces once he is called up to the majors, I will have the option of moving either one for starting pitching or a stud third baseman.

11. Jesus Montero, NYY, C (30^th)

            The only thing keeping Montero in Triple-A right now is his inability to play defense, which is an issue when you’re a catcher. New York should seriously consider bringing him up as their full-time DH. He should be in the majors sometime by August 1^st, whether he is playing for the Yankees or another major league team.

10. Matt Wieters, BAL, C (10^th)

            Wieters has begun to show signs of reaching his potential over the past month. However, his place on this list could plummet if Jesus Montero arrives on a major league roster and performs. Even if Wieters were to do well, a productive Montero is a much more attractive option to keep for 2012 at the price of a 30^th round pick.

9. Cole Hamels, PHI, SP (4^th)

            Other than an abysmal first start of the year, Hamels has been awesome this season. The only reason he’s this low on my list is A) I have other talented players, and B) I’m not too keen about keeping a pitcher at the price of a 4^th round pick.

8. Mike Moustakas, KC, 3B (21^st)

            Moustakas struggled to start the year (which is the reason Eric Hosmer got called up to the Royals first), but he’s raised his batting average 25 points in the last two weeks. He’ll be joining Hosmer in Kansas City within the next month.

7. Tommy Hanson, ATL, SP (6^th)

            The two round discount makes Hanson a much more likely candidate to be kept than Hamels. Hanson will anchor the Braves rotation for years to come (barring injury).

6. James Shields, TB, SP (25^th)

            I thought Shields would be a great bargain buy going into the year, but never expected him to post 2.26 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP in the first quarter of the season. He’s forced himself into the discussion as a possible candidate to be kept for a second season.

5. Prince Fielder, MIL, 1B (2^nd)

            Fielder would be the clear #1 if not for a player I added on waivers that we will get to later. He’s off to a great start so far in his contract year. He should expect a big payday from whichever team misses out on the Albert Pujols sweepstakes.

4. Hanley Ramirez, FLA, SS (1^st)

            Even despite Ramirez’s awful start, he would half to fall off the face of the Earth in order to be left off of my 2012 roster. He’s too talented at a position where there are not a lot of quality offensive options. He’s started to heat up during the past week (.292 batting average, pair of homers and a steal), and I’m expecting him to finish with a batting average around .280 by years end.

3. Mike Stanton, FLA, OF (8^th)

            Stanton has been the National League version of Adrian Gonzalez so far this month, smacking 8 home runs. The scariest thing about Stanton is that he doesn’t turn 22 until November.

2. Michael Pineda, SEA, SP (20^th)

            Pineda looks like a cyborg that was built for the sole purpose of throwing 97 mph fastballs for strikes. Throw in his very spacious home ball park, and you have yourself a pitcher who has a chance to be a top-5 fantasy starter for the next decade. In retrospect, it was ridiculous that I was able to nab him in the 20^th round.

1. Eric Hosmer, KC, 1B (30^th)

           

            I grabbed Hosmer off of waivers after reading that he had 1.100+ OPS at Triple-A. He’s delivered a .314 batting average so far in his first 51 at bats with Kansas City. This guy is the real deal. The scariest part of him being on my team is the price I’ll have to pay for him for the next four seasons after this. After the second year, there is a three-round tax for each extra season you keep a player (we are only allowed to have a player for five seasons in this league). Here’s the price I’ll have to pay for Hosmer through 2015.

2012 = 30^th round pick

2013 = 27^th round pick

2014 = 24^th round pick

2015 = 21^st round pick

            In other words, good times are ahead. Hosmer’s emergence gives me tons of flexibility going forward. I have the freedom to shop Prince Fielder for a top flight starting pitcher or 3^rd baseman. I could also move Hosmer for a star player that could help me for the stretch drive.            

Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft Rounds 10-11

10-109 = Michael Bourn, CF, Astros – Bourn is a proven base stealer who has swiped 153 bases the past three seasons. He should get at least 85 runs scored as well batting lead off for the Astros.

10-110 = Chad Billingsley, SP, Dodgers – Billingsley has solid strikeout numbers, but like most young starters has struggled with walks. If he can get his WHIP under 1.20, he could finish the season as a top-15 starter.

10-111 = Jonathan Broxton, RP, Dodgers – After being one of the most consistent relief pitchers in all of baseball the past five years, Broxton imploded in the second half of 2010. His second half ERA was over 7, and he blew five out of eight save chances before being removed from the closer role for the rest of the season. Los Angeles appears committed to giving Broxton a shot at rediscovering his mojo in the closer spot. If he returns to his 2009 form, you’re getting a guy who posted a WHIP of 0.96 in the 10^th round. Just be prepared with a plan B if Broxton gets off to a rocky start.

10-112 = Michael Young, 3B, Rangers – In retrospect, Young should’ve gone much higher in this mock. As long as he isn’t traded before the season, Young will fill a super utility role for Texas. He could very well have eligibility at all four infield positions, as well as the outfield. He’s going 70^th in ESPN drafts, which feels a little high for me, but if you’re looking to fill your team with guys that will have multiple position eligibility, there aren’t many better options.

10-113 = Ian Desmond, SS, Nationals – Desmond still has some untapped potential, but even if he doesn’t reach it in his age 25 season, he’s a solid bet for 10 home runs and 15 stolen bases.

10-114 = Chone Figgins, 2B, Mariners – Figgins is an interesting bounce-back candidate. Even during a miserable 2010, he still managed to rack up 42 stolen bases. If he can up his average closer to his career number of .287, he could be a great late-round option to fill second base. Figgins will also add 3B eligibility very early in the season (depending on your league’s settings).

10-115 = Matt Wieters, C, Orioles – Here’s the list of things Wieters was supposed to do when he was called up to the Majors.

1. Hit 50 home runs and collect 200 RBIs
2. Turn water into wine
3. Destroy meteors and other space debris that could impact the Earth
4. Bring Jimi Hendrix back from the dead
5. Fix the economy

Needless to say, Wieters hasn’t delivered yet. He’s currently going 170^th in ESPN drafts, when some people were reaching on him in the 6^th round a year ago. Another bounce back candidate in the 10^th round of the mock.

10-116 = Brett Anderson, SP, Athletics – Anderson was my favorite under the radar pitcher going into 2010, but unfortunately two separate elbow issues limited him to only 112 innings. When he did pitch, he put up a 2.80 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP.

10-117 = Neftali Feliz, RP, Rangers – Feliz was a stud closer for the Rangers during the American League pennant winning season. Feliz record 40 saves and put up a 0.88 WHIP. The only reason he’s not being taken in the 6^th or 7^th round as a closer is the chance that he ends up as a starter this season. Even as a starter, Feliz could provide solid value. This team now has the option to punt saves (which means not drafting closers, but finding starters who will have RP eligibility).

10-118 = Grady Sizemore, CF, Indians – Sizemore has been to fantasy teams what osteoporosis is to senior citizens each of the last two seasons. It’s unlikely that he’ll ever return to the 30-30 numbers he put up in 2008 after the micro-fracture surgery he underwent, but round 10 is a decent spot to take a flier on him.

10-119 = Geovany Soto, C, Cubs – Soto is a great option at catcher if you wait this long to draft one. He’s very selective at the plate, which gives him a pretty safe floor of .280 for a batting average. If he has more luck with BABIP, Soto is capable of putting up a .320 average along with 25 home runs.

10-120 = Nick Markakis, RF, Orioles – Markakis isn’t the sexiest pick, but of all players taken in the 10^th round here, he’s the safest. You can pencil him in for a line around .300-15-80-10-85.

11-121 = Andrew Bailey, RP, Athletics – You’re going to get Bailey at a discount thanks to a minor surgery on his elbow at the end of last season. He might start the year slow, but expect over 30 saves and WHIP below 1.00.

            Team 1 Roster = Albert Pujols, Dustin Pedroia, Clayton Kershaw, Justin Verlander, Ichiro, Hunter Pence, Brian Wilson, Casey McGeehee, Dan Haren, Nick Markakis, Andrew Bailey

11-122 = Wandy Rodriguez, SP, Astros – Rodriguez will struggle earning wins pitching for a shoddy Astros team, but you won’t care if he repeats his 2^nd half peripheral numbers from 2010 (2.11 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings after the all-star break).

            Team 2 Roster = Miguel Cabrera, Tim Lincecum, Jose Reyes, Brandon Phillips, Adrian Beltre, Jay Bruce, Roy Oswalt, Jacoby Ellsbury, Chris Young, Geovany Soto, Wandy Rodriguez

11-123 = Mark Reynolds, 3B, Orioles – Let me start by saying I will never own Mark Reynolds on a fantasy team. He has swung and missed an astonishing 17% of the time each of the last three seasons (far and away the league leader all three years in that dubious category). Some fool will draft him for his power potential, but his poor batting average and insane strikeout totals are not worth it. I’d recommend putting him on your exclude list on your pre-draft rankings.

            Team 3 Roster = Robinson Cano, Matt Kemp, Kevin Youkilis, Jimmy Rollins, David Price, Billy Butler, Shane Victorino, Shaun Marcum, J.J. Putz, Grady Sizemore, Mark Reynolds

11-124 = Aubrey Huff, 1B-LF-RF, Giants – A great Swiss-army knife option to take in the middle rounds. Huff has an outstanding walk to strikeout ratio, and is a solid bet for 20 home runs and at least 90 RBIs. 

            Team 4 Roster = Troy Tulowitzki, Ryan Zimmerman, Shin Soo Choo, Josh Johnson, Rickie Weeks, Kendry Morales, Yovani Gallardo, Colby Rasmus, Max Scherzer, Neftali Feliz, Aubrey Huff

11-125 = Bobby Abreu, LF-RF, Angels – He’s getting a little long in the tooth, but as a late round option he can help you. He still gets on base (even though his batting average dropped to a career low .255, he still managed to draw 87 walks), and has stolen at least 20 bases in each of the past 12 seasons.

            Team 5 Roster = Hanley Ramirez, Felix Hernandez, Ian Kinsler, Jose Bautista, Justin Morneau, Jered Weaver, Mike Stanton, Jonathan Papelbon, Brett Gardner, Brett Anderson, Bobby Abreu

11-126 = Trevor Cahill, SP, Athletics – Cahill doesn’t get a bunch of strikeouts, but his ability to induce groundballs is what drove him to finish the year with 18 wins. Bump him up a round or so if you are in a league that counts GIDP (grounded into double plays) as a stat category.

            Team 6 Roster = Evan Longoria, Ryan Howard, Zack Greinke, Justin Upton, Derek Jeter, Joakim Soria, Alex Rios, Brian Roberts, Clay Buchholz, Matt Wieters, Trevor Cahill

11-127 = David Ortiz, UT, Red Sox – If you can withstand an awful April (he’s gotten off to miserable start each of the past two years), than this pick will look like a bargain for you. Ortiz should benefit from Boston being able to give him more days off against left handed hitters, which will improve his overall batting average.

            Team 7 Roster = Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Hamilton, Cliff Lee, Victor Martinez, Jayson Werth, Andre Ethier, Matt Cain, Pablo Sandoval, Rafael Furcal, Chone Figgins, David Ortiz

11-128 = Ted Lilly, SP, Dodgers – Lilly isn’t going to excite anyone, but he always puts up a solid WHIP and ERA year in and year out. Pitching in Dodger Stadium for a full season could lower his ERA even more due to less balls leaving the park.

            Team 8 Roster = Joey Votto, Carlos Gonzalez, Matt Holliday, Dan Uggla, Cole Hamels, Tommy Hanson, Pedro Alvarez, Heath Bell, Corey Hart, Ian Desmond, Ted Lilly

11-129 = Juan Pierre, LF, White Sox – Pierre returned to a full-time gig with the White Sox in 2010 and rewarded them with 68 stolen bases. Pierre will also give you solid run production hitting at the top of the White Sox lineup.

            Team 9 Roster = Roy Halladay, Mark Teixeira, Andrew McCutchen, Ubaldo Jimenez, Brian McCann, Mariano Rivera, Delmon Young, Stephen Drew, Kelly Johnson, Michael Young, Juan Pierre

11-130 = Josh Beckett, SP, Red Sox – Coming off his worst season in the Majors (largely due to a back injury), Beckett is poised for a comeback. If Beckett rights himself, he has 20-win potential pitching for a powerful Red Sox squad.

            Team 10 Roster = Carl Crawford, Prince Fielder, Joe Mauer, Jason Heyward, Aramis Ramirez, Alexei Ramirez, Martin Prado, Drew Stubbs, Francisco Liriano, Jonathan Broxton, Josh Beckett

11-131 = Huston Street, RP, Rockies – A little risky due to his declining strike out rate over the past few seasons, but he has the longest leash of any closer available at this point in the draft.

            Team 11 Roster = Ryan Braun, Alex Rodriguez, Jon Lester, Buster Posey, Adam Dunn, Mat Latos, B.J. Upton, Ben Zobrist, Elvis Andrus, Chad Billingsley, Huston Street

11-132 = Starlin Castro, SS, Cubs – Castro was only the 4^th player in the last 50 years to post a .300 batting average at the age of 20. If he keeps his average up, he should produce solid run totals and stolen bases hitting in the top third of the Cubs lineup.

            Team 12 Roster = David Wright, Chase Utley, Nelson Cruz, C.C. Sabathia, Carlos Santana, Carlos Marmol, Paul Konerko, Chris Carpenter, Brandon Morrow, Michael Bourn, Starlin Castro