Fantasy Baseball : Casey's Corner

Third Baseman

Top 5:

1. Alex Rodriguez (Yankees)- Last year A-Rod put up numbers that can be described as the best performance by a third basemen ever. He won't do it again, but you can be sure he'll come pretty close. A-Rod will be picked first in almost all drafts so good luck getting him. If he happens not to be picked right away though he is a safe first round pick.
   
2. Miguel Cabrera (Tigers)- With the Tigers new power packed lineup Cabrera could produce career bests in runs and RBI's. People have worried about Cabrera's weight and conditioning, but don't let that hesitate you from picking him, Cabrera's bound to put up some very impressive numbers.
   
3. Ryan Braun (Brewers)- Braun proved himself to be the greatest power hitting rookie maybe of all time. Braun will play some left field his season because of his below average fielding, but luckily fielding doesn't count in most fantasy leagues. Braun has the potential to hit over 40 homers and hit over .300 unless he doesn't improve his plate discipline.
   
4. David Wright (Mets)- Wright set career highs in almost every offensive category. He is still developing so you could see most of his numbers increase although he may not reach 34 steals again. Wright is easily a top 5 third basemen and in some drafts he may not be picked right away. If this is the case then you should take advantage of it as he is a top fantasy player.
   
5. Garrett Atkins (Rockies)- Atkins stats declined because of a disapointing start to the season. With an impressive Rockies lineup Atkins will see plenty of run oppurtunities. Expect the 28 year old to reach numbers similar to his 2006 totals of 29 homers, 120 RBI's, and a .329 average.

Honorable Mention:Aramis Ramirez, Mike Lowell, Ryan Zimmerman, Evan Longoria, Alex Gordon, Chipper Jones, Troy Glaus, and Eric Chavez.

Shortstop

Top 5:

1. Jimmy Rollins (Phillies)- Last years MVP, Rollins is bound to put up some potential. Batting in front of The dangerous Chase Utley and Ryan Howard you could see Rollins score many runs, and you could see him try and steal many bases. Rolllins will probably produce numbers similar to last year.
   
2. Jose Reyes (Mets)- Reyes proved himself to be the greatest baserunner in the majors last year with a major league leading 78 steals. A slump in the second half of the season prevented Reyes from producing an MVP caliber season. Reyes is bound to reach 70 steals again this season so don't hesitate to pick him.
   
3. Hanley Ramirez (Marlins)- Ramirez proved himself to be a talented player last year, with a .332 and 51 steals. His runs may decrease with the absense of Miguel cabrera, but you could see his homers and RBI's increase. He may not put up as talented numbers as last year, but he'll be safe choice in this years draft.
   
4. Miguel Tejada (Astros)- With Tejada the face of the new astros lineup you will see his numbers increase dramatically. His impressive preformance in the winter league shows he is improving. With the Astro's hitter friendly left field Tejada could come back to his old 06 self.
   
5. Troy Tulowitzki (Rockies)- With Tulowitzki's impressive rookie season, and the support of Matt Holiday, Brad Hawpe, and Todd Helton behind him Tulowitzki could be a top fantasy shortstop this season. Be on your guard this season because Tulowizki could compete with Rollins and Reyes.

Honorable Mention: Derek Jeter, Edgar Renteria, Stephen Drew, Khalil Greene, Rafael Furcal, J.J. Hardy, Michael Young, and Carlos Guillen.

Outfielders

Top 10:

1.   Matt Holliday (Rockies)- Holliday put up a show last year hitting .340 with 36 homers and 137 RBI's which was worthy of coming in second place in MVP voting. With Holliday playing at Coors field his numbers could stay the same causing Holliday to become the best fantasy pick out there.
   
2. Alfonso Soriano (Cubs)- Soriano's numbers decreased as a result of batting leadoff last year. The potent Cubs lineup could give Soriano many runs this year, and he could reach over 30 steals if he stays healthy. Soriano is likely to have another 30-30 season so don't let his RBI's hesitate you from picking him.
   
3. Grady Sizemore (Indians)- Sizemore didn't improve much from 06 last year, but that could change. Sizemore has the potential to swipe 30 steals, hit 30 homers, and hit over .300 at the same time. Don't forget that he bats leadoff in a very impressive Indian lineup so he could reach 130 runs this year.With all this accounted for, Sizemore could be a very nice addition to your fantasy lineup.
   
4. Carl Crawford (Rays)- Crawford became an All-Star for the second time in his life last year thanks to his AL leading 50 steals. Crawford is starting to develope a little bit of power so you could see him hit over 20 homers this season. You could see his average go over .315 this year so you should pick him while you can.
   
5. Carlos Lee (Astros)- Lee put up another great year this time hitting over .300. Lee may put up around the same numbers as last year, but they may imorove a little because of the additions of Ty wiggington, and Miguel Tejada. Hunter Pence, and J.R. Towles now will be a part of the Astros lineup so that can only help Lee.
   
6. Magglio Ordonez (Tigers)- Last year Ordonez led the majors with an amazing .363 average. He also hit 28 homers and139 RBI's. He probably won't hit .363 again, but with the addition of Miguel Cabrera and Edgar Renteria his homers and RBI's willl stay around the same.
   
7. Vladimir Guerrero (Tigers)- Guerrero hit over 100 RBI's for the tenth time in a row. Although he is aging, the arrival of Torii Hunter and the developement of Brandon Wood should get Guerrero to produce numbers similar as last year. Guerrero should be a safe choice in your draft.
   
8. Carlos Beltran (Mets)- Beltran battled through injuries all last year and still put some nice numbers(33 homers, 112 RBI's, and 23 steals), but his average could've been better than .276. He might put up a little better numbers if he stays healthy, so Beltran is a pretty good fantasy pick.
   
9. Ichiro Suzuki (Mariners)- Ichiro is probably the easiest pick out there. He has put up at least 30 steals, .300 average, and 100 runs every year since 2001. Just remember that Suzuki doesn't have a lot of power, but expect him to bat over .300, score over 100 runs, and steal around 40 bases.
   
10. Lance Berkman (Astros)- Berkman had a good season last year with 34 homers and 102 RBI's. His numbers may improve a little with the addition of Miguel Tejada and the developement of Hunter Pence. All in all Berkman is a decent power hitter likely to hit around 35 homers and over 100 RBI's.

Honorable Mention: Curtis Granderson, Alex Rios, Manny Ramirez, Eric Byrnes, Hunter Pence, Adam Dunn, Brad Hawpe, Nick Markakis, Delmon Young, Jacoby Ellsbury, J.D. Drew, Andruw Jones.

Pitching Staffs

Top 10:

1. Boston Red Sox- The Boston Red Sox's pitching staff put up amazingly good numbers last year. Josh Beckett has developed into a commanding pitcher, and he could put up over 20 wins this season thanks to the Sox's great offense. Even though Schilling will be injured for part of the season that just gives more room for Clay Buchholz and Jonathan Lester to show there stuff. Paplebon, Okajima, and Delcarmen provide the Sox with a fantastic bullpen. All in all the Sox have one of the best pitching staffs in the major leagues.
   
2. Arizona Diamondbacks- The Diamondbacks acquired Dan Haren this offseason making them the deadliest piching staff in the NL. Last year Brandon Webb put up better numbers than he did in his Cy Young season, but Jake Peavy got the award. Jose Valverde left the D-backs, so Brandon Lyon will get the closing job. That leaves their bullpen vunerable, but with their great pitching staff, and their above average offense the D-backs will have a dangerous pitching staff.
   
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