I like grabbing 2 star pitchers early.  And when I say early, I mean I like to have 2 by round 6.  A lot of people wait for pitching, but for me, having 2 stud guys gives you an advantage that few others in your league will have due to the difference between the first two and 3rd tier guys.

1st tier (Rounds 2-3)

1. Johan Santana- I can remember at least 5 games the Mets bullpen blew for Santana last year.  I'm not sure anyone will benefit more from the improvements that his team did in the off-season that him.  With that, Johan gets the top pitcher spot.  He will be over 20 wins with a sub 3 ERA and 200+ Ks.

2. CC Sabathia- His overuse didn't hurt him last year, and it won't hurt him this year either.  With the Yankee lineup, you can guarantee that early season lack of run support won't hurt him this year.  20+ wins with a 3 ERA and 200+ Ks are to be expected.

3. Tim Lincecum- Ok, he's a freak of nature.  How he won 18 on that Giants team will never be explained to my satisfaction.  The only reason I have him ranked so low is I'm worried about the 61 extra innings he threw between the last 2 seasons.  He makes it through ok, and puts up similar numbers in a better Giants lineup this year, he's #1.

4. Brandon Webb- I'll be honest, he's the safest bet of the starters, and i would be just fine with him heading my staff.  He's improved his numbers every year of the past 4.

2nd Tier (Rounds 4-5)

5. Jake Peavy- San Diego's struggle to score runs hurts him in the W column, and he had issues staying healthy, but I see a solid bounce back season for him this year.  If he gets traded though, don't expect a sub 3 ERA, as he has a 2.56 ERA at Petco in his career.

6. Cole Hamels- His numbers were down last year, but he's still an ace I'd trust to lead a staff.  He's 25, and pitched 220 innings last year.  Health has been a concern in the past, but when healthy, he's elite.

7. Roy Halladay- When your downside is 15 wins, a 3.00 ERA, and a great WHIP, you are easily one of the best pitchers in fantasy.  His spike in K's may not stick, but he's almost as safe as Webb to be a great pick.

8. Dan Haren- Though he looks like the guy that lost the beard bet in Knocked Up, He's thrown 200 innings in 4 straight years, and with a little more run support, he'd be higher up.  One word of caution, he's had an ERA of higher than 4.14 after the break in 3 straight years.

3rd Tier (Round 6-9)

9. Francisco Liriano- There isn't a pitcher with more upside than Liriano.  In fact, I'd venture to say that the Twins cost themselves the division by sticking with Livian Hernandez instead of Liriano.

10.Josh Beckett - Injuries last year have Beckett falling later in the draft.  This is a huge advantage that you can take advantage of.

11. Scott Kazmir - His walk rate has been his big killer.  However, his huge K potential and an improved Rays team will carry him to a great fantasy season.

12. John Lackey - Assuming he's healthy, he's a Cy Young candidate.  He destroys every team outside his division, but has issues with the Rangers and Mariners, with a career 5.36 ERA.  Being that the Angels are still the class of the division, I'd expect a huge rebound this year.

13. Carlos Zambrano - Big Z always gets pushed down, he's hungry and he's nuts.  His K's will be back, and the Cub lineup will always give him decent support.

14. Roy Oswalt - Always a solid SP and good value if you can draft him later.  Yes the Astros aren't the best, but Oswalt will rebound even if they still have issues.

15. Jon Lester - A big season for the youngster, but with all the extra work, he may be an injury risk

4th Tier (Rounds 10-12)

16. Chad Billingsley - He's only going to get better, but he is not going to help you in the WHIP category.  He will be the Dodgers ace, and we'll see if he's ready.  Manny coming back would help a ton for his prospects.

17. Felix Hernandez -  The stuff is there but the team is not.  It's going to be fun to watch Felix mature some more this year, and he'll help you in the rate stats, but wins will be harder to come by.  But you never know, you may see a Lincecum season out of him.

18. Joba Chamberlain - Joba is ready to take on the #2 spot for the Yankees, but I'm not sure if they'll let him get 200+ innings.  He'll be a monster with K's and WHIP for you.

19 is your hopes and dreams.  Actually i made a change in the standings, and didn't feel like adjusting everyone else.

20. James Shields - A great WHIP candidate, 180+K potential on a very good Rays team.   He's a difference maker when it comes to championships, real or fantasy

21. Daisuke Matsuzaka - He'll help you in 3 categories, which is good, but his high walk rate will kill your WHIP.

22. Yovani Gallardo - If you are drafting with mostly people outside of Milwaukee, he's going to be a steal for you later on.  Otherwise, you may have to get him earlier.  Either way, he'll be good for 12+ wins, great WHIP, great ERA, and decent K's.

23. Cliff Lee - I don't expect a repeat.  In fact, if anyone is going to be the next Mike Hampton, it'll be Lee.  However, there's more of a chance for him to be just solid.

24. Edinson Volquez - 196 innings on his young arm is dangerous.  Expect the Dusty effect to occur, like it did with both Prior and Wood.  There is a small chance he could be the next Zambrano, but that chance is small.

25. A.J. Burnett - The Yankee lineup will keep him up in W's, but he won't repeat his last year.  He'll be a good sourse of K's

26. Matt Cain - The improved Giants lineup will help him, since he had some of the worst run support last year.  186 K's weren't lost on me though.  I expect him to become a decent mid round sleeper, and help a lot of people rise in the standings

27. David Price - The best prospect in baseball will have some growing pains, but he's a smart kid (most people that go to Vandy are) and will definitely be a solid contributor in the 2nd half.

28. Ervin Santana - Stepped in nicely for Kelvim Escobar last year, and with the Angels lineup, he'll be good again.

29. Justin Verlander - Well that was mostly unexpected.  I like him a lot for value this year.

Tier 5 (Rounds 13-18)
30. Aaron Harang - 200K potential makes him a well calculated risk.

31. Zack Greinke - It looks like he's finally putting it together.  There are 80 extra innings on that arm though.  Don't take him too high

32. Ben Sheets - He'll be very good wherever he lands... for 24 starts.

33. Erik Bedard - If he's ready for opening day, he'll be a decent late round risk.  That injury history scares me

34. Rich Harden - He's talented as hell, but I wouldn't touch him becuase of he's another that is a DL trip waiting to happen

35. Adam Wainwright - when healthy, he was fantastic.  He's the Cards ace, and if healthy, could be a 15 W 180 K guy with a sub 3.50 ERA

36. Brett Myers - Myers is the mistake I make every year.  I like him a ton, becuase of his 200+ inning/180 K potential, but he hurts me every year.

37. Chein-Ming Wang - Need wins? have K's?  Wang is your man.  heh... wang.

38. Chris R. Young -This guy is a mistake you don't want to make.  Every year, he tantalizes you with a decent 1st half, but has never been over 12 wins,  or 180 Ks.  He's going to give you a decent ERA, but he'll just piss you off in the end.

39. Matt Garza - The epitome of a solid #3.

40. John Smoltz - Going to Boston, but he's most likely not going to hold up.  However, when he comes back, he's got as much production as any of the tier 2 guys.

41. Ryan Dempster -There's no way he'll be as good as he was last year, but he'll be good for you in the 1st half.

42. Josh Johnson - I loved this guy before Girardi destroyed his elbow.  Now he's back, and he will be a solid contributor to your team.

45. Derek Lowe - A better real life player than fantasy guy.  But if you like bigger names on your team (like drafting Jeter), he'll help your team as you dwell in the bottom.

43. Ricky Nolasco - I'm not believing it.  Don't overdraft this guy.

44. Gavin Floyd - Still too much of a flyball pitcher in a hitters park for me

46. Max Scherzer - More hype than necessary, as usual with Boras guys, and still a year away from breaking out

47. Brandon Morrow -Want the next reliever turned good starter, Morrow is your man.  I like him a lot this year

49. Scott Baker - keeps improving every year, and will be a solid contributor

51. Kevin Slowey -could be better than baker, with 180 K potential

52. Jair Jurrjens - Nothing flashy about him, with the exception of his interesting name, just a solid contributor

48. Justin Ducscherer - injuries scare me, but a low ERA and WHIP contributor for you.

53. Fausto Carmona - His 07 gets him this high on his list, but I think he's closer to the 08 version as the reality of the situation.  I'm not going to waste a pick for a hope of a repeat.

54. Javier Vazquez - You can count on Ks, and in more of a pitchers park, I like the odds on a better year.  Another guy I just can't quit

50. John Maine - another guy that gets a lot of talk just because he plays in New York.  I don't believe the hype, and neither should you

55. Ubaldo Jimenez - A fantastic september makes him worth a shot

56. Oliver Perez - If he stays with the Mets he'll be as good as he was in 2008

57. Mike Pelfrey -see Maine, John.  Can't get much worse

58. Clayton Kershaw - Filthy stuff, but doesn't miss enough bats yet.  let someone else take him

59. Phil Hughes - see Pelfrey, Mike.

 

I do reserve the right to change these next month, which I will.  But for now, this will give you a decent idea of where to go.

This one will take awhile.  For OF, i like to make sure that I'm getting a total of 50 HR+SB out of my guys.  20/20 is no longer an anomoly. In fact, it is now the standard for Fantasy.  what you get outside of that will determine how good your team will finish.

Tier 1 (Rounds 1-3, due to the sheer number of guys out there)

1. Grady Sizemore- The only thing keeping him from being a top 5 pick is his K's which keep his average below .300.  Other than that, you can expect 30/30 with 100 runs, and if he gets placed a little farther down the lineup, 100 RBIs as well. 

1a. Matt Holiday- A lot of people are afraid of his away from Coors splits, which will not be beneficial in Oakland.  I still like him for a .315+ average, 30+ homers, 25 SBs, and 100 RBIs and 80 Runs.

3. Josh Hamilton- There's a reason they call him the Natural.  You saw it last year at the Home Run Derby, but he's truly a freak of nature.  Playing right will help keep him healthy all year long and help prevent a late season swoon.  The only thing that may hurt his numbers is that he will have to rely on Chris Davis as opposed to Milton Bradley for protection.  40 homers, 130+ RBIs, .320 ave, 90 runs, and 10 SB are not too much to ask.

4. Ryan Braun- He got screwed out of the Jewish Faith MVP if you ask me.  He'll have about 10 more steals than Hamilton, but 20-30 fewer RBIs.  Other than that, expect the same.

5. Manny Ramirez- Yeah, he's not done.  It's just a matter of where he lands.  He won't hit 40, or drive in 120 any more, but 30 and 100+ RBIs, with a .310 average is expected.

6. Carlos Lee- He was on his way to one of his best years until his broken pinky cost him August and September.  His sneaky ability to steal 10 bases is gone, but you will get at least 30 homers, 100+ RBIs, and a .300 average, plus 100 runs.

7. Alfonso Soriano- Being a leadoff hitter keeps him from being higher in the rankings.  However, if he stays healthy, he will hit 35+ homers with 25+ steals.  The runs will be there as well, it's just the average and the RBI opportunities keep him out of the 1st round.

8.Jason Bay- Just wait until you see what he can do in a full year in Boston.  That supporting cast will love Bay, as will you.  He's past his knee problems, and expecting 30 HR, 100 RBI,100 runs,15 SB, with .290 average is fine.

9. Carlos Beltran- He's no longer a 40/40 threat, but he still has a shot at 30/30.  I'm not sure he'll score as many runs though since I don't think you'll get the same production out of Delgado this year.  But he's got Reyes and Wright ahead of him to make sure he's driving in a bunch.

10. Carlos Quentin- He's got a breakout season under his belt, but I am not trusting the power from a guy who never hit more than 21 in a year before in his pro career.  I do like the 100+ Runs and Rbis though that keep him up in the draft.  I'll take 30+ homers from him again, and he'll steal 10 bases for you.  Just shows you that the Cell is still one of the best hitters parks out there. 

Tier 2 (rounds 4-6)

11. Matt Kemp- He keeps improving, and his power development is eerily similar to Carlos Beltran's career path.  He's my breakout candidate this year to get in to the top of the outfield market.  That means I think he'll go 30/30 with a .300+ average.

12. Nick Markakis- Another emerging star.  He'll hit 30+ homers, hit over .300, and be 90+ in both Runs and RBIs.  He's not much of a speedster though, with only 10 steals last year.

13. Shane Victorino- He's the definition of the speedy guy I like.  He's going to hit .290, hit 15 homers, and steal 35, scoring over 100 runs. If only Phily could figure out where to bat him.

14. Vlad Guererro- He's not going to drive in over 120 anymore, but he's still good for 30-100-.300 this year.  his speed is gone, and he won't score over 90. 

15. Magglio Ordonez- Yes, he didn't repeat his '07, but he's still a solid producer.  25 homers with 110 RBIs, and a .310 average are expected. 

16. BJ Upton- Not much power in the regular season, but he did have 7 jacks in the playoffs.  He has 30/30 potential, but I don't see it this year.  20/30 will be just fine, but he won't score 95 or drive in 85 this year.

17. Ichiro- Despite all that went wrong in Seattle last year, there's always Ichiro.  Pencil him in for 30 steals, 100 runs, and a .310 average.  He can't help the lineup around him, so don't expect much in the way of RBIs.

18. Carl Crawford- The power never materialized for this 20/40 threat.  He was disappointing across the board last year, which makes him such a great pick this year.  I like him for 15 homers, 40 steals, a .290 average, 85 RBIs, and 100 runs.

19. Jacoby Ellsbury- Here's the white Carl Crawford.  Look at the numbers above, and take away the risk.

20. Ryan Ludwick- I'd call him an emerging star, but he's 30.  I wouldn't have him in a keeper league, but he's solid for 30+ homers, and 100 RBIs.  i don't trust the .300+ average, but he'll be solid for another season or 2.

21. Nate McClouth- one of those decent 20/20 guys that have emerged out there.  I wouldn't expect more than that, but 100 runs are in the mix, along with 80 RBIs.

22. Adam Dunn- 40 homers and 100 RBIs.  His runs are average, and you won't help you in SB.  We all know about his low average, but if you can take the hit, he'll give you homers.

23. Curtis Granderson- He's reduced his Ks a ton, making him a great option... if he didn't stop running.  Still, 25/15 with 110 Runs are worthy of a #2 outfield spot.

Third Tier (Round 6-9)

24. Alex Rios- Time for the 20/20 parade. Rios is a big guy, but still hasn't translated all his frame into power, but for fantasy, he could go 15/30 or 30/15.  Either way, he's a solid contributor, and edges out the others due to more combined Runs and Rbi and a .290 average.

25. Corey Hart- OBP doesn't count in fantasy, though it would help his runs if he got on more.  Still, he's 20/20 with a .280+ average.

26. Torii Hunter- Another 20/20 guy. He didn't drive in as many runs as you'd think he would in LA, but he scores 80, and is not going to kill your average.

 

27. Raul Ibanez- a power boost is expected just by moving from Safeco to Citizens Bank.  His lack of speed hurts his value in my book, but a repeat of '06 is what I see,

28. Hunter Pence- Imagine Corey Hart with a terrible SB%.  Hitting 6th in the lineup doesn't help either.  But he still has 25 HR power, and if he can be more selective in when he goes, he'll be up the list a bit more.

29. Jermaine Dye- I don't like him as much, depite the Cell helping his power totals.  I see him having a year similar to '07.  He's a solid option if he goes yard 30, scores 90, and drives in 90, but I don't see him doing it. 

30. Bobby Abreu- He won't be in the lefty haven of Yankee Stadium that truly helped his power, but he'll give you 15 homers and 20 steals this season, wherever he lands. Throw in 90 runs and Rbi, and you got a solid fantasy contributor

31. Vernon Wells- When he wasn't hurt, he was on his way for a solid bounceback season.  I see him completing that bounceback and being a great buy low candidate if he runs a bit more.  30/10 is what I see coming.

32. Jason Werth- Going 20/20 as a platoon guy isn't the worst thing in the world, going full time will bring down his average.  The downside is that he's still considered a platoon guy.  Give him a full year of PAs, and start dreaming.  Interestingly, he was slightly better on the road than he was at Citizen's Bank.

33. Andre Ethier- When he was coming up, the comparisons to Milton Bradley were prevalent.  I don't see him hitting .300/.400/.500 like Bradley, but I do see 25 homers, and 90+ Runs and RBI with a .290 average.

34. Brad Hawpe- He hits .300, drives in 90, scores 80, and hits 30 Homers.  Call it a day with that.

35. Xavier Nady- The addition of Nick Swisher crowds that Yankee outfield, But he stays healthy, and hitting in a better lineup will Increase his production.  He'll be Brad Hawpe with 5 fewer homers.

36. Chris Young- 25/25 with 90 R and 80 RBI.  If only that average was... well average, he'd be a 2nd tier guy.  I still love him.

Tier 4 (rounds 9-12)

37. Milton Bradley- He's good for a .300/.400/.500 line every year.  what that translates to is all up to how many plate appearances he gets.  Let's call it at 400 PAs, whcih basically translates to 17 homers, 60 RBIs, 60 Runs. 

38. Randy Winn- Another .300 hitter, with 15-20 potential in both Homers and Steals.  Depending on SF's lineup improvements, he'll be anywhere from 60-80 in Runs and RBI.

39. Pat Burrell- He was better on the road, but can only hit lefties, despite the vast majority of his homers coming against righties.  you can expect 25 homers, and no steals, but we're looking at only average Runs and RBI.

40. Jay Bruce- Here's the issue with Bruce.  No one ahead of him gets on base.  so while his homer and average will be good, his RBIs will suffer.  80 runs aren't out of the question.

41. Hideki Matsui- Being a lefty at Yankee Stadium keeps his numbers up, but he's now an injury concern.  I like him for a repeat of 07 if he stays healthy, but I don't like his chances of staying healthy, and the Yanks like Melky Cabrera for some reason, which will eat into his playing time.

42. Johnny Damon-  Another member of the crowded Yankee outfield, but he'll score 100 runs just by leading off ahead of Teixeira and A-rod.  He won't drive in 75, but he will go for 15 homers and 20 steals.

43. JD Drew- The knock on Drew will always apply until he plays more than 130 games, but in those 130, he will produce. 20 homers, 70 RBI, 70 Runs is what you should expect.

44. Eric Byrnes- Injuries killed him last year.  Don't expect anywhere close to his 50 steals from 2 years ago.  He'll give you .270 with 20 homers, 70 RBI, 70 Runs, and 15 steals.

45. Delmon Young- He's only 23, He's developed extreme ground ball tendancies.  15-20 homers, with a .290 average, 15 steals, 75 RBI and Runs being expected.

The Rest (Round 12 on)

These are just guys I like to be had in later rounds:

Lasting Millage and Elijah "YOU DEAD DAWG" Dukes- Both are capable of 20/20 if they keep their heads on straight.

Mike Cameron- another 20/20 guy, this time with a bad average.

Nelson Cruz- He gets his chance as the penciled in RF with the Rangers.  He hit a  ridiculous 37 homers in 102 AAA games last year.  If he can translate 60% of that to the majors, he'll be a solid contributor all year long.

Shin-Soo Choo- His power outburst last year was unexpected, but if he can earn regular time in a crowded Cleveland outfield, he'll be a 20 homer hitter with 80 Runs and 80 RBI.

Matt LaPorta- the best OF bat in the Minors, but he's got to earn his spot in spring.  Whenever he comes up, snatch him up.

Josh Anderson, Wily Tavarez, Juan Pierre, Michael Bourne- Here are your steals one trick ponies.  Don't count on them for anything else.  I'd put Bourne and Tavarez up higher since they'll be at the top of their idiotic lineups, thus contributing some more runs.

Jack Cust- He's like Adam Dunn, except he won't drive in 100, and only hit 30+ homers. 

Travis Snider- If he beats out Adam Lind in spring, look at the next Jay Bruce.

Colby Rasmus- If he stays healthy, he's got 20/20 potential.

AL and NL top 20

AL Top 20

1. Grady Sizemore

2. Matt Holiday

3. Josh Hamilton

4. Jason Bay

5. Carlos Quentin

6. Nick Markakis

7. Vlad Guererro

8. Magglio Ordonez

9. BJ Upton

10. Ichiro

11. Carl Crawford

12. Jacoby Ellsbury

13. Curtis Granderson

14. Alex Rios

15. Torii Hunter

16. Jermaine Dye

17. Vernon Wells

18. Xavier Nady

19. Hideki Matsui

20. Jonny Damon

NL Top 20

1. Ryan Braun

2. Manny Ramirez

3. Carlos Lee

4. Alfonso Soriano

5. Carlos Beltran

6. Matt Kemp

7. Shane Victorino

8. Ryan Ludwick

9. Nate McClouth

10. Adam Dunn

11. Corey Hart

12. Raul Ibanez

13. Bobby Abreu (assuming NL, otherwise he's 17th in AL)

14. Jason Werth

15. Andre Ethier

16. Brad Hawpe

17. Chris Young

18 Milton Bradley (again, assuming NL, otherwise 19th AL)

19. Randy Winn

20. Jay Bruce.

Again, comments are encouraged

 

The 3 R's have dominated the position, and are all first round talents.  But there are other elite options that can be had, and quality options can be had in the middle rounds as well.  The NL is particularly blessed, but we'll get to that in a minute.  Here are the rankings.

1st Tier:

1. Hanley Ramirez- A top 3 fantasy player.  Hanley gives you production in all categories, and is one of the few 5 category contributors in Fantasy baseball.  If I have the top pick in a draft, he's my guy. 

2. Jose Reyes- Reyes is the model of consistency, scoring 110 runs in 3 consecutive years, stealing 50 bases for the 4th straight year, and hitting double digit homers for the 3rd straight year again.  If I get Reyes in round 1, i'm taking a lot of power in round 2.

3. Jimmy Rollins- When he leads off ahead of Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, there should be no way Rollins scores less than 100 runs.  But he did, last year.  That won't happen again.  J-roll is a stud, and he's stolen 40+ bases for the past 3 years.  He'll be worth it.  Same caveat with Reyes applies, you'll need power.

4. Mike Young- A funny thing happens when you have Josh Hamilton and Milton Bradley following you in the lineup.  That's how Young scored his 100 runs last year.  Chris Davis will be taking over Bradley's roll, and if he goes alright, Young will be up over 90 again.  The issue coming though is age, as Young is no longer his name.  You can't expect 200 hits anymore, but he's a threat for it. Still a decent 3rd-4th rounder.

5. Rafael Furcal- When healthy, he was outstanding.  I wouldn't worry about his back this year.  If Manny is back in a Dodger uniform, Furcal is a solid 3rd rounder for those who went Power-Power in the 1st two rounds.  If not, he's a great 4th rounder for steals and a decent average.  Age is a concern though.  He's 31 and not getting younger.

6. Jhonny Peralta- Ok, he did it again.  It's now time to put him as a solid 5th to 6th rounder.  Here's the problem.  One day, Eric Wedge will realize that Grady Sizemore is one of the best hitters in baseball, and put him 3rd in the lineup, taking away from Peralta's production.  Until that happens, he's a great option. 

2nd Tier (rounds 6-12)

7. JJ Hardy- Here's the thing.  There are some good SS to be had in the first 6 rounds.  But if I don't get one of the top 3, I'm waiting.  This is due to the fact that JJ Hardy is so underrated in the fantasy world.  The only thing that keeps Hardy's overall numbers down is the fact that he hits 2nd in the lineup.  His runs are up there, but JJ can drive in a ton of runs given the opportunity.  He'll give you a homer every week, and drive in about 80.  He just won't steal bases.  He's a good option if you have a weak hitting 3B like Chone Figgins.

8. Troy Tulowitzki- He got off to a horrendous start, but was strong in the 2nd half.  He's another that will allow you to address other positions in the earlier rounds.  But realize he's going to go in the 6th, perhaps even earlier.

9.Derek Jeter- His power has fallen off, as has his speed.  In fact, he may struggle to get double digits in both, and drive in more than 80.  But he'll still score a lot of runs and hit over .300. 

10. Stephen Drew- Usually I say "OK Kid, do it again."  Drew is a case where I don't doubt he will.  It's up to his compatriots to allow him to drive in more runs, but I like him better than most people out there.

11. Orlando Cabrera- He's good for 20 steals  Everything else is pretty average about the guy.  Just a word of warning, the majority of his steals were in the 1st half, so you might want to go elsewhere.

12. Mike Aviles- I'm not as high on this guy as others, but I won't knock his results thus far.  i just don't like 27 year old rookies who come out of pretty much nowhere to repeat their performance. I think a good guide will be Yunel Escobar's numbers last year.

Tier 3 (rounds 13-18)

13. Edgar Rentaria- He's back in the NL, where he does his best.  I wouldn't expect more than 15 homers or steals, but definitely an improvement in average.

14. Ryan Theriot- He's not as good as he was last year, but not as bad as his '07 numbers.  I still like him for 20+ steals. 

15. Jed Lowrie- He's supposed to be a decent prospect, but sure didn't show much in half a season worth of PAs.  He's got more power than he showed last year.

16. Yunel Escobar- He doesn't steal bases, but will be scoring more as the Braves leadoff guy this year.  Oh, and he hit .318 in that lineup position.  A sleeper for the higher end of the 2nd tier next year.

Specialists:

- Christian Guzman will probably hit over .300 again, and give you not much else.  Same with Yunieski Betancourt.

- Bobby Crosby will kill your team in average, but does hit some homers and give you some RBIs when he's on the field, which is rarely.

- Cesar Izturis will steal you 20+ bases. 

- Ben Zobrist has SS eligibility, but won't get many opportunities.  He does go yard often though, with 12 homers in his 61 games last year.

Late round fliers: Alcedes Escobar, Reid Brignac, Elvis Andrus

AL and NL Rankings.  This is the way I'd rank them, not necessarily where they will be drafted.

AL

1. Mike Young

2. Jhonny Peralta

3. Derek Jeter

4. Orlando Cabrera

5. Jed Lowrie

6. Mike Aviles

7. Yunieski Betancourt

8. Marco Scutoro

9. Macier Izturis

*I only ranked 9 becuase Alexei Ramirez may be SS eligible in your league, at which point I put him 3rd in the AL, and just ahead of Hardy overall.

NL

1. Hanley Ramirez

2. Jose Reyes

3. Jimmy Rollins

4. JJ Hardy

5. Troy Tulowitzki

6. Rafael Furcal

7. Stephen Drew

8. Edgar Rentaria

9. Ryan Theriot

10. Yunel Escobar

Leave some comments, let me know how I'm doing

Talk about your top heavy positions.  Departures to other positions have really taken their toll on the position with Braun and Cabrera losing their eligibility this year.  The first tier is nowhere near as deep as just about any other position.  Now there are others with 3B eligibility that help, such as Youkilis, Huff, Chris Davis, and Mark Derosa, but it's not a lot.  So here are my Rankings:

1st Tier (rounds 1-6)

1. Alex Rodriguez- You can't tell me having Teixeira around won't help A-rod a ton.  I expect him to put himself back up to the top fantasy option this year.  40 homers, 120 RBIs, a 300 average, 110 Runs, and even 20 steals aren't out of the question.

2. David Wright- I've been thinking a lot about Wright lately.  Yes he's young, and good.  But the only thing that really makes him elite at this point is position scarcity.  I'd take guys like Kinsler, the 3 Rs at short, and some guys at 1st before Wright.  But don't worry, he'll be 35-120 w/ a 300 ave and 15 steals.  Just don't overdraft.

3. Evan Longoria- The real reason the Rays made their run (quite the alliteration there) was Longoria coming up.  He's the real deal, and getting him in the 3rd is a steal in my opinion.

4. Aramis Ramirez- Ramirez only hit 27 homers last year, but it felt like they all came against the Brewers.  He still will give you 110 RBIs and a .290 average, score about 95 runs, but won't steal you any bases.

5. Chipper Jones- For some reason, Chipper is constantly underrated.  I'll have him as my 3B all day, every day.  Except when he's hurt, which is becoming more and more frequent as he's already 36.

6. Kevin Youkilis would be here

7. Garret Atkins- He's stayed healthy, but he keeps getting worse.  Walks are down, Ks are up, and now he has no protection from Holliday in the Lineup, but he's still one of the best at 3B.

2nd Tier (rounds 6-12)

8.  Chris Davis would go here

9. Jorge Cantu- His resurrection in Miami was one of the more ignored stories in baseball last year, but as a fantasy owner, don't ignore it.  He'll give you similar numbers to Atkins at a much cheaper price, if his glove doesn't get him off the field.

10. Aubrey Huff would go here

11. Adrian Beltre- Not really a fan of him.  in fact, if you have him on your team, just flush your lineup down the toilet with your league entry fee.

12. Chone Figgins- Figgins entire value is in his legs, and last year's hamstring injury really sapped his ability to use his assets.  I wouldn't put him down for .330 ever again either.  If you can get power from other positions like short and 2nd, Figgins could work for your team.

13. Mark Reynolds- The contact rate and average of the Diamondbacks offense was terrible, and Reynolds led the way.  204 K's won't exactly lead to a high average, but he's got power and some speed, so if you can handle the average hit, he can help your team.

14. Edwin Encarnacion- The good news is that Edwin is at the age where you'll see some results.  The problem is that Dusty Baker hates him, and all players that could help his team.  If Edwin can stay out of the dog house, look out.

15. Ryan Zimmerman- Prime bounce back candidate for me.  Zimmerman has some other young guys around him to take the pressure off and really help give him some run producing chances.  Plus he was good in the last 2 months.  20 homers and 100 RBIs are in the cards here

16. Alex Gordon- Was a sure thing prospect, and has yet to break out.  He's 25 this year, and maybe this will be the year.  If it is and he's on your team, then I say, "Hey, good for you."  I'm not going to waste my time though.

The good news about the position is that there are some decent prospects coming up, with Mat Gamel and Wes Hodges leading the way.  In 2010, we're looking at Brett Wallace and Mike Moustakas coming.  The position will improve, but right now it's a black hole.

Ok, let's be honest here.  There's the top 6, a couple sleepers, a few one trick ponies (contributes in one or 2 categories), but not much else here.  2B may be the shallowest position in Fantasy Baseball.  But the crop we have now has something past crops have not; POWER!!! There are as many as 10 guys going yard 20 or more times this year.  So let's get to the Rankings.

1st Tier (Rounds 1-6):

1. Ian Kinsler- Most people like Utley here, but Kinsler does everything Chase does, but steals way more bases, and he'll score as many if not more runs.  He's probably going to hit for a better average too.  he's my #1 guy, even though I'm going to get him in the early 2nd. i'm not worried about his health.

2. Chase Utley- There is nothing wrong with Chase Utley and the production he puts up at 2nd.  I'd just like to get some more SBs from the position.  He's a great player, but i'm not putting a 1st round pick into him

3. Dustin Pedroia- Half step down from Kinsler in steals, and a full step down from Chase in power, but he's elite. 

4. Brandon Phillips- If he could just hit above .290, he'd cause a decent debate about who's the best 2B in the NL.  But 30/30 still is great.

5. Brian Roberts- Here's his line: 90 R, 10 Homers, 40 SB, .290 Ave.  That's what he'll give you.  More runs if he's in a Cubs uniform, but not much change otherwise. The reason I say 90 as opposed to 100 R is that Aubrey Huff and Melvin Mora will regress.

6. Dan Uggla- You may be scared of the .260 average, but he's raise his OBP-BA by 25 points every year.  He won't do it again this year, but his walk rates are much better.  Oh, and he'll jack 30 homers for you. 

The next guys (6-12):

7. Alexei Ramirez- Ok kid, do it again.  He'll make the top 6 a top 7 if he repeats his 20 homer with an around .300 average again.  I just want to see it again.  If you want to take him, it will cost you a 5th or a 6th rounder.

8.Jose Lopez- Quietly had a solid season.  He's won't get you too many SBs or Runs, but he's a decent option if you miss out on the top guys.

9.  Mark Derosa- A solid but unspectacular 2B for you.  Not much in the way of SB, which I feel is a need, but he isn't a team killer.

10. Howie Kendrick- A one trick pony, but it's quite a trick if he can keep healthy.  If you are looking for Mike Young without the modest power or health, he's your man. 

11. Robinson Cano- See what a horrendous April can do?  Now's the time to buy low on this guy, but again, no speed here.

12. Rickie Weeks- Want to take a calculated risk?  I suggest getting weeks, and another decent 2B for insurance.  But when he goes 25/30 for you with a .280 ave and 110 runs, be sure to know who told you first.

13. Kazuo Matsui- He's good for .290 and 25 steals, not much else though.

3rd Tier (Rounds 12-18):

14. Kelly Johnson- Not bad at anything, but not good at anything either.  Just a solid guy who won't kill or help your team.

15. Placido Polanco- He'll hit over .300, but won't do much else.

16. Alexi Casilla- In less than 100 games, he had 100 hits and 50 RBIs.  May be worth stashing as a backup or  if you have an MI position.

17. Orlando Hudson- the O in O-Dawg stands for Ouch.  If he would stay healthy, you're looking at 100 runs, 20 homers, and a .300 average.  He won't though.

Others worth a flier: Emilo Bonifacio, Matt Antonelli

It's deeper than Catcher, but I don't want to get stuck with anyone not in the top tier.  Comments are welcome.

I'm still really bored, so why not do First Basemen while I'm at it.  This is where I make sure I have the power.  I could care less about SB here.  There are enough 4 category contributors here where you won't have to worry.  With the advent of leagues with UT positions, I like to have 2 good ones on my teams.  So here are the rankings:

Tier 1 (Rounds 1-6)

1. Albert Pujols- Despite him being a Cardinal, this is my favorite player to watch in Baseball.  His bat is electric, and he's definitely a top 3 player in Fantasy.

2. Ryan Howard- An otherworldly 2nd half solidified his stature as a late 1st-early 2nd rounder.  He's going to lead the league in Homers again, but don't expect a .300+ average.

3. Mark Teixeira- This guy is always huge in the 2nd half, so don't panic in the 1st half when he's average.  As a Yankee, he'll have opportunities to drive in and score a lot of runs.  It's sad that they don't give points for defense, because between him and Pujols, you'd be pretty solid from a low scoring position.  Personally, I don't like him since he's an asshole, as is his agent.

4. Miguel Cabrera- It's pretty impressive for a guy to hit 37 homers, drive in 127, and be considered a disappointment.  Don't worry too much, his average will bounce back, and he's worth that 2nd rounder you'll pay for him.  No word on his gut size this year.

5. Prince Fielder- CHUBSY!!!  The Giant Hamburger will challenge Howard for the home run title, and will have a higher average.  I just don't think it will be as high as cabrera to rank higher.

6. Lance Berkman- This guy is the best pick in the 3rd round every year.  He's just a slight notch below the rest of the guys here, but you'll still be championship caliber with him in there.  I prefer Fat Elvis to Big Puma when it comes to his nickname.

7. Adrian Gonzalez-  This is a guy I'm coveting this year.  Age 26 is where you make your biggest gains (HINT: I'm big on Rickie Weeks this year too) as a player, and this man already has 36 homers and 100 RBIs to build on.  As long as you are targeting this guy in the 4th, you can get some elite players in other positions in the first 3 rounds.  I'd expect him to be in the top 5 by the end of the year... if he can hit .300.

8. Justin Morneau- Homers were down, but everything else was elite 1B level.  I'd expect a bounce back over 30, but not over 35.

9. Kevin Youkilis- An extra homer a month would put him higher, but he's solid everywhere else.  The problem is no more Manny, and David Ortiz is aging fast.  Pedroia and Ellsbury are nice complements (meaning Youk will drive in some runs), but I don't think he's going to score as many as expected in years past.

Tier 2 (rounds 7-12)

10. Derek Lee- There's a pretty precipitous drop off from the top 9 to D-Lee.  He's been solid, but unspectacular.  Since breaking his wrist 2 and a half years ago, he hasn't been the same power threat.  He'll still score a lot of runs, and drive in some, but his lower power totals keep him as just a middle of the road guy.

11.  Joey Votto-  He's higher here than anywhere else, but his August and September were big enough to where I'd expect him to be 1st tier next year.  The only issue is that I'm not sure who is going to get on base in front of him to be driven in.  

12. Carlos Pena- Don't expect 07 numbers ever again, but he's solid enough for a UT spot in every league.  Low average, and won't score too many runs, but he'll give you the 30-100 you are looking for from your 1B position if you have waited this long.

13. Chris Davis-  The guy I think can rise the most this year, mostly because he'll get the most opportunities to do so.  Teams are going to pitch around Josh Hamilton to get to Davis all year long, which will give this kid's numbers an opportunity for a huge boost early on.  I'd say if anyone is going to be able to get you great numbers early and become solid trade bait to get you help in other areas, it;s going to be Davis. 

14. Jason Giambi- Remember how everyone thought Carlos Delgado, Aubrey Huff, and Mike Jacobs were dead weight last year, only for them to have decent seasons?  Giambi is my guy to do that this year, and you can get him later in the draft, but he's going to be solid talent this year for you.

15. Carlos Delgado- He'll be 36 on opening day, and I think last year was his last hurrah.  Don't make him you #1 guy, but he won't kill your team.

16. Conor Jackson- Average, RBIs, and about 10 steals for you, but not enough power to make him a viable starting option.

Tier 3 (Rounds 13-18)

17. Aubrey Huff- Great season last year, being a solid 1b.  Don't expect a repeat.  In fact, if he's on my team, I'm in trouble.

18 James Loney-  The average and RBIs will be there, but unless Manny gets back in the fold, don't expect many runs, and he's a liability for power at the 1B position.

19. Paul Konerko- Wasn't this guy supposed to be good in even years?  Could be age, could be just off a season.  Either way, i don't want him on my team.

20. Adam Laroche- A 2nd half all-star.  He's not going to put up his 06 numbers, but I like keeping him on the bench through May just to have his production after then, but I'm not picking him before the 17th. 

Here are some guys that are worth a late round flier:

Daric Barton, Kendry Morales, Ryan Garko, Matt LaPorta, Gaby Sanchez

And for you NL and AL only leagues, here are the top 10s

NL Only:

1. Pujols

2. Howard

3. Fielder

4. Berkman

5. Gonzalez

6. D. lee

7. Votto

8. Delgado

9. Jackson

10. Loney

AL Only:

1. Teixeira

2. Cabrera

3. Morneau

4. Youkilis

5. Pena

6. C. Davis

7. Giambi (if he signs with the A's)

8. Huff

9. Konerko

10. Mike Jacobs

I'd love to hear what you think, but if you want to be critical of these rankings, then take the time to make your own, dick.

Because I'm bored as hell and want to do something baseball related, I'm going to put together a Fantasy Baseball guide for you all.  My qualifications are minimal.  I play at least 6 leagues every year, and win about half of them.  So enjoy, and remember that Fantasy Baseball is an obsession not for the weak.  It takes discipline, and alcohol.  Lots of alcohol.  Here are my catcher rankings based on the categories of R, HR, RBI, SB and Ave:

First Tier (guys worth drafting in the first 6 rounds):

1. Brian McCann- 4 category catcher, and put up solid numbers for 3 straight years.  Plus he's only 25, which bodes well for holding up over the course of the season.

2. Joe Mauer- Will score more runs than McCann, but won't put up the power to be #1.  Will be one of those that keeps your average up all year long.

3. Russ Martin- A catcher that could be 20-20.  A stolen base every other week is a nice change from the position

4. Geovany Soto- Nice season kid, now do it again, and then I'll consider top placement

2nd Tier (guys drafted rounds 7-12)

5. Victor Martinez- He had a rough year last year, but that was mostly due to bone chips in the elbow.  He'll throw up numbers, but will have to split time with Kelly Shoppach.  He is the last of the top catchers, and there is a huge drop off after him, so if you miss out on the top 4, make it a priority to have V-mart.

3rd Tier (guys drafted rounds 12-18)

6. Jorge Posada- May be his last as a contributor to a solid Yankee lineup.  Is supposed to be fully recovered by spring training, but make sure you have another 3rd tier guy to back him up.

7. Bengie Molina- He led the Giants in HR last year.  That's more of an indictment of the Giants than it is molina.  But he's in a weak lineup and is in position to drive in some runs.

8. Ryan Doumit- Looks like we have a winner in the Doumit/Paulino debate of Pirate catchers.  With Paulino shipped off, Doumit takes the job.  I wouldn't feel too bad with Doumit as my catcher.

9. AJ Pierzynski- This asshole will be pretty much average for catchers.  He's the dividing line to whether you have a contending team or not (HINT: If you have AJ, it's usually not).

10.Chris Iannetta- He had a "break through" last year, and I expect an improvement this year, but I remember drafting him 2 years ago and him shitting the bed.  Similar to Soto, in the do it again kid way.

4th Tier (if you are getting yoru starter now, you are going to change catchers 4-6 times this season)

11. Pedro Sandoval- The giants like this guy and want to get him a lot of ABs after a hot cup of coffee last year.  He'll have C eligibility, so he's worth keeping an eye on.

12. Taylor Teagarden- The Rangers C situation is still crowded with Max Ramirez and Saltalamacchia there.  Who ever wins in spring gets the 12th overall position in the C rankings.

13. Ivan Rodriguez- if he doesn't retire, he may have one last hurrah in him.  I doubt it, but hey, it's your team.

14. Yadier Molina and Kurt Suzuki- These guys are the same offensively.  They won't kill you with about a .280 average, but they won't be much of a contributor to your championship team.

16. Mike Napoli- Yes, i know, I have him low, but I hate category killers, and a catcher hitting less than .250 will kill you.  20 homers or not, I wouldn't touch him.

The rest, such as Ramon Hernandez, Paul Lo Duca, Brian Schneider, Jason Kendall, aren't worth a roster spot, but if you need a top 10 AL and NL, fine, here you are:

AL Top 10

1, Joe Mauer

2. Victor Martinez

3. Jorge Posada

4. Rangers C

5. Mike Napoli

6. Kurt Suzuki

7. Kelly Shoppach

8. Jeff Clement

9. Gerald Laird

10. Miguel Olivo

NL Top 10

1. McCann

2. Martin

3. Soto

4. Doumit

5. B Molina

6.. Iannetta

7. Pudge (assuming he lands in Florida as is rumored)

8. Sandoval

9. Y. Molina

10. Chris Snyder

Here are some guys who may be worth a late round flier if you need a 2nd C:

Jared Saltalamaccia, Max Ramirez, JR Towles, Kenji Jojhima

I make it a point to draft one of the top C's, because it is not a high contribution position, and it is very shallow in fantasy talent.  I appreciate your comments, but if it's ticky tack stuff like spelling corrections, I recommend going to have sex with yourself instead.