Hey Everybody,
Daved and I (Ryan) collaborated and came up with our 2010 fantasy baseball rankings by position. We hope you find them informative and helpful as you prepare for your drafts.
Catchers
1. Joe Mauer
2. Brian McCann
3. Victor Martinez
4. Matt Wieters
5. Kurt Suzuki
6. Miguel Montero
7. Russell Martin
8. Mike Napoli
9. Bengie Molina
10. Ryan Doumit
1st Base
1. Albert Pujols
2. Prince Fielder
3. Miguel Cabrera
4. Mark Teixeira
5. Ryan Howard
6. Adrian Gonzalez
7. Justin Morneau
8. Joey Votto
9. Adam Dunn
10. Billy Butler
2nd Base
1. Chase Utley
2. Ian Kinsler
3. Brandon Phillips
4. Robinson Cano
5. Aaron Hill
6. Brian Roberts
7. Dustin Pedroia
8. Jose Lopez
9. Ben Zobrist
10. Dan Uggla
Shortstop
1. Hanley Ramirez
2. Troy Tulowitzki
3. Derek Jeter
4. Jimmy Rollins
5. Jason Bartlett
6. Elvis Andrus
7. Marco Scutaro
8. Jose Reyes
9. Asdrubal Cabrera
10. Yunel Escobar
3rd Base
1. Evan Longoria
2. Ryan Zimmerman
3. Alex Rodriguez
4. Pablo Sandoval
5. David Wright
6. Mark Reynolds
7. Chone Figgins
8. Aramis Ramirez
9. Michael Young
10. Chipper Jones
Outfield
1. Ryan Braun
2. Matt Kemp
3. Justin Upton
4. Jacoby Ellsbury
5. Carl Crawford
6. Matt Holliday
7. Ichiro Suzuki
8. Jason Bay
9. Grady Sizemore
10. Josh Hamilton
Starting Pitcher
1. Tim Lincecum
2. Felix Hernandez
3. Zack Greinke
4. Roy Halladay
5. Johan Santana
6. Cliff Lee
7. Josh Johnson
8. Clayton Kershaw
9. Jon Lester
10. Matt Cain
Closer
1. Joe Nathan
2. Mariano Rivera
3. Jonathan Broxton
4. Jonathan Papelbon
5. Joakim Soria
6. Heath Bell
7. Brian Wilson
8. Andrew Bailey
9. Francisco Cordero
10. David Aardsma
Monday, January 25, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Picking your Prospects (Ryan)
In this post, I will be elaborating on the topic of picking prospects in fantasy baseball. As previously stated, all of my advice is for keeper leagues. That's the only type of league that prospects are valuable in.
In my 3 years of fantasy baseball keeper leagues, I've selected prospects such as Evan Longoria, Clayton Kershaw, Tommy Hanson, Jay Bruce, Colby Rasmus, Matt Wieters, and Jason Heyward. So I've had success in picking prospects in the last couple years.
When attemtping to set up your team for success in the the current year and also in the future, it's important to understand that you are trying to win this year, as well as next. With that being said, never go crazy and get more than 2-3 prospects. Even 3 is pushing it. When I say prospects, I am referring to guys still in the minors or guys who will start the year on a major league roster, but have yet to play in the majors. Now that we have established the number of prospects to have on your team, let's talk about which ones to take.
When scouring the minor leagues for prospects, it's important to read, read, read. You have to find out what scouts are saying about this guy. Not just what ESPN is saying or commentators are mentioning during a broadcast. Baseball America is a great source as are other publications like the Sporting News. You can also go straight ot the source in MLB.com. I like to check out a guys minor league stats as well as what people say about him as a person. For instance, scouts were touting Longoria's abilities as well as the good head on his shoulders. It was the same with Clayton Kershaw. If a top ten minor league prospect has good numbers and the scouts and coaches say he has a "willingness to learn" and "coaches are impressed with his work ethic and humility", then that pushes a guy up my list. I made up those comments, but those type of things were said about Longoria, Kershaw, Heyward, and Tommy Hanson. A lot of those prospects I listed had qualities like that, but they really gushed over those three guys. Matt Wieters is another one that people were impressed with his maturity.
I like to stay away from guys that people say have "arrived." An example of this would be Stephen Strasburg. It's not that these guys are doomed to bust. Some of them will turn out to be good. But you usually have to take these guys way higher in a draft than you want to. I'm fine with a guy struggling a little bit when he gets called up. In my opinion, that adjustment period is good for them and will help them avoid the "sophomore slump" that often accompanies young players. You will probably have to suffer through some rough patches with these guys. That's to be expected a little bit. That's why you let them hang out on your bench. You shouldn't be expecting these guys to produce for your team and win a championship. Have reliable options that can fill the space until the prospect is a trustworthy value. If after an extended period of time, the prospect isn't progressing, be willing to trade him to somebody who believes in him, or cut him loose.
Besides, with these prospects, you're not looking for a guy that will be awesome his rookie year and then fizzle out. You are looking to get the next Ryan Braun that will anchor your team for years to come. That's what I'm saying with all of this. Find the players that have a history of listening to their coaches, respecting the game, and putting up numbers. Just like running a real team, you are looking for the whole package. You can't learn everything you need to know about a prospect from his minor league numbers.
So, in conclusion when trying to find the next top prospect, look for stats AND the good head on his shoulders. Don't take more than 2-3 prospects. Be willing to cut them loose after an extended period of struggling. And if you really believe in a guy, draft him and wait for him to get called up. You might be the genius who had the patience to wait for the next Albert Pujols.
(Ryan)
In my 3 years of fantasy baseball keeper leagues, I've selected prospects such as Evan Longoria, Clayton Kershaw, Tommy Hanson, Jay Bruce, Colby Rasmus, Matt Wieters, and Jason Heyward. So I've had success in picking prospects in the last couple years.
When attemtping to set up your team for success in the the current year and also in the future, it's important to understand that you are trying to win this year, as well as next. With that being said, never go crazy and get more than 2-3 prospects. Even 3 is pushing it. When I say prospects, I am referring to guys still in the minors or guys who will start the year on a major league roster, but have yet to play in the majors. Now that we have established the number of prospects to have on your team, let's talk about which ones to take.
When scouring the minor leagues for prospects, it's important to read, read, read. You have to find out what scouts are saying about this guy. Not just what ESPN is saying or commentators are mentioning during a broadcast. Baseball America is a great source as are other publications like the Sporting News. You can also go straight ot the source in MLB.com. I like to check out a guys minor league stats as well as what people say about him as a person. For instance, scouts were touting Longoria's abilities as well as the good head on his shoulders. It was the same with Clayton Kershaw. If a top ten minor league prospect has good numbers and the scouts and coaches say he has a "willingness to learn" and "coaches are impressed with his work ethic and humility", then that pushes a guy up my list. I made up those comments, but those type of things were said about Longoria, Kershaw, Heyward, and Tommy Hanson. A lot of those prospects I listed had qualities like that, but they really gushed over those three guys. Matt Wieters is another one that people were impressed with his maturity.
I like to stay away from guys that people say have "arrived." An example of this would be Stephen Strasburg. It's not that these guys are doomed to bust. Some of them will turn out to be good. But you usually have to take these guys way higher in a draft than you want to. I'm fine with a guy struggling a little bit when he gets called up. In my opinion, that adjustment period is good for them and will help them avoid the "sophomore slump" that often accompanies young players. You will probably have to suffer through some rough patches with these guys. That's to be expected a little bit. That's why you let them hang out on your bench. You shouldn't be expecting these guys to produce for your team and win a championship. Have reliable options that can fill the space until the prospect is a trustworthy value. If after an extended period of time, the prospect isn't progressing, be willing to trade him to somebody who believes in him, or cut him loose.
Besides, with these prospects, you're not looking for a guy that will be awesome his rookie year and then fizzle out. You are looking to get the next Ryan Braun that will anchor your team for years to come. That's what I'm saying with all of this. Find the players that have a history of listening to their coaches, respecting the game, and putting up numbers. Just like running a real team, you are looking for the whole package. You can't learn everything you need to know about a prospect from his minor league numbers.
So, in conclusion when trying to find the next top prospect, look for stats AND the good head on his shoulders. Don't take more than 2-3 prospects. Be willing to cut them loose after an extended period of struggling. And if you really believe in a guy, draft him and wait for him to get called up. You might be the genius who had the patience to wait for the next Albert Pujols.
(Ryan)
Friday, January 15, 2010
Constructing A Fantasy Team (Ryan)
I (Ryan) consider myself somewhat of a budding fantasy baseball expert. So I thought I would write a post about how to construct a great fantasy team. First of all, this advice is strictly for keeper leagues. It's the only way to play fantasy baseball in my opinion. Daved and I are currently in a 20 team keeper league with 25 man rosters. That's a lot of players. You get 10 keepers each year. I won't list all of my keepers, but here are the best of my guys.
Chase Utley
Matt Kemp
Ryan Zimmerman
Matt Wieters
Tommy Hanson
Jake Peavy
Nate McLouth
Chipper Jones
I also have Jason Heyward. I consider this group of keepers pretty good for a league this size. My philosophy is to try and acquire 2-3 guys you can build your team around for 3-5 years. I think it's important to sprinkle in some veterans that are proven. Last year, that guy was Todd Helton. I also believe in developing prospects. Those guys last year were Tommy Hanson and Matt Wieters. This year, it's Jason Heyward. If you have a team that could legitimently compete for a championship, then you should only take a risk on 1 maybe two prospects, but they shouldn't be both starting for you. Jason Heyward is my one guy that I'm believing in this year. I think I have a team that could win it all this year so I need to fill my team out with proven talent.
However, if you've tried all year, but you then find yourself out of contention with no hope of making the playoffs, then it's time to look ahead to the next year. It's time to trade away your veterans for prospects. The type of veterans I'm referring to are guys like Todd Helton, Raul Ibanez, or Pedro Martinez. These kinds of players are still productive, but you'd rather trade them to a contending team for some of their young guys that aren't producing yet. For example, you could trade away Todd Helton for two young players that will get called up in September. They should be young guys who are respectable prospects. This is how our league functions. It's pretty realistic. Every year at our trading deadline, the losing teams dump their good players they don't need anymore in hopes of acquiring the next star that they can build their team around.
So, as I'm getting longwinded here, let me sum up my rules for building a successful fantasy baseball team.
1. Focus on building around 2-3 solid players for 3-5 years. The goal of trades is eventually do get those solid players.
2. Develop prospects, but don't lean heavily on them if you are a contender.
3.Once you are out of contention, look to th future, but not before you are out of contention.
There you have it. I know it's not exhaustive, but they have worked for me. In my next post, I'll be discussing how to tell which prospects are best to take risks on. Something I've had quite a bit of success with and Daved has not.
Chase Utley
Matt Kemp
Ryan Zimmerman
Matt Wieters
Tommy Hanson
Jake Peavy
Nate McLouth
Chipper Jones
I also have Jason Heyward. I consider this group of keepers pretty good for a league this size. My philosophy is to try and acquire 2-3 guys you can build your team around for 3-5 years. I think it's important to sprinkle in some veterans that are proven. Last year, that guy was Todd Helton. I also believe in developing prospects. Those guys last year were Tommy Hanson and Matt Wieters. This year, it's Jason Heyward. If you have a team that could legitimently compete for a championship, then you should only take a risk on 1 maybe two prospects, but they shouldn't be both starting for you. Jason Heyward is my one guy that I'm believing in this year. I think I have a team that could win it all this year so I need to fill my team out with proven talent.
However, if you've tried all year, but you then find yourself out of contention with no hope of making the playoffs, then it's time to look ahead to the next year. It's time to trade away your veterans for prospects. The type of veterans I'm referring to are guys like Todd Helton, Raul Ibanez, or Pedro Martinez. These kinds of players are still productive, but you'd rather trade them to a contending team for some of their young guys that aren't producing yet. For example, you could trade away Todd Helton for two young players that will get called up in September. They should be young guys who are respectable prospects. This is how our league functions. It's pretty realistic. Every year at our trading deadline, the losing teams dump their good players they don't need anymore in hopes of acquiring the next star that they can build their team around.
So, as I'm getting longwinded here, let me sum up my rules for building a successful fantasy baseball team.
1. Focus on building around 2-3 solid players for 3-5 years. The goal of trades is eventually do get those solid players.
2. Develop prospects, but don't lean heavily on them if you are a contender.
3.Once you are out of contention, look to th future, but not before you are out of contention.
There you have it. I know it's not exhaustive, but they have worked for me. In my next post, I'll be discussing how to tell which prospects are best to take risks on. Something I've had quite a bit of success with and Daved has not.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Looking Forward (Ryan)
After watching a lot of tv and listening to a lot of radio lately about the steroid era in baseball, the only thing that makes me hopeful is thinking about this spring and how their is a new batch of players in the game that represent the best of baseball. These are the guys that are going to save the game from the steroid era. Players like Matt Kemp, Ryan Braun, Joe Mauer, Hanley Ramirez, Evan Longoria, and Ryan Zimmerman. They are the next superstars that represent the pure game again. There are also the clean veterans that have their careers entering the twilight that also represent the things that are great about the game. Names like Jeter, Chipper, Berkman, and Helton. Is it possible any of those guys dabbled in steroids? I don't want to sound naive or gullible so I'll say, "Sure, I guess it's possible." But we all know it would be a downright shocker if their names were ever linked to steroids. These are the guys that we should think of when we think of this steroid era. Those that resisted temptation to respect the game. I know my childhood took place in this terrible era for the game, but I'm proud of Jeter and Chipper and those that did it right. It makes them even more special in my mind.
So as we wade through the muck and mire of steroid confessions in these times, I urge you fellow baseball fans, continue to look towards the spring, and the legion of young players that are bringing the game back to where it belongs. Someday we will tell our kids, "You should have seen Joe Mauer hit, he was a natural. 100% all natural." It already sounds good saying it.
By: Ryan
So as we wade through the muck and mire of steroid confessions in these times, I urge you fellow baseball fans, continue to look towards the spring, and the legion of young players that are bringing the game back to where it belongs. Someday we will tell our kids, "You should have seen Joe Mauer hit, he was a natural. 100% all natural." It already sounds good saying it.
By: Ryan
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Mark McGwire (Daved)
Hey everyone, just a few thoughts on McGwire here. Does anyone else love the fact that he apologized to the Maris family? The Maris' were put through Hell in 1961 when Roger broke Babe's HR record, and because of that it meant so much to his family especially after his death. Maris did something absolutely remarkable that year, and (in this writers opinion) it has never been matched since. By apologizing to Roger Maris' family he basically was saying that he was giving back his home run "crown" to them. Now I know Bonds broke the record a few years later but that's a different subject. What McGwire did meant a lot to the Maris family, and equally to the great game of baseball.
Now to make my second point. MARK McGWIRE DOES NOT BELONG IN THE HALL OF FAME! I'm sorry... it appears I was shouting there but I really don't understand why people can't understand that. Barry Bonds cheated... and will never be in the HOF for that... A-Rod cheated, and we are so happy for him when he wins a World Series and most likely will vote him in to the Hall? ........stupid.... It doesn't matter if you apologize for doing something wrong, you still have to deal with the consequences. We may forgive you and love you again, but the consequences still remain. My counterpart Ryan brought up a great point in talking earlier today. He said that "Shoeless" Joe Jackson took money but never threw a game at all, apologized immediately, and still has not been put in the HOF to this day. How is what McGwire did better than what Jackson did? IT ISN'T!!! (sorry... shouting again)
One final point, is that McGwire should not be applauded so highly for this apology like he has been... he had a chance in front of congress 5 years ago to come clean and chose to avoid the truth. (and yes I know he technically did not lie he just said he wasn't going to talk about the past... but seriously people how dumb is that... if you didn't do anything wrong in the past then you obviously would have no problem talking about it, and if you did something wrong you would want to hide it; what a stupid strategy)
Anyway, I gained some respect for McGwire because of his apology, but what he did will never be undone and because of that I cannot see any possible way he belongs in the Hall of Fame.
-Daved
Now to make my second point. MARK McGWIRE DOES NOT BELONG IN THE HALL OF FAME! I'm sorry... it appears I was shouting there but I really don't understand why people can't understand that. Barry Bonds cheated... and will never be in the HOF for that... A-Rod cheated, and we are so happy for him when he wins a World Series and most likely will vote him in to the Hall? ........stupid.... It doesn't matter if you apologize for doing something wrong, you still have to deal with the consequences. We may forgive you and love you again, but the consequences still remain. My counterpart Ryan brought up a great point in talking earlier today. He said that "Shoeless" Joe Jackson took money but never threw a game at all, apologized immediately, and still has not been put in the HOF to this day. How is what McGwire did better than what Jackson did? IT ISN'T!!! (sorry... shouting again)
One final point, is that McGwire should not be applauded so highly for this apology like he has been... he had a chance in front of congress 5 years ago to come clean and chose to avoid the truth. (and yes I know he technically did not lie he just said he wasn't going to talk about the past... but seriously people how dumb is that... if you didn't do anything wrong in the past then you obviously would have no problem talking about it, and if you did something wrong you would want to hide it; what a stupid strategy)
Anyway, I gained some respect for McGwire because of his apology, but what he did will never be undone and because of that I cannot see any possible way he belongs in the Hall of Fame.
-Daved
Hey Everybody!
This is the first post of many by me (Ryan) or Daved (not here yet) on all things baseball. From the latest happenings in Major League Baseball, to fantasy baseball, to high school baseball, townball, college, and everything else that has to do with baseball. We are two good friends who love the game and know an awful lot about it. We hope you enjoy our blog.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Moves in the NL East
With the Phillies getting Roy Halladay and the Mets getting Jason Bay, my friends have been asking me if I'm nervous about the Braves contending in the East. My answer is no. I don't think Bay makes that team a contender. I just can't take the Mets seriously when Omar Minaya is their GM. I don't think he makes good moves. I have no faith in Jose Reyes and David Wright has yet to figure out how to be a franchise player. He puts too much pressure on himself and can't put a team on his shoulders when necessary.
I would be more worried about the Phillies if they had Halladay and Lee. I know Roy is a premiere pitcher in the game, but I don't see the offense being as good. Not bad. Just not as good. I don't see Ibanez repeating his 2009 performance. Same with Jayson Werth. Back to the rotation. I'm losing confidence in Cole Hamels almost daily. Joe Blanton intimidates nobody. J.A. Happ is promising. I gotta give them that. However, I just think Atlanta is going to have it this year. It's Bobby Cox's last year, and I think the team is going to play with some urgency. Atlanta won't bash the ball around the yard like Philly will, but I see them being more scrappy and steady throughout the year. Time will tell.
I would be more worried about the Phillies if they had Halladay and Lee. I know Roy is a premiere pitcher in the game, but I don't see the offense being as good. Not bad. Just not as good. I don't see Ibanez repeating his 2009 performance. Same with Jayson Werth. Back to the rotation. I'm losing confidence in Cole Hamels almost daily. Joe Blanton intimidates nobody. J.A. Happ is promising. I gotta give them that. However, I just think Atlanta is going to have it this year. It's Bobby Cox's last year, and I think the team is going to play with some urgency. Atlanta won't bash the ball around the yard like Philly will, but I see them being more scrappy and steady throughout the year. Time will tell.
Braves Get Troy Glaus, Cards get Holliday
I actually really like this move. There was a possibility of them getting Adam LaRoche back, but I'm not so sure another lefty bat is what the Braves need. If Jason Heyward does in fact come up to play in the majors this year, that's another lefty bat to go along with Brian McCann and Nate McLouth. I think Glaus still has something left in the tank. I'm still not sold on Melky Cabrera, but the idea of him playing the outfield is starting to grow on me. Slightly.
The Cardinals finally got their man. It looks like Scott Boras realized the market wasn't growing for Holliday, it was shrinking. He probably wanted to get a deal done before it was completely obvious that the Cardinals were the only pony in the race.
The Cardinals finally got their man. It looks like Scott Boras realized the market wasn't growing for Holliday, it was shrinking. He probably wanted to get a deal done before it was completely obvious that the Cardinals were the only pony in the race.
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