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May 14, 2008

Updated position-by-position hitter rankings

By David Ferris

All rankings assume 5x5 format (average, runs, homers, RBIs, stolen bases).

* = check status

Last Update: 5/13
Next Update: 5/20

First Base/DH
1. Albert Pujols, Cardinals
2. Prince Fielder, Brewers
3. David Ortiz, Red Sox
4. Ryan Howard, Phillies
5. Adrian Gonzalez, Padres
6. Lance Berkman, Astros
7. *Mark Teixeira, Braves
NOTE: Tweaked his back Monday.
8. Justin Morneau, Twins
9. Derrek Lee, Cubs
10. Carlos Guillen, Tigers
11. Conor Jackson, Diamondbacks
12. Carlos Pena, Rays
13. James Loney, Dodgers
14. Travis Hafner, Indians
15. Paul Konerko, White Sox
16. Casey Kotchman, Angels
17. Jim Thome, White Sox
18. Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox
19. *Mike Jacobs, Marlins
20. Joey Votto, Reds
NOTE: Even Dusty can't deny him ABs.
21. Adam LaRoche, Pirates
22. Carlos Delgado, Mets
23. Billy Butler, Royals
24. Todd Helton, Rockies
25. *Gary Sheffield, Tigers
26. Frank Thomas, Athletics
27. Daric Barton, Athletics
28. Kevin Millar, Orioles
29. Nick Johnson, Nationals
30. Jason Giambi, Yankees
31. Richie Sexson, Mariners
NOTE: Finally hit something - in a brawl.
32. Lyle Overbay, Blue Jays
33. Ryan Garko, Indians
34. Ross Gload, Royals
35. Ben Broussard, Rangers

Second Base
1. Chase Utley, Phillies
2. Brandon Phillips, Reds
3. Brian Roberts, Orioles
4. Ian Kinsler, Rangers
5. Robinson Cano, Yankees
6. Dan Uggla, Marlins
NOTE: Grossly underrated for three years.
7. Rickie Weeks, Brewers
8. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
9. Kelly Johnson, Braves
10. Aaron Hill, Blue Jays
11. *Howie Kendrick, Angels
12. Ryan Theriot, Cubs
13. *Mark Ellis, Athletics
14. *Orlando Hudson, Diamondbacks
15. Kaz Matsui, Astros
16. Jeff Kent, Dodgers
17. Placido Polanco, Tigers
18. Akinori Iwamura, Rays
NOTE: No heavy cats, but does hit leadoff.
19. Jose Lopez, Mariners
20. *Freddy Sanchez, Pirates
21. Mark DeRosa, Cubs
22. Clint Barmes, Rockies
23. *Luis Castillo, Mets
24. Adam Kennedy, Cardinals
25. Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians
26. Eugenio Velez,, Giants
27. Brendan Harris, Twins
28. *Ray Durham, Giants
29. Tad Iguchi, Padres
30. Mark Grudzielanek, Royals

Shortstop
1. Hanley Ramirez, Marlins
NOTE: Best offensive player in MLB?
2. Jose Reyes, Mets
3. Jimmy Rollins, Phillies
4. Derek Jeter, Yankees
5. Miguel Tejada, Astros
6. Michael Young, Rangers
7. Edgar Renteria, Tigers
8. Yunel Escobar, Braves
9. Orlando Cabrera, White Sox
10. Jhonny Peralta, Indians
11. *Rafael Furcal, Dodgers
NOTE: Down with strained lower back.
12. Stephen Drew, Diamondbacks
13. Khalil Greene, Padres
14. Bobby Crosby, Athletics
15. Julio Lugo, Red Sox
16. Felipe Lopez, Nationals
17. J.J. Hardy, Brewers
18. Cristian Guzman, Nationals
19. Yuniesky Betancourt, Mariners
20. Jeff Keppinger, Reds
21. Maicer Izturis, Angels
22. Erick Aybar, Angels
23. *Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies
24. *David Eckstein, Blue Jays
25. *Jack Wilson, Pirates
26. Cesar Izturis, Cardinals
27. *Alex Gonzalez, Reds
28. Adam Everett, Twins
29. *Omar Vizquel, Giants
30. Tony Pena, Royals
31. Luis Hernandez, Orioles

Third Base
1. David Wright, Mets
2. *Alex Rodriguez, Yankees
3. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
4. Ryan Braun, Brewers
NOTE: No sophomore slump here.
5. Chipper Jones, Braves
NOTE: He'll win batting title if healthy.
6. Aramis Ramirez, Cubs
7. Garrett Atkins, Rockies
8. Alex Gordon, Royals
NOTE: Stash him now before he's unaffordable.
9. *Chone Figgins, Angels
10. Adrian Beltre, Mariners
11. Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals
12. Evan Longoria, Rays
13. Kevin Kouzmanoff, Padres
14. Mike Lowell, Red Sox
15. Edwin Encarnacion, Reds
16. Joe Crede, White Sox
17. Ty Wigginton, Astros
18. Jorge Cantu, Marlins
NOTE: Cannot? Cantu.
19. Pedro Feliz, Phillies
20. Scott Rolen, Blue Jays
21. *Chad Tracy, Diamondbacks
22. Mark Reynolds, Diamondbacks
NOTE: Whiffing a ton and here comes Tracy.
23. Melvin Mora, Orioles
24. Troy Glaus, Cardinals
25. Casey Blake, Indians
26. Jose Bautista, Pirates
27. *Hank Blalock, Rangers
28. *Eric Chavez, Athletics
29. Mike Lamb, Twins

Outfield
1. Matt Holliday, Rockies
2. Carl Crawford, Rays
NOTE: Hasn't tapped ceiling yet.
3. Vladimir Guerrero, Angels
4. Grady Sizemore, Indians
5. Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners
6. Nick Markakis, Orioles
7. Alex Rios, Blue Jays
8. Carlos Lee, Astros
9. Manny Ramirez, Red Sox
10. B.J. Upton, Rays
11. Alfonso Soriano, Cubs
12. Magglio Ordonez, Tigers
13. Carlos Beltran, Mets
14. Curtis Granderson, Tigers
15. Torii Hunter, Angels
16. Michael Bourn, Astros
NOTE: Better in fantasy than in real life.
17. Matt Kemp, Dodgers
18. Adam Dunn, Reds
19. Josh Hamilton, Rangers
20. Corey Hart, Brewers
21. Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox
22. Eric Byrnes, Diamondbacks
23. Hunter Pence, Astros
24. Bobby Abreu, Yankees
25. Chris Young, Diamondbacks
26. Johnny Damon, Yankees
27. Jeff Francoeur, Braves
28. Kosuke Fukudome, Cubs
29. Nate McLouth, Pirates
30. Pat Burrell, Phillies
31. Michael Cuddyer, Twins
32. Hideki Matsui, Yankees
33. Justin Upton, Diamondbacks
34. Raul Ibanez, Mariners
35. *Vernon Wells, Blue Jays
36. Jermaine Dye, White Sox
37. Brad Hawpe, Rockies
38. Fred Lewis, Giants
NOTE: Team didn't realize the talent here.
39. Shane Victorino, Phillies
40. Aaron Rowand, Giants
41. Jeremy Hermida, Marlins
42. Jason Bay, Pirates
43. Rick Ankiel, Cardinals
44. Carlos Quentin, White Sox
45. Nick Swisher, White Sox
46. Xavier Nady, Pirates
47. Mike Cameron, Brewers
48. Ryan Church, Mets
49. *Josh Willingham, Marlins
50. Luke Scott, Orioles
51. Ken Griffey, Reds
NOTE: Let's see a second act in Seattle.
52. Melky Cabrera, Yankees
53. Carlos Gomez, Twins
54. Willy Taveras, Rockies
55. Delmon Young, Twins
56. Andre Ethier, Dodgers
57. Bill Hall, Brewers
58. Aubrey Huff, Orioles
59. Ryan Ludwick, Cardinals
60. Moises Alou, Mets
61. Jose Guillen, Royals
NOTE: Bat coming around; act now.
62. Mark Teahen, Royals
63. Skip Schumaker, Cardinals
64. Lastings Milledge, Nationals
65. Austin Kearns, Nationals
66. Adam Jones, Orioles
67. Ryan Freel, Reds
68. Gary Matthews, Angels
69. David DeJesus, Royals
70. Jack Cust, Athletics
71. *Jay Bruce, Reds
NOTE: Tearing it up in the minors.
72. J.D. Drew, Red Sox
73. Randy Winn, Giants
74. Coco Crisp, Red Sox
NOTE: Deserves to be playing every day.
75. Chris Duncan, Cardinals
76. Emil Brown, Athletics
77. *Milton Bradley, Rangers
78. Juan Pierre, Dodgers
79. Geoff Jenkins, Phillies
80. Scott Podsednik, Rockies
81. Jason Kubel, Twins
82. Matt Diaz, Braves
83. Andruw Jones, Dodgers
84. Jonny Gomes, Rays
85. Gregor Blanco, Braves
86. Corey Patterson, Reds
87. Cliff Floyd, Rays
88. Garret Anderson, Angels
89. *Travis Buck, Athletics
90. Brian Giles, Padres
91. David Murphy, Rangers
92. Jayson Werth, Phillies
93. Scott Hairston, Padres
94. Reed Johnson, Cubs
95. Joey Gathright, Royals
96. Brandon Boggs, Rangers
NOTE: Free-swinging ways won't work forever.
97. Jody Gerut, Padres
98. Wily Mo Pena, Nationals
99. Matt Stairs, Blue Jays

Catchers
1. Victor Martinez, Indians
NOTE: Pretty average but where's the power?
2. Brian McCann, Braves
3. Russell Martin, Dodgers
4. Joe Mauer, Twins
5. Bengie Molina, Giants
6. Ryan Doumit, Pirates
7. Kenji Johjima, Mariners
8. Geovany Soto, Cubs
9. A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox
10. *Jorge Posada, Yankees
11. Kurt Suzuki, Athletics
12. Ivan Rodriguez, Tigers
13. Mike Napoli, Angels
14. Jason Varitek, Red Sox
15. J.R. Towles, Astros
16. Ramon Hernandez, Orioles
17. Dioner Navarro, Rays
NOTE: Building off strong 2007 finish.
18. Jeff Mathis, Angels
19. Chris Snyder, Diamondbacks
20. Yadier Molina, Cardinals
21. Josh Bard, Padres
22. Carlos Ruiz, Phillies
23. Rod Barajas, Blue Jays
24. John Buck, Royals
25. Chris Iannetta, Rockies
26. Gerald Laird, Rangers
27. Gregg Zaun, Blue Jays
28. Yorvit Torrealba, Rockies
29. Ronny Paulino, Pirates
30. Jose Molina, Yankees
31. Dave Ross, Reds
32. Brian Schneider, Mets
33. Kelly Shoppach, Indians
34. Jason Kendall, Brewers

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 11:45 AM to Ferris | Permalink

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Posted by: Chris at May 15, 2008 6:17 PM

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