Projo Fantasy Sports Blog

By David Ferris

All rankings assume 5x5 format (average, runs, homers, RBIs, stolen bases), and these ranks are aimed at the 2009 season.

* = check status

Next Update: March 2009

First Base/DH
1. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
2. Albert Pujols, Cardinals
3. Ryan Howard, Phillies
4. Prince Fielder, Brewers
5. *Mark Teixeira, Free Agent
NOTE: A sure bet, wherever he lands.
6. Justin Morneau, Twins
7. Lance Berkman, Astros
8. David Ortiz, Red Sox
9. Derrek Lee, Cubs
10. Adrian Gonzalez, Padres
11. Carlos Pena, Rays
12. Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox
13. Conor Jackson, Diamondbacks
14. Joey Votto, Reds
NOTE: Second-half surge flies under radar.
15. James Loney, Dodgers
16. Aubrey Huff, Orioles
NOTE: Don't pay for a career year.
17. Paul Konerko, White Sox
18. Billy Butler, Royals
NOTE: He's legit but there's gridlock here.
19. Carlos Delgado, Mets
20. Chris Davis, Rangers
21. Chad Tracy, Diamondbacks
22. Casey Kotchman, Braves
23. Adam LaRoche, Pirates
24. Mike Jacobs, Marlins
25. Jason Giambi, Yankees
26. Daric Barton, Athletics
27. Lyle Overbay, Blue Jays
28. Ryan Garko, Indians
29. *Todd Helton, Rockies
NOTE: Back surgery on the way.
30. Kevin Millar, Orioles
31. Dan Johnson, Rays
32. Kendry Morales, Angels
33. Dmitri Young, Nationals
34. Ryan Shealy, Royals

Second Base
1. Chase Utley, Phillies
2. Ian Kinsler, Rangers
3. Brian Roberts, Orioles
4. Brandon Phillips, Reds
5. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
NOTE: Could be overpriced in east-coast leagues.
6. Robinson Cano, Yankees
7. Dan Uggla, Marlins
8. Howie Kendrick, Angels
9. Alexei Ramirez, White Sox
10. Rickie Weeks, Brewers
11. Kelly Johnson, Braves
12. Jose Lopez, Mariners
NOTE: A Seattle bat that panned out.
13. Orlando Hudson, Diamondbacks
14. Placido Polanco, Tigers
15. Mark DeRosa, Cubs
16. Akinori Iwamura, Rays
17. *Mark Ellis, Free Agent
NOTE: Injuries masked his true value in 2008.
18. Aaron Hill, Blue Jays
19. Kazuo Matsui, Astros
20. Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians
21. Alexi Casilla, Twins
22. Freddy Sanchez, Pirates
23. Felipe Lopez, Cardinals
24. Emilio Bonifacio, Nationals
25. Jeff Kent, Dodgers
26. Clint Barmes, Rockies
27. Jerry Hairston, Reds
28. Jeff Baker, Rockies
29. Eugenio Velez, Giants
30. Alberto Collaspo, Royals
31. Ronnie Belliard, Nationals
32. Ray Durham, Brewers
33. Matt Antonelli, Padres
34. Luis Castillo, Mets
NOTE: Looks like the end of the line, despite the three years left on his deal.

Shortstop
1. Hanley Ramirez, Marlins
2. Jose Reyes, Mets
3. Jimmy Rollins, Phillies
4. Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies
5. Derek Jeter, Yankees
6. Michael Young, Rangers
7. Stephen Drew, Diamondbacks
NOTE: Came on like gangbusters down the stretch.
8. Ryan Theriot, Cubs
9. Rafael Furcal, Dodgers
10. Miguel Tejada, Astros
11. Jhonny Peralta, Indians
12. Orlando Cabrera, White Sox
13. J.J. Hardy, Brewers
14. Yunel Escobar, Braves
15. Mike Aviles, Royals
NOTE: Late bloomer looks legit to us.
16. Cristian Guzman, Nationals
17. Yuniesky Betancourt, Mariners
18. Edgar Renteria, Tigers
19. Bobby Crosby, Athletics
20. Jason Bartlett, Rays
21. *Jed Lowrie, Red Sox
NOTE: Looks ready to push Lugo aside.
22. Khalil Greene, Padres
23. Jeff Keppinger, Reds
24. Erick Aybar, Angels
25. Brendan Harris, Twins
26. Maicer Izturis, Angels
27. Emmanuel Burriss, Giants
28. *Julio Lugo, Pirates
29. Alex Gonzalez, Reds
30. Nomar Garciaparra, Dodgers

Third base
1. Alex Rodriguez, Yankees
2. David Wright, Mets
3. Aramis Ramirez, Cubs
4. Evan Longoria, Rays
5. Chipper Jones, Braves
NOTE: Skills remain, but pounding adds up.
6. Garrett Atkins, Rockies
7. Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals
8. Chone Figgins, Angels
9. Alex Gordon, Royals
10. Carlos Guillen, Tigers
11. Kevin Kouzmanoff, Padres
NOTE: Breakthrough year on the way.
12. Edwin Encarnacion, Reds
13. Hank Blalock, Rangers
14. Mike Lowell, Red Sox
15. Jorge Cantu, Marlins
16. Ian Stewart, Rockies
NOTE: Limped to finish, but still a lot to like here.
17. *Adrian Beltre, Mariners
NOTE: Decent production despite nagging injuries.
18. Melvin Mora, Orioles
19. Mark Reynolds, Diamondbacks
20. Troy Glaus, Cardinals
21. Joe Crede, White Sox
22. Casey Blake, Dodgers
23. Omar Infante, Braves
24. Mat Gamel, Brewers
25. Josh Fields, White Sox
26. Blake DeWitt, Dodgers
27. Andy Marte, Indians
28. Bill Hall, Brewers
NOTE: Really needs a change of scenery.
29. Brandon Wood, Angels
30. Scott Rolen, Blue Jays
31. Eric Chavez, Athletics
32. Andy LaRoche, Pirates
33. Pedro Feliz, Phillies

Outfield
1. Ryan Braun, Brewers
2. Grady Sizemore, Indians
3. *Matt Holliday, Rockies
NOTE: How aggressively will they shop him?
4. Alfonso Soriano, Cubs
5. Josh Hamilton, Rangers
6. Nick Markakis, Orioles
7. Carlos Beltran, Mets
8. Carlos Lee, Astros
9. Carl Crawford, Rays
NOTE: One of 2008's biggest flops.
10. Vladimir Guerrero, Angels
11. *Carlos Quentin, White Sox
12. B.J. Upton, Rays
13. Alex Rios, Blue Jays
14. Jason Bay, Red Sox
15. Curtis Granderson, Tigers
16. Manny Ramirez, Free Agent
17. Bobby Abreu, Yankees
18. Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox
NOTE: More consistency would be appreciated.
19. Corey Hart, Brewers
NOTE: Stat-stuffer still under the radar.
20. Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners
21. Matt Kemp, Dodgers
22. Vernon Wells, Blue Jays
23. Magglio Ordonez, Tigers
24. Nate McLouth, Pirates
NOTE: His breakout was more legit than most realize.
25. Hunter Pence, Astros
26. Torii Hunter, Angels
27. Brad Hawpe, Rockies
28. Adam Dunn, Diamondbacks
29. Jay Bruce, Reds
30. Elijah Dukes, Nationals
NOTE: A 30-30 year waiting to happen.
31. Andre Ethier, Dodgers
NOTE: Took off when Manny arrived.
32. Shane Victorino, Phillies
33. Milton Bradley, Rangers
34. Chris Young, Diamondbacks
35. Johnny Damon, Yankees
36. Jermaine Dye, White Sox
37. Delmon Young, Twins
38. Jeremy Hermida, Marlins
39. Xavier Nady, Yankees
40. Nick Swisher, White Sox
NOTE: Drop-off had a fluky element to it.
41. Lastings Milledge, Nationals
42. Jayson Werth, Phillies
43. *Rick Ankiel, Cardinals
44. Ryan Ludwick, Cardinals
45. Pat Burrell, Phillies
46. Randy Winn, Giants
47. Eric Byrnes, Diamondbacks
48. J.D. Drew, Red Sox
49. Denard Span, Twins
NOTE: Deserves to keep leadoff gig.
50. Adam Jones, Orioles
51. Mike Cameron, Brewers
52. Justin Upton, Diamondbacks
53. Raul Ibanez, Mariners
54. Hideki Matsui, Yankees
55. Aaron Rowand, Giants
56. Jack Cust, Athletics
57. Chase Headley, Padres
58. Jeff Francoeur, Braves
59. David DeJesus, Royals
60. Michael Bourn, Astros
NOTE: One-trick pony, but he does it well.
61. Cameron Maybin, Marlins
62. Carlos Gomez, Twins
63. Juan Pierre, Dodgers
64. Fred Lewis, Giants
55. *Willy Taveras, Rockies
NOTE: Probably on the move.
66. Ken Griffey, White Sox
67. Kosuke Fukudome, Cubs
68. Adam Lind, Blue Jays
69. Michael Cuddyer, Twins
70. Mark Teahen, Royals
71. Travis Buck, Athletics
72. Jason Kubel, Twins
73. Jose Guillen, Royals
74. Ryan Church, Mets
75. Rocco Baldelli, Rays
76. Marcus Thames, Tigers
77. Nate Schierholtz, Giants
78. Dexter Fowler, Rockies
NOTE: Will get shot at CF job.
79. Josh Willingham, Marlins
80. Carlos Gonzalez, Athletics
81. Colby Rasmus, Cardinals
82. Coco Crisp, Red Sox
83. Luke Scott, Orioles
NOTE: Legit power, but has platoon look.
84. Juan Rivera, Angels
85. David Murphy, Rangers
86. Garret Anderson, Angels
87. Skip Schumaker, Cardinals
88. Wladimir Balentien, Mariners
89. Brian Giles, Padres
90. Matt LaPorta, Indians
91. Shin-Soo Choo, Indians
92. Matt Joyce, Tigers
93. Reed Johnson, Cubs
94. David Murphy, Mets
95. Ryan Sweeney, Athletics
96. Andruw Jones, Dodgers
NOTE: Bat speed looks all but gone.
97. Ben Francisco, Indians
98. Joey Gathright, Royals
99. Jody Gerut, Padres
100. Austin Kearns, Nationals
101. Steve Pearce, Pirates
102. Jim Edmonds, Padres
103. Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
104. John Bowker, Giants
105. Gary Matthews, Angels

Catcher
1. Russell Martin, Dodgers
2. Brian McCann, Braves
3. Joe Mauer, Twins
4. Victor Martinez, Indians
5. Geovany Soto, Cubs
6. Ryan Doumit, Pirates
7. *Jorge Posada, Yankees
8. Chris Iannetta, Rockies
9. A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox
10. Kelly Shoppach, Indians
NOTE: He's forced his way into their plans.
11. Bengie Molina, Giants
12. Dioner Navarro, Rays
13. Chris Snyder, Diamondbacks
14. Jeff Clement, Mariners
15. Yadier Molina, Cardinals
16. Gerald Laird, Rangers
17. Jesus Flores, Nationals
18. Jason Varitek, Red Sox
NOTE: No longer matches the name brand.
19. Kurt Suzuki, Athletics
20. Ramon Hernandez, Orioles
21. Mike Napoli, Angels
NOTE: Plenty of power, but average risk, too.
22. Ivan Rodriguez, Free Agent
23. Brandon Inge, Tigers
24. Kenji Johjima, Mariners
25. Matt Wieters, Orioles
26. Taylor Teagarden, Rangers
27. J.R. Towles, Astros
28. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Rangers
29. Josh Bard, Padres
30. Miguel Olivo, Royals
31. Brian Schneider, Mets
32. John Buck, Royals
33. Jeff Mathis, Angels
34. Rod Barajas, Blue Jays
35. Chris Coste, Phillies
36. Jason Kendall, Brewers

 Tags  baseball David Ferris hitter rankings

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