New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is the consensus No. 1 overall pick for fantasy leagues this year, but there is a ton of debate over who should follow him as the No. 2 and 3 picks. While it seems easy enough to come up with a list of 10 or so sure-fire first rounders, slotting exactly where they should be taken is a tricky task. One must take into account all mitigating factors before making a decision. Let's take a look at the leading candidates for the top draft spots this season:
Comment: Hanley put up insane numbers in 2007 (.332 AVG, 29 HR, 81 RBI, 125 R, 51 SB). But the Marlins lost Miguel Cabrera's bat from their lineup, meaning his run totals may drop a bit in 2008. Regardless, he's still an excellent candidate top 30 home runs this season and should reach the 50 stolen base plateau for the third straight year. The Marlins may even move him down the lineup in an effort to replace Cabrera's production, which could lead to more RBI for Ramirez.
Comment: Reyes' 78 stolen bases last season were amazing fantasy feat, but his home run (12) and RBI (57) totals were disappointing. Those who thought the 24-year-old was a fair bet for 20 home runs and 80-plus RBI may have been a bit too giddy about his potential. Fortunately, the guy is still part of a good lineup, and if everything falls into place for him, better numbers should be on the way. One thing's for sure, if you draft Reyes, you pretty much will have the steals category in your back pocket.
Comment: Heading into last year's drafts, Pujols was the hands-down No. 1 overall pick. 2007 was a "let-down" season for Phat Albert, however, as the Cardinals lineup was down-right dreadful. Pujols struggled out the gate, but he still finished with terrific numbers by normal standards: .327 AVG, 32 HR, 103 RBI, 99 R, 2 SB. He totaled career-lows in the home run, RBI and runs department last season and he's dealing with an elbow injury that has baseball insiders worried about how effective (and healthy) he can really be in 2008.
Comment: Wright continued his development as one of the premiere players in the game last year by reaching career-highs in batting average (.325), home runs (30), runs (113) and stolen bases (30). Considering how disappointing the Mets offense was thanks to inept play and injuries up and down the roster, Wright's numbers look even more spectacular. He's got an outside shot at joining the 40 / 40 club this season.
Comment: Holliday put up brawny numbers last season (.340 AVG, 36 HR, 137 RBI, 120 R, 11 SB), leading the surprising Colorado Rockies all the way to a World Series berth. While the outfield position is deep, Holliday could conceivably best 2007's stats — he's only 28-years-old. The Rockies' punchy offense and the favorable hitting conditions at Coors Field should all help Holliday increase as a hitter.
To be quite honest, you can make a case for any combination of these players going second or third. You could even throw names like Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Miguel Cabrera in the mix. But if I'm drafting, I'm taking Hanley Ramirez and Albert Pujols (in that order). A lot of people are down on both players. Pujols and Ramirez bat in relatively lousy lineups and both are dealing with health concerns (Ramirez underwent left-shoulder surgery during the off-season while Pujols is dealing with elbow trouble).
With Ramirez, you're getting a freakishly talented player. At 24-years-old, he somehow still has upside heading into this season. I really pay no mind to his lineup; a player like this is going to get his stats, even if he's hitting in a little league offense. Because he may be batting in the three-hole this year, a 100-plus RBI season is definitely in play. In the 2008 UPDATE! Fantasy Baseball Draft, Ramirez was taken second overall by Anthony Lamberti's bronxbombers. It was a move he will not regret.
In Pujols' case, it is a different story. He dropped to eighth in the same draft, understandable considering all the fuss surrounding the sprained ligament in his elbow.
No fantasy owner wants to draft a potential injury-headache, but keep in mind he's had this strained ligament since 2003. It intensified in 2007, but he still put up big numbers. His attitude towards the ailment is what's scaring fantasy owners; he has said things like "I'm not going to be concerned about it until it bothers me" and "If it blows out, it's going to blow out." But until a report comes out that he's going under the knife or is going to miss significant time, Pujols is still worth a top-three pick.
HANLEY RAMIREZ
Florida Marlins, SSComment: Hanley put up insane numbers in 2007 (.332 AVG, 29 HR, 81 RBI, 125 R, 51 SB). But the Marlins lost Miguel Cabrera's bat from their lineup, meaning his run totals may drop a bit in 2008. Regardless, he's still an excellent candidate top 30 home runs this season and should reach the 50 stolen base plateau for the third straight year. The Marlins may even move him down the lineup in an effort to replace Cabrera's production, which could lead to more RBI for Ramirez.
JOSE REYES
New York Mets, SSComment: Reyes' 78 stolen bases last season were amazing fantasy feat, but his home run (12) and RBI (57) totals were disappointing. Those who thought the 24-year-old was a fair bet for 20 home runs and 80-plus RBI may have been a bit too giddy about his potential. Fortunately, the guy is still part of a good lineup, and if everything falls into place for him, better numbers should be on the way. One thing's for sure, if you draft Reyes, you pretty much will have the steals category in your back pocket.
ALBERT PUJOLS
St. Louis Cardinals, 1BComment: Heading into last year's drafts, Pujols was the hands-down No. 1 overall pick. 2007 was a "let-down" season for Phat Albert, however, as the Cardinals lineup was down-right dreadful. Pujols struggled out the gate, but he still finished with terrific numbers by normal standards: .327 AVG, 32 HR, 103 RBI, 99 R, 2 SB. He totaled career-lows in the home run, RBI and runs department last season and he's dealing with an elbow injury that has baseball insiders worried about how effective (and healthy) he can really be in 2008.
DAVID WRIGHT
New York Mets, 3BComment: Wright continued his development as one of the premiere players in the game last year by reaching career-highs in batting average (.325), home runs (30), runs (113) and stolen bases (30). Considering how disappointing the Mets offense was thanks to inept play and injuries up and down the roster, Wright's numbers look even more spectacular. He's got an outside shot at joining the 40 / 40 club this season.
MATT HOLLIDAY
Colorado Rockies, OFComment: Holliday put up brawny numbers last season (.340 AVG, 36 HR, 137 RBI, 120 R, 11 SB), leading the surprising Colorado Rockies all the way to a World Series berth. While the outfield position is deep, Holliday could conceivably best 2007's stats — he's only 28-years-old. The Rockies' punchy offense and the favorable hitting conditions at Coors Field should all help Holliday increase as a hitter.
To be quite honest, you can make a case for any combination of these players going second or third. You could even throw names like Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Miguel Cabrera in the mix. But if I'm drafting, I'm taking Hanley Ramirez and Albert Pujols (in that order). A lot of people are down on both players. Pujols and Ramirez bat in relatively lousy lineups and both are dealing with health concerns (Ramirez underwent left-shoulder surgery during the off-season while Pujols is dealing with elbow trouble).
With Ramirez, you're getting a freakishly talented player. At 24-years-old, he somehow still has upside heading into this season. I really pay no mind to his lineup; a player like this is going to get his stats, even if he's hitting in a little league offense. Because he may be batting in the three-hole this year, a 100-plus RBI season is definitely in play. In the 2008 UPDATE! Fantasy Baseball Draft, Ramirez was taken second overall by Anthony Lamberti's bronxbombers. It was a move he will not regret.
In Pujols' case, it is a different story. He dropped to eighth in the same draft, understandable considering all the fuss surrounding the sprained ligament in his elbow.
No fantasy owner wants to draft a potential injury-headache, but keep in mind he's had this strained ligament since 2003. It intensified in 2007, but he still put up big numbers. His attitude towards the ailment is what's scaring fantasy owners; he has said things like "I'm not going to be concerned about it until it bothers me" and "If it blows out, it's going to blow out." But until a report comes out that he's going under the knife or is going to miss significant time, Pujols is still worth a top-three pick.
