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NL Catcher: (see all)
1. Russell Martin
Meet the cornerstone of the “new look” Dodgers. They are
younger and hungrier than 2007, and with veterans like
Nomar, Derek Lowe, and Jeff Kent helping lead on and off the
field, many experts think there is no ceiling for this perennial
NL West contender. As cornerstone of the Dodgers, Russell
Martin has arguably the best combination of speed, power,
raw talent, and upside of any backstop in the game. Although
he isn’t a credible threat to win a batting title in 2008, at the
age of 25, there will be lofty expectations of Martin this
season. We expect fewer steals, steady 20 home run power,
and improving batting average.
2. Brian McCann
3. Bengie Molina
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AL Catcher: (see all)
1. Victor Martinez (CLE)
Head and shoulders above the rest, Victor Martinez leads the
pack among American League catchers. Although a
positional switch has been in the works for a while in order to
preserve Victor’s legs (and career), his offensive prowess as
a backstop is unique. Few catchers in the major leagues,
much less American League, are capable of posting 25
homers, 100+ RBI, and a .300+ average. He will be a prize at
draft or auction, so do not expect a bargain, but Martinez is
well worth the investment.
2. Kenji Johjima
3. Joe Mauer
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NL First Basemen: (see all)
1. Albert Pujols
Better known as Prince Albert of Pujols. If you can identify
another player as consistently outstanding since breaking
into the Bigs, speak now or forever hold your peace. Albert
has not statistically hiccoughed since his call up. Battling
injuries for the fifth consecutive season yet reaching 30+
homers, 100+ RBI, and batting .314+ for the seventh
consecutive season, Pujols is the hallmark of consistency and
is, when healthy, the best first baseman in the Majors.
Electing not to have surgery on his balky right elbow during
the off-season, Albert Pujols will have a difficult time living up
to expectations again in 2008. Presuming he stays healthy,
we expect similar production to last season, but a fantasy GM
drafting or purchasing Pujols must also be prepared for the
possibility that he will go down with season-ending elbow
surgery during 2008.
2. Prince Fielder
3. Ryan Howard
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AL First Basemen: (see all)
1. David Ortiz
If “Big Papi” qualifies at first base in your league format,
snatch up this premium source of power, homers, and RBI at
first base. In leagues that penalize whiffs and reward walks,
David’s value increases exponentially. Ortiz had what most
considered to be a disappointing season in 2007, difficult as
that may be to stomach given he still notched 35 homers, 117
RBI, and batted a career-high .332.
2. Travis Hafner
3. Justin Morneau
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NL Second Basemen: (see all)
1. Chase Utley
With three straight all-star caliber seasons at second base,
Chase Utley has placed himself among the fantasy baseball
elite. At age 30 we are seeing Chase Utley in his offensive
prime and expect even more from him in 2008. An improving
rate of walks to strikeouts, as well as rising batting averages,
slugging and on-base percentages, and by making necessary
adjustments, all make Utley a first round fantasy pick this
season. Expert leagues are seeing Chase chosen among the
top ten overall picks and he reigns supreme as best second
basemen in, not just the National League, but in all of
baseball. Undeniably number one second baseman.
2. Brandon Phillips
3. Dan Uggla
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AL Second Basemen: (see all)
1. Robinson Cano
After a slow start in 2007 that had Cano batting .274 entering
the All-Star break, Robby went on a tear in the second half,
batting a robust .343 and ending the season with at a .306
clip with 19 homers and 97 RBI. Striking out more than twice
as often as he walks, Cano is not a sabremetrically sound
offensive player, but for fantasy purposes there are no better
second basemen in the American League. Robinson Cano
brings batting average, homers, RBI, and actually attempted 9
steals (up 2 from the year before). He will always have the
comfort of the Yankee lineup to protect him, and has learned
to make adjustments and improve his approach each season.
Expect more improvement and .300+ with 20+ homers and
100+ RBI.
2. Ian Kinsler
3. Brian Roberts
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NL Shortstops: (see all)
1. Jimmy Rollins
Say what you will about JRo but the man puts his bat where
his mouth is. After grandiose claims that the Phillies were the
team to beat in the National League East, Rollins all but went
on an offensive rampage, besting his 2006 totals with an MVP
2007 season. Ending 2007 with 30 homers and 41 steals to
go with a .296 average, Rollins quickly catapulted his name to
the top of the NL shortstop list. A solid second half and the
same lineup protection this coming year that Rollins enjoyed
last year will make him a solid pickup. Though we do not
expect 30+ home runs again, 20-25 is reasonable to go with
35-45 steals and an average that may break .300.
2. Jose Reyes
3. Hanley Ramirez
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AL Shortstops: (see all)
1. Derek Jeter
What? Derek Jeter is the number one offensive shortstop in
the American League? When was the last time you heard
somebody say that, anymore? With the shift of ARod to third,
the disappearance of Nomar, and the trade of Miguel Tejada,
the depth at shortstop has become noticeably shallow in AL-
only formats. With the tandem of Rollins, Hanley, and Reyes
in the NL, the pendulum swing of talent has moved to the NL
with regard to shortstop and left Jeter sitting atop the throne
of options at short. What can we say about Jeter that has not
already been said? Although his power and speed have
dropped to unremarkable levels, his rise in average has
served to off-set such decline. Batting .344 in 2006 and .322
in 2007, DJ has reemerged as a perennial batting title
contender. We have one question, though – where’d the
steals go? In 2006, Jeter swiped 34 bases. But last season, in
2007, Derek Jeter only stole 15 of an attempted 23. At age
33, the Yankees’ team captain appears to be in power/speed
decline, but not free-fall. Expect more of the same in 2008.
2. Carlos Guillen
3. Orlando Cabrera
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NL Third Basemen: (see all)
1. David Wright
The centerpiece of an all-star laden Mets lineup, David
Wright has emerged as more than a perennial MVP
candidate. Good for 30 homers and 30 steals in 2007 and
beyond, Wright’s leadership along with the addition of Johan
Santana has Mets fans thinking optimistically of their team’s
future. Although his team floundered in the second half,
redefining the collapse in baseball, Wright was locked in,
batting .364 after the all-star break. David is a hard worker
with natural talent in the mold of Alex Rodriguez, and as such
we expect him to continue to improve as time progresses.
Although we do not see Wright as a credible 40/40 candidate,
we do think his stock is on the rise – and that’s saying a lot
coming off of the all-star season he enjoyed during 2007.
2. Ryan Braun
3. Aramis Ramirez
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AL Third Basemen: (see all)
1. Alex Rodgriguez
What do you call the number one fantasy player in baseball?
You call him the number one fantasy third baseman. 'Nuff
said. No reason to believe it will be anything but more of the
same for, yeah we'll say it, one of the all time great players of
this great game.
2. Miguel Cabrera
3. Chone Figgins
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NL Outfielders: (see all)
1. Matt Holliday
Having replaced Todd Helton as the Rockies’ franchise
player, Holliday has emerged as the best outfielder in the
major leagues, much less the National League. Ending 2007
with a jaw-dropping .340 average, 36 homers, and 137 RBI, it’
s easy to forget that Matt also swiped 11 bags.
2. Alfonso Soriano
3. Carlos Lee
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AL Outfielders: (see all)
1. Grady Sizemore
2. Carl Crawford
3. Vladimir Guerrero
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NL Starters: (see all)
1. Jake Peavy
We admit to being disgruntled 2006 Peavy owners, but
knowing his talent, age, and home ballpark, were entirely
unsurprised by Jake’s stellar season. Peavy rewarded true-
believers with a 19-6 record, 2.54 ERA, and 1.06 WHIP to go
with an astounding 240 whiffs. His home and away splits were
similar and so were his first and second half numbers.
Sometimes it is easy to forget that after 6 big league seasons,
Jake Peavy is only 27 years of age, and just now coming into
his prime. Expect more of the same from this ace among aces.
2. Johan Santana
I
3. Brandon Webb
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AL Starters: (see all)
1. Josh Beckett
2. CC Sabathia
3. Erik Bedard
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NL Relievers: (see all)
1. Takashi Saito
Few relief pitchers were better for fantasy baseball teams in
2007. Saito finished the year with a sparkling 1.40 ERA and
39 saves. Age and a myriad of minor injuries are a concern,
but Saito should regress only slightly in ’08. Pitching for a
winning team in a pitcher’s ballpark, Saito is the clear number
one relief pitcher in the NL.
2. Billy Wagner
3. Trevor Hoffman
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AL Relievers: (see all)
1. Jonathan Papelbon
Even after a mid-season trade the Red Sox learned that you
can only have one Gagne on your team, and his name is Jon
Papelbon. A dominance in 2006 reminiscent of the
MVP-caliber Gagne, was followed up by every-day
run-of-the-mill dominance in '07. On a great team, expect
more of the same.
2. JJ Putz
3. Joe Nathan
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