Top 50 Fantasy Hitters

The baseball season is less than two weeks away and it’s time to roll out the top 50 hitters. The obvious top 3 are Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Paul Goldschmidt. However, there are some surprises in here including my rankings of Giancarlo Stanton and Albert Pujols.

1. Mike Trout: Given his consistent domination and winning the 2014 AL MVP, Trout is an obvious #1 fantasy choice.

2. Bryce Harper: At 23 years old and coming off of an NL MVP award, Harper has become an incredible hitter and a fantasy stud.

3. Paul Goldschmidt: Goldschmidt has become a consistent power and contact machine, delivering insane numbers on the daily.

4. Josh Donaldson: Donaldson’s first year as a Blue Jay in 2015 resulted in an AL MVP season and proved how dominant he can be.

5. Miguel Cabrera: Miggy continued his incredible career by leading the MLB in batting average in 2015 and is a fantasy game changer.

6. Jose Bautista: Bautista has hit over 30 home runs and 100 RBI’s for two straight years now and is a clear top 10 hitter.

7. Nolan Arenado: Arenado had a miraculous 2015 season and should continue his dominance into 2016 given his young age and recent production.

8. Edwin Encarnacion: Encarnacion is one of the best power hitters in the MLB and is a dependable fantasy star.

9. J.D. Martinez: My #1 sleeper heading into last year had a huge breakout season in 2015, hitting 38 home runs while keeping a .282 batting average.

10. Andrew McCutchen: The 2013 NL MVP continued playing at an elite level in 2015 and should be seen as a low top 15 overall pick.

11. A.J. Pollock: Pollock surprised many with his huge breakout season in 2015 that including great power and consistency.

12. Giancarlo Stanton: He won’t be ranked in my top 10 until he has back to back seasons of 500 or more at bats, yet if healthy, could legitimately produce 50 home runs.

13. Manny Machado: Machado had a huge 2015 season, which included a .286 batting average and 35 home runs and is still only 23 years old.

14. Carlos Correa: Correa led all shortstops in home runs in 2015 as a rookie and has the potential to become one of the best shortstops ever.

15. Albert Pujols: One of my all-time faves, Pujols continues to post huge power numbers every season and must be looked at as the top 20 hitter he is.

16. Anthony Rizzo: After his last two years of machine-like production, Rizzo has proven he’s an elite hitter and  clear cut fantasy starter at 1B.

17. Adam Jones: When it comes to consistency, there’s not much better than the contact and power hitter Adam Jones, who produces solid to great numbers almost every year.

18. Joey Votto: Votto was able to prove many doubters wrong after a nice 2015 bounce back season.

19. Jose Abreu: Abreu has hit over 30 home runs and 100 RBI’s in each of his two years in  MLB, proving he’s an elite hitter.

20. Jose Altuve: The 2014 batting title champion has become the best and most reliable fantasy second baseman.

21. Ryan Braun: Braun seemed to be trending towards the wrong direction in production, but had a great 2015 season, convincing me he’s still an elite fantasy player.

22. Carlos Gonzalez: Cargo has been injury prone the last few years, but was finally healthy in 2015 and smashed an impressive 40 home runs.

23. Chris Davis: Chris Davis has exploded into one of the most known power hitters in the league, averaging a superior 39.75 home runs over the last 4 years.

24. Kris Bryant: The second year Cubs player is one of the best young players in the MLB and is already recognized as one of the top third basemen in the league.

25. Buster Posey: I don’t think anyone can argue that Posey is the best and most reliable catcher in the MLB today.

26. Nelson Cruz: Cruz has hit over 40 home runs in back to back seasons and has become a player who is hard to pass up, no matter what team he is on.

27. Yoenis Cespedes: Cespedes had his best season yet on the Mets in 2015, producing 35 home runs, 105 RBI’s, and 101 runs.

28. Adrian Beltre: Despite only hitting 18 home runs in 2014, Beltre remains a top 5 third basemen given his effective consistency and reliability.

29. Xander Bogaerts: Bogaerts is making nice strides and is becoming a very dangerous contact hitter, but needs more power.

30. Adrian Gonzalez: Gonzalez doesn’t have 40 home run seasons like Chris Davis and Albert Pujols, but he’s a dependable top 10 first basemen every year.

31. Robinson Cano: Cano’s days of 30 home runs and 100 RBI’s are over, but he still posts top 5 second basemen numbers.

32. Todd Frazier: The 2015 home run derby champion, declined in the second half of last year, but still managed an impressive 35 home runs.

33. Dee Gordon: His extreme production in hits and stolen bases make him an elite fantasy player.

34. Michael Brantley: Brantley was expected to be a one year wonder, but proved many wrong by having an impressive 2015 season including a .314 batting average, 15 home runs, and 84 RBI’s.

35. Matt Kemp: Kemp did pretty well in his first year as a Padre, racking up 23 home runs and 100 RBI’s and is a high reward outfielder.

36. Mookie Betts: The impressive young Red Sox outfielder put up great numbers in 2015; 18 home runs and 174 hits.

37. Prince Fielder: After a disastrous 2014 season, Fielder had an inspiring bounce back season in 2015 and remains one of the top hitting first basemen in the league.

38. Troy Tulowitzki: Despite having a surprisingly downgraded 2015 season, Tulo is a good bet for a bounce back season, given he’s now settled in Toronto.

39. Brandon Crawford: In 2015, Crawford had his best offensive season yet and is one of the best power shortstops in the league.

40. Kyle Seager: Seager’s home run totals have improved each season over the last 4 years and he is one of the most consistent fantasy third basemen.

41. Corey Seager: Seager is one of the top prospects in the league and is a sleeper with legit potential.

42. Matt Carpenter: Carpenter has been known as one of the top contact hitters in the league in recent years, but transformed into a true power hitter, hitting 28 home runs in 2015!

43. Ian Kinsler: Kinsler is one of the safest and most reliable second basemen in the MLB, but little upside.

44. Matt Duffy: Duffy is an intriguing sleeper who performed very well in his second year in the league.

45. Carlos Gomez: Gomez had a very disappointing 2015 season; however, now settled in a dangerous lineup of Houston, Gomez will definitely produce better numbers.

46. Mike Moustakas: After a huge playoffs in 2014, Moustakas continued his great play into the 2015 season (.284 batting average, 22 home runs, and 82 RBI’s).

47. Freddie Freeman: Freeman’s stats have surprisingly dropped the last two years, but he remains a solid low top 10 first basemen, who is still only 26 years old.

48. Johnathan Lucroy: Lucroy’s 2015 season was wrapped up with injuries and poor play, but I would bank on a bounce back given his 2014 all-star season.

49. George Springer: Springer hasn’t put it all together yet, but is an exciting breakthrough candidate at 26 years old.

50. Alex Gordon: The 9 year Royal doesn’t have great upside, but is a consistent fantasy producer.

Shortstops and Outfielders

This will be the last week of my positional rankings for baseball and I will highlight shortstops and outfielders. Elite offensive shortstops are very hard to come by. The strategy of drafting this position is to go young because there are many up and coming shortstop game changers including Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts, Corey Seager, and Francisco Lindor. Outfielders on the other hand are offensive juggernauts. This is the best offensive position in the MLB and is filled with a variety of studs, such as Mike Trout, Bryce Harper and Jose Bautista.

Shortstop

1. Carlos Correa- Houston Astros

Correa has wasted no time in making a name for himself. In his rookie season, Correa’s offensive game was extremely impressive. The 21 year old shortstop ranked 1st in home runs and 6th in RBI’s for all short stops while keeping a solid .279 batting average, despite only getting 387 at bats in 2015. At 21 years old, the potential is through the roof for this rising superstar.

2. Xander Bogaerts- Boston Red Sox

Boston fans have been waiting for this young stud to live up to his hype and then finally in 2015, Bogaerts revealed his potential. In 2015, Bogaerts ranked 1st in batting average, 2nd in RBI’s, 1st in runs, and 1st in hits among all short stops. Still only at 23 years old, there is much room for offensive growth. In an impactful young Red Sox lineup, Bogaerts has a chance to become a 20 home run player as soon as this year.

3. Troy Tulowitzki – Toronto Blue Jays

Known as one of the most consistent power hitting short stops in his generation, Tulowitzki had a major down year in 2015. Despite being traded to the power dome in Toronto, Tulo couldn’t get his game going. However, he was still able to surprisingly rank an inspiring 2nd in batting average, T-4th in home runs, 4th in RBI’s, and 2nd in runs for all short stops. At 31 years old, Tulo doesn’t have the upside he once had, but remains a legitimate top 5 candidate at his position.

4. Brandon Crawford- San Francisco Giants

Crawford has been an elite defensive player his entire career, but was finally able to have a big offensive season in 2015. Crawford ranked 2nd in home runs, 1st in RBI’s, and T-9th in runs last year. I owned Crawford on my fantasy team last year and I don’t believe his great 2015 season was a fluke because he was very consistent throughout the season. In a very decent Giants lineup, Crawford has a good chance to have another 20+ home run season.

5. Corey Seager- LA Dodgers

It’s very exciting to watch young baseball players who are expected to be something big later in their careers. Seager is definitely one of them. In a short season of 98 at bats, Seager was able to showcase his potential by posting a stellar .337 batting average. With Seager’s high potential and being only 21 years old, it’s scary to imagine what he can do in a full season. He is worth drafting as a sleeper

Next level shortstops in order are: Francisco Lindor, Jhonny Peralta, Ian Desmond, Jose Reyes, and Alexei Ramirez.

Outfielders

1. Mike Trout- LA Angels

Mike Trout has become the face of baseball and if he stays consistent, he could mark his name as one of the all-time best in the game. In 2015, the slugger ranked 10th in batting average, 3rd in home runs, 9th in RBI’s, 4th in runs, and T-9th in hits among all outfielders. Trout has also transformed into a huge power hitter (77 home runs over the last two years), while still maintaining a high batting average. The 24 year old Angel is a no question first overall pick.

2. Bryce Harper- Washington Nationals

Baseball fans have been waiting for Bryce Harper to have his breakout season. It finally arrived in 2015 and it earned Harper an MVP award! The young star had more home runs, RBI’s, walks, doubles, and runs than he had in 2014 and 2013 combined! In 2015, Harper ranked in the top 5 for all outfielders in batting average, home runs, RBI’s, and runs. Is Harper the real deal? If he can put up these incredible stats at 23 year old, I would say so.

3. Jose Bautista- Toronto Blue Jays

Jose Bautista is one of my favorite baseball players and is always drafted on my fantasy team. This is because he’s a consistent 30-40 home run and 100 RBI guy. While Bautista’s batting average included a drop from .286 in 2014 to .250 in 2015, he made up for it by smashing an extraordinary 40 home runs and 114 RBI’s. Bautista ranked T-4th in home runs, 4th in RBI’s, and 3rd in runs for all outfielders, proving that being 35 years old won’t make an impact on his performance on the field.

4. J.D. Martinez- Detroit Tigers

J.D. Martinez was my #1 sleeper coming into the 2015 season and I was luckily able to draft him. This resulted as a huge reason why I won my league in 2015. Martinez had an immense breakout season in 2015 by ranking 6th in home runs, 3rd in RBI’s, T-12th in runs, and 13th in hits among all outfielders. Hitting in the middle of sluggers Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez should help J.D flourish and blossom even more.

5. Andrew McCutchen- Pittsburgh Pirates

A left knee injury pestered McCutchen in spring training and influenced his play for most of the 2015 season. Nevertheless, McCutchen was still able to put together a solid year of ranking 15th in batting average, 7th in RBI’s, 15th in runs, and 15th in hits for all outfielders. The 29 year old Pirates star is a great candidate for a bounce back season, given his splendid performances in past years. McCutchen is one of the safest picks because of his inspiring consistency and potential for a 30 HR, 100 RBI season this year.

Additional outfielder studs in order are: A.J. Pollock, Gioncarlo Stanton, Adam Jones, Ryan Braun, Carlos Gonzalez, Nelson Cruz, Yoenis Cespedes. Michael Brantley, Matt Kemp, Mookie Betts, Alex Gordon, George Springer, and Carlos Gomez.

 

 

 

 

 

Second Basemen/Third Basemen

This week I will be writing about second and third basemen. The position of second base as a whole is pretty weak offensively. While it has depth, it lacks a top tier. My strategy for drafting second basemen is to wait until the later rounds. The difference in talent from the top 3 second basemen and low top 10 is very slim, so it’s not worth chasing any second basemen in your draft. Third base, on the other hand, has evolved to become one of the top hitting positions. Third base is filled with power machines including Josh Donaldson, Nolan Arenado, and Manny Machado, who are all worth stealing in the early rounds.

Second Basemen

1. Jose Altuve- Houston Astros

The 2014 batting title champion had a marvelous 2014 breakout season, leading the MLB in batting average and hits. In 2015, Altuve ranked inside the top 10 for second basemen in batting average, runs, home runs, RBI’s, and hits. Altuve is arguably the most consistent second basemen in the league. He also surprised us by revealing his power in 2015, cranking 15 home runs, which was more than his previous two seasons combined. At only 25 years old, Altuve is right smack in the middle of his prime.

2. Robinson Cano- Seattle Mariners

It’s funny because even with Cano’s major fall in production ever since he left New York, his stats still show him as a legit top 5 second baseman. This just simply shows how the position of second base is offensively weak. In 2015, Cano ranked himself 7th in batting average, 7th in runs, 2nd in home runs, 1st in RBI’s, and 4th in hits among all second basemen. If these stats don’t represent a top 5 second baseman, then I don’t know what does.

3. Dee Gordon- Miami Marlins

Dee Gordon’s first season in Miami resulted in great success. In 2015, Gordon ranked 1st in batting average, 3rd in runs, and 1st in hits among all second basemen. The 5 year veteran has incredible contact and speed skills, but lacks power. How has Gordon been able to excel as a top 5 positional player? All you have to do is look at his competition. But, in my opinion, Gordon isn’t a player to chase because in the end, he’s not that much more productive than the bottom top 10 second basemen.

4. Ian Kinsler- Detroit Tigers

You can chase the young folks and take the chance of relying on a bust, or you can wait and take a veteran who produces consistent numbers season to season. I know which player I would rather have. Despite his age now at 33, Kinsler continues to demonstrate top 5 second basemen stats. Kinsler ranked 5th in batting average, 2nd in runs, 3rd in RBI’s, and 3rd in hits among second basemen.

5. Brian Dozier- Minnesota Twins

Dozier is becoming one of the top power second basemen in the MLB, leading second basemen in home runs over the last two seasons. Despite, his .236 batting average, Dozier has been a well-rounded stud over the last 2 years, ranking 1st in runs, 1st in home runs, 2nd in RBI’s, and 9th in hits last year. Dozier should be treated as a top 5 second baseman because he has consistent power, which is rare for the second base position.

Devon Travis, Joe Panik, Dustin Pedroia, Jason Kipnis, and Ben Zobrist are my next 5 ranked second basemen in order.

 

Third Basemen

1. Josh Donaldson- Toronto Blue Jays

Josh Donaldson was probably the best fantasy player in the MLB in 2015. Donaldson ranked 2nd in batting average, 1st in runs, 2nd in home runs, 2nd in RBI’s, and 1st in hits for all third basemen. After playing in Oakland for his first 3 years, Donaldson was traded to the Blue Jays in 2015, where he had an MVP-like season. Being in one of the top lineups in the league and hitting in the Rogers Centre or “power dome”, Donaldson should continue playing at an elite level.

2. Nolan Arenado- Colorado Rockies

It’s going to be hard for Arenado to top his 2015 season, where he ranked 6th in batting average, 4th in runs, 1st in home runs, 1st in RBI’s, and 3rd in hits among third basemen. Arenado is clearly a freak athlete after hitting a splendid 42 home runs and 130 RBI’s, while still being able to maintain a .287 batting average. Still only 24 years old, this player has incredible potential moving forward.

3. Manny Machado- Baltimore Orioles

To be honest, I’ve never been a fan of Manny Machado. In Machado’s first three seasons in Baltimore, he failed to live up to the hype. However, in 2015, Machado finally had a superlative breakout season, ranking 7th in batting average, 2nd in runs, T-3rd in home runs, T-5th in RBI’s, and 2nd in hits for all third basemen.  His outstanding 2015 performance and extremely young age (23) has turned me into a believer in Machado.

4. Kris Bryant- Chicago Cubs

It took no time for Bryant’s potential to be released. In his first season in the MLB last year, Bryant cranked an impressive 26 home runs and 99 runs. In 2015, the Cubs star third baseman ranked 9th in batting average, 5th in runs, T-6th in home runs, 3rd in RBI’s, and 12th in hits for all third basemen. In one of the youngest and top lineups in the league, this 23 year old is bound to continue improving.

5. Adrian Beltre- Texas Rangers

Not many people would rank the 37 year old third baseman at number 5, but I would. Beltre has been a consistent animal in his amazing 18 year career. Despite having a bit of a downgraded 2015 season due injuries, Beltre was still able to rank 5th in batting average, 7th in runs, T-12th in home runs, 8th in RBI’s, and T-7th in hits among all third basemen. Adrian Beltre has only totaled 37 home runs in his last two years for one reason- failing to reach 600 at bats. If he is able to stay healthy, he’s an automatic top 5 third baseman in my eyes.

Todd Frazier, Kyle Seager, Matt Carpenter, Matt Duffy, and Mike Moustakas are my next 5 ranked third basemen in order.

Catchers/First Basemen

After a nice preview on the starting and relief pitchers last week, we will now get into catchers and first basemen. Elite catchers are hard to come by, so drafting the every year reliables or the young possible breakout candidates would be good strategies. After Buster Posey, it gets ugly. The position of first base has much more depth. You can wait a few rounds and still get an elite hitter including Albert Pujols or Adrian Gonzalez.

Catchers

1. Buster Posey- San Francisco Giants

Ranking the #1 catcher was very easy, given how superior Posey has been to all of the other catchers in the last 4 years. Posey has ranked in the top 5 in batting average, runs, RBI’s, and hits out of all catchers in 4 straight seasons now. Posey has been a fantasy stud and the only reliable catcher in the game. Some people (including me) think he is over drafted in many leagues, but after you see the difference in stats between Posey and all the other catchers after every season, you may rethink.

2. Jonathan Lucroy- Milwaukee Brewers

After his monstrous 2014 campaign, Lucroy was an injured mess and a big bust last year. The 6 year Brewer only had 371 at bats in 2015 (214 less than in 2014). Even when Lucroy did play he wasn’t the same player he was in 2014, posting a lame .264 batting average, 7 home runs, and 43 RBI’s. However, I would bank on a bounce back season and draft him as a top 5 catcher, given his real potential and knowing how hard elite catchers are to come by.

3. Salvador Perez- Kansas City Royals

Perez is transforming into one of the top power hitting catchers in the league. Perez has smashed 38 home runs over the last two years (3rd out of all catchers). Being one of the most consistent hitting catchers, Perez has held at least a .260 batting average, 13 home runs, and 70 RBI’s in the last 3 years. Given his legit power, consistency, and high powered offensive lineup, Perez is a safe top 5 catcher.

4. Russel Martin- Toronto Blue Jays

It’s incredible how players turn into power machines when they relocate to Toronto. Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, Josh Donaldson, Melky Cabrera, and Russell Martin are all examples of this. Consistency isn’t one of Martin’s strong suits, which is probably the reason he’s been on 4 different teams in his 10 year career. This is Martin’s batting average stat line over the last 4 years – 2012: .211, 2013: .226, 2014: ,290, 2015: .240. Nevertheless, his 23 home runs are too good to pass up. Martin’s not getting any younger, but he still has awesome power and potential in Toronto’s stadium.

5. Travis d’Arnaud- NY Mets

In his short 67 game season in 2015, d’Arnaud had an efficient season. Travis d’Arnaud has been in the MLB for 3 years and is coming off two solid seasons of totaling 25 home runs and 82 RBI’s. If the 27 year old catcher can stay healthy, this sleeper could have a big breakout season in the powerful Mets lineup.

My next 5 ranked catchers in order are: Kyle Schwarber, Brain McCann, Devin Mesaraco, Derek Norris, and Yan Gomes.

First Basemen

1. Paul Goldschmidt- Arizona Diamondbacks

You would probably agree that Goldschmidt is the best hitter in baseball right now. Paul ranked 2nd in batting average, 3rd in home runs, 2nd in RBI’s, 1st in runs, and 1st in hits among first basemen in the 2015 season. In 2 out of his last 3 years, Goldschmidt has posted a minimum average of .300, 30 home runs, 100 RBI’s, 100 runs, and 180 hits. This kid is the real deal and should be taken off the board in the first round of all drafts.

2. Miguel Cabrera- Detroit Tigers

Despite only playing in 119 games due to injuries, Cabrera still managed to smash 18 home runs and an MLB leading .338 batting average. The no brainer first ballot hall of famer has averaged a glorious 31.4 home runs, .321 batting average, 111.2 RBI’s, 94.5 runs, and 179.3 hits in his long 13 year career. Still at 32 years old, Cabrera continues to rule the MLB.

3. Edwin Encarnacion- Toronto Blue Jays

After having a solid 4 1/2 year tenure in Cincinnati to start his career, Toronto converted Encarnacion into an all-star slugger. Edwin has ranked in the top 13 for home runs and RBI’s out of all players in the MLB for 4 consecutive years. In one of the best lineups in the league, Encarnacion should continue his streak of at least 30 home runs and 95 RBI’s, which he has kept since 2012.

4. Albert Pujols- Los Angeles Angels

Albert Pujols is one of my all-time favorite players and is always drafted on my fantasy team. I don’t understand why people tend to stay away from old players like Adrian Gonzalez and Albert Pujols, even though they deliver elite numbers every season. Here’s the scoop on Pujols: his brutal .244 batting average and .217 BABIP reveal that his glory days of contact hitting are coming to an end. However, the 36 year old future hall of famer has reminded us he is still capable of producing 40 home run seasons. Pujols’ 40 home runs and 95 RBI’s ranked in the top 5 for all first basemen in 2015. This consistent animal should be treated as a top 5 first baseman.

5. Anthony Rizzo- Chicago Cubs

Rizzo has had an interesting career. His first few years were filled up with inconsistency, but he has now produced two consecutive seasons of elite play. In his last two seasons, Rizzo has ranked in the top 5 in home runs and in the top 10 in RBI’s and batting average out of all first basemen! Rizzo is only 26 years old and is the centerpiece of a young and dangerous Cubs lineup. Expect another big season from this player.

My next 5 ranked first basemen in order are: Joey Votto, Jose Abreu, Chris Davis, Adrian Gonzalez, Prince Fielder, Freddie Freeman, and Eric Hosmer.