WaiverSharks 2009 Preseason
Fantasy Baseball Rankings:
Outfield #1 - #25
In Fantasy Baseball some of your best offensive muscle often comes from your Fantasy Outfielders. As we break down our favorites heading into the 2009 season - take note that we will be ranking our outfield suggestions in three installments:
#1 to #25 - Cream of the Crop
#25 to #50 - Outfields Next Level
#51 to #75 - Splashes of Sleepers
Followed by 10 Dynasty Players who may still be a year or two away from making any real serious Fantasy Impact – but whom you should transfix on your Fantasy radar! Let’s get started!
No more third base eligibility may turn some away from his fantasy services during this year’s draft. WaiverSharks feels that would be a big mistake!
ALL Hail the new Fantasy Baseball Outfield King!
The Milwaukee Brewers: Ryan Braun
#1 to #25 - Cream of the Crop
1) Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers – Yes, losing 3B was a bit of a bitter pill – but Ryan Braun remains one of the finest all around Fantasy players in the game – and he’s still young enough that he could continue to get even better going into 2009!
2) Grady Sizemore, Cleveland Indians – Seems like Grady has been around for a lot longer then he has – he should be in store for a possible career season.
3) Matt Holliday, Oakland Athletics - Holliday is still an amazing Fantasy outfielder, and we would be fairly surprised if he spent the entire year in Oakland – but leaving Coors softens his value slightly.
We are inclined to agree with you on this one, Fantasy Sports Girl “Kaila”
4) Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers – The RBI production fall off in the latter part of the year was a little disheartening – but Hamilton was a bit banged up towards the end of the year. If he plays 150+ games he’ll be a ribby monster yet again.
5) Carlos Quentin, Chicago White Sox – The wrist injury from 2008 shouldn’t inhibit his power going into 2009 – and the ballpark he plays in should continue to be a Quentin haven.
6) Carlos Beltran, New York Mets – Carlos is still in his prime at age 32 and he has a fantastic surrounding cast – but he seems to have hit the DL a little more in recent years then we would like to see.
7) Jason Bay, Boston Red Sox – It will be interesting to see what he can do playing a full season in a Red Sox uniform. It’d be nice if some steals would return – but don’t count on it as Boston has never been a team known to steal too much.
8) Manny Ramirez, Free Agent – Hard to rank Manny right now – since we are not sure exactly where he’s headed – a drop off from 2008 seems probable having just played in his contract year, but he is still a TOP 10 Fantasy OF no matter what uniform puts on. We wonder if he will don #99 again – it certainly garnered him an amazing couple of months!
9) Lance Berkman, Houston Astros – After his ridiculous May numbers – the “Big Puma” settled down somewhat – but was his stolen base renaissance (18) for real?
10) Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers – Top 10? Yes, he is THAT good! Kemp combines that sweet balance of speed and power at a young age.
11) B.J. Upton, Tampa Bay Rays – Even minus the 2B eligibility Upton projects as an ideal “tools” player – but we are still hoping for the power to improve, and for BJ to mature in order for us to rank him amongst the elite class of Fantasy commodities.
12) Alfonso Soriano, Chicago Cubs – When Soriano is hot he will single-handedly carry your team – but playing a full season is becoming a rarity.
13) Alex Rios, Toronto Blue Jays – Lots of Fantasy managers may have jumped off of the Alex Rios fan wagon due to his poor power numbers in 2008 – that could be a BIG mistake if he puts the stealing prowess he seems to have developed with seemingly power potential he showed in the 2nd half of last year. We think 2009 will be a VERY solid season for Alexis Rios! We’re glad Toronto has finally awarded him his own Bobblehead Day this coming May 17th 2009 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto Canada. WaiverSharks will most definitely be in attendance at that game! See our Bobblehead Daze Schedule for other Bobblehead SGA dates.
14) Curtis Granderson, Detroit Tigers – His crazy 2007 numbers may have vaulted him to the elite a bit too quickly – and his injury to start 2008 certainly didn’t help him get off to a good start. Look for a sweet bounce back season here.
15) Nick Markakis, Baltimore Orioles – Consistently solid numbers the past couple years – just wish the Orioles had more to protect and help him succeed.
Nick Markakis sporting a “Vin Diesel” look with the Orioles Class AA Affiliate Bowie Baysox
16) Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners – Ichiro still has not lost a step, well maybe a half step – but he continues to knock hits around the field like a tennis ball machine year in, and year out.
17) Magglio Ordonez, Detroit Tigers – Despite a woeful season from the Motown kitty cats, “Maggs” had a solid 2008.
18) Carlos Lee, Houston Astros – Such an under rated baseball player. Carlos Lee ALWAYS seems to go out and produce solid Fantasy numbers.
19) Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay Rays – He frustrated owners much of 2008 – but Carl Crawford is still only 27 years old – and could be in line for a sweet bump in production in 2009.
20) Nate McLouth, Pittsburgh Pirates – There are still doubters – but his balance of speed and pop makes him a worthy Top 20 outfield selection.
21) Torii Hunter, Anaheim Angels – Perhaps at the back end of his prime Hunter settled into his new surroundings last season still managing to steal 19 bags while swatting 21 homeruns in 146 games.
22) Bobby Abreu, Anaheim Angels – Quietly went about his business and finished with a good all around year in 2008 – maintaining a steady number of stolen bases (22) to go along with 20 homeruns. Escapes the crowded Yankees outfield in favor of the Angels, where he should become their everyday guy out in left field.
23) Adam Dunn, Washington Nationals – Typical Dunn, last year he bats .236 – but clouts 40 bombs. Dunn is the consummate plug in Power Bat – but he’ll bust your average up if you don’t have an Ichiro type to balance him out. * Dunn signed a 2 year 20 million dollar deal with the Nationals on Feb/11th. He is set to become the Nats everyday First baseman in DC - making the oft-injured Nick Johnson a trade target who could find suitors in possibly Oakland, Boston or San Francisco.
Rostering Adam Dunn is like the long locks Tara Leigh Patrick, aka Carmen Electra, adorns in this pictorial. He’ll taunt you with power – but leave you wishing for more!
24) Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston Red Sox – Jacoby has some pressure off him now that Coco Crisp has left the building – look for a solid second season from Jacoby, who should avoid a serious “sophomore slump” due to his relentless speed.
25) Hunter Pence, Houston Astros – Hunter Pence DID suffer the dreaded sophomore slump while playing for the Astros in 2008 – but we feel the adjustments he made in the second half bode well for a very solid 2009 campaign.
