WaiverSharks 2009 Preseason
Fantasy Baseball Rankings:
Outfield #51 - #75
(Plus Dynasty League Player suggestions)
Perhaps your draft strategy (And it’s not a bad idea) is to cover your infield and land a premier starter and closer. But now, as a result of that “stratego”, you are left rather thin in the Outfielder department. Not to worry! We have some deep sleeper suggestions of players who could take their games to the next level in 2009.
#51 to #75 - Splashes of Sleepers
51) Carlos Gonzales, Colorado Rockies – We would like a bit more tenacity and desire from “C-Gone” But WaiverSharks is still VERY high on the aspiring Venezuelan who hit an El Camino bed full of doubles in his rookie year with the Athletics. Now he brings his smooth stroke to Coors field where he could truly start smokin’!
“Is this Carlos Gonzales heading down to Colorado’s Coors Field?”
52) Nelson Cruz , Texas Rangers – Nelson Cruz should be a popular buzz sleeper going into 2009 – and for good reason. He desecrated Minor League pitching in 2008, and will be in line for a starter’s role in the hitter friendly confines of Arlington Park. We were going to list him ahead of Carlos Gonzales – but then Carlos was traded to Colorado . Either of these two players are primed for possible breakout years so choosing who we like better is like trying to decide on which British Hottie to buy for our 2009 Wall Calendar…
Do we go with Keeley Hazell or Gemma Atkinson? Obviously you can see – either one should help pass the days quite nicely – but in the end a tough decision was based on variety – since Keeley adorned our walls throughout 2008 we’ve decided to switch up our Brit Babes this January and go with Gemma in 2009.
(Looking below, we can see it’s going to be a Fantastic year!)
Gemma Atkinson 2009 Wall Calendar
53) Elijah Dukes, Washington Nationals – Do you think Elijah Dukes is ranked too high? Well, we feel this ranking is actually conservative! Why? The Nats power hitting Dukes possesses great base stealing speed – and when he connects, the baseball makes a special sound most players seldom ever hear!
54) Carlos Gomez, Minnesota Twins – For all those writing Carlos Gomez off already, keep in mind – he just recently celebrated his 23rd birthday and his body has yet to fill out completely. The uber talented Twinkie still has time to develop power to go along with his blazing speed.
55) Johnny Damon, New York Yankees – Damon proved last season that he’s still worthy of someone nabbing the ex-Red Sox hero. He should net a ton of runs playing for the Bronx Bombers – but we are admittedly concerned with the tenure on his aging legs, and the Yankees crowded out field. Bobby Abreu or possibly Melky Cabrera may be headed out of the Big Apple, and that would certainly make for a less jammed subway of New Yorker outfielders
56) Shin-Soo Choo, Cleveland Indians – WaiverSharks writer Ryan Roach was quite impressed when he saw Shin-Soo Choo - gazoontite! last year, clobbering ball after ball to deep parts of Progressive Field during batting practice. His services should be available for a song – making him a candidate for a late round bargain.
57) Adam Lind, Toronto Blue Jays – Adam Lind has very solid power, but won’t net you hardly any steals. His bat is for real though, and he should garner more at bats this season in what could prove to be a fairly potent Jays line-up.
58) Denard Span, Minnesota Twins – “Who can make the sunshine?” “The Span Man can…The Span Man can.” And he can also steal you 30 plus bases while maintaining a decent average. Some leagues break down extra base hits – and even go so far to include triples as a category – Span is a welcome addition to rosters within this type of format especially.
59) Cameron Maybin, Florida Marlins – A Maybin Fantasy owner will need to adhere to Yoda’s popular word of wisdom: “Patience” The Marlins key acquisition, along with lefty Andrew Miller in the Miguel Cabrera deal will look to try and land a starting role this spring. He will celebrate his 22nd birthday just prior to the Marlins home opener at Dolphin Stadium in April 2009.
60) Travis Snider, Toronto Blue Jays – Watching young Travis Snider take batting practice harkens us back to the days when televisions Batman - Adam West pounded the Riddler in the jaw. Pow! Bam! Ka-Pow! But, like the Batmobile – Snider is chalk full of raw power – but he will need to fine tune his approach a bit if he is going to stay up with the Blue Jays and land regular at bats in 2009.
We jump at any chance to post a Fisher Cat in shades!
61) Willy Taveras, Cincinnati Reds – Common sense would dictate that speed is necessary to win stolen bases right? Well, Fast Willy is a free wheel burner who will net you plenty – just don’t expect much else from him, except perhaps runs as well.
62) Jason Werth, Philadelphia Phillies – Will this be the year Jason Werth is worthy of a full time starters gig? Possibly. He made Geoff Jenkins look like he should retire instead of Jenkins look-a-like - Brett Favre.
63) Eric Byrnes , Arizona Diamondbacks – Last season was very disappointing for Eric Byrnes – how’s that for pointing out the obvious? He will never see 50 steals again in his career. But he’s much better then last years injury riddled stats totals would appear.
64) Colby Rasmus, St. Louis Cardinals – We were suppose to see Colby Rasmus at some point last season – but sadly it never transpired. He should get a serious look this spring. Keep an eye on him WaiverSharks – he could emerge in 2009.
65) Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles – We like Adam Jones “tools” ability - but we still are having some trouble getting behind any Orioles outside of Nick Markakis with too much fervor. Even the fantasy value rising catching star Matt Wieters needs to be somewhat tempered until we see more consistent offense coming out of Camden Yards homies.
66) Jeff Francouer, Atlanta Braves – What the heck Jeff? Going into last season - all reports claimed Francouer had hit the gym harder than Arnold in the seventies, and yet his power completely fizzled? Proving you can be built like a Greek Adonis – and it still won’t mean squat if you lack bat speed, a keen eye – and solid timing and mechanics. Let’s hope Jeff turns things around in 2009.
67) Mike Cameron, Milwaukee Brewers – One of the originators when it comes to the 20/20 club – Mike Cameron will net you steals, he’ll net you power. But he will play havoc with your average – and then wind up on the DL. Sorry, folks that’s the grim reality. Our advice – snap him off your leagues waiver wire when he typically heats up 2 or 3 times a year, but otherwise – shoot for younger pedigree.
68) Josh Willingham, Washington Nationals – Hard to say what the move to D.C. will do for The Hammer – but unless he straps on a catchers mitt circa 2006 – we are not going to pay too dearly for his services.
69) Daniel Murphy, New York Mets - Murphy is currently being considered as the Mets opening day left fielder. He hit .315 in 48 games with the Mets last year – and if he can handle the pressures of playing in the Big Apple could develop into a nice source for hits, runs and average. The fact he may carry 2B - Second Base eligibility only further enhances his value.
70) Ryan Doumit, Pittsburgh Pirates – Playing Ryan Doumit in one of your outfield roster spots is like using a flathead screwdriver where you need a phillips. It will sort of work – but it’s not the best tool suited for the job. Although still a very good hitter, Doumit’s value is in the catcher’s spot. If he ever loses that, like Josh Willingham did a few years back – his fantasy value will spiral downward.
71) Hideki Matsui, New York Yankees – Just can’t trust Hideki like we could five years ago. Japans former ironman played several seasons of consecutive games, but the man who we sometimes call “Godzilla” has put a lot of miles on those knees. Perhaps he needs to be fitted with some artificial mechanical knees – would we then call him Mechagodzilla? Either way – his prime may be in the rear view mirror – but players in the twilight of their career who work out very diligently in the offseason, can sometimes discover renewed success.
How cool was Godzilla VS Mechagodzilla? WaiverSharks hopes they update these classic monster imports with a modern CGI flick real soon!
72) Jeremy Hermida, Florida Marlins – Last chance Hermida! We have been as patient with you as Rickie Weeks family has been with him! But we need a banner year to make up for the last two hyped years in which you delivered a heaping dose of mediocrity.
73) Matt LaPorta, Cleveland Indians – It is pretty difficult to know where to rank Matt LaPorta until we see how the Indians intend to utilize him come Spring Training.
74) Michael Cuddyer, Minnesota Twins – Cuddyer is not going to win you your leagues Championship – but he won’t likely help you lose it either. His injuries last season should no longer be a problem.
75) Matt Joyce, Tampa Bay Rays – Acquired from the Tigers for starting pitcher Edwin Jackson – Matt Joyce is a Deep Sleeper who could potentially “seize the day” if a he nets everyday at bats. If he produces he could even conceivably bat behind American League rookie of the year, Evan Longoria – albeit the seven hole seems more likely to start.
Once again - Keep an open mind here folks. Every year a new batch of baseball gremlins bursts onto the scene. It wasn’t that long ago that no one knew Matt Holliday or Josh Hamilton even existed.
Fantasy fortunes can change in a New York minute. One minute you’re an obscure NL only deep keeper league prospect – the next you're on the cover of Sports Illustrated!
Dynasty Leagues -
10 More Outfield Prospects
None of whom are guaranteed to see a MLB baseball diamond in 2009 – but ALL of whom you better get to know a little. Since many of these guys are still a year or two away we will just rapid fire a couple quick notes here.
Felix Pie, Baltimore Orioles – "Felix the Pie" seems to have been a prospect with the Cubs since the Clinton administration. The toolsy outfield prospect was just recently traded to the Orioles for 25 year old left-handed SP - Garrett Olson. We refuse to turn our backs away from any talented, speedy, 23 year old potentials. A change of scenery to the O's should give the long-hyped outfielder a better chance of netting regular AB's. Assuming Luke Scott will move to a DH role, and Pie takes over in left that will give the Orioles an OF made up of Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, and Felix Pie. Not too shabby!
Wladimir Balentien, Seattle Mariners – Stronger than hips on a Pornstar – but still strikes out far too much. Balentien currently has a leg up on the rest of this young group since the Mariners are in a obvious rebuild mode. A spot in left field seems nearly a lock unless Seattle signs a free agent outfielder in the next few months.
Steve Pearce, Pittsburgh Pirates – The Pirates do not have anything to lose by letting some kids develop this 2009 season.
Jordan Schafer, Atlanta Braves – He has hopefully put the steroid allegations behind him now - and should be ready to take flight at an Atlanta Theatre near you next fall perhaps?
Dexter Fowler, Colorado Rockies – Fowler. Fowler. Has anyone seen Dexter Fowler. (Ode to Ferris Bueller – *sorry that was terrible*) Speed from the Beijing Bronze medalist will win your heart – and with Willy Taveres leaving town, Fowler could be in the mix for centerfield very soon.
Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates – See 2 1/2 inches above.
Fernando Martinez , New York Mets – This kid is light years ahead of most players his age – and he screams huge potential. But we don’t see a reason to rush the 20 year old future phenom provided the Mets can sign a corner outfielder this offseason.
Jason Heyward, Atlanta Braves - Not yet WaiverSharks! But perhaps the Braves will ring in the Heyward era in 2010. He projects to be a future fantasy STUD~! Jeff Francouer had better get his act together with the likes of Jason Heyward, Jordan Schafer, Brandon Jones and even Gorkys Hernandez breathing down his neck!
Austin Jackson, New York Yankees – It may take a bunch of injuries before we even catch a glimpse of Austin Jackson in a Yankees uniform – since Mr. Steinbrenner has gone on a free agent shopping spree this offseason! But - Jackson has undeniable skills and talent in all facets of the game.
Michael Saunders, Seattle Mariners – Figures we end our positional rankings with a Canuck. Michael Saunders is a big left handed hoser who should see plenty of at bats this spring – and could step in if Wladimir Balentien or the recently acquired Franklin Gutierrez should falter or get hurt.
