Before moving on to our Rankings of favorite fantasy 2B Second Basemen for 2009 –
There’s one last First baseman prospect that intrigues the heck out of us – and we hope he gets a shot at the friendly confines of Arlington Ballpark in Texas real soon!
The Texas Rangers STOLE this switch-hitting first baseman in the First Year Player Draft – the video below talks about his comparisons to departed former Ranger Mark Teixeira, as well as future Atlanta Braves Hall of Famer Chipper Jones.
Pretty nice company to be mentioned along with!
Imagine this kid in a line-up along with Josh Hamilton, Chris Davis, a healthy Hank Blalock and Ian Kinsler, Nelson Cruz - and Michael Young to name just a few.
The Texas Rangers are going to need to buy extra balls for batting practice if they keep landing these kinds of big boppers!
The prognosticating bandits from WaiverSharks were left plenty of feedback on the FREE Preseason 2009 Fantasy Baseball Catchers Rankings we posted last week!
We thank those of you that commented on how we ranked Major League Baseball’s leading 2009 Fantasy Catchers - and welcome suggestions for any players you feel we should have included in our 2009 Catchers list and/or the remaining 2009 Fantasy Player Ranks we post.
Keeping in mind that it’s still only November - these lists will in all likelihood need some altering by Spring Training - once we are more privy to offseason signings, and know who will be heading to the “Bigs” - and who has more seasoning in the minors ahead of them to start the 2009 baseball campaign.
Now it’s time to head to the BIG MEN - First Basemen are integral if you want to have ANY chance at capturing your leagues Fantasy Baseball title this coming season!
Albert’s elbow is still a question mark – again we reiterate, it’s still only November – he should be fine by the start of spring training.
But we like the Detroit Tigers Miguel Cabrera enough to rank him at #1 regardless of what Albert’s elbow does in the next few months.
The Next 10…
Where we slated Baseballs TOP 10 First Base Fantasy options could obviously be argued – but the next tier is even more debatable.
Here we go looking for players with POWER, (A key necessity from your BIG MEN) who are on the rise – and who could potentially have Super Break Out years in 2009.
(Atari’s tacky game cover art has us day dreaming of the “Good ‘ol days” – when a few PB&J’s, a tall glass of milk, and 12 hours of painfully fun abrasions on a 2600 joystick made up our Sundays.)
11) Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds – Fantasy managers drafting the “Canadian Italian Stallion” may be so overjoyed with his results this upcoming season - they could start humming Styx covers! “Domo Arigato. Thank you very much, Mr. Joey Votto!” Okay, perhaps not. But, we see him having a potentially monster 2009 campaign - playing an entire season at Great American Ballpark.
12) James Loney, Los Angeles Dodgers – If Sir James Loney increased his power only marginally – he’d be instant TOP 10 material.
13) Aubrey Huff, Baltimore Orioles – Aubrey Huff is coming off one of the best seasons of his career – were not convinced he’ll repeat yet another 100+ RBI season in 2009 – but, if the Orioles can improve his surrounding cast – this modest ranking (13th) is certainly appropriate.
14) Chris Davis, Texas Rangers – His power is scary. Fifty Homeruns is not out of “Crash” Davis ’ realm one year – especially while he employs his power stroke in Texas Rangers hitter’s paradise - Arlington Ballpark.
15) Jorge Cantu, Florida Marlins – Jorge’s comeback season in 2008 wasn’t a fluke. He showed sensational promise a few years back while playing for the American League 2009 World Series representative - Tampa Rays. The change in scenery to the National Leagues Florida Fish paid big dividends. With the departure of Mike Jacobs from the Marlins to the Royals - Dallas McPherson could move to the hot corner this year – while Cantu possibly takes over full time first base duties.
15) Conor Jackson, Arizona Diamondbacks – Conor Jackson may never drill forty homers in a year – but he’s coming off a breakout year in 2008, and tends to hit for a higher average than most – That, combined with 25 to 30 HR’s would be a solid welcome from the D-backs rising young stud.
16) Nick Swisher, New York Yankees – Nick’s 2008 season with the Chicago White Sox was as inconsistent as his facial hair. Now - what will “Swish” do in the Big Apple? Coming off a rather dismal 2008 – Swisher really has no where to go but up. His ultimate value will be somewhat dependant on what part of the order the hard hitting New York Yankees bat the zany switch-hitting Swisher.
17) Carlos Pena, Tampa Bay Rays – The Rays line up has continued to improve the past couple seasons – but Carlos had an off year in 2008. A higher average would shoot this ranking up a few spots - but his penchant for striking out so often, and cold starts frustrates us just enough to place him 17th overall.
18) Garrett Atkins, Colorado Rockies – The Coors splits are a real concern here. Considering Garrett could be following the Matt Holliday train out of Colorado – we can’t in good faith rank him any higher – until we learn he’ll remain the Rockies property to start 2009.
19) Travis Hafner, Cleveland Indians – Where do you rank “Pronk” this year? Shoulder issues plagued the big guy for a major portion of 2008. And it’s difficult to predict how well he will bounce back from the arthroscopic surgery he had done this offseason – so we are approaching with caution – slating him in at No. 19
20) Hank Blalock, Texas Rangers – We may raise a few eye brows on this one – but in a word: COMEBACK!
Every year a handful of players enjoy fantastic comeback seasons – Predicting them can be as difficult as opening a pickle jar with wet hands, but here’s our reasoning:
No longer considered a third basemen in Arlington – Blalock is slated to be the Texas Rangers primary DH in 2009. His health appeared to be fine during the final month of the 2008 regular season – when he hit 8 homeruns, 23 RBI’s and had a .337 batting AVG. Assuming he’ll hit near the heart of a sweet hitting line-up that includes Josh Hamilton, Michael Young and Chris Davis just to name a few – 2009 could be a super sleeper fantasy year for Blalock - who incidentally is still only 28 years of age.
AND IF THOSE ARE NOT REASONS ENOUGH! WaiverSharks Bobblehead fanatic, Scott Woodall has just recently purchased a Hank Blalock 2008 Bobble head from an ebay auction – hopefully this will be some helpful karma for the return to glory for “Hammerin’ Hank!”
First Base Sleepers
21) Matt LaPorta, Cleveland Indians - If it we’re April – and knew LaPorta would be starting for the Tribe either at 1st base, Outfield or even possibly Designated hitter – we’d rank him 6 or 7 spots higher. LaPorta can flat out hit – and the Indians line-up has the ability to be VERY potent. Look for Matt LaPorta to be a big part of the Indians resurgence in 2009. This Youtube video below shows LaPorta’s sweet swing in action - clobbering a Grand Slam in an early 2008 contest.
22) Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants – As mentioned in our Catcher Ranks last week, we don’t care so much WHERE Sandoval plays this up and coming 2009 season – just as long as he nets every day at bats. His value will obviously be raised upon earning Catcher status – but regardless – keep your fantasy eyes on this sleeper candidate as well as Nate Shierholtz during the Giants 2009 Spring Training.
23) Billy Butler, Kansas City Royals – Billy Butler, like Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Asdrubal a slew of others – failed to breakout in 2008. Often a player needs another season to find the promise land.
23) Paul Konerko, Chicago White Sox - Paulie had an off year in 2008 – he should rebound, and will be able to be selected for a deep discount.
24) Kila Ka’aihue, Kansas City Royals – The arrival of Mike Jacobs from the Florida Marlins further clouds how much playing time will be made for the giant Hawaiian.
25) Bryan LaHair, Seattle Mariners – The Marinerds sucked in 2008. But don’t spell my name “Brian” Bryan LaHair is a 6’5” left hand hitting prospect who stands a pretty good chance of seeing some First Base duty at Safeco Field in 2009 – depending of course on what moves the Mariners make during this offseason.
We wrap up with three First Base prospects Dynasty Leaguers should pay close attention to - it won’t be long before these three mashers - who we could have just as easily referred to as BIG Lefty, BIGGER Lefty and BIGGEST Lefty - are “going yard” at a major league park near you:
Cincinnati Reds –Yonder Alonso– (Pictured Above) The University of Miami left handed power hitter has a discerning eye at the plate – and could be a future star. The question will be - where will he play? With Joey Votto seemingly settling in at First Base for possibly the next decade – And, when is the earliest over he could crack the majors? If we had to guess – looking over yonder (sorry) - we think more towards the middle, to end of 2010.
Boston Red Sox -Lars Anderson- “Big Lars” may not have the same affectionate ring as “Big Papi” – but he could be next in line to take over the Red Sox first base duties when, and if, David Ortiz follows Manny Ramirez out of Boston.
NOTE: We didn’t include “Big Papi” on our First Baseman list because in most leagues the Red Sox slugger only qualifies for DH.
Atlanta Braves –Jason Heyward– 6’4” left hand hitting Jason Heyward won’t celebrate his 20th birthday until August 2009, and may break into “the show” as an outfielder – but whatever the case may be – the Braves No. 1 pick in the 2007 draft has all the makings of a Fantasy Super Star!
On Deck: WaiverSharks Free 2009 Preseason Fantasy Baseball Rankings continue with:
Second Basemen – Check back soon to see how Chase Utley’s surgery factors into our Top 20 list of talented two baggers. And who do we have pegged for Super Breakouts and Sleeper Candidates?
The prognosticating bandits from WaiverSharks were left plenty of feedback on the FREE Preseason 2009 Fantasy Baseball Catchers Rankings we posted last week!
Where we slated Baseballs TOP 10 First Base Fantasy options could obviously be argued – but the next tier is even more debatable.
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