Before we rattle off our First Base suggestions, we wanted to mention the intentional omission of San Francisco Giants fast rising catcher prospect – Gerald “Buster” Poseyfrom our previously posted - Catchers rankings. Fact is - we made mention of the Giants possible long term catching solution in an article regarding “Baby Giants” just last month.
WaiverSharks is well aware of the multi-talented Buster! But we wanted to share the limelight with some OTHER up and coming back stops who may be heading to the big leagues as early as 2009.
The rising crop of signal callers is really wonderful news to Fantasy owners - who have seen a pretty dismal drop off the past few years once the Top 3- 5 players have been plucked from this position.
SIDENOTE: Another rising catching prospect you may want to tuck away in the back of your collective Fantasy minds is the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim’s - Hyun Choi “Hank” Conger. We merely omitted him because we didn’t like having to type the words: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim ! Just Kidding! Truth be told – we feel Mike Napoli deserves the “C” spot in 2009 - and Conger has battled shoulder injuries – so, consider him a “Deep, Deep” Sleeper!
WaiverSharks 2009 Preseason
Fantasy Baseball Rankings:
Catchers
Brrrrrrrr!!!
Well, Waiver Sharks -
Only 100 more days until Spring Training!
Okay – as the snow flurries gently cascade outside our window on a chilly November afternoon - It does seem somewhat strange to be gathering together our prognosticating wizardry to help develop a preseason Fantasy Baseball rankings list.
Further wreaking havoc with such an early bird list is the fact that plenty of free agent fish still have their respective agents wheeling and dealing to find them new homes - but let’s not let Scott Boras and Co. ruin our fun!
For those of you who may be new visitors to WaiverSharks.com – we are a website that focuses on Fantasy Sports Baseball – with an emphasis on players that often can be snatched from the consummate waiver wire!
SO – with the cunning of a Hammerhead, and the bite of a Great White – we don’t take the offseason sitting down!
We’ve decided to simply list the TOP 10 Fantasy Baseball Players in the following categories:
Catcher - First base - Second Base -
Short Stop - Third Base – Outfield - Starters
And then we’ll dig in a little deeper.
Ranking the next 10 players - examining them a little bit closer.
(Thus, you could say – this list really BEGINS at #11)
And finally – we give you 5 Sleepers you need to be aware of going into the 2009 season.
Pretty simple – right?
Let’s begin with the almighty back stops - a position that, due to its lack of depth – has suffered through some serious fantasy talent shortages in recent years.
Fear not WaiverSharks – There are indeed Catcher options on the horizon that should provide a boost to your fantasy teams long after V-mart and R-mart have been selected from 2009 fantasy draft boards.
8) Mike Napoli, Anaheim Angels – Napoli turned the magic age of 27 this past Halloween – and managed to hit 20 Homeruns in just 227 at bats last year. A full healthy season could garner sweet numbers!
9) Kelly Shoppach, Cleveland Indians – Not sure how the playing time will be divvied up in the land of Chief Wahoo – but Kelly Shoppach proved he’s something that’s not easy to come by in 2008 - A catcher who can hit – with power!
10) Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals – Is Yada Yada Yada due to overtake brother Bengie in 2009? If the Cards Gold Glover hits the gym this winter with brothers Jose and Bengie, and his power increases – it’s quite possible!
Could be on Waivers - 2009
11) A.J. Pierzynski, Chicago White Sox – The volatile Pierzynski may not be opposing benches (Especially Cubs fans) leading “Lady Byng” candidate – but he often can be had in later rounds – and year after year he delivers numbers that won’t kill you.
12) Chris Iannetta , Colorado Rockies - We love this kid. We just wish Clint Hurdle loved a wider playing time split with Yorvit Torrealba.
13) Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants – Management is saying he may be headed to third base – we don’t care if he pitches – just as long as he rakes like he did last September – and retains catcher eligibility.
14) Chris Snyder , Arizona Diamondbacks – The two Chris’ - Iannetta and Snyder, were added and dropped like Donkey Kong barrels in 2008. More regular playing time would increase values for both.
15) Ramon Hernandez, Baltimore Orioles – Do you recall who the American League Champions, Tampa Bay Rays started at third base before Evan Longoria was called up last season? Neither do we. Click Klack Click. Matt Wieters spikes can be heard in Ramon’s ears – perhaps it will be a motivator?
16) Ivan Rodriguez , New York Yankees – Pudge or Posada? – Once the pride of Puerto Rico, neither side of this catchers coin gets us overly excited – but, plugged into a Bronx Bombers line-up he could stem off the Hall of Fame induction speech another couple seasons.
(Hey Beavis…he said “Butt Plugged”)
17) Dioner Navarro, Tampa Bay Rays – WaiverSharks had him on the Sleeper radar in our exclusive player ranker “THE CAGE” going into 2008 – and he proved to be quite reliable when healthy – we just wish he carried a little more power in his stick.
18) Jarrod Saltalamacchia , Texas Rangers – Everyone’s jumped off the Salty train – Not us…Not yet. He needs to find regular AB’s – and the Rangers need to deal one of their catchers for some starter help. Jarrod was rumored to be headed to the Red Sox – which would have at least saved money on jersey letters. Pay close attention to what develops during the off season regarding the 3-headed Texas Rangers catching monster.
19) Kurt Suzuki, Oakland Athletics – Kurt is amazing at handling the young Oakland staff – but that doesn’t help you win Fantasy titles. Perhaps the arrival of Matt Holliday in A’s town will help boost Oakland’s anemic offence – well, at least until Mr. Beane pulls more triggers come the 2009 trade deadline.
20) Jorge Posada , New York Yankees – This guy was Top 5 the past few years – but his injuries have knocked him down to a high risk/high reward selection.
Catcher Sleepers – 2009
21) Matt Wieters, Baltimore Orioles – (Above) Has succeeded at every level – but does Ramon Hernandez still block him at the plate? We hope not! This kid is destined for greatness – and we figure it’s time Baltimore Orioles fans had another jersey to consider - besides “Markakis”
22) Jeff Clement, Seattle Mariners – Could be this year’s version of Ryan Doumit. We’re not sure where new skip Don Wakamatsu will play the talented lad – but if he has Catcher eligibility in the league you play – he’s worth taking a gamble on.
23) Taylor Teagarden, Texas Rangers – Playing in Arlington has become the A.L. equivalent of Coors Field – in fact, since the induction of the humidor in Colorado - it’s quite possibly the #1 hitter’s park in Major League Baseball.
24) Jesus Flores, Washington Nationals – Don’t @#@#! with da Jesus!
Sorry, but every fantasy sports website should quote “The Big Lebowski” at least five times a season – for the record – WaiverSharks.com is now sitting at four. Flores should be handed the starting catcher’s reigns in 2009. We’re not saying he’ll walk on water – but he has talent that falls under the radar while playing for the Nats. Incidentally, does anyone know the name of the dance Jesus is doing on his Wikipedia page?
25) Max Ramirez, Texas Rangers – Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski should try and detour the derailed D-Train (Dontrelle Willis) away from Detroit and onto the pitching starved Rangers to try and pry this guy’s power bat away from Arlington .
Chances are that won’t happen – but we liked what we saw of Maximiliano (That’s his full first name – imagine if his last name was Saltalamacchia!) in the limited role he was allowed to play in 2008.
Side Note: 2010 is a ways away, but again – WaiverSharks.com is committed to keeping you ahead of your competition!
Three Catching prospects Dynasty leaguers should pay some attention to are:
Philadelphia Phillies - Lou Marson - Appears to be the Phillies catching future.
Atlanta Braves - Tyler Flowers - A key cog in the Jake Peavy deal being at an impasse.
Toronto Blue Jays - J.P. Arencibia– (Youtube - Below) If J.P. remains a catcher he has the batting skill to one day be a solid fantasy asset.
2009 Preseason First Base
Fantasy Baseball Rankings
are on deck!
Before we rattle off our First Base suggestions, we wanted to mention the intentional omission of San Francisco Giants fast rising catcher prospect – Gerald “Buster” Posey from our previously posted - Catchers rankings. Fact is - we made mention of the Giants possible long term catching solution in an article regarding “Baby Giants” just last month.
SIDENOTE: Another rising catching prospect you may want to tuck away in the back of your collective Fantasy minds is the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim’s - Hyun Choi “Hank” Conger. We merely omitted him because we didn’t like having to type the words: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim ! Just Kidding! Truth be told – we feel Mike Napoli deserves the “C” spot in 2009 - and Conger has battled shoulder injuries – so, consider him a “Deep, Deep” Sleeper!
Brrrrrrrr!!!
