Rankings/List

The Counselor is IN:

Here are my fantasy rankings for Catcher in the American League.

This list was made after extensive research into the stats I believed to be the most important when it came to pitchers. I took a list of close to 200 candidates and looked at their career totals in Wins, ERA, WHIP, Saves, and Strikeouts. I then ranked each player in each of those categories. After that I looked at what they averaged in those stats per year. This ensures that we are looking at quality along with quantity. Next I weighted each stat accordingly, because lets face it, a save isn't as important as a win.

The Dutch were clutch in the WBC, sending the DR straight to the ER! 

Okay, that was a poor attempt to sound 'hip'.  However, let not anyone underestimate the profoundly stunning result that 2-1 victory by the Netherlands over the Dominican Republic was. 

The Dominican Republic was a team loaded with MLB all-stars (Miguel Tejada, David Ortiz, Jose Reyes, and Pedro Martinez...to name a few); however, the Dutch had not a single player on its roster who is currently signed with an MLB team. 

This list was made after extensive research into the stats I believed to be the most important when it came to pitchers. I took a list of close to 200 candidates and looked at their career totals in Wins, ERA, WHIP, Saves, and Strikeouts. I then ranked each player in each of those categories. After that I looked at what they averaged in those stats per year. This ensures that we are looking at quality along with quantity. Next I weighted each stat accordingly, because lets face it, a save isn't as important as a win.

On every team, all 25 players are expected to perform. However, there are certain players that expected to perform at a higher level. Here are the top five essential players for the Cincinnati Reds.

5. Ramon Hernandez

Hernandez was a major pickup for the Reds during the offseason. He solidifies a position that has been a question mark for years.

If Hernandez can have a good 2009 season, the Reds will get better quickly. Hernandez is solid offensively and defensively, and he should help a talented young pitching staff as well.

In anticipation of the draft for The Hazean’s 2009 fantasy baseball challenge, I decided to dabble in some preseason projections.

The problem with that thought, though, is that I really do not spend as much time working on my fantasy baseball knowledge as I do football. So I brought in some fantasy baseball muscle to compile these projections.

Aaron McCoy, fantasy baseball connoisseur and a co-worker of mine, offered his fantasy baseball expertise for these rankings. I have to say they are pretty impressive and I might even use them to draft my team this weekend.

All 25 players on a Major League Baseball team are important. However, some stand out more than others. They are the ones who are essential to a team's success. Here are my top five essential players for the Tampa Bay Rays:

5. Pat Burrell

Burrell was the Rays' top free agent pick up this season. He was brought in to add power to an already impressive lineup.

On any Major League Baseball team, all 25 players are important. However, there are always players who are counted on a little more than others. Here are my top 5 essential players for the Atlanta Braves.

5. Garret Anderson

The Braves tried desperately to find an outfielder with power. They finally landed Garret Anderson after a long search. Anderson is a proven veteran who still has some talent left. However, he lacks the power that the Braves need.

As a new member of Bleacher Report, I thought I'd start off with something everyone can enjoy: Fantasy Baseball. Not too long from now we are all gonna be pulling our hair out wondering who to draft, who to start, why is this guy injured, why can't this guy hit a d#@$ ball—ah, the love of the game.

In this being Part One, I will talk about the top 10 starting prospects in the National League. Then in Part Two we'll talk about the American League, and Part Three will be sleeper starters to consider.

Now that Spring Training has begun, the start of the 2009 MLB season can't be far away. So what better time to take a look at the popular ballpark foods we love to consume, and the baseball people we can associate them with.

So, the following is a humerous look at baseball players (and other baseball people) who remind us of these foods. I hope you enjoy it!