Here is an early look at my Top 10 Fantasy baseball picks for the 2010 season as of right now, in a 5x5 rotisserie league format.
No. 1 Albert Pujols (1B-Cardinals)
Is there any debate here? Albert does it all for you. He even stole 16 bases last year. I wouldn't expect him to do that again necessarily, but 10 steals is reasonable to expect. He will be a triple crown threat next year, and if you are lucky enough to get the No. 1 pick, take him and be thankfully that you have him on your team.
2009 Stats: .327 AVG, 47 HR, 135 RBI, 16 SB, 124 R
No. 2 Hanley Ramirez (SS-Marlins)
Hanley Ramirez moved to the third spot in the lineup last season and his production changed some, as expected. The batting average rose along with the RBI. His power declined some, but I expect him to hit close to 30 HR's next year. Stolen bases were also down and that can be attributed to the move to the third spot in the order. He is a run producer in that spot, instead of being the table setter. I expect the batting average will stay in about the .325 range next season. Hanley Ramirez helps you in every category while playing shortstop.
2009 Stats: .342 AVG, 24 HR, 106 RBI, 27 SB, 101 R
No. 3 Ryan Braun (OF-Brewers)
This is where it drops off. The first two players (Pujols and Ramirez) are a step above everyone else in the first round in my opinion. Braun does it for you in every category and is a proven offensive force now.
2009 Stats: .320 AVG, 32 HR, 114 RBI, 20 SB, 113 R
No. 4 Alex Rodriguez (3B-Yankees)
In a season shorted by injury, Alex Rodriguez still hit 30 home runs and drove in 100 runs. In a full season next year, expect him to produce his usual numbers and be one of the best players in fantasy baseball again.
2009 Stats: .280 AVG, 30 HR, 100 RBI, 14 SB, 78 R
No. 5 Carl Crawford (OF-Rays)
Crawford can carry your team in steals, and has good enough power numbers to not hurt you too badly in HR's and RBI.
2009 Stats: .305 AVG, 15 HR, 68 RBI, 60 SB, 96 R
No. 6 Jacoby Ellsbury (OF-Red Sox)
Jacoby will carry you in steals, but doesn't put up the power numbers that Crawford will.
2009 Stats: .301 AVG, 8 HR, 60 RBI, 70 SB, 91 R
No. 7 Matt Kemp (OF-Dodgers)
Kemp's power and speed combination helps you build a balanced team. I love loading up on guys who can get you 20-plus HR, and 20-plus SB. Matt Kemp does that and more.
2009 Stats: .297 AVG, 26 HR, 101 RBI, 34 SB, 97 R
No. 8 Zach Greinke (SP-Royals)
The Cy Young winner had a breakout season and I don't think it's a fluke.
2009 Stats: 16 W, 2.16 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 242 K
No. 9 Tim Lincecum (SP-Giants)
Lincecum had another amazing season and continues to be one of the elite pitchers in the game at such a young age. You could easily make the case that he should be the No. 1 pitcher off the draft board. I'll give the slight edge to Greinke, but they are very, very close.
2009 Stats: 15 W, 2.48 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 261 K
No. 10 Joe Mauer (C-Twins)
Joe Mauer had a breakout year and is the best catcher in fantasy baseball by a wide margin. This is why he cracks my Top 10. He gives you an advantage over other teams that will be mixing and matching catchers who don't produce close to what Mauer gives you.
2009 Stats: .365 AVG, 28 HR, 96 RBI, 4 SB, 94 R.
Please comment with your opinions. I welcome any agreements or criticism with these predictions. You can also follow me on twitter @ dsfantasynews
Thanks!
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