Re: Hanley and Sizemore or any 2 pitchers in baseball
Pitching wins out , always has and always will.
Just like football you need to be able to run the bal to win (ALMOST EVERYTIME)
Pitching wins out, you are right, BUT hitting transfers much more easily from year to year. Here is the top 50 fantasy players going into this year -
1
. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, Yankees. He's the best player in real life and in fantasy.
2. Matt Holliday, OF, Rockies. Great park, great hitter, very good lineup.
3. Jake Peavy, SP, Padres. Jake's got a shot to repeat pitching triple crown.
4. Albert Pujols, 1B, Cardinals. The elbow is a concern. Keep an eye on his game during spring training.
5. Hanley Ramirez, SS, Marlins. Take him over Reyes and Rollins.
6. David Wright, 3B, Mets. Average +Power + Speed = Fantasy Stallion.
7. Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Tigers. Allegedly on a diet.
8. Jose Reyes, SS, Mets. Don't let late season slide scare you off this speedster.
9. Chase Utley, 2B, Phillies. A complete player at the thinnest position in fantasy baseball.
10. Ryan Howard, 1B, Phillies. A healthy Big Man could hit 55 and drive in 150.
11. Vladimir Guerrero, OF, Angels. Go look up his career stats if you disagree.
12. Johan Santana, SP, Mets. He and Peavey will both be great; take your pick.
13. Prince Fielder, 1B, Brewers. Big slugger won't be quite as good as Howard in '08.
14. Alfonso Soriano, OF, Cubs. Expect close to 40 HR, 120 runs, and 35 steals.
15. David Ortiz, 1B, Red Sox. Only the slow-witted bet against Big Papi.
16. Jimmy Rollins, SS, Phillies. This little guy does it all, but a repeat of 2007 is a tall order.
17. Ryan Braun, 3B, Brewers. Potential sophomore slump is the only reason he's not top in 10.
18. Magglio Ordonez, OF, Tigers. He was a monster last year. His stats are due to decline, but he will still be very good.
19. Ichiro, OF Mariners. He's always a threat to hit .350, steal 50 and score 125. That's a fantasy asset.
20. Carlos Beltran, OF, Mets. If all five tools work this year, he's a steal at this level.
21. Grady Sizemore, OF, Indians. He's a unique power/speed combination.
22. Carl Crawford, OF, Devil Rays. If he can nudge the homers up to 20-25, he'll be deadly, both on the field and in the fantasy world.
23. Travis Hafner, 1B, Indians. Will bounce back from sub-par 2007.
24. Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees. This is his breakout year. Deadly in second half.
25. Mark Teixiera, 1B, Braves. Looked really good in second half of 2007 season.
26. C.C. Sabathia, SP, Indians. Needs to hit the salad bar.
27. Josh Beckett, SP, Red Sox. Good in every pitching category. Won't slump after great '07.
28. Carlos Lee, OF, Astros. He should hit .300 with at least 30 HR, 100 RBI, 10 SB.
29. Justin Morneau, 1B, Twins. Don't forget about this 2006 MVP.
30. J.J. Putz, RP, Mariners. Who can argue with 6-1, 40 saves, and a 1.38 ERA?
31. Alex Rios, OF, Blue Jays. Nice producer in every offensise
32. Torii Hunter, OF, Angels.
34. Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies. Coming off a great rookie year in hitter's park.
35. Brandon Phillips, 2B, Reds. A great fantasy player for a second baseman.
36. B.J. Upton, OF, Tampa Bay Rays. .300/30/30 are not out of the question.
37. Victor Martinez, C, Indians. Best hitting catcher in the game.
38. Aramis Ramirez, 3B, Cubs. He might fly under the radar on draft day. Don't let him.
39. Brandon Webb, SP, Diamondbacks. Solid and steady. Not quite a top four pitcher, though.
40. Jonathan Papelbon, RP, Red Sox. Great in every category, but Putz wil get more saves.
41. Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees. Will hit .325, score 115 runs and steal 25. Might pop 20 HR.
42. Nick Markakis, OF, Orioles. Ranked in Top 30 among fantasy players in '07.
43. Adam Dunn, OF, Reds. He always hits at least 40 HR; his low batting average hurts, though.
44. Erik Bedard, SP, Mariners. Would be higher except he's coming off an injury.
45. Manny Ramirez, OF, Red Sox. Can Manny still be Manny this year, or has the decline begun?
46. Derrek Lee, 1B, Cubs. Average is a given. 16 HR after All-Star break raises power hopes.
47. Russell Martin, C, Dodgers. Hitting in a better lineup this year.
48. Carlos Pena, 1B, Devil Rays. He hit 46 homers last year. That can't be ignored.
49. Brian Roberts, 2B, Baltimore Orioles. Take him higher if he's traded to Cubs by Opening Day.
50. Garrett Atkins, 3B, Rockies. Top notch hitter in last 4 months of '07 season.
PLAYER FANTASY RANKINGS 51-100
Notice there are only 8 pitchers here. Two are Bedard and Putz, both major disappointments. Santana hasn't lived up to expectations either. Pitchers only affect your team every fifth day. Some of the position players in this list have underachieved, but should return to the norm by the end of the season. If I'm starting a team today (real or fantasy), I will always take the position player.