Jeff Hochman's 2009 MLB Fantasy Preview: Catchers

It really helps to grab two good Catchers when playing Fantasy Baseball. The average Catcher plays about 110 games with the other 52 going to back-ups. Injuries are always a concern at this position and you should draft for depth.

3-Year Avg. Leaders: (2006-08)

Games Played: Russell Martin (142)

Batting Average: Joe Mauer (.325)

Home Runs: Brian McCann (22)

Doubles: Brian McCann (38)

RBI: Brian McCann (91)

Triples: Joe Mauer (4)

Stolen Bases: Russell Martin (16)

Walks: Joe Mauer (73)

Runs: Joe Mauer (82)

-----------------------------------------------------------

Cream of the Crop: #1 Joe Mauer (MIN) #2 Russell Martin (LAD) #3 Brian McCann (ATL) #4 Victor Martinez (CLEV) #5 Geovany Soto (CUBS)

The Next Best: #6 A.J. Pierzynski (CHW) #7 Bengie Molina (SFG) #8 Ivan Rodriguez (FLA) #9 Jason Kendall (MILW) #10 Brandon Inge (DET) #11 Ramon Hernandez (CINN) #12 Jorge Posada (NYY) #13 Kenji Johjima (SEA) #14 Mike Napoli (LAA) #15 Ryan Doumit (PIT)

You could do worse: #16 Jason Varitek (Bos) #17 Dioner Navarro (Rays) #16 Yadier Molina (Stl) #19 Kurt Suzuki (Oak) #20 Chris Iannetta (Col) #21 Brian Schneider (NYM) #22 Jarrod Saltalamaccia (Tex) #23 Paul LoDuca (Fla) #24 Chris Synder (Arz) #25 David Ross (Cin) #26 Michael Barrett (Tor)

Hope and Prey: #27 John Buck (KC) #28 Gerald Laird (Det) #29 Greg Zaun (Balt) #30 Carlos Ruiz (Phil) #31 Yorvit Torrealba (Col) #32 Kelly Shoppach (Clev) #33 Nick Hundley (SD) #34 Rod Barajas (Tor) #35 Jesus Flores (Wash) #36 Jeff Mathis (LAA) #37 Josh Bard (Bos) #38 Matt Wieters (Balt) #39 Max Ramirez (Tex) #40 John Baker (Fla) #41 Miguel Montero (Arz) #42 Brad Ausmus (LAD)

Career Year: Geavony Soto (Cubs) What a year it was for this rising star! He became the first National League rookie Catcher to start the all-star game, caught Carlos Zambrano's no-hitter, and he won NL rookie of the year honors. I don't see a sophomore slump from a guy who spent 6 seasons in the Minors and who plays in a very hitter friendly park. Be patient because the weather is cold at Wrigley in April and sometimes May. But when Summer comes around Wrigley Field turns into a launching pad, especially when the Winds are blowing Out. He went for .285, 23 HRs, and 83 ribbies in 2008. I think he takes another step forward and puts up .300, 30, 99 in 2009. I would like to see him cut down on his strikeout total of 121 in 141 games. Kinda on the high side.

Sleeper: Ryan Doumit (PIT) He played in only 116 games and batted .318 with 15 HRs, and 69 RBI. Pirates agreed to terms with catcher Ryan Doumit on a three-year, $11.5 million contract with a club option for 2012 and '13. He is going to play a lot. Not a bad option in the middle to late rounds.

Bust: Dioner Navarro (TB) I say him because I doubt he puts up the same batting average as last year. Don't get me wrong. He is still a very capable hitter but will take a step down. Dioner came up through the Dodgers' system and they have a long history of producing great catchers. He batted .292, 7 HRs, and 54 RBI in 120 games played. I see his average dropping by at least 30 points, but will hit a few more HRs than last season.


JH-Sportsline's 2009 MLB Fantasy Preview: First Baseman

There are a lot of really good First Baseman this season so if you don't get a Top-notch guy chances are you will still end up with a very productive player. This position has historically been the least injured and it makes sense since the majority of time they are receiving the ball rather than throwing it.

3-Year Avg. Leaders: (2006-08)

Games Played: Adrian Gonzalez (160)

Batting Average: Albert Pujols (.338)

Home Runs: Ryan Howard (51)

Doubles: Miguel Cabrera (41)

RBI: Ryan Howard (144)

Triples: James Loney (5)

Stolen Bases: Lance Berkman (9)

Walks: Ryan Howard (99)

Runs: Albert Pujols (106)

Cream of the Crop: #1 Albert Pujols (STL) #2 Ryan Howard (PHIL) #3 Miguel Cabrera (DET) #4 Lance Berkman (HOU) #5 Prince Fielder (MILW) #6 Justin Morneau (Min) #7 Mark Teixeira (NYY) #8 Derrek Lee (CHC) #9 Adrian Gonzalez (SD)

The Next Best: #10 Kevin Youkilis (Bos) #11 James Loney (LAD) #12 Carlos Delgado (NYM) #13 Jim Thome (CHW) #14 Conner Jackson (Arz) #15 Paul Konerko (CHW) #16 Adam Laroche (Pit) #17 Ryan Garko (Clev) #18 Joey Votto (Cin) #19 Todd Helton (Col) #20 Carlos Pena (TB)

You could do worse: #21 Aubrey Huff (Bal) #22 Lyle Overbay (Tor) #23 Mike Jacobs (Fla) #24 Casey Kotchman (Atl) #25 Richie Sexson (FA) #26 Dmitri Young (Wash) #27 Nick Johnson (Wash)

Hope and Prey: #27 Daric Barton (Oak) #28 Russell Branyan (Sea) #29 Ross Gload (Kc) #30 Chad Tracy (Arz) #31 Kendry Morales (LAA) #32 John Bowker (Sf) #33 Joe Koshansky (Col) #34 Wilson Betemit (Chw) #35 Ryan Shealy (Kc) #36 Doug Mientkiewicz (Pit)

Career Year: James Loney (LAD) James Loney was my sleeper pick on this list last year and he did not disappoint anyone. He went for .289, 13 HRs, 35 doubles, 6 Triples, and 90 RBI. James Loney is a hitting machine who will gradually hit a lot of HR's during his career. James Loney has been in the league for 3 years and is batting over .300 in his career. It will really help if and when Manny Ramirez is batting in the 3rd spot for the Blue Crew. Expect even better numbers in 2009 for the former PCL Batting champion.

Sleeper: Casey Kotchman (ATL) He will get to play a full year in a hitter's park and the comfort of knowing he will not be traded. Had a decent year playing 100 games for the Angles and another 41 for the Braves. Overall, he went for .272, 14 HRs, 28 Doubles, and 74 RBI. No bad considering he had to switch leagues. He is very comfortable in Atlanta and is poised for a huge "breakout" season. Turner Field was a hitter's ballpark in 2008. Average number of runs scored was 9.74 per game which was above the league average of 9.3 runs per game.

Bust: Carlos Pena (TB) He did hit 31 HRs, 24 Doubles, 102 RBI, but batted only .244 and whiffed 166 times in 139 games played last season. Those strikeout totals are going up too. If you don't put the ball in play you have no chance of producing valuable fantasy points!

-----------------------------------------------------------


JH-Sportsline's 2009 MLB Fantasy Preview: Second Baseman

I would try to grab one of my Top 6 or take a strong look at my sleeper pick. The talent really falls off at this position so it would behoove you to draft a top-notch proven stud. If your drafting around #7 in the 1st round don't hesitate on scooping up Chase Utley. The guy has a short-compact swing and that fits nicely at any ball park especially Citizens bank Park.

3-Year Avg. Leaders: (2006-08)

Games Played: Dan Uggla (153) & Jose Lopez (153)

Batting Average: Placido Polanco (.316)

Home Runs: Dan Uggla (30)

Doubles: Chase Utley (43)

RBI: Chase Utley (103)

Triples: Orlando Hudson (7)

Stolen Bases: Brian Roberts (42)

Walks: Brian Roberts (75)

Runs: Chase Utley (116)

Cream of the Crop: #1 Chase Utley (PHIL) #2 Dan Uggla (FLA) #3 Brian Roberts (BALT) #4 Ian Kinsler (TEX) #5 Dustin Pedroia (BOS) #6 Brandon Phillips (CIN)

The Next Best: #7 Robinson Conoe (NYY) #8 Jose Lopez (Sea) #9 Akinori Iwamura (TB) #10 Placido Polanco (Det) #11 Howie Kendrick (LAA) #12 Fleipe Lopez (Arz) #13 Mark Derosa (Clev) #14 Kelly Johnson (Atl) #15 Orlando Hudson (LAD) #16 Rickie Weeks (Milw) #17 Freddy Sanchez (Pit)

You could do worse: #18 Aaron Hill (Tor) #19 Luis Castillo (NYM) #20 Ronnie Belliard (Wash) #21 Mark Grudzielanek (KC) #22 Kazu Matsui (Hou) #23 Mark Ellis (Oak) #24 Alexi Ramirez (CHW)

Hope and Prey: #25 Brendan Harris (Minn) #26 Ray Durham (Milw) #27 Mark Loretta (LAD) #28 Jamey Carroll (Clev) #29 Aaron Miles (Col) #30 Clint Barmes (Col) #31 Adam Kennedy (TB) #32 Astrubal Cabrera (Clev) #32 Chris Burke (Arz) #33 Edgar Gonzalez (SD) #34 Eugenio Velez (SF) #35 Martin Prado (Atl) #36 Blake Dewitt (LAD) #37 Alberto Callaspo (KC) #38 Alexi Casilla (Min) #39 Kevin Frandsen (SF) #40 Jeff Baker (Col) #41 Emilio Bonifacio (FLA) #42 Chris Getz (CHW) #43 Juan Uribe (CHW)

Career Year: Brandon Phillips (CIN) Brandon enters his 4th season with career averages of .277, 23 HRs, 82 RBI, 26 doubles, 5 Triples, and 27 SB's. He plays in a very hitter friendly park especially in the dog days of Summer and does of a good job of putting the ball in play. (93 K's in 559 AB LY) It's nice to know that he has averaged 149 games played since his rookie season in 2006. Brandon batted .288, hit 30 HRs with 32 SB in 2007, and will definitely surpass that plateau if he stays healthy.

Sleeper: Kazuo Matsui (Hou) Last year Matsui was having a terrific season but got hurt that landed him on the DL twice. He only played in 96 games and batted .293, with 6 HRs, 26 Doubles, and 20 stolen bases. He plays in a very hitter friendly park that saw an average of 10.67 runs per game at Minute Maid Park. Kazuo is a hard worker and if he stays healthy will produce at a very high level for the Astros this year.

Bust: Orlando Hudson (LAD) I hope this prediction is wrong because I have been a Dodgers' fan since I was 7. Orlando is a very talented player but playing half your games at Chavez Revine will cut down on his Power numbers. Do you see him hitting any better than .305, with 29 Doubles, coming off major Wrist Surgery and the ball park change? He stays in the NL West which will help a little but don't expect better numbers than last year. He will be asked to steal more than 4 bases so expect at least 12-15 steals. Major risk/reward player!

Good Luck in your Draft! Jeff H/JHSL Next week: SS and 3B
 

Social Bookmarking