Projo Fantasy Sports Blog

By David Ferris

All rankings assume 5x5 format (average, runs, homers, RBI, stolen bases).
* = check status

Last Updated: 3/18
Next Update: 3/25

First Base/DH
1. Prince Fielder, Brewers
2. Ryan Howard, Phillies
3. Mark Teixeira, Braves
4. Albert Pujols, Cardinals
NOTE: Solid spring eases concerns.
5. David Ortiz, Red Sox
6. Lance Berkman, Astros
7. Justin Morneau, Twins
8. Adrian Gonzalez, Padres
9. Carlos Guillen, Tigers
10. Carlos Pena, Rays
NOTE: Those pretty 2007 stats are more real than you think.
11. Travis Hafner, Indians
12. Derrek Lee, Cubs
13. Paul Konerko, White Sox
14. Carlos Delgado, Mets
15. Ryan Garko, Indians
16. Gary Sheffield, Tigers
17. Jim Thome, White Sox
18. James Loney, Dodgers
NOTE: Power came late, so pay up.
19. Billy Butler, Royals
20. Todd Helton, Rockies
21. Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox
22. Adam LaRoche, Pirates
23. Conor Jackson, Diamondbacks
24. Frank Thomas, Blue Jays
25. Casey Kotchman, Angels
NOTE: Line-drive bat but overrated for fantasy.
26. Richie Sexson, Mariners
27. Joey Votto, Reds
28. *Daric Barton, Athletics
29. Jason Giambi, Yankees
30. Nick Johnson, Nationals
31. Jose Vidro, Mariners
32. Lyle Overbay, Blue Jays
33. Mike Jacobs, Marlins
34. Kevin Millar, Orioles
35. Shelly Duncan, Yankees
36. Dan Ortmeier, Giants
37. Matt Stairs, Blue Jays
38. Ben Broussard, Rangers
39. Marcus Thames, Tigers
40. Ross Gload, Royals
41. Dmitri Young, Nationals
42. Dan Johnson, Athletics
43. Mike Sweeney, Athletics

Second Base
1. Chase Utley, Phillies
2. Brandon Phillips, Reds
3. Robinson Cano, Yankees
NOTE: Comes with New York surtax.
4. Brian Roberts, Orioles
5. Ian Kinsler, Rangers
6. Rickie Weeks, Brewers
7. Aaron Hill, Blue Jays
8. Howie Kendrick, Angels
9. Placido Polanco, Tigers
10. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
11. Dan Uggla, Marlins
12. Mark Ellis, Athletics
13. Orlando Hudson, Diamondbacks
14. Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians
15. Jeff Kent, Dodgers
16. Kelly Johnson, Braves
17. Freddy Sanchez, Pirates
NOTE: Pretty average, but empty columns elsewhere.
18. Ryan Theriot, Cubs
19. Luis Castillo, Mets
20. Jose Lopez, Mariners
21. Kaz Matsui, Astros
22. Jayson Nix, Rockies
23. Brendan Harris, Twins
24. Ray Durham, Giants
25. Erick Aybar, Angels
NOTE: Has wheels, but might be in time share.
26. Mark Grudzielanek, Royals
27. *Tad Iguchi, Padres
28. Adam Kennedy, Cardinals
29. Kevin Frandsen, Giants
30. Mark DeRosa, Cubs
31. Ronnie Belliard, Nationals
32. Marcus Giles, Rockies
33. Danny Richar, White Sox
34. Jorge Cantu, Marlins

Shortstop
1. Jose Reyes, Mets
2. Hanley Ramirez, Marlins
3. Jimmy Rollins, Phillies
4. Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies
5. Derek Jeter, Yankees
6. Rafael Furcal, Dodgers
7. Michael Young, Rangers
NOTE: Just a solid guy, no longer a star.
8. Jhonny Peralta, Indians
9. Orlando Cabrera, White Sox
10. Miguel Tejada, Astros
11. Edgar Renteria, Tigers
NOTE: Don't overpay for the lineup.
12. Khalil Greene, Padres
NOTE: Might hit 30 homers, but brings average risk.
13. J.J. Hardy, Brewers
14. Jason Bartlett, Rays
15. Julio Lugo, Red Sox
16. Stephen Drew, Diamondbacks
17. Yuniesky Betancourt, Mariners
18. Yunel Escobar, Braves
19. Felipe Lopez, Nationals
20. David Eckstein, Blue Jays
21. Jack Wilson, Pirates
22. Jeff Keppinger, Reds
23. *Bobby Crosby, Athletics
24. Tony Pena, Royals
25. Cesar Izturis, Cardinals
26. Adam Everett, Twins
27. *Omar Vizquel, Giants
28. Luis Hernandez, Orioles
29. Cristian Guzman, Nationals
30. *Alex Gonzalez, Reds
31. Nick Punto, Twins
32. Mark Loretta, Astros

Third Base
1. Alex Rodriguez, Yankees
NOTE: The only logical No. 1 pick.
2. David Wright, Mets
3. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
4. Ryan Braun, Brewers
5. Garrett Atkins, Rockies
6. Aramis Ramirez, Cubs
7. Chone Figgins, Angels
8. Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals
NOTE: Better than last, and new park helps.
9. Chipper Jones, Braves
NOTE: Skills are sublime, but bid on 430 at-bats.
10. Adrian Beltre, Mariners
11. Mike Lowell, Red Sox
12. Hank Blalock, Rangers
NOTE: Re-earned trust late in 2007.
13. Kevin Kouzmanoff, Padres
14. Edwin Encarnacion, Reds
NOTE: Nifty sleeper but can we trust Dusty?
15. Alex Gordon, Royals
16. Ty Wigginton, Astros
NOTE: Also qualifies at second base.
17. Akinori Iwamura, Rays
18. Scott Rolen, Blue Jays
19. Evan Longoria, Rays
NOTE: Can't miss, but 2008 gig isn't guaranteed.
20. Josh Fields, White Sox
21. Mark Reynolds, Diamondbacks
22. Troy Glaus, Cardinals
23. Casey Blake, Indians
24. Pedro Feliz, Phillies
25. Melvin Mora, Orioles
26. Jose Bautista, Pirates
27. Mike Lamb, Twins
28. Joe Crede, White Sox
29. Eric Chavez, Athletics
30. Nomar Garciaparra, Dodgers
31. Maicer Izturis, Angels
32. Chad Tracy, Diamondbacks
33. Juan Uribe, White Sox
34. Rich Aurilia, Giants
35. *Andy LaRoche, Dodgers
36. Chase Headley, Padres

Outfield
1. Matt Holliday, Rockies
2. Carl Crawford, Rays
3. Grady Sizemore, Indians
NOTE: The Mayor of Ohio, fills every column.
4. Carlos Lee, Astros
5. *Alfonso Soriano, Cubs
6. Vladimir Guerrero, Angels
7. Nick Markakis, Orioles
NOTE: Late speed probably carries over.
8. Magglio Ordonez, Tigers
9. Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners
NOTE: In a mild decline but spring struggles overrated.
10. B.J. Upton, Rays
11. Alex Rios, Blue Jays
12. Carlos Beltran, Mets
13. Eric Byrnes, Diamondbacks
NOTE: You make profit merely with 2006 stats.
14. Manny Ramirez, Red Sox
15. Curtis Granderson, Tigers
16. Torii Hunter, Angels
17. Corey Hart, Brewers
18. Hunter Pence, Astros
NOTE: What a ballplayer should look like.
19. Vernon Wells, Blue Jays
20. Jeff Francoeur, Braves
21. Bobby Abreu, Yankees
NOTE: Power dip, no longer a value.
22. Josh Hamilton, Rangers
23. Matt Kemp, Dodgers
24. Adam Dunn, Reds
25. Jermaine Dye, White Sox
26. Chris Young, Diamondbacks
27. Brad Hawpe, Rockies
28. Hideki Matsui, Yankees
29. Andruw Jones, Dodgers
30. Nick Swisher, White Sox
31. Delmon Young, Twins
32. Jose Castillo, Marlins
33. Michael Bourn, Astros
34. Jason Bay, Pirates
NOTE: Bum year and small market equals nifty sleeper.
35. Michael Cuddyer, Twins
NOTE: Not a sexy play, but great support numbers.
36. Johnny Damon, Yankees
37. Josh Willingham, Marlins
38. Ken Griffey, Reds
39. Adam Jones, Orioles
40. Shane Victorino, Phillies
41. Mark Teahen, Royals
42. Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox
NOTE: Skills are legit but there's gridlock here.
43. Raul Ibanez, Mariners
44. Willy Taveras, Rockies
45. Jeremy Hermida, Marlins
46. *Mike Cameron, Brewers
47. Jose Guillen, Royals
48. Lastings Milledge, Nationals
49. Pat Burrell, Phillies
NOTE: Loses at-bats due to leaky defense.
50. Melky Cabrera, Yankees
51. Bill Hall, Brewers
52. Kosuke Fukudome, Cubs
53. Aaron Rowand, Giants
54. David DeJesus, Royals
NOTE: Has the jets but hasn't learned to steal.
55. Coco Crisp, Red Sox
56. Felix Pie, Cubs
57. Rick Ankiel, Cardinals
58. Matt Diaz, Braves
59. Austin Kearns, Nationals
60. Luke Scott, Orioles
61. Ryan Church, Mets
62. Justin Upton, Diamondbacks
63. Nate McLouth, Pirates
NOTE: Let him play and he's a Byrnes type.
64. Aubrey Huff, Orioles
65. Chris Duncan, Cardinals
66. Corey Patterson, Reds
67. Jason Kubel, Twins
68. Carlos Gomez, Twins
69. Juan Pierre, Dodgers
70. Travis Buck, Athletics
71. Gary Matthews, Angels
72. J.D. Drew, Red Sox
NOTE: No logical excuse for 2007.
73. Jay Bruce, Reds
74. Jonny Gomes, Rays
75. Garret Anderson, Angels
76. Andre Ethier, Dodgers
77. Milton Bradley, Rangers
78. Jack Cust, Athletics
79. Scott Hairston, Padres
NOTE: Has 25-homer upside if he lands the gig.
80. Cameron Maybin, Marlins
81. Wily Mo Pena, Nationals
82. Randy Winn, Giants
83. Carlos Quentin, White Sox
84. Franklin Gutierrez, Indians
85. *Moises Alou, Mets
86. Frank Catalanotto, Rangers
87. Elijah Dukes, Nationals
NOTE: Being mentored by Barry Larkin.
88. Jacque Jones, Tigers
89. Geoff Jenkins, Phillies
90. Cliff Floyd, Rays
91. Joey Gathright, Royals
92. Steven Pearce, Pirates
93. Ryan Freel, Reds
94. Dave Roberts, Giants
95. Brian Giles, Padres
96. *Jim Edmonds, Padres
97. Barry Bonds, Free Agent
98. Jayson Werth, Phillies
99. David Dellucci, Indians
100. Jerry Owens, White Sox
101. Xavier Nady, Pirates
102. Brad Wilkerson, Mariners
103. Kenny Lofton, Free Agent
104. Alexei Ramirez, White Sox
105. Emil Brown, Athletics
106. Marlon Byrd, Rangers
107. Reggie Willits, Angels
108. *Rocco Baldelli, Rays

Catcher
1. Victor Martinez, Indians
2. Russell Martin, Dodgers
3. Brian McCann, Braves
NOTE: Best value of the Top 5.
4. Joe Mauer, Twins
5. Jorge Posada, Yankees
6. Kenji Johjima, Mariners
NOTE: Best value of the second tier.
7. Bengie Molina, Giants
8. A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox
9. Ivan Rodriguez, Tigers
10. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Rangers
11. Jason Varitek, Red Sox
12. Ramon Hernandez, Orioles
13. Geovany Soto, Cubs
14. Ronny Paulino, Pirates
15. J.R. Towles, Astros
NOTE: Decent bat, sneaky speed.
16. Mike Napoli, Angels
17. Chris Snyder, Diamondbacks
18. Dioner Navarro, Rays
19. Carlos Ruiz, Phillies
20. Josh Bard, Padres
21. Yorvit Torrealba, Rockies
22. Kurt Suzuki, Athletics
23. Ryan Doumit, Pirates
24. Dave Ross, Reds
25. Yadier Molina, Cardinals
26. Paul Lo Duca, Nationals
27. John Buck, Royals
NOTE: This is the now-or-never season.
28. Gregg Zaun, Blue Jays
29. Miguel Olivo, Royals
30. Chris Iannetta, Rockies
31. Kelly Shoppach, Indians
32. Johnny Estrada, Nationals
33. Brian Schneider, Mets
34. Jason Kendall, Brewers
35. Gerald Laird, Rangers
36. Miguel Montero, Diamondbacks
37. Michael Barrett, Padres

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