It's that time of the year again. Major League Baseball teams are heading to their respective spring training complexes, gearing up for April 1st. With the beginning of spring training that means fantasy baseball is starting up. It's not as popular as fantasy football, but it ranks a close second. As always the top five fantasy selections are studs, and if you are lucky enough to draft in the top half of the first round you should be in excellent shape. When you're drafting a player that high your looking for MVP type numbers. Last year's number one pick in most draft's was Matt Kemp, coming off 39 home runs and 40 stolen bases in 2011, many expected the same. But, a hamstring injury limited him to 106 games and 8th to 9th round value at the end of the season. So these rankings are based on what I expect from these players this season on a 162 game pace.
These rankings are based on a standard league, with runs, runs batted in, batting average, home runs and stolen bases as the categories for hitters and wins, strikeouts, saves, whip and earned run average for pitchers.
1. Mike Trout
The 21-year-old was touted as MLB's top prospect in baseball for the past two seasons. Trout started the year in Triple-A and then was called up in May, and put up numbers that no one has seen from someone that young before. He played in 139 games and put up numbers that most thought were MVP worthy. Trout is an uber stud in fantasy, hitting for power, average and he even swipes some bags, finishing 2012 with .326 average and 129/30/83/49. If you pick Trout first overall you need to understand stand those numbers are going to fall off a little, but it won't be a sophomore slump. He is a lock for 25/40, with the potential to reach 40/50. Confidently pick him with the first pick, and enjoy the ride.
2013 Projections: .310 average, 125 runs/ 28 home runs/ 80 RBI's/ 50 stolen bases
2. Miguel Cabrera
Cabrera was the first person to win the triple crown since Carl Yastrzemski did it in 1967, which means he produced top flight numbers for fantasy owners. Miggy has been one of the most consistent fantasy players since his first full major league season in 2004. Eclipsing the 100 RBI mark every year and over 30 home runs 8 of the 9 years. Most sluggers don't hit for average but Miggy does, always hovering around .320. You should expect the same old for Miggy. With Prince Fielder hitting behind him the sky is the limit.
2013 Projections: .322 average, 108 runs/ 35 home runs/ 120 RBI's/ 1 stolen base
3. Matt Kemp
As a fantasy owner I love those guys who can produce in every category. To use a basketball term, Kemp fills the stat sheet. Like Trout, Kemp can slug and run. With the retooled Dodgers lineup, Kemp might outproduce the numbers he did in 2011. He has protection with Adrian Gonzalez and has table setters in Carl Crawford and Dee Gordon in front of him. Last season was a wash for Kemp, as his hamstring injury lingered all season long. He comes into spring training healthy, and a Dodgers fan base that expects the Dodgers to compete for a World Series, and to do it they need Kemp to produce like I expect him to.
2013 Projections: .300 average, 115 runs/ 31 home runs/ 109 RBI's/ 30 Stolen bases
4. Ryan Braun
Like Cabrera, Braun has been atop fantasy rankings for years. Braun has been in the news lately due to his name being on a PED supplier, which isn't what fantasy owners want to hear. The former MVP had his 50-game suspension for a failed drug test reversed so he could play a full 2012 slate. He produced once again, this time without Prince Fielder behind him. I believe Braun will put up great numbers, but I am afraid of a regression this year as the talent around him is no where near what it used to be. Nevertheless Braun will still produce numbers that will make him worthy of a top 5 pick.
2013 Projections: .315 average, 110 runs/ 33 home runs/ 110 RBI's/ 25 Stolen bases
5. Andrew McCutchen
I have already stated that I like guys who can produce in multiple categories, so lets round out the top five with another one. McCutchen leads a young Pirates team into 2013, who has some lofty expectations. McCutchen's numbers have gradually increased since he joined the big club in 2010. Playing in a great hitters park, McCutchen's numbers are limitless. The center fielder will get plenty of opportunities on the base paths which will make him much more valuable. I see him increasing all of his stats across the board in 2013.
2013 Projections: .330 average, 107 runs/ 27 home runs/ 99 RBI's/ 33 Stolen bases
New contributor Chris Naff will be posting the 6-10 rankings in the coming days. Chris will also be posting other stories during the weeks!
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