2013 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Shortstop

Below are my shortstop rankings for 2013.

1. Jose Reyes (BA, R, SB)
2. Troy Tulowitzki (BA, R, HR, RBI) 
3. Ian Desmond (BA, R, HR, RBI, SB) 
4. Hanley Ramirez (R, HR, RBI, SB) 
5. Starlin Castro (BA, R, SB)  
6. Ben Zobrist (R, HR, SB) 
7. Jimmy Rollins (R, HR, SB) 
8. Elvis Andrus (BA, R, SB) 
9. Asdrubal Cabrera (BA, RBI) 
10. Derek Jeter (BA, R) 
11. J.J. Hardy (R, HR) 
12. Josh Rutledge (BA, R, HR, SB) 
13. Erick Aybar (BA, SB) 
14. Alcides Escobar (R, SB) 
15. Alexei Ramirez (RBI, SB) 
16. Everth Cabrera (SB)
17. Zack Cozart (R, HR)  
18. Jhonny Peralta (HR, RBI) 
19. Jamey Carroll (R) 
20. Mike Aviles (HR, SB) 
21. Andrelton Simmons (BA, SB) 
22. Dee Gordon (SB)  
23. Jed Lowrie (R, HR, RBI) 
24. Stephen Drew (R, HR) 
25. Yunel Escobar (R, RBI)

My rankings are based on a 10-team rotisserie with the following positions: (head-to-head roto/categories would benefit from these rankings as well)

• 1 Catcher
• 1 First Baseman
• 1 Second Baseman
• 1 Shortstop
• 1 Third Baseman
• 1 Corner Infielder (1B/3B)
• 1 Middle Infielder (2B/SS)
• 1 Utility
• 5 Outfielders
• 9 Pitchers (mixture of Starting Pitchers and Relief Pitchers)
• 3 Bench Spots
• 1 Disabled List 

It is usually hard to tell why a player is ranked where they are. If you play in roto or head-to-head roto then you need to how a certain player will help you. If you've been playing a while then you know that Michael Bourn will give you steals and not much else, but if you're new or a casual fan then you won't know this by the ranking alone.

Given this, in my rankings I have what categories (in parantheses) I expect a certain player to help in.

My general bias is towards home runs and batting average and away from steals. If you can find a guy who can help you in all three categories then take him, but if it's a steals specialist I would pass him by. Steals can be found off the waiver wire (such as Juan Pierre last year) or later in the draft, but batting average and home runs aren't as easy to come by and they often lead to other stats such as runs and RBI's.

Key:

• BA: Batting Average
• -BA: will hurt your overall Batting Average
• R: Runs 
• HR: Homes Runs
• RBI: Runs Batted In
• S: Steals

*position eligibility based on ESPN's Fantasy Baseball rules

Being a "Homer"

Do you ever not draft a player because he is on your home team? I'm from Chicago so I have two teams. I root for the Cubs, but I'm not opposed to White Sox success.

The Cubs are not in contention this year so instead we Cub fans must cheer for the success of individual players. I want to see Starlin Castro take that next step where he puts power and average together (and maybe limit his errors). I want to see Anthony Rizzo become the next Mike Trout. Though I want to see these things I may not see them happen on my fantasy team.

Why? Because I don't want to be accused of being a homer. If you don't know, a homer is someone who thinks his/her team is awesome above all other teams. He looks at his team with rose-colored glasses and laughs at the pathetic excuse for a team everyone else puts on the field. I don't want to be that guy.

But who cares? Fantasy Baseball is meant to be fun! If you want to be a homer and live and die by your home team then do it! If that obscure prospect your team has been selling to you all off-season breaks out this season you know you want him on your team. Go for it!

In my case both Castro and Rizzo are fantasy relevant. Maybe I will reach for them in the draft. I expect big things from both so why not? If the Cubs can't win this year then I might as well win my league with their players ;)

2013 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Catcher

Here are my catcher rankings for 2013.

1. Buster Posey (BA, HR, RBI) *also eligible at 1B
2. Joe Mauer (BA, R, RBI) *also eligible at 1B
3. Victor Martinez (BA, R, HR, RBI)
4. Miguel Montero (BA, HR, RBI)  
5. Yadier Molina (BA, HR, RBI, SB)  
6. Wilin Rosario (HR, RBI) 
7. Carlos Santana (R, HR, RBI, -BA) *also eligible at 1B
8. Matt Wieters (HR, RBI, -BA)  
9. Salvador Perez (BA, R, HR, RBI)
10. Jesus Montero (HR, RBI, -BA) 
11. Brian McCann (HR, RBI) 
12. Mike Napoli (HR, RBI, -BA) *also eligible at 1B
13. Carlos Ruiz (BA, HR) 
14. Jarrod Saltalamacchia (HR, -BA)  
15. Ryan Doumit (ok in all categories) *also eligible at OF
16. A.J. Pierzynski (HR) 
17. A.J. Ellis (ok in all categories)  
18. Alex Avila (HR, RBI) 
19. Kurt Suzuki (-BA)

My rankings are based on a 10-team rotisserie with the following positions: (head-to-head roto/categories would benefit from these rankings as well)

• 1 Catcher
• 1 First Baseman
• 1 Second Baseman
• 1 Shortstop
• 1 Third Baseman
• 1 Corner Infielder (1B/3B)
• 1 Middle Infielder (2B/SS)
• 1 Utility
• 5 Outfielders
• 9 Pitchers (mixture of Starting Pitchers and Relief Pitchers)
• 3 Bench Spots
• 1 Disabled List 

It is usually hard to tell why a player is ranked where they are. If you play in roto or head-to-head roto then you need to how a certain player will help you. If you've been playing a while then you know that Michael Bourn will give you steals and not much else, but if you're new or a casual fan then you won't know this by the ranking alone.

Given this, in my rankings I have what categories (in parantheses) I expect a certain player to help in.

My general bias is towards home runs and batting average and away from steals. If you can find a guy who can help you in all three categories then take him, but if it's a steals specialist I would pass him by. Steals can be found off the waiver wire (such as Juan Pierre last year) or later in the draft, but batting average and home runs aren't as easy to come by and they often lead to other stats such as runs and RBI's.

Key:

• BA: Batting Average
• -BA: will hurt your overall Batting Average
• R: Runs 
• HR: Homes Runs
• RBI: Runs Batted In
• S: Steals

*position eligibility based on ESPN's Fantasy Baseball rules

2013 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Third Base

Below are my third base rankings for 2013.

1. Miguel Cabrera (BA, R, HR, RBI)  
2. Adrian Beltre (BA, R, HR, RBI) 
3. David Wright (BA, R, HR, RBI, SB) 
4. Chase Headley (R, HR, RBI, SB) 
5. Evan Longoria (BA, R, HR, RBI) 
6. Hanley Ramirez (HR, RBI, SB) *also eligible at SS 
7. Aramis Ramirez (BA, R, HR, RBI) 
8. Ryan Zimmerman (BA, R, HR, RBI) 
9. David Freese (BA, HR, RBI) 
10. Will Middlebrooks (BA, HR, RBI) 
11. Brett Lawrie (R, HR, SB) 
12. Martin Prado (BA, R, RBI) *also eligible at OF 
13. Mike Moustakas (HR) 
14. Pedro Alvarez (HR, RBI, -BA) 
15. Kevin Youkilis (HR) *also eligible at 1B 
16. Chris Johnson (HR) 
17. Jordan Pacheco (BA) 
18. Todd Frazier (HR) *also eligible at 1B 
19. Kyle Seager (HR, SB, -BA) 
20. Michael Young (BA) *also eligible at 1B

My rankings are based on a 10-team rotisserie with the following positions: (head-to-head roto/categories would benefit from these rankings as well)

• 1 Catcher
• 1 First Baseman
• 1 Second Baseman
• 1 Shortstop
• 1 Third Baseman
• 1 Corner Infielder (1B/3B)
• 1 Middle Infielder (2B/SS)
• 1 Utility
• 5 Outfielders
• 9 Pitchers (mixture of Starting Pitchers and Relief Pitchers)
• 3 Bench Spots
• 1 Disabled List 

It is usually hard to tell why a player is ranked where they are. If you play in roto or head-to-head roto then you need to how a certain player will help you. If you've been playing a while then you know that Michael Bourn will give you steals and not much else, but if you're new or a casual fan then you won't know this by the ranking alone.

Given this, in my rankings I have what categories (in parantheses) I expect a certain player to help in.

My general bias is towards home runs and batting average and away from steals. If you can find a guy who can help you in all three categories then take him, but if it's a steals specialist I would pass him by. Steals can be found off the waiver wire (such as Juan Pierre last year) or later in the draft, but batting average and home runs aren't as easy to come by and they often lead to other stats such as runs and RBI's.

Key:

• BA: Batting Average
• -BA: will hurt your overall Batting Average
• R: Runs 
• HR: Homes Runs
• RBI: Runs Batted In
• S: Steals

*position eligibility based on ESPN's Fantasy Baseball rules

"We Talk Fantasy Sports" guest post

I recently did a guest blog post on the truth behind spring training stats. Check it out at the link below!

http://www.wetalkfantasysports.com/2013/03/Believe-In-Spring-Training.html

Draft Strategy and Rankings Detail: Second Base

The peak of the second base mountain is agreed upon. Cano, Pedroia, and Kinsler are all worthy candidates. Cano hardly has any holes in his game, outside of a lack of steals. Pedroia's disconcerting season last year can be put aside since his possible production is so elite. Kinsler's batting average has been a liability the last two years, but he makes up for it with his runs, home runs, and steals.

Things get interesting with Ben Zobrist and Aaron Hill. Zobrist is eligible at shortstop and outfield, which gives your roster a lot of flexibility. Hill is a confusing player. In the last 2 years he decided to become a base stealer. He stole 23 bases his first 6 years combined. In the last 2 years he stole a combined 35 bases. That combined with his power and run potential makes him one of the players I'm targeting.

Omar Infante is one player I have ranked higher than many other websites. He does nothing particularly well, but he also has no great weakness. He has a chance to hit over .300 and provide decent value in all other categories. Don't expect him to steal as many bases as last year since he spent half the season with Ozzie Guillen. (who would make Miguel Cabrera into a base thief)

When drafting, it is important to have tiers for players. That way you know when a certain level of player is off the board and you can decide to wait until the next tier starts going off the board. Below are my tiers.

Tier 1
Robinson Cano

Tier 2
Dustin Pedroia
Ian Kinsler

Tier 3
Brandon Phillips
Ben Zobrist
Aaron Hill

Tier 4
Jason Kipnis
Danny Espinosa

Tier 5
Omar Infante
Neil Walker
Jose Altuve
Marco Scutaro
Rickie Weeks

Tier 6
Dan Uggla
Howie Kendrick
Daniel Murphy
Chase Utley

*stats are from http://www.baseball-reference.com/

2013 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: First Base

Below are my first base rankings for 2013.

1. Joey Votto (BA, R, HR, RBI) 
2. Albert Pujols (BA, R, HR, RBI) *also eligible at DH 
3. Prince Fielder (BA, R, HR, RBI) 
4. Edwin Encarnacion (BA, R, HR, RBI) *also eligible at DH 
5. Buster Posey (BA, HR, RBI) *also eligible at C 
6. Billy Butler (BA, HR, RBI) *also eligible at DH 
7. Allen Craig (BA, R, HR, RBI) *also eligible at OF 
8. Adrian Gonzalez (BA, R, HR, RBI) 
9. Joe Mauer (BA, R, RBI) *also eligible at C/DH 
10. Paul Goldschmidt (BA, R, HR, RBI, SB) 
11. Adam LaRoche (HR, RBI, -BA) 
12. Corey Hart (HR, R, RBI, -BA) *also eligible at OF 
13. Freddie Freeman (HR, R, RBI, -BA) 
14. Mark Trumbo (HR, RBI) *also eligible at OF/DH 
15. Eric Hosmer (SB, ok in other categories) 
16. Anthony Rizzo (BA, HR, RBI) 
17. Nick Swisher (HR, RBI, -BA) *also eligible at OF 
18. Chris Davis (HR, RBI, -BA) *also eligible at OF/DH 
19. Kendrys Morales (BA, HR, RBI) *also eligible at DH 

My rankings are based on a 10-team rotisserie with the following positions: (head-to-head roto/categories would benefit from these rankings as well)

• 1 Catcher
• 1 First Baseman
• 1 Second Baseman
• 1 Shortstop
• 1 Third Baseman
• 1 Corner Infielder (1B/3B)
• 1 Middle Infielder (2B/SS)
• 1 Utility
• 5 Outfielders
• 9 Pitchers (mixture of Starting Pitchers and Relief Pitchers)
• 3 Bench Spots
• 1 Disabled List 

It is usually hard to tell why a player is ranked where they are. If you play in roto or head-to-head roto then you need to how a certain player will help you. If you've been playing a while then you know that Michael Bourn will give you steals and not much else, but if you're new or a casual fan then you won't know this by the ranking alone.

Given this, in my rankings I have what categories (in parantheses) I expect a certain player to help in.

My general bias is towards home runs and batting average and away from steals. If you can find a guy who can help you in all three categories then take him, but if it's a steals specialist I would pass him by. Steals can be found off the waiver wire (such as Juan Pierre last year) or later in the draft, but batting average and home runs aren't as easy to come by and they often lead to other stats such as runs and RBI's.

Key:

• BA: Batting Average
• -BA: will hurt your overall Batting Average
• R: Runs 
• HR: Homes Runs
• RBI: Runs Batted In
• S: Steals

*position eligibility based on ESPN's Fantasy Baseball rules