Hey guys, Brand new league starting up with 30 teams, contracts, the complete package. Sleek design, league run on proboards, stats kept on CBS. The plan is to have it as a head to head league, with 14 of the 30 teams making the playoffs (you have the AL and NL with 6 teams each, division winners clinch spots, four wild cards a league). Some distinct features include realistic salary caps, a three round rookie draft each year, draft pick compensation for free agents that sign elsewhere, waivers, etc. This league is designed to be highly competitive, so only experts please. For more information, please YIM me- (a requirment for the league) My YIM is- michaeldellano. If you are interested, send me an IM. This league will take hard work and dedication, look forward to hearing from you. 

I'm interested in everyone's thoughts on the new MLB TV.

Frankly, I have been pleasantly surprised and pleased by the programing to date.  The Larsen perfect game was epic.  I'm a huge Harold Reynolds as a analyst fan, and happy to see him back on a nightly basis.

Surely someone associated with MLB and/or MLBTV reads this blog, and if so, I for one beg you....PUT SOME MINOR LEAGUE GAMES ON THE NETWORK.  

Oh, and as a personal favor, let's pretend the '69 season didn't happen......

 

 

 

 

 

This is a bit of an update from a previous post. I have Colby Rasmus, Chris Marrero, and Jarrod Parker. I have Picks 6, 11, and 14 now and I'm looking to get 1 Hitter and 2 Pitchers, which seems pretty reasonable with the rich pitching crop. That said, I'm going to take the best talent available.

 

Are there any guys (presumably from the bottom of the list) that I can cross off as not in the Top 20 players on the list?

 

I'm projecting that I can get (based on this list): 6. Strausburg, 11. Alderson 14. Aumont/T. Beckham

 

The more opinions on your Top 20 and definite no's for the Top 20 are greatly appreciated. I'm trying to trim down my list to the top 20 players on here.

 

1. ^Madison Bumgarner - SP - SF - 1989

2. Trevor Cahill - SP - OAK - 1988

3. Brett Anderson - SP - OAK - 1988

4. ^Neftali Feliz - SP - TEX - 1988

5. Stephen Strausburg- SP - COL

6. ^^Dexter Fowler - OF - COL - 1986

7. ^^Chris Tillman - SP - BAL - 1988

8. Buster Posey - C - SF - 1987

9. Eric Hosmer - 1B - KC - 1989

 

10. Tim Beckham - SS - TB - 1990

11. ^Derek Holland - SP - TEX - 1986

12. Tommy Hanson - SP - ATL - 1986

13. ^Michael Stanton - OF - FLA - 1990

 

14. Phillippe Aumont - SP - SEA - 1989

15. ^Jhoulys Chacin - SP - COL - 1988

16. Yonder Alonso - 1B - CIN - 1987

17. ^+Timothy Alderson - SP - SF - 1988

18. ^^Matt Gamel - 3B - MIL - 1985

19. ^+Logan Morrison - 1B - FLA - 1987

20. ^Fred Freeman - 1B - ATL - 1989

^^Alcides Escobar - SS - MIL - 1986

^^Michael Bowden - SP - BOS - 1986

Carlos Triunfel - SS - SEA - 1990

Jeremy Hellickson - SP - TB - 1987

Brett Wallace - 3B - STL - 1986

^+Carlos Santana - C - CLE - 1986

Michael Burgess - OF - WAS - 1988

Dayan Viciedo - 3B - CHW - 1989

^+Jake Arrieta - SP - BAL - 1986

Gordon Beckham - SS - CHW - 1986

Matthew Dominguez - 3B - FLA - 1989

 

 

So our tiny little 16-team league's MiLB draft is going on . . . it's for new draftees and FA MiLB players (defined as under 250 AB or 80 IP in MLB for our league) that are not already on a team's 25 man MiLB roster. The end of the second round is approaching and I have a pick that is two picks away and another that is 10 picks away. One of the two in front of me will take Jeremy Hellickson. Would you all rate my top few on my draft board and hook me up on a little insight and/or advice? Who should I pick?Thanks!!

In no particular order:

Michael Main (SP-Tex)

Taylor Teagarden (C-Tex)

Angel Salome (C-Mil)

James Skelton (C-Det)

Jaff Decker (OF-SD)

Greg Halman (OF-Sea)

Kila Ka'aihue (1B-KC)

Kyle Nicholson (SP-SF)

Thanks in advance!

 

I saw under Dewey's post of Top Fantasy Keepers that a lot of people wanted to incorporate prospects into it.  In keeping with that frame of mind, I have made a list of my top players at each position who are 25 years of age and under.  For my rankings players already producing in the majors will generally be more valuable but upside is also factored in.  If I have forgot someone who is obvious or you just want to voice your opinions on my rankings, feel free to let me know.  (The outfielders and pitchers were very difficult to rank).

 

Top 10 Catchers

1. Russell Martin (Contributes across the board)

2. Joe Mauer

3. Brian McCann

4. Geovany Soto

5. Matt Wieters

6. Buster Posey

7. Chris Ianetta

8. Carlos Santana

9. Jeff Clement

10. Taylor Teagarden

 

Top 10 First Basemen

1. Miguel Cabrera (Clearly at the top for me, one of the best hitters at his age ever)

2.  Prince Fielder

3. Chris Davis

4. Joey Votto

5. Justin Smoak

6. Lars Anderson

7. James Loney

8. Billy Butler

9. Eric Hosmer

10. Logan Morrison

 

Top 10 Second Basemen

1. Dustin Pedroia (Clearly at the top for a position that is very weak with upcoming talent)

2. Howie Kendrick

3. Jose Lopez

4. Asdrubal Cabrera

5. Adrian Cardenas

6. Alexi Casilla

7. Emilio Bonifacio

8. Sean Rodriguez

9. Chris Coghlan

10. Jemile Weeks

 

Top 10 Shortstops

1. Hanley Ramirez (No explanation required)

2. Jose Reyes

3. Troy Tulowitzki

4. Stephen Drew

5. Tim Beckham

6. Gordon Beckham

7. Brandon Wood

8. Elvis Andrus

9. Jed Lowrie

10. Alcides Escobar

 

Top 10 Third Basemen

1. Evan Longoria (Stud you could build a fantasy team around)

2. Ryan Zimmerman

3. Pedro Alvarez

4. Alex Gordon

5. Ian Stewart

6. Mike Moustakas

7. Brett Wallace

8. Dayan Viciedo

9. Mat Gamel

10. Josh Vitters

 

Top 20 Outfielders

1. Ryan Braun (Again, not a hard choice.  He should be great for a long time)

2. Nick Markakis

3. B.J. Upton

4. Matt Kemp

5. Justin Upton

6. Jay Bruce

7. Jacoby Ellsbury

8. Cameron Maybin

9. Hunter Pence

10. Delmon Young

11. Jason Heyward

12. Colby Rasmus

13. Travis Snider

14. Chris Young

15. Adam Jones

16. Dexter Fowler

17. Matt LaPorta

18. Lastings Milledge

19. Elijah Dukes

20. Andrew McCutchen

 

Top 30 Starting Pitchers

1. Tim Lincecum

2. Cole Hamels

3. Chad Billingsley

4. Felix Hernandez

5. David Price

6. Clayton Kershaw

7. Joba Chamberlain

8. Edinson Volquez

9. Scott Kazmir

10. Francisco Liriano

11. Jon Lester

12. Yovani Gallardo

13. Zach Greinke

14. Matt Cain

15. Justin Verlander

16. Matt Garza

17. John Danks

18. Johnny Cueto

19. Clay Buchholz

20. Madison Bumgarner

21. Neftali Feliz

22. Trevor Cahill

23. Josh Johnson

24. Ubaldo Jimenez

25. Rick Porcello

26. Jair Jurrjens

27. Brett Anderson

28. Kevin Slowey

29. Andrew Miller

30. Phil Hughes

 

Top 10 Relief Pitchers

1. Joakim Soria

2. Jonathan Broxton

3. Matt Capps

4. Joey Devine

5. Huston Street

6. Chris Perez

7. Jose Arredondo

8. Daniel Bard

9. Mark Melancon

10. Joel Zumaya

 

There it is, hope that sparks some discussion.  Now feel free to rip me to shreds.

Hey all,

 

                   I just recently made a top 100 list with several ommisions and oversights. PLEASE NOTE NO ONE ON THIS LIST IS OR HAS BEEN IN THE MAJOR LEAGUES!!!!!!!!!!!!! I took some consideration and moved some of my rankings around.

 

1. MATT WIETERS-C-ORILOES

2. JASON HEYWARD-OF-BRAVES

3. PEDRO ALVAREZ-3B-PIRATES

4. RICK PORCELLO-SP-TIGERS

5. LARS ANDERSON-1B-RED SOX

6. MADISON BUMGARNER-SP-GIANTS

7. TREVER CAHILL-SP-A'S

8. MATT LAPORTA- 1B/OF- INDIANS

9. MIKE STANTON-OF-MARLINS

10. COLBY RASMUS-OF-CARDS

11. TIM BECKHAM-SS-RAYS

12. MIKE MOUSTAKOS-3B-ROYALS

13. BUSTER POSEY-C-GIANTS

14. JESUS MONTERO-C-YANKEES

15. LOGAN MORRISON-1B-MARLINS

16. ERIC HOSMER-1B-ROYALS

17. CARLOS SANTANA-C-INDIANS

18. NEFTALI FELIZ-SP-RANGERS

19. DEREK HOLLAND-SP-RANGERS

20. FREDDIE FREEMAN-1B-BRAVES

21. CARLOS TRUINFEL- 3B-MARINERS

22. JUSTIN SMOAK-1B-RANGERS

23. GORDAN BECKHAM-SS-WHITE SOX

24. WILMER FLORES-SS-METS

25. ELVIS ANDRUS-SS-RANGERS

26. JHOULYS CHACHIN-SP-ROCKIES

27. AUSTIN JACKSON-OF-YANKEES

28. JARROD PARKER-SP-DBACKS

29. TOMMY HANSON-SP-BRAVES

30. MATT DOMINGUEZ-3B-MARLINS

31. YONDER ALONSO-1B-REDS

32. BRIAN MATUSZ-SP-ORILOES

33. BRETT ANDERSON-SP-A'S

34. CHRIS COGHLAN-2B-MARLINS

35. TIM ALDERSON-SP-GIANTS

36. CARLOS CARRASCO-SP-PHILLIES

37. AARON HICKS-OF-TWINS

38. BEN REVERE-OF-TWINS

39. JUMICHI TAZAWA-SP-SOX

40. DAYAN VICIEDO-3B-WHITE SOX

41. FERNANDO MARTINEZ-OF-METS

42. CHI HSUAN LIN-OF-RED SOX

43. WES HODGES-3B-INDIANS

44. J.P ARENCIBIA-C-BLUE JAYS

45. CHRIS CARTER-3B-A'S

46. JOSH VITTERS-3B-CUBS

47. KYLE SKIPWORTH-C-MARLINS

48. ADRIAN CARDENAS-SS-A'S

49. ANGEL VILALONA-1B-GIANTS

50. JAKE ARRIETA-SP-ORIOLES

51. ENGEL BELTRE-OF-RANGERS

52. MICHAEL BURGESS-OF-NATIONALS

53. PHILLIPE AUMONT-SP-MARINERS

54. BRYAN ANDERSON-C-CARDS

55. BEAU MILLS-1B/DH-INDIANS

56. JEREMY JEFFRESS-SP-BREWERS

57. CHRIS TILLMAN-SP-ORIOLES

58. BRETT WALLACE-1B-CARDS

59. GORKYS HERNANDEZ-OF-BRAVES

60. NICK WEGLARZ-OF-INDIANS

61. DANIEL BARD-RP-RED SOX

62. WADE DAVIS-SP-RAYS

63. ADAM MILLER-SP-INDIANS

64. JEMILLE WEEKS-2B-A'S

65. WILSON RAMOS-C-TWINS

66. MICHAEL INOA-SP-A'S

67. ANDREW LAMBO-OF-DODGERS

68. HENRY RODRIGUEZ-SP-A'S

69. MICHAEL ALMANZAR-3B-RED SOX

70. TYLER FLOWERS-C-BRAVES]

71. NEFTALI SOTO-3B-REDS

72. JEREMY HELLICKSON-SP-RAYS

73. MICHAEL SAUNDERS-OF-MARINERS

74. GREG HALMAN-OF-MARINERS

75. BRETT LAWRIE-C-BREWERS

76. NICK NOONAN-2B-GIANTS

77. CALE IORG-SS-TIGERS

78. KYLE BLANKS-1B-PADRES

79. DESMOND JENNINGS-0F-RAYS

80. DOMINIC BROWN-OF PHILLIES

81. JULIO TEHRAHAN-OF BRAVES

82. JOSE CEDA-RP-MARLINS

83. DREW STUBBS-OF-REDS

84. JASON DONALD-MIDD-PHILLIES

85. SEAN WEST-SP-MARLINS

86. DARYL JONES-OF-CARDS

87. JORDAN SCHAFER-OF-BRAVES

88. JASON CASTRO-C-ASTROS

89. IKE DAVIS-1B-METS

90. EDUARDO SOSA-OF-YANKEES

91. BRETT CECIL-SP-BLUE JAYS

92. TODD FRAZIER-3B-REDS

93.CONOR GILLISPIE-3B-GIANTS

94. DAVID COOPER-1B-BLUE JAYS

95. DELLIN BETANCES-SP-YANKEES

96. RAFAEL RODRIGUEZ-OF GIANTS

97. REESE HAVEN-2B-METS

98. AARON POREDA-SP-WHITE SOX

99. COREY BROWN-OF-A'S

100. MICHAEL MAIN-SP-RANGERS

 

CATCHERS- DEREK NORRIS, HANK CONGER

SECOND BASE- MATT ANTONELLI

SHORTSTOP- OSCAR TEJADA, CHRIS VALAIKA, CASEY KELLY

THIRD BASE- TAYLOR GREEN, JUAN FRANCISCO, JEFFREY MARTE

OUTFEILD-  JOSH REDDICK, ANDREW MCLUTHCHEN I KNOW I'M GONNA TAKE HEAT FOR LEAVING HIM OFF, JUAN DURAN

STARTING PITCHERS- BRAD HOLT, JORDAN ZIMMERMAN, SHOOTER HUNT, DAVID HUFF,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recently there have been quite a few posts with regards to Keeper/Dynasty leagues.  I myself am very heavily invested in my own baseball keeper league. 

 

I have put together a list of who I believe are the top keepers at each position.  Hopefully those of you who have some tough off-season decisions in your pools can find it helpful.

 

*Keep in mind that these rankings are based on FANTASY purposes only*

 

Top 10 Keeper Catchers

1. Russell Martin (20/20 potential at the catcher position)

2. Joe Mauer

3. Brian McCann

4. Geovanny Soto

5. Ryan Doumit

6. Victor Martinez

7. Mike Napoli

8. Chris Iannetta

9. Jeff Clement

10. Taylor Teagarden

 

Top 10 Keeper First Basemen

1. Albert Pujols (The best pure hitter in the game)

2. Miguel Cabrera

3. Mark Teixeira

4. Justin Morneau

5. Prince Fielder

6. Ryan Howard

7. Lance Berkman

8. Adrian Gonzalez

9. Chris Davis

10. Joey Votto

 

Top 10 Keeper Second Basemen

1. Chase Utley (On a level all by himself for 2Bs)

2. Dustin Pedroia

3. Ian Kinsler

4. Brandon Phillips

5. Robinson Cano

6. Howie Kendrick

7. Alexei Ramirez

8. Brian Roberts

9. Dan Uggla

10. Rickie Weeks

 

Top 10 Keeper Shortstops

1. Hanley Ramirez (Best all-round fantasy player in baseball)

2. Jose Reyes

3. Stephen Drew

4. Troy Tulowitzki

5. Jimmy Rollins

6. JJ Hardy

7. Jhonny Peralta

8. Rafael Furcal

9. Mike Aviles

10. Yunel Escobar

 

Top 10 Keeper Third Basemen

1. David Wright (Young, power+speed+avg)

2. Evan Longoria

3. Alex Rodriguez

4. Aramis Ramirez

5. Ryan Zimmerman

6. Garrett Atkins

7. Chone Figgins

8. Jorge Cantu

9. Edwin Encarnacion

10. Alex Gordon

 

Top 20 Keeper Outfielders

1. Grady Sizemore (Young 30/30 player, possible 40/40?)

2. Ryan Braun

3. Josh Hamilton

4. Nick Markakis

5. Alex Rios

6. Matt Holliday

7. Carlos Quentin

8. Carlos Beltran

9. Carlos Lee

10. Vlady Guerrero

11. BJ Upton

12. Matt Kemp

13. Alfonso Soriano

14. Jason Bay

15. Curtis Granderson

16. Corey Hart

17. Jay Bruce

18. Adam Dunn

19. Nate McClouth

20. Shane Victorino

 

Top 30 Keeper Starting Pitchers

1. Tim Lincecum (K machine will be carving up batters for a LONG time)

2. Cole Hamels

3. Felix Hernandez

4. CC Sabathia

5. Johan Santana

6. Brandon Webb

7. Jake Peavy

8. Joba Chamberlain

9. Chad Billingsley

10. Scott Kazmir

11. David Price

12. Clayton Kershaw

13. Dan Haren

14. Edinson Volquez

15. Ervin Santana

16. Jon Lester

17. Daisuke Matsuzaka

18. Roy Halladay

19. John Lackey

20. Yovani Gallardo

21. Francisco Liriano

22. Roy Oswalt

23. Josh Beckett

24. Matt Cain

25. Justin Verlander

26. Erik Bedard

27. Zack Greinke

28. Brett Myers

29. Carlos Zambrano

30. Rich Harden

 

 

Top 10 Keeper Closers

1. Jonathan Papelbon (Great team, great stuff, fierce competitor)

2. Francisco Rodriguez

3. Bobby Jenks

4. Jose Valverde

5. Joakim Soria

6. Brad Lidge

7. Kerry Wood

8. Joe Nathan

9. Francisco Cordero

10. Brian Wilson

 

I think that its great to see the the O's go after a Japanese pitcher, but perhaps they should have gone after Kenshin Kawakami.

 

According to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TausE4nhypk, half of Koji's pitches are right over the plate. I did some community service one year for a Giants scouting program, and this guy doesn't fit the "movement" catagory. He's controlled, yes, but the pitches are right down broadway. 

 

He'll have to make major adjustments to keep his ERA under 5.00 at the MLB level.

 

Hot off the presses...

http://baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=8405

Five-Star Prospects
1. Colby Rasmus, CF
2. Brett Wallace, 3B
Four-Star Prospects
3. Chris Perez, RHP
4. Daryl Jones, LF
Three-Star Prospects
5. Jess Todd, RHP
6. Adam Reifer, RHP
7. Bryan Anderson, C
8. Jamie Garcia, RHP
9. Lance Lynn, RHP
10. Jason Motte, RHP
Two-Star Prospects
11. Niko Vasquez, SS

Just Missed: Mitch Boggs, RHP; Jon Jay, OF; Peter Kozma, RHP

Summary: The Cardinals have slowly built one of the better systems in baseball. It's not loaded with elite talent, but it is deeper than most, with prospects at nearly every position and as many as eight players making a legitimate argument for the 9th through eleventh spots on this list.

The posting is not up online at Baseball America yet, but per the mailed copy of NL East Top 10 Prospects issue ...

1. Jordan Zimmermann, RHP
2. Ross Detwiler. LHP
3. Chris Marrero, 1B
4. Michael Burgess, OF
5. Jack McGeary, LHP
6. Derek Norris, C
7. Destin Hood, OF
8. Adrian Nieto, C
9. J.P. Ramirez, OF
10. Esmailyn Gonzalez, SS

There are three players from the 2008 draft (Hood, Nieto, & Ramirez) all crack the top 10 list. This system is without question a work in progress. Still no premium prospects, though Strasburg might change that in 2009.