Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
The shortstop position is no joke, especially right at the top of the rankings with super young studs Hanley Ramirez and Jose Reyes.
Besides them being 1-2 (you can make a case for either to be your No. 1 shortstop to get) at the position, they also are being drafted in the top 5 overall -- Ramirez is going first in a lot of drafts.
And what's not to like. The former Red Sox farmhand (are they still trying to trade to get him back?), is a 5-tool monster (.301 BA, 33 HRs, 67 RBIs, 125 runs, 35 SBs in 2008) for the Florida Marlins.
The one category in a standard 5 X 5 league that isn't impressive is RBIs, but remember Ramirez served as the leadoff guy last season. His new role, according to Marlins brass, is to drive in runs from the third hole. The fantasy impact of the lineup move will be obviously more RBIs, but don't be too surprised if his stolen bases drop into the 20s. If they don't, then taking him No. 1 overall is really a no-brainer.
Reyes, that 25-year-old from the Mets, is a jackrabbit on the bases, one of the best base stealers in all of baseball. Some fantasy owners like to scrap stolen bases just like saves, but I'm a big believer in trying to get consistent guys in every category. Reyes fits the bill. He hits for average (.297), power (16 HRs), drives in runs (68 RBIs as leadoff stick), scores runs (113) and steals (56) which were down 22 swipes from a year ago.
You just can't go wrong with either guy. At No. 1 take Ramirez and if people laugh at you because you really like Reyes better -- sometimes you need guys on your team that you like, it's a long year if you have guys on your team you just can't stand (any Red Sox player for me, GO YANKEES!!!) -- then you'll be laughing at the end of the season with the stats he puts up. And watch how many trade offers you field during the season because an owner decided to scrap shortstops to add an extra closer. Go ahead and laugh now, it happens in every league.
Jimmy Rollins failed to deliver last year (.277, 11 HRs, 59 RBIs, 47 SBs), but he's simply too talented to shy away from. Plus, if you enjoy busting a move every now and then, watch J-Roll boogie down in the dugout.
Perhaps the guy I think is way too overrated is Dodgers' Rafael Furcal. Yes, he's talented and can run the bases, but he can't stay healthy. You need your guys on the field to produce stats, Furcal is fragile. He played in only 36 games last year and 138 in 2007 --- my colleague Jim Ingram is probably typing a response now because he protects his Dodgers like the secret service protects President Obama. Just to tease us, Furcal, in 2006 had these great stats (.300 BA, 15 HRs, 63 RBIs, 113 runs, 37 SBs). I think the risk of injury is too great to target Furcal on draft day.
Then, there are a bunch of players grouped together. Do you want youngbloods you hope keep improving -- Stephen Drew or Troy Tulowitzki -- or veterans you know what you're going to get from -- Derek Jeter and Michael Young.
Quickly about Jeter and Young. Jeter's stats may be on the decline -- he only hit 11 homers and drove in 69 runs with 88 runs scored and 11 steals, but he hit .300 once again. Young had a bad year to his standards (.284, 12 HRs, 82 RBIs, 102 runs, 10 SBs), but for pretty much anyone else you'd be happy with that production. These guys can still get it done, don't take the bait from some "fantasy gurus" ... these guys won't let you down, they are still productive players. Let others think they're washed up and pounce on them like a cheetah on a wounded gazelle. If you get either Jeter or Young in the 6-9 round range, can you say steal?
Jhonny Peralta, a guy I've always thought was OK, has put up back to back solid years -- .270-21-72-87-4 and .276-23-89-104-3 -- and he's only 26. Keep him on your radar.
Other bargains can be found with Cubs' Ryan Theriot and Royals' Mike Aviles. I don't typically endorse Red Sox, but Jed Lowrie deserves consideration since Julio Lugo's knee is torn up, plus Lowrie's a better player. He could be a solid fill-in and backup.
(Coming tomorrow: Third baseman rankings by Jim Ingram)
TOP 20 SHORTSTOPS
- Hanley Ramirez (FLA)
- Jose Reyes (NYM)
- Jimmy Rollins (PHI)
- Troy Tulowitzki (COL)
- Stephen Drew (ARZ)
- Derek Jeter (NYY)
- Michael Young (TEX)
- Rafael Furcal (LAD)
- Jhonny Peralta (CLE)
- J.J. Hardy (MIL)
- Mike Aviles (KC)
- Miguel Tejada (HOU)
- Ryan Theriot (CHI)
- Yunel Escobar (ATL)
- Cristian Guzman (WAS)
- Orlando Cabrera (OAK)
- Edgar Renteria (SF)
- Yuniesky Betencourt (SEA)
- Jason Bartlett (TB)
- Jed Lowrie (BOS)
