Editor's Choice: Fantasy baseball cornerstones
By KFFL Staff
KFFL's managing editors choose their favorite fantasy baseball cornerstones - players to build around from the first five rounds of a mixed league - for 2010.
Cory J. Bonini
| Player |
POS
|
TM
|
The what for |
| Ryan Braun |
OF
|
MIL
|
Especially so in deep OF leagues, a multi-tool threat like Braun is necessary
for me to build around in the first two rounds. |
| David Wright |
3B
|
NYM
|
I'm convinced Wright bounces back and the power returns; I'd love to have
him as my top 3B in any format. |
| Adrian Gonzalez |
1B
|
SD
|
More power never hurts; I'm not expecting 40 HR, but 30-plus makes him
a key piece to my puzzle. |
| Curtis Granderson |
OF
|
NYY
|
I love Granderson in this offense; at this point in the draft I'm looking
for a little more speed than power. |
| Jon Lester |
SP
|
BOS
|
While I don't like taking a SP this early, the pickings are slim and very
risky beyond the 5th round in early drafts I've done. |
Bryce McRae
| Player |
POS
|
TM
|
The what for |
| Ryan Howard |
1B
|
PHI
|
Lock for 40-plus HR, 130-plus RBI. Improving contact rate, lower K rate
give hope his AVG won't return to '08 depths. |
| Curtis Granderson |
OF
|
NYY
|
New home park and hitting coach should help average along with BABIP rebound.
25-25 threat can help across the board. |
| Brandon Phillips |
2B
|
CIN
|
Another 5-category contributor. 2B is extremely shallow. Phillips has
three straight 20-20 seasons - few signs of slowing. |
| Justin Verlander |
SP
|
DET
|
Bounced back exceptionally from his disastrous '08 campaign. Already elite,
he's ready to push his way to top of SP charts. |
| Ryan Zimmerman |
3B
|
WSH
|
Not a sure thing as others on this list. Made leaps last year in power,
can help my average and is still only 25 … room to grow. |
Nicholas Minnix
| Player |
POS
|
TM
|
The what for |
| Miguel Cabrera |
1B
|
DET
|
Near end of 1st round, I can get sworn-free (of silly juice) Cabrera,
maturing and talented. That pick allows me to come right back to get... |
| David Wright |
3B
|
NYM
|
who's primed to bounce back. He received little offensive support in 2009
and worked all winter on his swing. Then, in a bit, I can nab... |
| Brandon Phillips |
2B
|
CIN
|
who's a lock for minimum 20-20 production at MI. If he's gone, Dustin
Pedroia is just as good, although my BA wouldn't need help because... |
| Ichiro Suzuki |
OF
|
SEA
|
will join my squad right around here. Indications are he's slowing down,
but it's a graceful fall, and all those AB solidify my BA. That means... |
| Adam Dunn |
1B/OF
|
WSH
|
is the perfect pick to round out this concrete foundation of R, BA, HR
(now), RBI and SB. I smell first place... |
Tim Heaney
| Player |
POS
|
TM
|
The what for |
| Mark Teixeira |
1B
|
NYY
|
Start building my IF with a 30-HR rock in an elite offense. Having A-Rod
backing him up for a full season induces drool. |
| Kevin Youkilis |
1B/3B
|
BOS
|
Many ignoring his 3B eligibility in scarce year @ hot corner. Stable skills,
30-HR potential shouldn't be undervalued. |
| Brandon Phillips |
2B
|
CIN
|
20-20, 5-category lock at 2B fulfills my early goal of tabbing near-complete
elite IF. Consistency in 3rd round hard to pass up. |
| Adam Dunn |
OF
|
WSH
|
I reach for almost certain 35-plus HR. My BA is built up enough that I
can take the hit of his clip returning to normal. |
| Jon Lester |
SP
|
BOS
|
Low-level aces usually go around this time. Lester's K/9 growth in '09
certified his ascension to the top ranks. |
Editor's Choice: Fantasy
baseball sleepers
Editor's Choice: Fantasy
baseball busts
Editor's Choice: Fantasy
baseball cornerstones
Editor's Choice: Fantasy
baseball end-gamers
Editor's Choice: Fantasy
baseball bargains
Editor's Choice: Fantasy
baseball rip-offs
Editor's Choice: Fantasy
baseball's new blood
Editor's Choice: Fantasy
baseball's old guard
Catch more prime selections in Editor's Choice every Friday!
More Articles You Will Like
