Fantasy Baseball Rankings Report - Down

March 27, 2009 @ 00:00:00

By Nicholas Minnix
Edited by Bryce McRae

Also see: Fantasy Baseball Rankings Report - Up

KFFL's Fantasy Baseball Rankings Report gives fantasy baseball players the scoop on any happenings that have significantly affected KFFL's fantasy baseball rankings and projections.

Fantasy owners of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim's ace, current or prospective, have to be mildly worried about two straight years of injury issues. The same goes for a closer north of the border. Some tweaks were in order after further review of a couple of stud fantasy hitters' situations, too.

Catchers

Mike Napoli, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The shoulder continues to be a hindrance. He's getting closer, but the slow recovery is a mild concern. On top of it, he hasn't demonstrated the batting average skills to warrant the original number of at-bats projected. He offers prodigious power at backstop, but at what price? Knock him down a peg or two, that's all.

First basemen

Gaby Sanchez, Florida Marlins

A minor knee problem and a poor spring have conspired to push Sanchez to the bubble for the final 25-man roster. It doesn't help his cause that infielder Emilio Bonifacio is impressing in more ways than one and could have the edge for a slot here.

Shortstops

Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins

Everyone's favorite No. 1 overall is pick moving ... down? Hanley hasn't been on his game this spring, and he is awfully frustrated with management's new policy on appearance. He hasn't been quite as good a hitter in the three-hole, which will limit his chances to steal bases, too. Don't dismiss him, just realize that little things add up for a supposed consensus No. 1.

Outfielders

Alfonso Soriano, Chicago Cubs

Sori will be the leadoff man, which changes his outlook for driving in runs. In hindsight, a couple of his projected numbers were a bit optimistic. A slight reduction, but he's still a top-eight fantasy outfielder.

Denard Span, Minnesota Twins

Span's poor spring is of slight concern. In the minors, he never displayed the batting eye that he did in his 347 major league at-bats of 2008. Given the Twinkies' surplus in the outfield, is he really a lock? Right now he's the leadoff hitter. Just shave a few at-bats off.

Jody Gerut, San Diego Padres

A quick review of Gerut's projection led to a reduction in his home run rate. PETCO Park is unforgiving to left-handed hitters, so any sort of jump in homers can't be expected, unless he experiences unusual growth in his flyball rate and power.

Michael Bourn, Houston Astros

Recently signed catcher Ivan Rodriguez is expected to bat second, moving Bourn to the bottom of the lineup. That results in a loss of quite a few at-bats. On top of it, he hasn't shown enough improvement in his batting skills. He's still a deep mixed source of steals to stash, but that's about it.

Starting pitchers

John Lackey, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The Angels can't catch a break with this pitching staff. Lackey (elbow) is likely to begin the season on the disabled list. An MRI revealed no structural damage but showed some inflammation. The righty was as durable as they come before last season. Maybe five straight years of about 200 innings caught up with him?

Relief pitchers

B.J. Ryan, Toronto Blue Jays

Ryan's velocity is down dramatically - not good at this stage. The Jays insist that it's not injury related, but wasn't that the case last spring? KFFL was already skeptical of Ryan as a low-end No. 1; his violent arm action screams potential for injury recurrence. Don't overreact, but tread carefully.

Also see: Fantasy Baseball Rankings Report - Up

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Nicholas Minnix

KFFL's baseball editor plays in LABR and Tout Wars and won the FSWA Baseball Industry Insiders League in 2010.

The University of Delaware alum is a regular guest on Sirius/XM Fantasy Sports Radio and Baltimore's WNST AM 1570. Follow him on Twitter.

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