Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide

Fantasy Baseball Rankings Report - Down

March 20, 2009 @ 00:00:00

By Nicholas Minnix
Edited by Tim Heaney

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.

Plenty of updates this week, beginning with a downgrade to the World Series MVP and another highly valued right arm from America's Finest City. Sit back, relax, and get ready to downgrade.

Catchers

Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins

After a couple of weeks of uncertainty, the Twinkies' stud backstop admitted that his club will be without him for Opening Day. Considering his injury history and his slow recovery, he's a bit of a risk. Perhaps not much more so than Cleveland Indians catcher Victor Martinez, but you get the picture.

Jeff Clement, Seattle Mariners

The signing of outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. (who will DH quite a bit). A strong WBC showing from Kenji Johjima. An uninspiring spring line from Clement. All of these things say that the breakout isn't as immediate as many had hoped. He's not really draftable, except in the deepest of mixed leagues and AL-only setups, right now. Don't forget that Johjima is one of KFFL's sleepers this year.

Second basemen

Aaron Miles, Chicago Cubs

Miles is trailing Mike Fontenot in the comp for the gig at second base. He'll still be a valuable utility infielder to Chicago if he loses out, but he offers little in the way of fantasy production. He's nothing more than an NL reserve.

Jeff Baker, Colorado Rockies

Baker (elbow) hasn't been on the field enough to stake his claim to certain playing time. Meanwhile, Clint Barmes is just playing his scrappy game. Baker was a popular pick early in draft season, but those fantasy owners were way too optimistic about this NL reserve.

Third basemen

Kevin Kouzmanoff, San Diego Padres

Upon further review.... Kouz's disgusting decline in strikeout-to-walk rate was putrid, but he can't be that bad again. He's coming off arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder, too. Some of us still fancy a moderate bounce-back, though.

Mark Reynolds, Arizona Diamondbacks

Even less certainty about Reynolds' playing time knocks him down a few pegs. His shoddy glove work is a thorn in the Rattlers' side, but he offers prodigious power. It's hard to believe that Arizona will want to rely on Chad Tracy's dull bat for extended periods, though.

Shortstops

Ryan Theriot, Chicago Cubs

KFFL loves Theriot, but he required a review, largely based on his expected playing time. The little feller should get occasional rest, but he's still an excellent source of runs and steals as a middle infielder later in your draft.

Julio Lugo, Boston Red Sox

Lugo suffered a torn meniscus, which required surgery, and he'll miss three to four weeks. It's a shame, because he was having a fine spring. Fellow infielder Jed Lowrie is the man by default, but expect Lugo to get some PT once he's healthy; he has a pricey deal, and Lowrie is still a little unpolished.

Outfielders

Carlos Guillen, Detroit Tigers

Guillen derives most of his value from his flexibility and the great lineup he's in. Given his past health issues, his playing time received a review. Bump him down a bit, and realize that, while he's solid, his eligibility limits him at positions where power or steals are more the names of the game now.

Jose Guillen, Kansas City Royals

The outfielder is streaky and volatile, which means he's not often a great fantasy pick. He had a poor showing at the WBC, but that's not a concern. A review merely bumped him down a few notches.

Eric Byrnes, Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona's fourth outfielder has struggled to come back from his hamstring issues until recently. He seems to be close to full speed, but the D-backs have three youngsters out there. Don't discount Byrnes' value in mixed formats - there is more volatility in this lineup than many perceive - but he's probably not worth a deep mixed league draft pick, unless it's your last one.

Juan Pierre, Los Angeles Dodgers

What's a man to do when his club signs Manny Ramirez? Whine, do anything to facilitate a trade, and realize it's not enough right now. He'll still get some steals, so maybe he's worth a last-ditch pick in deep mixed formats (definitely if Man-Ram's health becomes a bigger concern). Maybe. Keep him on your watch list.

Josh Willingham, Washington Nationals

The Nats have made little noise in the trade market - they have a ton too many outfielders - so someone will feel the squeeze. With Adam Dunn, Lastings Milledge and Elijah Dukes on board, Willingham is that man for now.

Jerry Owens, Chicago White Sox

You can't steal first base. He doesn't play great defense, so if Owens continues to struggle to get on, he's merely pinch runner and occasional fill-in. He still has No. 6 outfielder value in AL-only leagues for the prospect of steals.

Starting pitchers

Jake Peavy, San Diego Padres

Peavy has been terrible in the WBC, and he didn't instill a great of confidence with his inconsistency last season. More than 1,250 innings on this 27-year-old's arm, and come to think of it, that last time he pitched in the WBC.... Knock him down to low-end No. 1 starter status, and be wary.

Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies

The City of Brotherly Love breathed a sigh of relief when Hamels' MRI came back negative, and he reported no problems after playing long toss. Regardless, it's hard to ignore that big jump in innings. The Phils will play it extremely cautiously with the World Series MVP. Fantasy owners should too. He's a gamble as a low-end No. 1 fantasy starter at this point.

Carlos Zambrano, Chicago Cubs

KFFL wanted to believe in a bit of a bounce-back, but more review finally convinced us that it simply isn't in the cards. He could earn you a profit as a No. 3 or No. 4 starter, but some are willing to gamble on his dangerous trends too early for our taste.

Chris Young, San Diego Padres

What do we have against the Friars' rotation? Nothing in particular, except that Young's velocity is still down at this stage of Cactus League action. The elbow tendonitis is not a major concern, but his fastball has been on the decline for the past few seasons. He can't seem to make it 30 starts either. After a hopeful projection for a bounce-back, we've tempered expectations quite a bit.

Kenshin Kawakami, Atlanta Braves

The Japanese import has been solid but unspectacular this spring. No one is impressed thus far, and he has experienced some shoulder fatigue. He should still be a serviceable bench addition in deep mixed leagues, but don't reach hoping for anything more than Hiroki Kuroda lite.

Justin Duchscherer

He has finally thrown off a mound, but Duchscherer (elbow) is behind schedule and won't make Opening Day. It's hard to consider him in mixed leagues at all. He has a checkered injury history, so much so that he may have to move back to the bullpen eventually. Not promising, but keep him on your watch list.

Rich Hill, Baltimore Orioles

The once promising lefty has made little, if any, progress with his elbow stiffness and discomfort. Many deep mixed league owners were excited about the prospect of a turnaround on this flier pick, but now he's simply a gamble for AL players.

Tom Gorzelanny, Pittsburgh Pirates

Simply put, Gorzelanny stinks. His comeback effort has been muted because he has been so hittable and can't rein in his command. He doesn't throw hard enough to make up for previous mistakes, and he was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. Frustrating for him, but us fantasy owners can just write him off.

Relief pitchers

Carlos Marmol, Chicago Cubs

Manager Lou Piniella won't hand anyone a job. Marmol has to show that he deserves it, and he hasn't done that with his WBC showing, despite a solid spring. Kevin Gregg is still ... in the picture, at least. Marmol is a risky No. 1 closer, ideally a No. 2.

Trevor Hoffman, Milwaukee Brewers

The mild oblique strain suffered by "Hells Bells" simply reminds us that his age (41) and skills don't inspire a ton of optimism for fantasy purposes. He's still a decent low-end No. 2 or high-end No. 3 reliever, but knock him down another rung.

Matt Lindstrom, Florida Marlins

The right-hander's status for Opening Day is in doubt, although he still thinks he'll be ready. He's already one of the shakier low-end No. 2 or high-end No. 3 closers available. Just knock him down a peg or two, and be wary, because Florida has several arms they could eventually turn to.

Huston Street, Colorado Rockies

The righty has righted the ship in his last few outings. However, it's still a tight competition for the closer's role, and it's one in which reliever Manny Corpas is believed to have a slight edge. Street still warrants more fantasy consideration from most, but that may soon change. He and Corpas are facing a test of outings on back-to-back days, though, and Street has passed with flying colors. He could be the better short-term pick.

Chris Perez, St. Louis Cardinals

Perez (shoulder) has been shut down for the past couple of days and hadn't been throwing for a few because of some shoulder discomfort. He has been diagnosed with an impingement in the joint, and he says he feels no pain. The Cards will be cautious; it's simply poor timing given reliever Jason Motte's performance thus far. St. Louis' closer probably won't be the same dude all year, though, so don't discount Perez too much based on this news.

Joey Devine, Oakland Athletics

Devine (elbow) is finally throwing, but it's a concern that the dominant righty continues to have occasional problems with this joint. He's the long-term answer at closer, but persistent health issues have him falling out of favor with fantasy owners right now.

Also see: Fantasy Baseball Rankings Report - Up