Jeff Hochman's 2009 MLB Fantasy Preview: Shortstops


This position is very thin like most years so draft accordingly. I see about 15 shortstops that are worth drafting and than a lot of question marks that will give you a major headache. Depending on the number of teams in your league, you could end up taking supermarket knock-off Advil on a nightly basis. Do yourself a favor and guarantee yourself a good SS this season. Most good ones play every day so no substitutions are really needed.


3-Year Avg. Leaders: (2006-08)


Games Played: Michael Young (158)


Batting Average: Derek Jeter (.322)


Home Runs: Hanley Ramirez (26)


Doubles: Hanley Ramirez (43)


RBI: Michael Young (93)


Triples: Jose Reyes (16)


Stolen Bases: Jose Reyes (66)


Walks: Hanley Ramirez (67)


Runs: Hanley Ramirez (123)


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Cream of the Crop: #1 Hanley Ramirez (FLA) #2 Jose Reyes (NYM) #3 Jimmy Rollins (PHI) #4 Michael Young (Tex) #5 Derek Jeter (NYY)


The Next Best: #6 J.J. Hardy (Milw) #7 Rafael Furcal (LAD) #8 Stephen Drew (Arz) #9 Orlando Cabrera (Oak) #10 Jhonny Peralta (Clev) #11 Alexei Ramirez (Chw) #12 Ryan Theriot (CHC) #13 Troy Tulowitzki (Col)


You could do worse: #14 Edgar Renteria (SF) #15 Yuniesky Betancourt (Sea) #16 Christian Guzman (Wash) #17 Jason Bartlett (TB) #18 Yunel Escobar (Atl) #19 Mike Aviles (KC) #20 Emmanuel Burriss (SF) #21 Jack Wilson (Pit)


Hope and Prey: #22 Julio Lugo (Bos) #23 Marco Scutaro (Tor) #24 Khalil Green (SD) #25 Jeff Keppinger (Cin) #26 Maicer Izturis (LAA) #27 Eric Eybar (LAA) #28 Alex Gonzalez (Cin) #29 David Ekcstein (SD) #30 Luis Rodriguez (SD) #31 Cesar Izturis (Balt) #32 Alex Cintron (Balt) #33 Angel Berroa (NYY) #34 Ben Zobrist (TB) #35 Adam Everett (Det) #36 Jed Lowrie (Bos) #37 Ronny Cedeno (Sea) #38 Brandon Wood (LAA) #39 Omar Vizquel (Tex) #40 Nick Punto (Min) #41 Nomar Garciaparra (Oak) #42 Bobby Crosby (Oak)


Career Year: J.J. Hardy (MILW) In two full seasons for the Brewers J.J. has posted 61 doubles, 50 HRs, with a .277 batting average. Make sure you start him when he is going to face lefties. His career batting average of .308 vs. lefties is much higher than his .268 average vs. right-handers. Since Miller Park is a hitter's park it's a little perplexing why he hits better on the road (.287) than at home. (.266) Maybe he doesn't feel pressure on the road compared to playing in front of his home fans. J.J. Hardy is also known for being one of the best hitters (.293) in day games. I project J.J. for .290, 29 HRs, 35 Doubles, and 90 RBI. All career highs! If he hits at home the way he hits on the road the sky is the limit.


Sleeper: Mike Aviles (KC) I love the way this guy plays and he is at the magical age of 27, which in MLB means a huge breakout year. In 102 games played for the Royals, Mike batted .325, 10 HR, 51 RBI, 27 Doubles, 4 Triples, 8 SB, and 68 runs scored. Playing nearly every day this season will help with the Mental aspect of playing baseball. He should be a solid .300 hitter with at least 20-30 stolen bases. KC wants to be more aggressive on the bases so if he gets on he should have the green light. Green means Go!


Bust: Edgar Renteria (SF) Edgar is not getting any younger at 33 years of age. Had his second lowest batting average (.270) last season for the Tigers. He goes from a pitcher's park to another pitcher's delight at AT&T Park. Only Dodger Stadium (1.48) saw fewer Home Runs hit per game than at AT&T Park (1.52) in all of baseball. Doger stadium also saw the fewest runs per game last season at only 7.61. Petco Park in SD is a very close second at 7.68. But the real factor is how soon SF switches to more of a youth movement. That is were talented Emmanuel Burriss comes in and why Renteria is risky this year.


If you missed any previous previews visit the Articles link.

Good Luck in your Draft! Jeff H/JHSL
 

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