Jeff's 2010 MLB Fantasy Preview: Shortstops


If you have the #2 overall pick in your draft please take Hanley Ramirez. Look how he has dominated the 3-year average leaders. He is getting better! I see a lot of good young players at this position that I haven't seen in quite some time. I dropped Jose Reyes a few spots because he most likely will start the season on the DL. Troy Tulowitzki makes the biggest jump on my rankings from #14 last season to #4 in 2010.


3-Year Avg. Leaders: (2007-09)


Games Played: Orlando Cabrera (159)

Batting Average: Hanley Ramirez (.325)

Home Runs: Hanley Ramirez (29)

Doubles: Hanley Ramirez (41)

RBI: Hanley Ramirez (85)

Triples: Jose Reyes & Jimmy Rollins (16)

Stolen Bases: Jose Reyes (48)

Walks: Hanley Ramirez (68)

Runs: Hanley Ramirez (117)

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Cream of the Crop: #1 Hanley Ramirez (FLA) #2 Jimmy Rollins (PHI) #3 Derek Jeter (NYY) #4 Troy Tulowitzki (COL) #5 Rafael Furcal (LAD) #6 Jose Reyes (NYM)


The Next Best: #7 J.J. Hardy (Minn) #8 Orlando Cabrera (Cinn) #9 Stephen Drew (Arz) #10 Ryan Theriot (Cubs) #11 #12 Alexei Ramirez (CHW) #13 Jason Barlett (TB) #14 Stephen Drew (Arz) #15 Marco Scutaro (Bos) #16 Yunel Escobar (Atl) #17 Asdrubal Cabrera (Clev) #18 Elvis Andurs (Tex) #19 Alcides Escobar (Milw)


You could do worse: #20 Erick Aybar (LAA) #21 Yuniesky Betancourt (KC) #22 Julio Lugo (STL) #23 Jack Wilson (Sea) #24 Bobby Crosby (Pit) #25 Alex Gonzalez (Tor) #26 Edgar Renteria (SF) #27 Adam Everett (Det) #28 Christan Guzman (Wash) #29 Cesar Izturis (Balt) #30 Ruben Tejada (NYM)


Hope and Prey: #31 Everth Cabrera (SD) #32 Mike Aviles (KC) #33 Ian Desmond (Wash) #34 Khalil Greene (Stl) #35 Brendan Ryan (Minn) #36 Ronny Cedeno (Pit) #37 Ramon Santiago (Det) #38 John Mcdonald (Tor) #39 Jed Lowrie (Bos) #40 Cliff Pennington (Oak) #41 Paul Janis (Cin) #42 Robert Adino (Balt) #43 Tommy Manzela (Hou) #44 Brian Bixler (Pit)


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Career Year: Elvis Andrus (Tex) The Rangers moved Michael Young to 3B just so Andurs could play last year and he did a solid job. He batted .267, 6 HRs, 40 RBI, 72 runs, and 33 stolen bases in 145 games. I can see .285, 10 HR, 60 RBI, 90 runs, and 45 stolen bases this year. The line-up is stacked around him and he plays in a very hitter-friendly park. No sophomore slump instead a career year!


Sleeper: Eric Aybar (LAA) After splitting time with Macier Izturis in 2008, the Angles gave the majority at-bats to Aybar in 2009. They are glad they did. Eric Aybar played in 137 games and batted .312, 23 Doubles, 70 runs, and 14 steals. This was all done at the bottom of the order. This year he gets to bat lead-off and Mike Scioscia loves to run his guys, especially the top of the order. (Chone Figgens in Sea) Don't hesitate on drafting him because all of his numbers are going up!


Bust: Jose Reyes (NYM) It's never a good sign when your status is listed as "Out 2-7 Weeks". He played a career low 36 games in 2009 and batted .279 with 11 steals. In 2007, Reyes had a career high in steals with 78, but had 56 in 2008, and just 11 last season. He accumulates a lot of points from his legs as one of the best players at swiping a bag. Keep a close watch on how his legs are when he comes back. He's only 26 years old so he might worth the risk. Don't take him too early!


JEFF H www.VegasTopDogs.com
 

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