2008 position rankings

Many Fantasy Baseball have been asking about 2008 rankings lately. Since they can't find any, we've decided to make our own. Ours will be Top 10 at each regular position, top 20 Starting pitchers, and top 10 closers.

C-
1. Russell Martin: Maybe the best overall catcher of the decade; and he's only 24.
2. Victor Martinez: Just entering his prime, which means at least a 20-100 season.
3. Brian McCann: He's just coming into a zone, and he's under the radar.
4. Joe Mauer: A very nice hitter: should bounce back after his injury to make a good keeper.
5. Jorge Posada: Not much of a keeper anymore, but he's still got a solid year left.
6. Ivan Rodriguez: He should have a career-high in runs since he's a good average hitter.
7. Jason Varitek: He'll play every game Wakefield doesn't start; still a good power hitter with RBI ability
8. Kenji Johjima: Johjima should hit for a good average again and hit 15+ HR
9. Johnny. Estrada: good RBI man, is overlooked in potent Brewers lineup <
10. Geovany Soto: at his 2007 pace, he'd hit 27 HR's in 162 games. Tons of upside for the young fella./span>


1B-
1. Albert Pujols: Next homerun king?
2. Ryan Howard: Should get lots of RBI. He's a first-pick for a league that counts BBs as stats.
3. Mark Teixeira: He's found his place, he's found his stroke, now he needs to find his way to your fantasy team.
4. Prince Fielder: He's your man if your team is looking for HRs and RBI, but not anything else.
5. Justin Morneau: Very consistent, but his MVP season seems far away.
6. Adrian Gonzalez: WIll lead the Padres in just about every offensive category, but then again, it's the Padres.
7. Derrek Lee: Great Power + tiny ballpark= many fantasy points
8. Paul Konerko: Just forget 2007. It never happened.
9. Lance Berkman: No question he still has power. The issue is how long it will last.
10. Kevin Youkillis: Too bad most leagues don't have defensive stats...


2B-
1. Chase Utley: Could be the 2007 MVP if not for that injury.
2. Dan Uggla: This guy's going to help put the Marlins back in contention; or at least out of the laughing stock.
3. Brandon Phillips: Just had his breakout year, but is unfortunately very popular among fantasy owners; which means a first round pick if you want him.
4. Robinson Cano: A 20-100 season is very possible
5. Placido Polanco: Once again, it's too bad defensive stats don't count...
6. Dustin Pedroia: The ROY is only the beginning..
7. Aaron Hill: He's a very good 2B, he just doesn't get any attention; hardly anyone does in Toronto.
8. Ian Kinsler: Another young, emerging player.
9. Freddy Sanchez: Don't judge a player by his team.
10. Orlando Hudson: Not much of an elite player at any one category, but can do a little bit of everything.


SS-
1. jimmy Rollins: Is a good contender for another MVP next year. And the year after that, and...
2. Hanley Ramirez: One of the best all-around fantasy players around.
3. Derek Jeter: Is dwindling a bit, but still a threat.
4. Troy Tulowitzki: There is many great things to come from this 23-year old.
5. Jose Reyes: The best base-stealer available.
6. Michael Young: Pretty much an Orlando Hudson, minus some defense.
7. Rafael Furcal: Should score some more runs than usual.
8. Stephen Drew: 20 Homeruns is very possible.
9. Ryan Theriot: At least 25 SBs.
10. Orlando Cabrera: He;s prformed at least decent at each team he's been to, so the change shouldn't affect him to much.


3B-
1. Alex Rodriguez: Don't count on as many homers as this year, but he's almost a lock for the all-star team.
2. Ryan Braun: Only needed half a seson to win the ROY. When a guy does that, you know he's good.
3. Miguel Cabrera: Will do even better with Detroit with the rest of that very potent lineup.
4. Aramis Ramirez: Another powerful guy in a small ballpark.
5. David Wright: At least 30 HRs if he stays injury-free.
6. Mike Lowell: He's back in Boston, which means a 20-100 season at least.
7. Garret Atkins: Will be a big part of The Rockies getting back to the playoffs.
8. Chone Figgins: His teams even better now, which means better stats for him.
9. Ryan Zimmerman: Too bad his ballpark is so non-hitter friendly.
10. Casey Blake: Not your first choice for 3B, more of a utility guy.

OF (top 25)
1. Matt Holliday: Could have been the MVP, and could be next year.
2. Grady Sizemore: This guy could be the best all-around player of the decade.
3. Curtis Granderson: Could reach 20-20-20-20 many more times.
4. Ichiro: underrated; and he's been hitting .300+ for 7 straight seasons.
5. Vlad Guerrero: One of the best hitters in baseball.
6. Carl Crawford: The best all-around player in Florida.
7. Alfonso Soriano: Should get 30 Homeruns.
8. Magglio Ordonez: Still an amzingly consitent hitter.
9. Chris B. Young: Should get further up the list over the years.
10. Manny Ramirez: Only this high on the list because of his ballpark.
11. Jason Bay: He's ugly, but can sure swing a bat.
12. Alex Rios: Virtually the only offensive bright spot in a dark Toronto team.
13. Hunter Pence: So young, so talented, and so needing to be on your team.
14. Carlos Beltran: An elite hitter in the Met offense, and a star in the field.
15. B.J. Upton: A young star who should be a late-round pick: a steal.
16. Carlos Lee: A premier hitter in a hitters park.
17. Jermaine Dye: Should also bounce back from a poor season.
18. Nick Markakis: The lone talent in a terrible offense.
19. Brad Hawpe: Regrettably, he'll always be remebered as the 2nd-best outfielder on the 2007 Rockies.
20. Josh Willingham: An emerging player in Florida.
21. Jacoby Ellsbury: Possible ROY next year.
22. Vernon Wells: 20 Hrs atleast
23. Juan Pierre: The defintition of speed.
24. Shane Victorino: The second meaning of speed.
25. Mike Cameron: Could be a risky pick, since he's prone to getting beat up by walls.

SP-
1. Johan Santana: The best changeup in baseball.
2. Brandon Webb: The best sinker in baseball.
3. CC Sabathia: If he can get some more run support, he'll be the best fantasy pitcher.
4. Jake Peavy: Mad skills, with a great pitcher's park.
5. Josh Beckett: The greatest playoff pitcher ever. Good thing he's not on the Marlins.
6. Aaron Harang: Amazingly a great pitcher in a huge hitter's park.
7. Roy Halladay: On a little bit of a decline, but still very effective.
8. Brad Penny: He should get 15 wins and eat up a lot of innings.
9. John Lackey: 19 wins is just the beginning.
10. Dan Haren: The first-half cy young will be getting a new home, starting second to arguably the division's best starter.
11. Jeff Francis: The Rockies would be nothing without him.
12. Scott Kazmir: He's under the radar, but definetly draft him.
13. Chien-Ming Wang: 19 wins will be tough to top for him, but he'll really have to help this Yankee rotation.
14. Cole Hamels: A very popular player in Philly, and a great pitcher.
15. John Maine: Have you seen him pitch. He has what it takes to be the Mets ace someday.

CP-
1. Jonathan Papelbon: Can get 45 saves with 50 chances easily.
2. Francisco Rodriguez: They don't call him K-Rod for nothing.
3. JJ Putz: Could be the best closer in baseball in a few years if not for Papelbon.
4. Jose Valverde: Just Dominant.
5. Takashi Saito: Saito doesn't crack under pressure. Very good pitcher.
6. Bobby Jenks: The only bright spot in Chicago this last year.
7. Joe Nathan: Just doesn't get many chances on the Twins.
8. Mariano Rivera: not what he used to be, but can still get the job done.
9. Joe Borowski: Blows way too many saves, though he does get a lot. Also has a high ERA.
10. Francisco Cordero: Also blows more than he should.


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