With the 2009 fantasy baseball rankings for every position in the bizz-ag. We turn our conjunctivitis-tainted eye towards the top 100 for 2009 fantasy baseball. This should have you skipping around like a little school girl. I love Razzball and the Jonas Brothers! If you’ve been following the top 20 position rankings, this top 100 shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. I’ve basically just placed guys in order for the bigger picture for when you’re doing your fantasy baseball 2009 drafting thing-a-ma-whozie-watts. Not to get all biblical on you, but this is the gospel. Hold it up to the light and it will say, “Win your 2009 fantasy baseball league, young premature balding man,” or some shizz. For another perspective, our 2009 fantasy baseball player rater goes to the 616th ranked player. Also, to help with your drafting, here’s a list of players with multiple position eligibility. Or read why some of your favorite pitchers are not here but in Rudy’s top 20 risky pitchers post. Anyway, here’s the top 100 for 2009 fantasy baseball, including projections:
1. Hanley Ramirez – Legit 35/35 threat at shortstop. The iffy shoulder worries me a bit, but he has shown to be resilient. 2009 Projections: 125/37/80/.295/35
2. Jose Reyes – He’s like your brain on Jolt and coke. 2009 Projections: 125/15/70/.290/60
3. David Wright – And he helped a Baldwin win a challenge on The Celebrity Apprentice! 2009 Projections: 110/33/120/.310/14
4. Albert Pujols – One of these days he’s just going to get a bionic elbow and you’ll never have to worry about him again. Which reminds me, who’s older right now — Albert Pujols or Lee Majors? 2009 projections: 105/35/110/.335/5
5. Miguel Cabrera – If Miguel Olivo was around to hug him, he’d hit 50 HRs. (<–It’s called a hunch, people!) 2009 Projections: 100/39/125/.305
6. Grady Sizemore – Better 30/30 threat than Hanley? 2009 Projections: 110/37/85/.285/30
7. Ryan Braun – Best Jewish player since Gene Simmons. 2009 Projections: 100/40/110/.280/15
8. Ryan Howard – They should have a Battle of the Network Stars-type activity at the All-Star Game where someone like David Eckstein has to rickshaw Ryan Howard around the bases. Why am I not in charge of the ASB activities? 2009 Projections: 100/45/140/.265
9. Johan Santana – First guy on this list I don’t draft where I have him listed. I’d grab Johan early in the 3rd round, if he were there. 2009 Projections: 18-6/2.95/1.12/210
10. Chase Utley – I’m pretty confident Utley moves up to the ninth spot on this list when he shows up to spring training healthy. 2009 Projections: 105/29/105/.295/10
11. Mark Teixiera – No speed, but as good as a lock for his projections as anyone. 2009 Projections: 110/35/125/.310
12. Tim Lincecum – Innings were pretty high last year, and he’s ranked at 13. Superstitious? 2009 Projections: 17-8/3.00/1.18/210
13. Carlos Beltran – Steady as they go and uncanny resemblance to Ricky from My So Called Life. 2009 Projections: 110/27/115/.275/22
14. Ian Kinsler – People seem to think he’s going to be the new Chase Utley. The problem with that is Kinsler might bat .260 this year; Utley won’t. 2009 Projections: 110/23/80/.280/25
15. Jimmy Rollins – He’s not getting younger and at some point he’s going to go from a 40 steal guy to a 30 steal guy. Cust kayin’. 2009 Projections: 115/16/75/.280/40
16. Prince Fielder – Surprised he doesn’t request the Brewers add a Tofurky Dog to the wiener race. 2009 Projections: 85/40/110/.285
17. Carlos Lee – I know you want the Longoria upside, but safe pick in the 2nd round and risky pick in the 12th round wins championships. 2009 Projections: 100/33/110/.300/7
18. Lance Berkman – See Lee, Carlos or one-sixteenth of an inch above. 2009 Projections: 100/32/100/.300/7
19. Evan Longoria – Choose your own adventure. Get upside in the 2nd round? Or get upside in the 10th round? 2009 Projections: 85/30/110/.275/7
20. Alfonso Soriano – Al-So is somehow being underrated all of a sudden. Sure, he’s a Latin 33 but whatevs. 2009 Projections: 110/32/85/.275/15
21. Matt Holliday – He hit 25 home runs last year calling Coors home. Zoinks! 2009 Projections: 90/22/105/.310/12
22. Josh Hamilton – I’ve gone over why Josh Hamilton is overrated. 2009 Projections: 95/30/110/.295/7
23. Brandon Phillips – When someone can point out to me exactly how Phillips isn’t better for his value than Kinsler, I’ll move Phillips down the list. Or up. Or whatever. 2009 Projections: 90/25/80/.270/25
24. Justin Morneau – I’m skipping Morneau for Votto or someone else. 2009 Projections: 90/27/115/.285
25. Aramis Ramirez – I’m targeting Aramis over Longoria in most of my drafts. 2009 Projections: 105/30/115/.295
26. Carlos Quentin – Love CQ, hate Roman Coppola. 2009 Projections: 105/35/110/.275/7
27. Jake Peavy – He can easily be better than Sabathia, Lincecum and Webb. 2009 Projections: 15-6/2.95/1.10/205
28. B.J. Upton – If he shows the power of 2007 and the speed of 2008, watch out. 2009 Projections: 95/20/80/.280/35
29. Carl Crawford – I didn’t like him ranked at 14 last year but I like him at 30 this year. Recognize! 2009 Projections: 85/15/80/.300/45
30. Matt Kemp – I love Matt Kemp this year. 2009 Projections: 95/24/80/.295/30
31. Adrian Gonzalez – He’s battling Petco, and he’s still beating Morneau’s power numbers. 2009 Projections: 85/34/95/.280
32. Ichiro Suzuki – Here’s another guy I won’t have on any teams, but he is what he is. 2009 Projections: 110/7/50/.315/35
33. CC Sabathia – Hopefully he doesn’t have an April in New York like he had in 2008. 2009 Projections: 18-7/3.20/1.10/200
34. Cole Hamels – Even Philly phans are worried about the extra innings. 2009 Projections: 16-9/3.30/1.10/195
35. Alex Rios – He should go 20/20. Then again, he should’ve went 20/20 last year. Thought bubble, “Rios should be ranked lower.” Leave me alone, thought bubble! 2009 Projections: 85/25/90/.295/20
36. Kevin Youkilis – I liked Youuuuk a lot last year. He’s not quite the steal anymore, but I do still like him. 2009 Projections: 95/25/110/.295
37. Nick Markakis – I am Sparkakis! No, I am Sparkakis! 2009 Projections: 95/25/100/.310/10
38. Alexei Ramirez – This high because the shallowness of shortstops. (That’s not implying shortstops only read Perez Hilton and talk about their nails.) If he’s not eligible at shortstop, then he drops about ten spots. 2009 Projections: 95/22/90/.285/15
39. Brandon Webb – Win karma’s gonna get you, knock you right on your head. 2009 Projections: 16-10/3.30/1.20/180
40. Alex Rodriguez – Drugs bad, A-Rod good, Cyst bad. Any questions? 2009 Projections: 70/24/75/.295/4
41. Dustin Pedroia – Pedroia overrated. (<–You click) 2009 Projections: 110/15/75/.310/15
42. Shane Victorino – I love The Flying Hawaiian. Like love love. 2009 Projections: 100/15/60/.285/35
43. Brian Roberts – I hate Brian Roberts. On the left side of the screen, a mouth says, “H” and on the right side of the screen another mouth says “ate.” Then they come together in the middle of the screen to form “Hate.” 2009 Projections: 105/10/50/.285/30
44. Dan Haren – I don’t draft pitchers until later, but I could see a scenario where Haren’s on one of my teams. 2009 Projections: 16-7/3.40/1.15/195
45. David Ortiz – Big Papi is a Latin 33 and aging rapidly. 2009 Projections: 85/27/110/.285
46. Chipper Jones – 120 games of solid and 40 games of waiver wire pickups. 2009 Projections: 80/20/85/.320/5
47. Jacoby Ellsbury – A cheaper, slightly riskier Victorino? Pee to erhaps. 2009 Projections: 110/10/60/.285/40
48. Jason Bay – He was sofa king bad in 2007, that it’s hard for me to trust again. 2009 Projections: 100/32/110/.280/10
49. Nate McLouth – The only drawback for McLouth is you have to watch the Pirates highlights to see how he did, and there are no Pirates highlights. 2009 Projections: 95/22/90/.270/22
50. Curtis Granderson – Vladdy’s your baby’s daddy, but Grandy is dandy. 2009 Projections: 115/22/75/.275/17
51. Manny Ramirez – This is assuming he plays somewhere. 2009 Projections: 85/30/90/.300
52. Roy Halladay – Careful expecting lots of Ks. 2009 Projections: 16-6/3.50/1.10/165
53. Corey Hart – 80s one hit wonder reemerges to give you a 20/20 season and an iffy average. 2009 Projections: 75/22/80/.275/20
54. Roy Oswalt – 12 to 6’er who’s the big three-one. 2009 Projections: 15-9/3.75/1.15/150
55. Vladimir Guerrero – Beginning to run like the Ruskie he might be named after. 2009 Projections: 85/27/100/.310/5
56. Joey Votto – The Reds might actually be good this year. Seriously. Seriously! SERIOUSLY! 2009 Projections: 85/28/100/.300/12
57. Josh Beckett – Red State Jeter has Cy Young stuff. 2009 Projections: 16-10/3.75/1.20/175
58. Dan Uggla – Mini Dunn. 2009 Projections: 85/30/100/.255/5
59. Adam Dunn – Regular-sized Dunn. 2009 Projections: 80/40/85/.245/5
60. Jonathan Papelbon – I’ll take Broxton around the 10th round as my first closer off the board. 2009 Projections: 6-2/1.75/.95/80, 45 saves
61. John Lackey – Dazzling at times might be outshined by Weaver this year. 2009 Projections: 16-11/3.60/1.22/175
62. Joe Nathan – If I were the type to take a top closer, I’d grab Lidge because of the Ks. 2009 Projections: 2-3/1.90/1.00/75, 42 saves
63. Brad Lidge – See Nathan, Joe or one-eightteenth of an inch above. 2009 Projections: 5-4/2.50/1.20/100, 40 saves
64. Brian McCann – A catcher in the top 100? You’ve got to be kidding me. 2009 Projections: 75/25/95/.295
65. Geovany Soto – Why would you draft a guy that could give you Melvin Mora numbers at 65? Because he’s at catcher? That’s foolish, fool. 2009 Projections: 70/26/100/.280
66. Derrek Lee – Derrek Lee seems like he’s beginning to get a bad rap. I’m beginning to think I’m going to end up with him on some teams. 2009 Projections: 95/22/90/.295/8
67. Garrett Atkins – No one wants to believe his year to year declines in home runs. According to my projections, neither do I. 2009 Projections: 80/24/90/.290
68. Magglio Ordonez – Not a big fan of outfielders that project to 24 HRs and very little speed. 2009 Projections: 85/24/105/.310/3
69. Bobby Abreu – BA may be 12/12 outfielder as soon as this year. That’s worrisome. 2009 Projections: 110/17/100/.300/20
70. Mariano Rivera – Good value for a top closer, but I still won’t own him. 2009 Projections: 4-3/2.75/1.00/60, 40 saves
71. Francisco Rodriguez – K-Whatever. Don’t fall into this trizz-ap. 2009 Projections: 3-2/2.85/1.30/80, 42 saves
72. Carlos Delgado – I’m not sure about his reemergence last year to the point where I’m reaching for Votto and passing on Delgado. 2009 Projections: 80/31/110/.260
73. Carlos Pena – Pena worries me less than Delgado. (Hey, wasn’t Pena Delgado the name of a character Javier Bardem played?) 2009 Projections: 75/32/95/.265
74. Joe Mauer – His numbers are so silly awful compared to the players around him it really illustrates why you shouldn’t draft a catcher in the top 100. If I were to remove his name from his stats, you would think he should be ranked around 200th. 2009 Projections: 95/12/80/.320/3
75. James Shields – My first pitcher off the board in a lot of leagues. 2009 Projections: 15-9/3.50/1.14/165
76. Chad Billingsley – Another pitcher I’m very high on. If you want to know more, search for Billingsley in the left sidebar Search thingamajig. 2009 Projections: 16-6/3.35/1.33/200
77. Johnny Damon – Damon’s getting to that age where he’s about to recite Pacino from Scent of a Woman. I’m too old, I’m too tired and I’m… Actually, I don’t think Damon’s blind. 2009 Projections: 105/15/70/.285/20
78. Jermaine Dye – Boring, but productive. 2009 Projections: 80/30/90/.275/3
79. Victor Martinez – Even if he bounces back, Doumit can put up enough numbers 40 spots later. 2009 Projections: 65/18/95/.300
80. Russell Martin – Don’t take a catcher in the first 100. 2009 Projections: 95/15/70/.285/10
81. Chris Davis – If he hits .260 instead of .275, he’ll still be worth it. This is a trust exercise. Fall into Chris Davis’s arms. 2009 Projections: 75/30/95/.275/3
82. Aubrey Huff – I will not have him on any team. 2009 Projections: 75/22/75/.280
83. Scott Kazmir – Take what I said about Huff and then factor in he’s a pitcher. 2009 Projections: 15-7/3.65/1.30/180
84. Rich Harden – What I Said About Huff + What I Said About Kazmir * 2 = Harden. 2009 Projections: 12-4/2.75/1.10/160
85. Daisuke Matsuzaka – His WHIP scares me too much. 2009 Projections: 14-7/3.90/1.30/160
86. Cliff Lee – His entire career minus 2005 and 2008 scares me. 2009 Projections: 15-10/3.75/1.22/150
87. Carlos Zambrano – Dusty managed him for how many years? 2009 Projections: 14-9/3.90/1.30/150
88. Edinson Volquez – I’m not going to recapitulate (16th Century Word of the Day) everything I’ve said up to this point in other posts, but I like Cueto better. Projections: 12-8/4.00/1.33/175
89. Raul Ibanez – Ibanez bores me, but the move to Citizen’s Bank excites me. Conflicted! 2009 Projections: 85/25/110/.290/3
90. Vernon Wells – Ibanez without Citizen’s Bank. 2009 Projections: 85/24/95/.280/7
91. Torii Hunter – Abreu without the average. 2009 Projections: 85/24/85/.275/17
92. Jay Bruce – Sweet, sweet upside. Sweet, sweet… 2009 Projections: 85/30/90/.280/10
93. Ryan Ludwick – Cards site said this about Ludwick. 2009 Projections: 85/30/100/.275/3
94. Joakim Soria – I’d love to grab Soria, but I feel like he might be going too high in drafts. 2009 Projections: 3-4/2.00/.95/60, 35 saves
95. Jonathan Broxton – The first closer off the board I could conceivably land. 2009 Projections: 3-3/3.00/1.15/80, 35 saves
96. Stephen Drew – It’s insane how few shortstops are on this list. Insane, I tell ya. 2009 Projections: 85/24/80/.280/7
97. J.J. Hardy – I mean, there’s no shortstops at all. Maybe I could’ve boosted Jeter into the top 100, but he gets laid a lot. He doesn’t need any extra favors. 2009 Projections: 85/25/80/.275/3
98. Krispie Young – Chris B. is phonetically Krispie. Welcome to Razzball. Nice to meet you. 2009 Projections: 80/25/80/.245/20
99. Brad Hawpe – When I see Vernon Wells and Raul Ibanez go way before Hawpe, I laugh. On the inside. 2009 Projections: 70/30/95/.280
100. Hunter Pence – Numbers aren’t that far off from Carlos Lee. I will call you, Lanky Lee. 2009 Projections: 85/28/95/.275/10
101. Felix Hernandez – Your staff is complete with F-Her on it. 2009 Projections: 13-9/3.85/1.33/190
102. Francisco Liriano – The Fran? The Leer? The Twin Cities Treat? If Liriano returns to form this year, we’re gonna need a nickname. 2009 Projections: 11-5/3.25/1.25/160
103. Troy Tulowitzki – Making up for lack of shortstops boosts Tulo, but there’s really no reason to reach for a shortstop when there’s so many middling middle infielders. 2009 Projections: 65/20/85/.285/5
After the top 100 for 2009 fantasy baseball, there’s a lot of names but two stand out:
Conor Jackson – A white Derrek Lee. 2009 Projections: 85/17/85/.300/10
Ryan Zimmerman – Some of you may find it a bit queer (stop giggling!) that I’m now touting Zimmerman after how much I didn’t like him last year. Guess what, ya’ll? That was last year. 2009 Projections: 80/20/90/.285/7
