One recurring question regarding my 2010 fantasy baseball rankings is why do I have so and so above so and so if I say I like the second so and so better than the first so and so? Okay, so I’ve never received that exact question, because that’s massively confusing. Here’s a variation of the so and so question that you might actually recognize. If you look at my top 20 2nd basemen for 2010 fantasy baseball post, I have Scott Sizemore below Crapolanco. But I also say in that post how I wouldn’t own Crapolanco. So I’d take Sizemore before Crapolanco? Yes and no. I’d wait until Polanco was drafted, then I’d draft Sizemore. Why exactly? That late in a draft I’m going with upside over the predictable. Then why not just put Sizemore above Crapolanco? A few reasons: 1) If I only ranked players I’d own, there would be maybe a 100 total guys across all rankings. 2) Crapolanco does have value. His preseason value is above Sizemore. Crapolanco has less risk, but, as previously mentioned, I don’t want less risk that late. Some drafters may. 3) Sizemore may not even have the value I’m giving him there. He’s a risky upside pick. I’m putting him in the rankings so you know I like someone. I’m putting flashing lights around a player’s name in the player blurb.
There was more I wanted to say on point 3, but I was beaten by Ron Shandler. And, hey, when you’re beaten by Shandler, you take your noogies. This article he wrote last year has so many great points I suggest you read it yourself, but I’m going to highlight a quote that I think pertains:
“…when our projection says $27, it is intended solely to make you say $22 when the bidding stops at $21 (assuming the context of normal market conditions). If we had published a projection of $23 or $24, that’s not enough of a psychological push for you to take that last leap of faith.”
This is what I’m doing with certain projections. I’m attempting to push you towards certain players. It’s why you see my Ian Stewart projections are way above any other ‘perts. I might be wrong on Stewart, but I’m pushing you towards him. But then Jose Lopez is above Ian Stewart in the rankings? Yeah, but he’s in a tier called, “Boring.” My commentary is as important as the actual rankings. So do you want boring or risk and upside and maybe downside? These are decisions you have to make for your own team. (Oh, and you’ll see Stewart’s actually above Lopez in the top 100 and top 300 because of the 3rd base eligibility. How’s that for further confusion?)
It’s why I have Jonathan Sanchez ranked below Lackey but his projections say he’ll be better. I think Sanchez will be better, but he has more risk. It’s a limb. You need to know how many limbs you’re going out on. A few per team is fine. If every player on your team is a limb, your team is tipping over.
It’s why I said Carlos Quentin was a sleeper. He’s being drafted 102nd overall on average. You can wait until the 8th round and get value. You don’t need to draft him in the 5th like I have in my rankings. I am highlighting him. You need to know where guys are actually being drafted. You need to read the blurbs I have next to the players. You need to know what tiers you want to draft from.
If you believe Brandon Webb is healthy and will be back to the dominant pitcher he’s always been, you could be right. Right now, his ADP is 127 right behind Wandy. I’m not taking on that risk for where Webb’s being drafted. I’ll take a starter who actually was good last year vs. a starter that was injured for the entire year.
As said in the rankings post, there’s latitude amongst the rankings. I’d say the top 20 have a latitude of around a +/- 2. The top 50 around a +/- 10; the top 100 around a +/- 20, the top 150 with a +/- 40. And so on. The most important part of the rankings is my commentary. If I like a guy, I’d reach for him in certain circumstances. If I need an outfielder who gives me a 15/30 year, then I’m taking Andrew McCutchen. I would draft him 90th overall even though I have him at 120th. Each team is different. The rankings are meant to be a jumping off point with my commentary and projections telling you where I stand.
Finally, we come to the end of the 2010 fantasy baseball rankings. (Can we start games already?) Okay, you know that I like Rickie Weeks better than Howie Kendrick in the top 20 2nd basemen for 2010. You know I like Jay Bruce better than Nolan Reimold as seen at the top 40 outfielders for 2010. But you don’t know how I feel about where these guys fall in the bigger picture. Is Rickie Weeks above Jay Bruce? Nope. So to show you where I think players fall in relation to each other in 2010 fantasy baseball drafts, I’m putting together a 2010 fantasy baseball top 300. This still needs to be taken with a grain of salt. If you have a shortstop already and Andrus is still on the board in the 12th round, you don’t draft him if you see Bruce and you need an outfielder, even though Bruce is below Andrus on this list. So I might take someone at 200 over someone at 180? Yes, every draft is different. With the top 10, there’s almost no latitude. With the top 100, there’s a bit more. With a top 300, there’s lots of latitude. You taking someone at 185 is more or less the same as someone else taking someone at 225. So if you see someone at 250th, but want them at 200, then do what you do. Because of the length of the top 300, there’s no pithy comments with each name, but you kinda do need to know what I’m thinking for each name, so I advise you go over each position in the 2010 fantasy baseball rankings. The top 100 and top 300 is what I would have at my drafts, along with the Point Shares and the top 20 rankings posts. I already went over a top 100 for 2010 Fantasy Baseball, so I’m not going to cover them again. This top 300 will go from 101 to 300. Finally, see our list of all players with multiple position eligibility. Anyway, here’s the 2010 fantasy baseball top 300:
With the 2010 fantasy baseball rankings for every position done, we turn our lazy eye towards the top 100 for 2010 fantasy baseball. These rankings may as well been co-written by Kim Jong-il because, if those 2010 fantasy baseball rankings were the bomb, this shizz is nu-cu-lar. None of this top 100 for 2010 fantasy baseball is meant to surprise. It’s just taking my positional rankings and putting guys in The Big Picture. Obviously at a hundred players, some guys just didn’t make it. About 200 or so, to be inexact. It’s okay, there will be a top 300 too. Shortly, Sloth, you’ll have your Baby Ruth. Not to get all biblical on you, but this is the gospel. Print it out and take it to Mt. Sinai and it will say, “Win your 2010 fantasy baseball league, young premature balding man.” Projections were done by me and a crack team of 100 monkeys fighting amongst themselves because there were only 99 typewriters. Somebody buy Ling-Ling his own typewriter! To help with your drafting, there’s also a list of players with multiple position eligibility along with the Point Shares. Anyway, here’s the top 100 for 2010 fantasy baseball:
1. Albert Pujols – I’m man enough to admit I love Poo-Holes. 2010 Projections: 110/40/120/.337/10
2. Hanley Ramirez – Ready to have your mind blown? Imagine if the Red Sox didn’t trade Hanley to the Marlins. 2010 Projections: 100/25/110/.320/25
3. Chase Utley – Gets the edge on A-Rod for his position and pomade. 2010 Projections: 110/32/105/.300/15
4. Alex Rodriguez – Jeter’s got the market cornered on hot Latinas while A-Rod’s rocking lame ass white girls, but, unfortunately, I can’t hold that against him for fantasy. 2010 Projections: 110/36/120/.310/15
5. Ryan Braun – If he can do what I think he’s capable of, he could be number one for 2011. 2010 Projections: 110/37/120/.305/17
6. Mark Teixeira – Like LL, Tex just keeps doing and doing and doing it well. 2010 Projections: 100/37/120/.305
7. Miguel Cabrera – He gives me the vibe he doesn’t care, but maturity does weird things to people. Shoot, I used to shave my head, sag my Karl Kanis and wear purple sneakers. If Cabrera can put forth 100%, he can be a force. 2010 Projections: 105/35/115/.320/3
8. Matt Kemp – Man, I’m loving these 5-8 picks. Can you dig it? I knew you could. 2010 Projections: 100/30/110/.305/32
9. Prince Fielder – If 40 homers is the key, then Fielder’s a lock. 2010 Projections: 100/42/115/.285
10. Ryan Howard – Howard = Fielder + 5 homers – .010 on average. 2010 Projections: 105/47/140/.275
11. Evan Longoria – I had a premonition that Longoria could steal 20 bases in 2010. Might’ve been indigestion. 2010 Projections: 100/36/115/.280/10
12. Tim Lincecum – From the files of Coincidences That Don’t Really Mean Anything, I ranked him 12th last year too. 2010 Projections: 18-5/2.70/1.00/250
13. David Wright – I don’t buy that Wright, Reyes or Johan are done. If you were to jump out of a DeLorean and say to me you’re from the future and the Mets are in the playoffs, it wouldn’t shock me. I’d assume they traded for three starters in July. 2010 Projections: 100/25/110/.300/17
14. Matt Holliday – He’s a great average, solid power and moderate steal contributor. In fantasy, that gets you 14th. 2010 Projections: 105/28/115/.320/15
15. Ian Kinsler – If he stays healthy again and has a lucky year for average, he can give you a season better than Utley. But those are two decent-sized ifs. 2010 Projections: 110/29/80/.270/34
16. Troy Tulowitzki – As you can see from my projections — go ahead, look, this’ll be here — I think his steals come down from last year. 2010 Projections: 95/35/105/.280/12
17. Grady Sizemore – When I say bounce… You say back. Bounce… Back… Bounce… Back… Pounce… Back– I said pounce, got ya. 2010 Projections: 110/27/80/.270/25
18. Carl Crawford – I’ll be honest, I considered dropping Crawford a little further down, but the near-15 homers gets him ranked here. 2010 Projections: 110/14/65/.290/50
19. Adrian Gonzalez – Mind blowing time again. Imagine Hanley and Adrian Gonzalez on the Red Sox. 2010 Projections: 90/38/100/.280
20. Jimmy Rollins – This is the last shortstop for a while. Why? Cause shortstops suck. You’re best to not look at shortstops again until Andrus. 2010 Projections: 110/20/65/.275/28
21. Justin Morneau – I’m kinda all right on Morneau this year. I’m not expecting 35 homers or any steals, but around 30/100/.290 is solid. 2010 Projections: 95/32/110/.290
22. Jacoby Ellsbury – Same that goes for Crawford. Probably won’t own Ellsbury but the boy has speed and some slight power. 2010 Projections: 105/10/65/.300/60
23. Justin Upton – I like J-Upside this year, but, then again, everyone does. 2010 Projections: 80/27/95/.290/20
24. Felix Hernandez – Love, love, love F-Her. Think he has multiple Cy Youngs in his arm. But I probably won’t own him either. Before I get a ton of comments about why would I rank someone somewhere and then say I wouldn’t own them. I can’t own everyone. It’s just impossible. For instance, with my first two picks, I take Braun and Reyes, I’ll need a first baseman. If I take Hanley and A-Gon, I’ll need an outfielder. If I take A-Rod and Sizemore, I’ll need a first baseman. It’s just the way I assemble a team. I’m not going to draft a starter third UNLESS — yes, Mr. Caps, that’s for emphasis — Lincecum’s still around in the third round then I won’t be able to turn that down. But that doesn’t mean F-Her isn’t ranked here. If I were to only talk about the guys I would actually own, this top 100 may only be 20 guys long. Also, technically I would own F-Her if he were around after I drafted, say, Braun, Reyes and Votto. But he won’t be. 2010 Projections: 18-6/3.00/1.10/220
25. Zack Greinke – More or less the same gist as F-Her. 2010 Projections: 14-5/3.05/1.10/225
26. Roy Halladay – Halladay could easily be the top rated starter at the end of the year. He’s not listed first because the guys above beat him in Ks and age. 2010 Projections: 17-8/3.02/1.14/185
27. Joe Mauer – He’s ranked 28th because I know he’ll be gone before he gets to here. Consider it a preemptive strike. 2010 Projections: 100/20/85/.330/3
28. Ryan Zimmerman – I see Zimmerman moving into the 2nd round for 2011. 2010 Projections: 105/30/110/.295/5
29. Kevin Youkilis – When a player gets to 30 years old and has failed to reach 30 homers, it’s pretty safe to say he’s probably not getting there. The Greek God of 27 Homers and a Near-.300 Average. 2010 Projections: 95/27/105/.295/5
30. CC Sabathia – I had this wild dream the other day. I was watching a Yankee game where CC was on the mound but instead of CC it was Prop Joe. 2010 Projections: 20-10/3.45/1.17/200
31. Mark Reynolds – Flip over your your pocket-sized Chinese food take out calender, 2009 was the Year of the Mini Donkey, not 2010. 2010 Projections: 85/35/95/.250/12
32. Joey Votto – If you don’t know how I feel about Votto at this point, you haven’t been reading the site. 2010 Projections: 90/30/105/.305/7
33. Curtis Granderson – His average will come up and the homers will fly in the Boogie Down. 2010 Projections: 110/30/80/.270/20
34. Jayson Werth – In any different lineup or park, I’d be worried about Werth ranked this high. Plus, he’s a 5 time Intercontinental Champion. 2010 Projections: 85/30/100/.270/18
35. Jose Reyes – It’s not great that he’s starting the year on the DL, but Mauer did it last year and A-Rod and Utley… It’s a long season, if you can get Reyes at a discount, go for it. 2010 Projections: 105/11/55/.285/45
37. Brandon Phillips – Steady contributor at a weak position. 2010 Projections: 80/22/95/.275/22
38. Brian Roberts – I’m worried at some point Roberts is going to get old. He’ll be 32 in twenty-ten. Might happen. 2010 Projections: 105/13/75/.285/30
39. Dustin Pedroia – Member the battles I fought last year for telling people Pedroia wasn’t a 1st or 2nd round pick? Yeah, those people went into the shadows like Orson Welles in The Third Man. 2010 Projections: 110/15/70/.305/15
40. Robinson Cano – Entering the magical 27 year old season and his high average is not a trick. (A trick is something a whore does for money.) 2010 Projections: 90/27/100/.315/5
41. Brian McCann – I probably won’t own McCann outside of two catcher leagues, but I am more pro-McCann than most ‘perts. 2010 Projections: 80/28/105/.295/3
42. Victor Martinez – V-Mart at first base is kinda eh. 2010 Projections: 85/25/110/.300
43. Ichiro Suzuki – Great average, but I don’t pay for average. 2010 Projections: 100/10/55/.330/25
44. Jason Bay – I don’t think Metco kills a player’s value, but it’s definitely not Fenway. 2010 Projections: 85/28/105/.270/10
45. Johan Santana – I don’t think Metco makes a pitcher’s value, but it’s Johan. Falling K-rate, schmalling K-rate. 2010 Projections: 18-7/3.15/1.18/200
46. Adam Lind – I understand people not being crazy for Lind because of his position, but don’t be not crazy for him because you think his power is fluky. Yes, that was a triple negative. Those are okay. 2010 Projections: 85/35/110/.300/2
47. Josh Hamilton – Hey, it’s my old whipping boy. I like him this year. See, it wasn’t personal. 2010 Projections: 85/28/100/.275/7
48. Andre Ethier – I’m basically stocking my outfield with these rankings. Say what you want about depth, but it’s not that deep when every team needs 5 of them. 2010 Projections: 80/24/95/.285/7
49. Derek Jeter – Last year’s slight boost in power makes sense, but the huge increase in speed won’t carry over. 2010 Projections: 110/16/70/.315/20
50. Justin Verlander – Just don’t abandon ship when he starts the season poorly. 2010 Projections: 17-11/3.25/1.20/230
51. Dan Haren – Abandon ship when the clock strikes July. 2010 Projections: 16-10/3.30/1.15/200
52. Jon Lester – If it means taking a starter in the 5th round, so be it. But I’m looking to own Lester on at least one team in 2010. 2010 Projections: 17-7/3.35/1.20/215
53. Adam Wainwright – Hmm… Where are the top starters? This seems off. 2010 Projections: 16-8/3.30/1.18/190
54. Carlos Quentin – Charlie Quentin is talented, the health is the issue. 2010 Projections: 80/28/95/.275/5
55. Nelson Cruz – His projections say he should be above even Hamilton and Ethier but I have my trepidations that Cruz could revert to being the guy that couldn’t get out of the minors. Unlike my other trepidations, this one feels less warranted. 2010 Projections: 80/32/95/.275/15
56. Adam Jones – Why is Adam Jones being drafted after players like Manny? Point your right foot thumbkin up and point your left foot thumbkin down. Right is Jones, left is Manny. 2010 Projections: 95/27/85/.280/15
57. Nick Markakis – I do think Markakis is talented, but I’d sure like to see a year of 25+ homers before drafting him as my first outfielder. Shoot, I’d take just 25 homers. 2010 Projections: 100/24/100/.300/7
58. Pablo Sandoval – I’m probably lower on Sandoval than most, but I don’t think 25 homers was a jumping off point but more of a ceiling. 2010 Projections: 80/24/95/.315/4
59. Aaron Hill – I don’t buy 2009 at all, so I’m not touching him where lots of ‘perts are. 2010 Projections: 85/24/80/.280/5
60. Kendry Morales – If he’s 26 years old, I’ll shave the ‘stache. 2010 Projections: 80/28/100/.285/3
61. Adam Dunn – 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 38… Even if it’s 36 in 2010, he’s still worth the average. 2010 Projections: 80/40/100/.250
62. Carlos Pena – Led the AL in homers and missed the last month of the season. 2010 Projections: 95/37/100/.250
63. Shin-Soo Choo – Throw Choo, Abreu, Victorino and Hunter into a big, over-sized hat and pick out one for your team. They’re all relatively the same. More speed here, less average there. More pop here, less speed there. 2010 Projections: 90/18/100/.285/20
64. Bobby Abreu – How is he fast and Miguel Cabrera slow when they both have the same body type? 2010 Projections: 95/15/100/.300/20
65. Shane Victorino – Now that Crapolanco shoved him down the order, I anticipate yelling at the TV screen, “Stop bunting over Victorino!” 2010 Projections: 75/12/85/.290/30
66. Torii Hunter – He hasn’t stolen more than 20 bases in a season since 2004. Cust kayin’. cus2010 Projections: 75/23/85/.275/17
67. Carlos Lee – Could be more valuable than Lind, but where’s the excitement in that? 2010 Projections: 65/27/100/.300/5
68. Ben Zobrist – With Zobrist, Jacoby Ellsbury and Zimmerman, it’s a renaissance for players whose names sound Jewish but are not. 2010 Projections: 75/20/85/.270/12
69. Chone Figgins – If you have a team where your 2nd baseman and shortstop have pop — think Uggla and Tulo — I could see Figgins. But the dearth of power at 3rd could kill your entire team. I opt for steals in the latter rounds at MI. Think Everth Cabrera. 2010 Projections: 105/5/55/.295/40
70. Cole Hamels – He paid last year for being overworked in 2008. This year he makes up for it. 2010 Projections: 16-10/3.45/1.15/185
71. Josh Johnson – Last year, he had a sub-3 ERA until August 20th. 2010 Projections: 14-6/3.35/1.22/175
72. Cliff Lee – The Adverb is about as safe as they come, but he gets ranked here because he’s not a huge strikeout threat. 2010 Projections: 15-8/3.40/1.22/160
73. Ubaldo Jimenez – Takes nads the size of beach balls to draft a Rockies pitcher as your first pitcher off the board. Also takes nads to win a fantasy baseball championship. Or at least that’s what I keep telling myself. 2010 Projections: 15-9/3.50/1.27/200
74. Derrek Lee – Lee’s not a 35 homer hitter like last year. He’s a 24 to 27 homer hitter. My apologies to Cubs fans, Derrek Lee’s family and anyone else I might have hurt with my words. 2010 Projections: 90/25/100/.295/3
75. Ricky Nolasco – Love the K/BB and badass name. 2010 Projections: 15-7/3.55/1.20/200
76. Josh Beckett – What can be said about Red State Jeter that hasn’t already been said? Sounds like a rhetorical, but really what? 2010 Projections: 16-10/3.70/1.22/195
77. Clayton Kershaw – I took down my Ron LeFlore door poster and put up Clayton Kershaw. 2010 Projections: 12-4/3.20/1.22/200
78. Denard Span – Probably the least exciting name on the top 100 (though Uggla’s a close second). Span’s numbers aren’t that far off from Victorino. Call him Feign Victorino. I might need to do a Sleeper post about Denard Dawg. That’ll draw some eyeballs. /sarcasm 2010 Projections: 100/10/70/.300/22
79. Alfonso Soriano – Free swingers don’t age well. Speedsters with leg problems don’t run much. Still 20/10 seems to be about his floor. There’s value in that. 2010 Projections: 70/25/85/.270/12
80. Alex Rios – Rios is like buying a Chia Pet. You’re excited when you buy it. Seems like a fun idea. Then you get home, never water it and it goes 8-for-75. 2010 Projections: 85/19/70/.275/22
81. Chris Carpenter – As I mentioned in the top 20 starters, I’m avoiding Carp, Yovani and Peavy. Ergo, I switched the order in this top 100. Ergo, Yovani and Peavy didn’t even make the top 100. Ergo, I have no idea if I’m using ergo correctly. 2010 Projections: 14-7/3.10/1.05/135
82. Manny Ramirez – I’m not going to be able to get Manny this late and that’s by design. 2010 Projections: 85/28/100/.300
83. Matt Wieters – Dreamy without the Brady Anderson sideburns. 2010 Projections: 70/18/85/.305
84. Gordon Beckham – I’m typing this with my toes as I do sit-ups. That’s how much I like Beckham. 2010 Projections: 85/18/63/.260/14
85. Raul Ibanez – Sorta in the same boat as Werth, but older. I.e., if Ibanez were on a different team in a different lineup, I’d have no problem lowering him. Hitting in Citizens Bank behind Rollins, Polanco, Utley, Howard and Werth is not a bad place to be. 2010 Projections: 85/27/100/.270/3
86. Carlos Beltran – I don’t feel comfortable with this ranking and could see skipping right over Beltran if I were drafting in early March. I need to know more about his condition. 2010 Projections: 70/20/80/.280/12
87. Jason Bartlett – If you haven’t seen Charlie Bartlett, I’d avoid it. And Jason Bartlett. 2010 Projections: 95/7/50/.285/27
87. Joe Nathan – UPDATE: He’s done, put a fork in him. 2010 Projections: 4-2/1.95/.95/80, 45 saves
88. Jonathan Papelbon – There’s no way I’m getting one of these closers this late in a draft. That’s all right, cause I don’t want them. But as more and more fantasy baseballers (<–my Mom’s term) become better informed, closers are starting to fall lower and lower. Continued thought in Rivera’s blurb. 2010 Projections: 2-1/2.05/1.00/75, 45 saves
89. Mariano Rivera – If this trend continues then I may have to tell people to start drafting closers because at a certain point there’s value with them. Continued thought in Broxton’s blurb. 2010 Projections: 4-1/2.15/1.00/70, 42 saves
90. Jonathan Broxton – Hmm… No, that’s about all I wanted to say about that. 2010 Projections: 5-4/2.75/1.05/100, 40 saves
91. Michael Young – Old is as Young does. 2010 Projections: 75/14/90/.315/10
92. Aramis Ramirez – Kinda wanted to drop Aramis out of the top 100, but his position saves him. 2010 Projections: 75/25/95/.290
93. Dan Uggla – According to Uggla, Hanley doesn’t give it his all. Uggla should see if he can have some of whatever it is Hanley is holding back. 2010 Projections: 90/32/100/.250/3
94. Wandy Rodriguez – I’ve said this before so skip ahead if you’ve already heard this from me… Then again you might not know what I’m going to say until I say it… Anyhoo! Weird how some people break out and no one believes it while others break out and they shoot up the rankings. Wandy was solid last year; his only concern is health. If healthy, he’s fine. 2010 Projections: 13-11/3.55/1.27/190
95. Chad Billingsley – Same boat as Hamels with less WHIP potential. 2010 Projections: 16-8/3.50/1.32/190
96. Heath Bell – First closer I could see myself owning. 2010 Projections: 2-3/2.85/1.10/75, 40 saves
97. Lance Berkman – Unlike beef, going from prime to aged isn’t great. 2010 Projections: 70/23/85/.285/3
98. Billy Butler - Upside and luscious moobs. 2010 Projections: 85/25/100/.295
99. Ian Stewart – I wanted to end the top 100 with Stewart cause I’m crushing hard. To read more about him, go directly to my Ian Stewart fantasy. If you see wavy lines like in a dream sequence, it’s completely normal. 2010 Projections: 85/29/100/.260/10
This is almost the end of the 2010 fantasy baseball rankings. With these top 80 starters for 2010 fantasy baseball, there’s a few names that I’m really gunning for on my teams… My deeper teams. On last year’s top 80, there was only guy who truly emerged (Edwin Jackson), so I imagine a lot of you won’t need most of the names on this list. But humor me. There’s tiers and projections mentioned for everyone. Anyway, here’s the top 80 starters for 2010 fantasy baseball:
61. Benrich Shardard – This is a one person pormanteau/tier made of three players: Ben Sheets, Erik Bedard and Rich Harden. I call this tier, “Together they’re starting 30 games and vying for a Cy Young.” They’re some of my favorite pitchers to watch when they’re healthy, but, well, ya know. (Here’s more on Ben Sheets.) 2010 Projections: Combined 180-day DL
62. Gavin Floyd – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Danks. I call this tier, “White Sox starters that I’m respectively excited about, lukewarm over and cold on.” Would you believe I’m endorsing Gavin Floyd? As De Niro said in the Spider scene, “What’s the world coming to?!” Floyd made positive gains in K-rate and walk rate while throwing less of his fastball and more of his slider. Whatever works, Yellnikoff. I’m not predicting Floyd’s going to be a Cy Young contender, but real late you can do worse. 2010 Projections: 14-10/3.90/1.26/175
63. Mark Buehrle – Buerhrle’s what they used to call plump prostitutes in the early 1800s, a work horse, but horse was spelled different. I have no problem owning Buerhle on certain teams, but you’re not getting the perfect game pitcher or the 6 runs in 5 inning one. Somewhere in the middle like Monie Love. 2010 Projections: 13-10/4.00/1.25/125
64. John Danks - He’s the opposite of Floyd. It’s almost like the gains Floyd made were taken from Danks. Weird! 2010 Projections: 12-7/4.15/1.30/155
65. Wade Davis – This is a new tier. This tier goes until Latos. I call this tier, “They’re going to be good ones, but right now they’re more or less rookie pitchers.” The nice thing about Davis, even more so than Feliz and Strasburg, who appeared in the top 60 starters for 2010 fantasy baseball, is he may actually give you close to a complete season. He could throw close to 200 innings without turning his career over to Dr. Freeze. The bad is his walks haven’t been great. 2010 Projections: 8-10/3.75/1.34/160
66. Chris Tillman – As I explained in the Double Stuff Orioles post, I’m not a huge fan of rookie pitchers. Technically, Tillman’s not a rookie, but more or less the same applies. The more is they can still be very up and down. The less is they have some major league time under their belt and can begin to pitch up to their capability. Let’s continue this in Matusz’s blurb. 2010 Projections: 7-12/3.65/1.32/150
67. Brian Matusz – As I was saying, if they get up to their capability then they shoot up the rankings and become far more valuable. So you have to weigh how much upside you want from your last starter. I already went over my Matusz fantasy. 2010 Projections: 6-9/3.75/1.30/145
68. Mat Latos – Ah, sweet, sweet, HodgePadre. He has a sick, as in healthy, K-rate in the minors. But, as the kids used to say when I was a kid, he’s hella young. Hey, I’m Old Hella. 2010 Projections: 6-7/4.15/1.32/125 in 20 starts.
69. Chris Young – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Penny. I call this tier, “Vets that probably won’t see a resurgence, but they can add some much needed stability to the back of a staff.” Young may be the Padres number one starter, but that’s like being the tallest dwarf. Cristal Young had a 91 MPH fastball when he made his debut in 2004 with the Rangers. In 2009, he was regularly clocked at 85. At 91, you can leave it in the upper part of the strikezone. At 85, not so much. Not to mention, every guy he walks gets an automatic double. Assuming he’s healthy, he could make a decent fifth fantasy starter, but don’t expect him to be a number 2. 2010 Projections: 7-10/4.00/1.28/145
70. Hiroki Kuroda – He doesn’t K many guys or stay healthy, but he manages to keep his ratios in check. Good name to look at late. 2010 Projections: 9-6/3.65/1.24/100
71. Aaron Harang – I read somewhere some genius was saying something about Chris Young, “Assuming he’s healthy, he could make a decent fifth fantasy starter, but don’t expect him to be a number 2.” Same could be said about Harang. 2010 Projections: 12-9/4.05/1.35/155
72. Bronson Arroyo – Trade for him in July. Look at his splits to see what I’m talking about it. 2010 Projections: 12-8/4.25/1.34/140
73. John Maine – I wish I could tell you he’s more than a big question mark, but he’s not. If he looks good in spring training, I could see him going up draft sheets. But I could also see him pitching well in April then going down with shoulder problems. 2010 Projections: 9-8/4.15/1.32/85 in 105 innings.
74. Brad Penny – Penny’s my least favorite type of starter. Overweight with an STD from Alyssa Milano? No, random italicized voice. Penny’s devoid of Ks and upside. He should be perfectly meh in the NL while Dave Duncan sprinkles pixie dust on his melon. Penny might even be great for stretches like he was in San Fran in September of last year. He also had an obscene BABIP in San Fran. He’s a mid-4 ERA pitcher. It’s meh, but sometimes meh is what the doctor ordered. 2010 Projections: 13-10/4.40/1.37/110
75. Brandon Morrow - This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until the end of the top 80 starters for 2010 fantasy baseball. I call this tier, “Eh, may as well end this sucker on a good note.” These pitchers aren’t exactly exciting, but compared to some other names on this list, they’re a’ight. As most of you know, when in doubt, I’m going for NL starters at the end of a draft. Then there’s Morrow. There’s very few starters you’re getting this late that can pitch as well as Morrow. Can he stay healthy? Aw, heck’s no. Does he walk far too many hitters? Uh, yeah. Still decent endgame gamble if he starts strong and you can flip him. 2010 Projections: 10-7/3.85/1.40/100
76. Homer Bailey – Do I think there’s a chance that you’ll draft him and drop him before May? Yeah, probably. But it’s a flier, that’s what fliers are for. You can always grab someone off waivers if Bailey doesn’t work out. Ringing endorsement, huh? 2010 Projections: 12-9/4.00/1.40/145
77. Ted Lilly – Lilly just feels safe. Not safe for a 3.10 ERA again. Not safe for 180 Ks again. Not safe for 17 wins again. Not safe to start the season healthy because of an injured shoulder. But safe. Hmm, maybe not safe, but I’d stash him on the DL for April to see what he can do when he returns. 2010 Projections: 10-6/3.85/1.10/100
78. Aroldis Chapman – Already went over my Aroldis Chapman fantasy. 2010 Projections: 5-3/3.75/1.37/70
79. Randy Wells – Not one of my all-time favorite types of upside picks because there’s not many strikeouts here. On the bright side, there’s very few walks too. 2010 Projections: 14-7/3.75/1.25/130
80. Justin Masterson – Masterson’s heat died when he left the Sons of Sam Horns’ hornet nest, but that doesn’t mean something’s wrong with him. He induces groundballs and gets strikeouts, that’s not a combo that should be scoffed at. Even if the only people that scoff at something are in Merchant-Ivory films. 2010 Projections: 12-10/3.85/1.34/150
After the top 80 starters for 2010 fantasy baseball, there’s a ton of names, but here’s two that stand out. One not good, one great:
Trevor Cahill – Cahill had a huge innings bump from ’08 to ’09 and he has no Ks. Than, but no than. 2010 Projections: 8-12/4.50/1.40/80
Jonathan Sanchez – I’m a big fan of Jonathan Sanchez. Might end up owning him on multiple teams. As Fonzie’s horse said, “Nay!” I might own him on every team. May draft him in a couple of AL-Only leagues just to keep snitches honest. I wrote an entire post already about my Jonathan Sanchez fantasy. He. Is. Dazzling. That’s right, I brought out the tooly one word sentence gimmick to make a point. This Sanchez isn’t dirty, he’s filthy. 2010 Projections: 14-7/3.75/1.38/200 <–optimistic, but you’re not paying me to be conservative. In fact, this shizz is free.
During our 2010 fantasy baseball rankings, we’ve gone over so many flippin’ players I’ve lost track. This is, I believe, the top 60 starters for 2010 fantasy baseball, but you’re best to check the title to be sure. If it is indeed the top 60 starters, then you’re in luck. Only a few more top 20 rankings posts. What is it, February? March? Why don’t I have an app for this? Or do I want a hashtag? App ‘n Hashtag would be a good name for a 50s style diner with wifi. As with the other rankings posts, tiers and my projections are mentioned. Anyway, here’s the top 60 starters for 2010 fantasy baseball:
41. Clay Buchholz – This is a continuation of the last tier on the top 40 starters for 2010 fantasy baseball post. This tier ends at Strasburg. I call this tier, “Fliers that I’m willing to give a chance.” Some might be confused by Cueto ranking before Buchholz, so let’s compare those two. As linguists intended it, we’ll go B before C. In 2009, K/9 — 6.65 vs. 6.93, BB/9 — 3.52 vs. 3.20, 25 years old vs. 23 years old, 190 2/3 career MLB innings vs. 345 1/3 IP. 2010 Projections: 14-9/3.95/1.34/155
42. Ervin Santana – Ervin’s 2009 was similar to Scott Baker’s. He came out of spring training with an arm injury, but, unlike Baker and Stella, Ervin never found his groove. This late in drafts I’m willing to overlook Ervin’s Gorilla Ponson impersonation last year. 2010 Projections: 15-8/3.75/1.28/185
43. Neftali Feliz – Already went over my Neftali fantasy. 2010 Projections: 9-6/3.30/1.26/120 in 20 starts.
44. Jorge de la Rosa – His appearance in this tier is solely because of his Ks. Don’t believe me? Throw your computer out the window, there’s no talking to you. And to think we were friends. 2010 Projections: 12-9/4.15/1.34/200
45. Brett Anderson – Brett Anderson, the future ace, is not without caveats in 2010. Innings jump was big in 2009. The reason why I’m willing to take a late flier on him instead of, say, Hanson is because Anderson will come much cheaper in drafts. Second caveat, Anderson really only had two months where he looked like an ace. Though those two months were in the 2nd half. If Hughes is in the rotation, I would switch these two. So, I would take a shot on Anderson late, but I’d also be aware of the risk. 2010 Projections: 10-11/3.70/1.27/165
46. Phil Hughes – Won’t know until spring training, but my guess is it will be Joba in the rotation and Phil Hughes as a top 20 middle reliever. Even if Hughes gets the starting spot, I could see him being limited on a strict innings count. 2010 Projections: 10-4/3.50/1.22/130 in 130 innings.
47. Joba Chamberlain – About time the Yankees take the ignition lock breathalyzer off the steering wheel and let Joba take his arm out for a drive. Or put him in middle relief. As of post time, it’s not clear yet. 2010 Projections: 9-6/3.85/1.34/160
48. Stephen Strasburg – Already went over my Strasburg fantasy. The reason why I have him after Feliz is because of the kid gloves the Nats are going to be using with him. The reason why I have him above some known commodities is because if he somehow breaks camp with the Nats, you’ve won the draft lottery. Right after the announcement, you’d be able to trade Strasburg for a tidy haul. Say, Billy Butler. Now twirl your mustache! 2010 Projections: 6-8/3.65/1.27/110
49. Edwin Jackson – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Romero. I call this tier, “Guys that I’m not drafting, but might pick up on waivers during the season if the opportunity presents itself and it probably will.” When Edwin Jackson was traded, I said I might own him in the right circumstances. I’m officially retracting that. On closer inspection, I don’t want anything to do with him outside of matchups. I was clouded by the thought of facing the Giants and Padres, but he was far too lucky last year. I don’t think Edwin will be quite the 2nd half pitcher he was last year — 5.07 ERA — but I think that’s closer than the pitcher he was in the first half — 2.52 ERA. Wouldn’t be shocked to see him have completely ownable stretches, but overall meh. 2010 Projections: 10-12/4.15/1.36/140
50. Joe Blanton – I owned Blanton for a good stretch last year. Looking at my active stats, in 81 2/3 innings, Blanton gave me 6 wins, 3.31/1.18/59. Awesome, terrific, adjective, but Blanton’s a pitcher you get off waivers. You don’t draft Joe Blanton. 2010 Projections: 14-12/4.25/1.32/140
50 1/2. Jair Jurrjens – UPDATE: Meesa tinks Jar-Jar having an MRI in the preseason is reason enough to ignore him. Then throw in potential regression and it’s not worth the ulcer. 2010 Projections: 10-9/4.35/1.22/110 in 160 innings
51. Scott Kazmir – The Angels are planning on Kazmir filling in Lackey’s spot in the rotation. Injury risk — check! Falling K-rate — check! Overrated for fantasy — we have a winner for the crapfecta! 2010 Projections: 14-9/4.30/1.38/145
52. Derek Lowe – The days of being able to own Lowe from start to finish look to be over. He’ll have matchups appeal here and there, but you don’t want to draft him. 2010 Projections: 12-11/4.15/1.35/100
53. J.A. Happ – Meh K-rate, high walk rate, bad home park, lucky BABIP, insane amount of men left on base… Mr. Caps Lock says, “HAPP WAS THE LUCKIEST PITCHER IN THE MAJOR LEAGUES LAST YEAR.” At some point it will Happen. You don’t want to be there when it does. 2010 Projections: 12-10/4.35/1.32/155
54. Rick Porcello – A below 5 K-rate and a 45 inning bump from ’08 secures his place in the Do Not Touch tier. 2010 Projections: 9-12/4.15/1.32/75
55. Daisuke Matsuzaka – I gave up on Dice-K after his unbelievable 2008. And by unbelievable I mean improbable, not superb. 2010 Projections: 10-7/4.50/1.38/150
56. Joel Pineiro – I’d recommend you hire Gary Glitter as a babysitter before advising you to draft Pineiro. 2010 Projections: 11-10/4.15/1.34/90
57. Randy Wolf – One the hardest things about doing these rankings is going over guys that treated you so well last year then having to write about how you don’t want any part of them in the new season. When Wolf was traded, I said, “In 2009, Miller Park played as a pitcher’s park, but it’s more neutral than that. It’s no Coors, but it’s also no Metco. Either way, Wolf was fortunate to have a 3.23 ERA last year and probably shouldn’t be counted on for anything below a 3.90. Ownable, just not terrific.” And that’s me quoting me! 2010 Projections: 14-12/4.05/1.20/155
58. Ricky Romero – To be totally honest, I almost put Romero in a tier with guys I would draft, but in the end, he’s not especially dominant, he’s in a tough division and he’s injury prone. In an AL-Only league, I’d draft him, but in mixed leagues, I’d stay away. 2010 Projections: 9-13/4.50/1.48/155
59. Tim Hudson – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Correia. I call this tier, “Boring, but ownable.” On one hand, Hudson’s a reliable vet with a mid-3 career ERA, while a little light on Ks. On the other hand, Hudson is returning from Tommy John surgery. That brings with it risk similar to playing with your iPasties app near Carl Monday. Face it, there’s really no sure2 thing this late. 2010 Projections: 13-5/3.55/1.32/145
60. Kevin Correia – The first HodgePadre to make the starter rankings. This goes without saying but it’s not going to be a fun year to watch the Padres. Depressing, actually. They should broadcast every game with Warren Zevon’s Keep Me In Your Heart playing in the background. 2010 Projections: 10-12/3.65/1.28/135
