Here we are at the last of the 2009 fantasy baseball rankings before we get to the top 300 for 2009 fantasy baseball. Some of these top 80 outfielders are really only worth owning in deep leagues or NL- or AL-Only leagues. But in those leagues, they could make a big difference and could become fantasy relevant in more shallow leagues. I probably won’t have a lot of these guys on any of my 12 team league teams, because I like to shore up OF earlier than these guys would be drafted, but that’s not to say I have no love for them. Oh, I do. Anyway, here’s the top 80 outfielders for 2009 fantasy baseball:
61. Adam Lind – This is the first tier. This tier goes from here to Hermida. I call this tier, “Worth taking a shot on these guys very late.” By the end of the year, Lind could be worth owning in all leagues. That’s no idle compliment. Man, you really know how to make a beanbag your own. That’s an idle compliment. 2009 Projections: 65/22/85/.275/3
62. Ryan Spilborghs – Spilborghs falls into the same camp as Denard Span for me. I like him, but I kinda wish he’d fall down a staircase with sixty pounds of deer meat and open a spot for Fowler or Gonzalez. The Rox are saying Spilborghs might be batting leadoff. I’ve that’s true, it makes me almost as excited as Paula Abdul on any given Tuesday or Wednesday. 2009 Projections: 55/12/65/.300/12
63. Franklin Gutierrez – I’m a fan of The Big FraGu. Decent shot at being a cheap source of 15/15. Though he will hurt you a bit in average. 2009 Projections: 70/12/75/.260/16
64. Chase Headley – If he was playing anywhere but Petco, you would’ve already read numerous articles on him. Definitely worth a real late flier in mixed leagues. 2009 Projections: 70/20/80/.280/8
65. Chris Dickerson – I loved Dickerson last year when he first came up. I still do. Temper expectations because Dusty does crazy things and Dickerson was playing a bit over his head batting average-wise in limited time last year. 2009 Projections: 55/15/50/.250/15
66. Michael Bourn – SAGNOF. 2009 Projections: 70/4/30/.240/40
67. Matt Joyce – Besides sounding like a 19th Century poet, he could be this year’s Ludwick, who happens to sound like an 18th Century composer. It’s the classics! 2009 Projections: 70/22/85/.250
68. David Murphy/Marlon Byrd – Those in daily leagues could use these two as a righty/lefty platoon. You “pfft” at me now, but together they could go… 2009 Combined Projections: 100/20/100/.285/10
69. Wladimir Balentien – Very similar to Matt Joyce on power potential with some speed, but he’s more raw. Not to mention, Wladimir Balentien sounds like a cast member on The Real World: Transylvania. Wladdy B. always lets the dishes pile up in the sink! 2009 Projections: 60/22/65/.250/5
70. Travis Snider – Very young and raw, but there is some sweet, sweet upside here. I already went over him in a Travis Snider 2009 fantasy outlook post. 2009 Projections: 50/12/60/.275
71. Chris Duncan – Plagued by back troubles because of years of getting high-fived by his brother, Shelley. If healthy, Duncan might be worthwhile to platoon against righties. 2009 Projections: 55/17/60/.255/4
72. Matt Diaz – If you’re in daily leagues and you’re hurting at an OF spot, you should be platooning Diaz in when he faces lefties. A fantasy platoon of him and Duncan could prove fruitful. Or not. These really are your choices. 2009 Projections: 45/10/50/.315/5
73. Jeremy Hermida – His prospect status was derailed by injuries. If he can get back on track, he might be a sleeper. Though there’s been absolutely no sign of him getting back on track. 2009 Projections: 70/20/70/.255/7
74. Jose Guillen – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here to Byrnes. I call this tier, “Pass on these guys.” There’s no point in grabbing one of these outfielders. They’ll be on waivers at some point anyway. If you’re choosing an outfielder this late in the draft, you may as well grab one that has upside. Chances are the upside may not pan out, but if it does it could pay huge dividends. These aging vets aren’t going to win you a league. As for Guillen, only draft him if pouting is a category. 2009 Projections: 60/18/80/.265
75. Ty Wigginton – He had a really solid two months last year. Do you remember where he was when he started on that two month tirade? On waivers. If you draft him, he’ll be there again. 2009 Projections: 60/20/65/.270
76. Aaron Rowand – I don’t want him in a 20 team league that uses only San Francisco Giants. 2009 Projections: 75/14/70/.265/6
77. Ryan Church – In his breakout pre-concussion season, he hit 12 HRs and batted .276. C’mon, yawn with me. 2009 Projections: 60/14/65/.255/3
78. Eric Byrnes – He used his speed for a lot of his value and now he’s older and coming off leg injuries. Bleh! 2009 Projections: 60/12/50/.255/12
79. Felix Pie – This is a the last tier. This tier goes from here to the end of the list. I call this tier, “Fliers.” Pie has done nothing to warrant this ranking, but, as I’ve said numerous times, when you’re this deep into a position, you take a flier. Pee-ay is just that. 2009 Projections: 65/7/40/.250/20
80. Ben Francisco – He hit 15 HRs and stole 4 bases in 447 ABs last year, which sounds yawnstipating at best, until you realize he should be stealing 15 to 20 bags. He might surprise with a 15/15 season. 2009 Projections: 70/17/70/.260/10 (<– fairly optimistic, but whatevs)
After the top 80 outfielders for 2009 fantasy baseball, there’s a lot of names, but here’s two that stand out:
Carlos Gonzalez – Went over Car-Gonz when Holliday was shipped to the A’s. In keeper leagues, I’d drop a buck to get him. 2009 Projections: 40/7/45/.260/10
Steve Pearce – On any team but the Pirates, I think he sees a lot of time. It’s not that the Pirates are stacked. They just make curious decisions… Rinku and Dinesh curious. 2009 Projections: 55/14/65/7/.260 (<– fairly optimistic, but whatevs)
