Fantasy 40/40: 2012 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Top 20 Overall
I’ve recently listed my Top 10 overall for 2012. Note: Ryan Braun has been added my Top 10, so, technically, all these guys move down one slot. So here’s my 12-21.
- 12. Adrian Gonzalez 1B, BOS. I don’t know if the power drop-off was due to his shoulder issues or adapting to an easy, giant, left field target. Would you rather have .280 and 40? Or .330 and 30? Could be .280 and 30. Could be .330 and 40. Scary.
- 13. Carlos Gonzalez OF, COL. I really wanted to put him into my Top 10. But… With his injury history and style of play, like Kinsler, I need to see him on the field all the time. That being said, he was 26/20 last season and will only get better.
- 14. Jose Reyes SS, MIA. Jose took his talents to South Beach this winter to become the Marlins new shortstop and win not five, not six, not seven World Series’ rings. If he stays healthy all year, Jose could be a Top 10 player, leading off for Hanley, Gaby, Stanton and Morrison.
- 15. Dustin Pedroia 2B, BOS. After a slow start in 2011, this former Sun Devil turned it on and finished 21/26. He’s a grinder, plays hard and will finish with the numbers.
- 16. Prince Fielder 1B, DET. Got paid this off-season and now calls Detroit his new home. With Fielder playing Goose to Miggy’s Maverick, Prince should feel right at home. Bigger ballpark? Yadi, yadi, yada. I still see at least 37 HR and 100 RBI.
- 17. Andrew McCutchen OF, PIT. A player getting better and better, McCutchen has the five-category potential fantasy owners crave. A bit of a stalled season in 2011, fantasy owners could expect a decent jump in numbers this year. He could bat .300, but .280 is more like it. Add 20/20, shake and drink.
- 18. Ian Kinsler 2B, TEX. I would rank him in the Top 10 every year if he could just stay healthy. He did in 2011 and came up with 32/30.
- 19. Curtis Granderson OF, NYY. “The Grandy Man Can!” Can’t stand the announcing, just think it’s stupid funny. Granderson’s 41/25 last season was stupid good and fantasy gold, helping owners to league championships (thank you). Past seasons’ numbers in Detroit are hard to compare due to shift in ballparks and change in swing – the 30/20 club should be a real possibility again.
- 20. Giancarlo (Mike) Stanton OF, MIA. Like McCutchen, upside has something to do with this ranking. He’s a man-child and has huge potential. He should hit at least 30 HR. 40? Not sure he gets to 50 quite yet…. To the more important stuff, he’s the tits. Dude changes his name like Diddy when he feels like it.
- 21. Hanley Ramirez SS, MIA. He’ll gain 3B shortly after the year starts and should benefit from the arrival of Jose Reyes. I’m not so sure he’s happy playing third, not so sure how this plays out. If Ozzie can help focus his thoughts, Hanley could be in for a monster comeback season.
