The momentum of the 2010 fantasy baseball season is slowly picking up, and one of the things that will be increasingly occupying rental space in everybody’s crawl will be just whom to select as the first overall draft pick.
While we enter this year with a handful of players that seem to be no-brainers, there are just as many players lurking in the distance that could actually wind up being better picks than those we think.
So just who gets the heaviest consideration for the first overall pick?
Well sir, we all may be still sipping hot cocoa and dressing in our gay apparel, but there’s no time like the present.
Albert Pujols, Cardinals: At first glance, Pujols is almost the hands down number one choice, but is he the best choice? Pujols will undoubtedly have another banner year, but the Cardinals are doing a bang up job bringing in additional bats which could ease up the pressure on the big man; something that could affect his numbers slightly.
Pujols belongs in the first round obviously, but using a number one pick could ruin your chances of grabbing another player ready to break out.
Consideration: 80 percent.
Hanley Ramirez, Marlins: Imagine that, a shortstop as one of the top three choices. Ramirez is literally the heart and soul of the Marlins hitting squad and he takes his .342 batting average, 24 home runs, and 106 RBI from ’09 into a very promising 2010 season.
Ramirez’s home run count dwindled a bit from years past, but his overall consistent play makes him a fine choice as a number one pick; considering shortstop is a tricky position to fill with quality. Ramirez complimented his power numbers with an additional 27 stolen bases, being caught only 8 times all year.
His only knock is his 100+ strikeout rate for two straight years—three 100+ SO seasons out of four.
Consideration: 85 percent.
Alex Rodriguez, Yankees: A-Rod is a perpetual Top five pick year in and year out and his 30 home runs and 100 RBIs are a big reason for that.
A-Rod’s power accomplishments tend to go by the wayside when most look at his .286 AVG, but A-Rod doesn’t strikeout much, is about as reliable as a Fantasy players gets, and can still steal bases: 14 SB to his 2 CS.
The only concern is that nagging hip injury that is so difficult to get a read on. Currently, everything seems to be fine, but the linger of the injury is something that should be monitored.
Consideration: 90 percent.
Carl Crawford, Rays: So much has happened since November with Crawford, but one thing remains clear: he is the total package and is primed for a breakout season this year no doubt.
Crawford finished the year with an amazing 60 stolen bases, and while his home run count and RBI count aren't as high as the aforementioned (15 HR, 68 RBI with 96 runs scored) it all comes together in a very nice package when you add in the stolen bases given their worth in fantasy baseball.
The Rays will be a much better hitting machine this year with Ben Zobrist becoming a full time second baseman, so Crawford could see an overall increase in his total net value.
Consideration: 95 percent.
Who do you think should be the number one overall selection this year? Should it be one of the four players mentioned above, or someone else altogether or perhaps a pitcher? Let us know with your thoughts below.
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