Joe Mauer: The most important fantasy player in the universe
Most fantasy baseball players who have the luck of picking first in their draft will probably turn to the likes of Albert Pujols, Hanley Ramirez or Alex Rodriguez. Each of these players are elite, if not the best, fantasy players at their positions (1B, SS, and 3B).
There is no doubt Albert Pujols is the best hitter in baseball and can lead a fantasy team to glory. However there are several first basemen who hit for similar home runs. One guy in particular is Ryan Howard, who had one fewer home run and 6 more RBI than Pujols.
Howard hasn’t lasted too much further than Pujols, but you could draft a guy in the first round and possibly get Howard in the second depending on your draft and style. A guy like Kevin Youkilis can hit .300 while getting you around 30 HRs and 100 RBI.
Hanley Ramirez has certainly established himself as the most valuable shortstop over the past few seasons and should be drafted in the top of the first round. It is tough to duplicate numbers like .342/24/106 especially at the middle infield positions.
With that being said, there are talented short stops that specialize in different aspects of the game, such as Elvis Andrus. Andrus is only in his sophomore year but he has a gift on the base paths. It sounds crazy to even put this kid in the same league as Ramirez, so I’m not. I am simply suggesting Andrus’ stolen base potential is certainly valuable at the short stop position. Elvis is a worthy fantasy starter and will make up for his lack of power with an excellent SB total.
Another rare commodity at the position is Jason Bartlett for the Tampa Bay Rays. Bartlett missed 25 games last season and still had 30 stolen bases. His power numbers aren’t as credible as Ramirez’s, but he can hit 20 and get you 80 RBI to go along with an average well over .300.
Alex Rodriguez could lose his title as the best fantasy third baseman this year to Evan Longoria. I have seen several people take A-Rod with the first pick, and I can’t knock it. The hot corner is a tough position to find depth in fantasy, but the aforementioned Evan Longoria will most likely be available in the second round leaving the door open to go a different direction in the first round.
Ryan Zimmerman would be my choice at 3B. Zimmerman is often overlooked and can be drafted after the first few rounds of most drafts. He is a guy who will get you nearly .300/35/100 every year.
All of this thinking leaves you with good reason to take Joe Mauer with the first overall pick. If your league started don’t be afraid to offer Pujols or one of the others mentioned for Mauer. Catcher is by far the position with the least depth. Mauer, who hit .365/28/96, missed 24 games last season and still won the AL MVP.
Victor Martinez finished second in most scoring formats and had 13 less hits in 65 more at-bats than Mauer. Brian McCann scored only 63 runs and hit almost 100 points less than Mauer in '09. Because the depth at catcher is so grim, not drafting Mauer first could leave you settling with Bengie Molina or Mike Napoli as your starter. Is that something you would be comfortable with?
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