My fantasy draft is Sunday, so I figured if I'm prepping, I might as well help you with your draft. I play in a standard 5x5 rotisserie league.
My 5 Draft Strategies
1) National League Pitchers - The DH rule in the AL makes for much tougher lineups meaning more runs, higher WHIP and fewer strikeouts.
2) Ballarks - Those who hit in Texas, Colorado, Boston, Chicago (AL), New York (AL), Baltimore, Houston, Cincinnatti and Philadelphia get a major boost up the rankings. Those who pitch in Los Angeles (NL), San Diego, Atlanta, Florida, San Francisco, Anaheim and Oakland become much more valuable.
3) Wait on Closers - Don't panic if the top 5 closers go early. Identify a couple that you like and wait until the later rounds to snag them. You can always pull one off waivers in April.
4) Power over Speed - A great power hitter can help you in three or four categories, which makes them much more valuable than someone who wins you the steals category.
5) Best Player on the Board - It's OK to pick a pitcher late in the 1st round if he is dominant and it's fine to take three great hitters with your first three picks. But it's not good to reach for a catcher too early in fear that all the good ones will be taken.
Top 10 Overall
1) Hanley Ramirez, SS, FLA - He helps you in all five categories, plus he plays a valuable position and he's only getting better.
2) Albert Pujols, 1B, STL - His power numbers have diminished slightly, but he's the closest thing to a sure thing in baseball.
3) David Wright, 3B, NYM - He's another five category player that's just entering his prime.
4) Jose Reyes, SS, NYM - He'll win you the steals category without killing your HR total.
5) Josh Hamilton, CF, TEX - Most have him ranked outside the top 10, but I'm a believer.
6) Tim Lincecum, SP, SFG - His win total should catch up with his Cy Young dominance.
7) Johan Santana, SP, NYM - The only other 1st round worthy pitcher is a more proven commodity.
8) Miguel Cabrera, 1B, DET - His burliness will cost you runs, but he has serious pop and lineup protection.
9) Manny Ramirez, LF, LAD - He might get the Bonds treatment or go totally crazy. But he might hit 40 homers with 135 RBIs.
10) Mark Teixeira, 1B, NYY - Don't expect a huge leap from Tex who should provide his usual .295/30/120.
Top 3 Catchers
1) Russell Martin, LAD - He's only 26, Manny's back and he can run a little. Huge bounceback season!
2) Brian McCann, ATL - He's consistent, he's not worn down yet and he has solid pop.
3) Geovany Soto, CHC - I see no reason for a sophomore slump.
Stay Away - Joe Mauer, MIN - His back seems to be a real issue and even when healthy, he's not a real stat guy other than BA.
Sleeper - Matt Wieters, BAL - Everyone knows the uberprospect. I tend to steer clear of rookies, but you might like this one.
Deep Sleeper - Ramon Hernandez, CIN - If you're searching for a starter in the late rounds, he has pop and a favorable new home.
First Basemen 4-6
4) Ryan Howard, PHI - Obviously, I have Pujols, Cabrera and Teixeira first then the big fella who loves the long ball.
5) Lance Berkman, HOU - Consistently underrated producer, who gets extra points for ballpark and a little speed (18 steals in '08).
6) Prince Fielder, MIL - The hefty-lefty found his stroke in the second half of last year. Now, he's ready to feast again.
Stay Away - Adrian Gonzalez, SD - He's a great player, but PetCo Park makes you earn HRs. That's just un-American.
Sleeper - Joey Votto, CIN - His name is awesome and I'm pretty sure he can rake.
Deep Sleeper - Chris Davis, TEX - I don't like the youngsters swing, but I love his size and ballpark.
Top 3 Second Basemen
1) Chase Utley, PHI - He's recovering from surgery, but he's the only big-time bopper at second base.
2) Ian Kinsler, TEX - He helps in all five categories and he plays in a great park with lots of lineup protection.
3) Brian Roberts, BAL - He's a great source of steals without killing you across the board.
Stay Away - Howie Kendrick, LAA - Why take on such a health risk when his upside is not overwhelming?
Sleeper - Mark Derosa, CLE - He has always been able to hit and he'll be eligible at multiple positions.
Deep Sleeper - Aaron Hill, TOR - He seemed destined to take the leap last year until a concussion knocked him out.
Shortstops 3-5
3) Jimmy Rollins, PHI - J-Roll proved his fantasy worth by stealing a ton of bags last year, but he is capable of more than that.
4) Troy Tulowitzki, COL - Everyone has forgotten about the next Derek Jeter, but he's back and he's still hitting at Coors.
5) Rafael Furcal, LAD - I thought he was the most underrated free agent and now I expect him to have an explosive '09 season.
Stay Away - Miguel Tejada, HOU - He was the best shortstop steroids could create.
Sleeper - Jhonny Peralta, CLE - He should get you 20 homers without hurting your team batting average.
Deep Sleeper - Jed Lowrie, BOS - I don't draft Red Sox, but if you do, Lowrie is a classic overachiever.
Third Basemen 2-4
2) Evan Longoria, TBR - He was just scratching the surface last year with a short-season 27 HRs and 85 RBIs.
3) Alex Rodriguez, NYY - In 5 months, he'll likely outperform everyone else's full season, but he might jinx your team.
4) Aramis Ramirez, CHC - Consistency is always good in fantasy and the Cubbies 3B delivers.
Stay Away - Ryan Zimmerman, WAS - Every year someone takes a flyer on his "potential." Don't be that guy!
Sleeper - Adrian Beltre, SEA - Look who's in a contract year again. He loves contract years.
Deep Sleeper - Jorge Cantu, FLA - He was a top prospect who fell out of favor in Tampa, but found a home in Miami.
Outfielders 3-10
3) Grady Sizemore, CF, CLE - He should hit for a much better average, but you can't complain about the 5-category balance.
4) Carlos Lee, LF, HOU - His numbers are interchangeable with Berkman's and equally as consistent.
5) Ryan Braun, LF, MIL - He'll hit bombs, but I'm just not a believer.
6) Nick Markakis, RF, BAL - He's ready to make the jump into stardom and you could be the beneficiary.
7) Vladimir Guerrero, RF, LAA - Vladdy is playing for money this year, which means he might suck it up and hit homers again.
8) Alfonso Soriano, LF, CHC - He used to be a fantasy stud, but he switched positions and stopped running. Still, he's not bad.
9) Carlos Quentin, LF, CHW - His swing and that ridiculous ballpark mean that he will belt homers yet again.
10) Nate McClouth, CF, PIT - I have not seen much of him, but he caught my eye immediately.
Stay Away - Matt Holliday, LF, OAK - New ballpark and new league are both serious red flags.
Sleeper - Justin Upton, RF, AZD - When the light comes on, there will be no stopping him.
Deep Sleeper - David Dejesus, CF, KCR - He could play his way into pinstripes with a huge first half.
Starting Pitchers 3-10
3) Brandon Webb, AZD - He's a lock for stellar numbers across the board.
4) CC Sabathia, NYY - The pressure might spoil his April and October, but he'll get it done in between.
5) Roy Halladay, TOR - He's the best pitcher in baseball, but his stats only partially reflect that.
6) Edinson Volquez, CIN - He tailed off a little at the end, but there is some Pedro in this kid.
7) Dan Haren, AZD - He is elite from April through August, but he spoils it in September.
8) A.J. Burnett, NYY - I'm chugging the Kool-Aid. He led the AL in Ks last year and he's way under-the-radar.
9) Cole Hamels, PHI - He would be a 2nd round pick if not for last year's overuse and balky spring elbow.
10) Francisco Liriano, MIN - His stuff is so good that it's just a matter of health.
Stay Away - Jake Peavy, SD - He's one of baseball's best, but his hapless team will kill his win total and shake his confidence.
Sleeper - Justin Verlander, DET - Two years ago he was an unhittable ace, a sophomore slump is not enough to scare me off.
Deep Sleeper - David Price, TBR - He should match Liriano's season from two years ago.
Top 3 Closers
1) Mariano Rivera, NYY - Give me one shred of evidence that he's ready for a downturn.
2) Jonathan Papelbon, BOS - A slightly weaker lineup should mean more close games to save.
3) Joe Nathan, MIN - He's just really good.
Stay Away - Kerry Wood, CLE - He could get hurt or he could blow up in a new league.
Sleeper - Joel Zumaya, DET - He was snake-bitten last year, but his arm is a gift from God.
Deep Sleeper - Jose Arredondo, LAA - They see Scot Shields as a set-up guy and I see Brian Fuentes as a lefty specialist.
