Which leads to our third annual 10-part installment of the rankings at each position, a product that I feel ranks right up there with any other publication to be found on the net or on the newsstand. In addition, KACSPORTS will add an additional installment looking at the prospects most likely to make a splash during the 2004 season.

Some things are actually a given, Pedro Martinez will whine and tell the Red Sox he�s not being treated right, ditto for Manny Ramirez. Frank Thomas will pout, Torii Hunter will make a highlight-reel catch every night. Ken Griffey, Geoff Jenkins, Mike Piazza, Juan Gonzalez, and J.D. Drew will land on the DL. Dontrelle Willis and Scott Podsednik will fall hard. But there are many other variables much harder to predict. KAC will try to get as many right as possible�

1. Javy Lopez (BAL � 940) � Unless Oriole VP Mike Flanagan is still working the phones trying to acquire Greg Maddux, this is an absolute coup. Maddux, as we all know, would for some reason rather throw to you or I than Lopez over the last several seasons. Even with sitting on the bench every fifth day last year, the suddenly bulked up Lopez hit .328 with 43 HR and 109 RBI. What happens in Candam Yards, especially with the option of DH�ing some. Incredibly, Lopez�s only ranks sixth in CDM salary, behind the likes of Paul LoDuca and Jason Kendall who would need two years combined to hit 43 bombs.



2. Jorge Posada (NYY � 1140) � Slowly but surely Posada has worked his way into the elite at the position. In 2003 Posada hit .284 with 30 HR�s, 101 RBI and 83 runs � all career highs. And you never hear Steinbrenner bitching about him, which may be the best compliment of all.



3. Ivan Rodriguez (??? � 1320) � As of this writing, Pudge is dangerously close to signing with the Tigers, although Seattle is also a possibility. Most would rather see him with the M�s, Detroit was trying to invoke a clause that would terminate the four-year contract if Pudge suffers any spine-related injuries. In either case, Pudge would get to DH some to reduce some of the wear and tear. Some of the power and average have gone down slightly (.297/16/85 last year), but Pudge did score 90 runs in 2003. If playing for the right manager, you could even see Irod steal some, I-Rod stole eight bases before Jack McKeon was hired last May, who promptly put up the stop sign on Pudge�s running.



4. Jason Varitek (BOS � 680) � In an absolutely loaded lineup, Varitek achieved career highs in home runs (25) and RBI (85) last year. However he usually hits 7th or 8th in the Red Sox order.



5. Mike Piazza (NYM � 990) � Becoming the Eric Lindros of his sport, they both play for under-achieving teams in New York, receive way too much media attention, and both are frequently on the shelf. Piazza is still a candidate for 30 bombs/100 RBI, but is also capable of landing on the DL for three months after merely swinging the bat, as he did last year. This may be the year Piazza finally moves to first base, which may help health-wise. BA has also slipped in recent years, and .300 may no longer be possible.



6. Jason Kendall (PIT � 1040) � Hit .325 last year after seasons of .266 and .283. Formerly the best stolen-base option at the position, Kendell fell into single-digits (8) for the first time in 2003. Still scores runs (84 last year) but has only hit 64 HR in eight seasons. Look for the Pirates to desperately try to unload Kendall to a contender at the trade deadline.



7. Mike Lieberthal (PHI � 690) � Exceeded expectations with 81 RBI and a .313 average last year. Has decent power and is good for about 15 HR�s. Will also be helped by the team moving to a grass field this year, although he�s still one of the slowest guys around and will be lifted for pinch-runners late in games.



8. Matt LeCroy (MN � 480) � If rookie Joe Mauer is able to make the jump this year, LeCroy is going to have to get his AB�s at DH, where he will probably get much of his work anyway. .287/17/64 were very good numbers for just 345 AB�s, so 25 bombs are possible as an every-day DH.



9. Jason Phillips (NYM � 460) � A speculative pick, Phillips saw most of his time at first base last year, but could swap seats with Piazza this year. Went .298/11/58 in just 403 AB�s last year, if Piazza stays healthy Phillips could put up good #�s without having to go behind the dish.



10. A.J Pierzynski (SF � 860) � He�s your man if looking for average, coming off years of .289, .300, and .312. But has never been a big power guy and his stats will take a hit moving from the Minnesota turf to the major�s worst cavernous park for right-handed hitters.



11. Ramon Hernandez (SD � 720) � Oakland sold high, dealing Hernandez after hitting a career high .273 with 21 HR and 78 RBI. The Padres new park will be an x-factor, but Hernandez could fall back into the 15 HR/.250 range in the National League.



12. Toby Hall (TB � 560) � Many have rolled the dice with Hall over the past two years expecting him to break out. However his average has fallen in the .250�s without a lot a power. Third time is often the charm however, so expect a BA improvement and possibly 15-20 HR�s.



13. Victor Martinez (CLE � 450) � Like Toby Hall, Vic Martinez has an impressive minor league resume, including a pair of MVP awards. However Vic only hit one HR and 16 RBI in just 49 games, although he hit .289. He becomes the Tribe�s starting catcher this year, and could eventually become one of the games better hitting catchers.



14. Benji Molina (ANH � 650) � Despite missing the entire final month, Molina hit .281 with 14 HR and 71 RBI. A huge jump from .245/5/47 the year before. At age 29 bet on seeing more of the 2003 Molina than �02 and slot him here.



15. Paul LoDuca (LA � 1030) � Will probably be ranked too highly on most cheat sheets. LoDuca�s .320/25/90 season of three years ago is a distant memory, look for an average in the .270�s with a handful of ding-dongs.



16. ??? Ramon Castro (FL � 280) � Appeared to become the Fish�s starting catching following the departure of Ivan Rodriguez, but Castro has been ordered to stand trial in connection to a rape charge stemming from a road trip in Pittsburgh late last season. Worse yet, Castro doesn't have the legal power to delay his trial like a certain NBA star. If he plays, Castro has power potential with 15 career HR�s in just 370 AB�s, but has only hit .232. Castro hit .336 with 27 HR�s in the Pacific Coast League back in 2001.



17. Michael Barrett (CHC � 510) � Here�s a dark secret. Remember Jeff Torborg�s son??? You know the strength/conditioning coach who used to be a pro wrestler and chased Antonio Alfonseca down the hallway when he got out of line a few years back??? Well, he worked extensively with Barrett a few years back in Montreal, and we�re just now beginning to see the results. Last year Barrett hit 10 HR and 30 RBI in just 226 AB�s, but hit only .208. If he can improve on the average, his move to the north side could be a good one. Also fills in at first and third base on occasion.



18. Jason LaRue (CIN � 600) � Good power guy, has hit 40 HR�s over the past three years without getting over 400 AB�s in any year. But LaRue is a liability with the average, anything above .250 would be gravy.



19. ??? Johnny Estrada (ATL � 340) � There is opportunity here as well, as Estrada replaces Javy Lopez behind the dish with the Braves. However Estrada is only a .231 career hitter in 351 career AB�s. Estrada did hit 8 HR and 37 RBI in 298 AB�s in Philly back in 2001, so 15 HR is a possibility.



20. Robby Hammock (AZ � 360) � Whether he gets enough AB�s is in question, but Hammock hit 8 HR�s with 28 RBI in just 195 AB�s last year while seeing time behind the plate, at third base, and in the outfield.



21. Benito Santiago (KC � 710) � Yes he�s still kicking, even though he looks every bit as old as Jesse Orosco. Still good for an average in the .270�s with 10-12 HR�s. Move to the American League should get him a few extra AB�s at DH.



22. Joe Mauer (MN � 450) - Comes in as perhaps the most highly touted rookie coming into the Spring, but has never seen an AB above AA. The Twins however are committed to the 21-year old, and will give him his AB�s at least at the outset. Has hit .330 in the minors, and collected more walks than strikeouts, but so far has virtually no power.



23. Miguel Olivo (CWS � 420) � If you�re really desperate for stolen bases, Olivo had 29 in AA a couple years back and six in 117 games last year, and also sprinkles in some occasional power. He�s been handed the starters job, so .260/10/50/10 is possible.



24. Greg Myers (TOR � 380) � Had a career year going .307/15/52 in just 329 AB�s. Now for the bad news, Myers is 37 and has never been a full-time player his entire career. Look for the Jays to continue to utilize Myers as a valuable role-player rather than a workhorse.



25. Charles Johnson (COL � 580) � Like Todd Hundley, Johnson has gone back to the horrible batting averages of early in his career. Did hit 20 HR�s last year, while hitting .306 at Coors Field, but only .153 on the road. Only recommended for those weeks the Rockies play all their games at home.



26. Chad Moeller (MIL � 320) � One of the 17 players the Brewers received in the Richie Sexson trade, Moeller hit seven HR�s with 29 RBI in just 239 AB�s last year. Moving to Miller Park, a 15-homer a season is very possible.



27. Brian Schneider (MON � 390) � 15 HR and 92 RBI in just 335 AB�s last year, and is now the #1 man with Michael Barrett gone. Will be worth starting in the home games the Expos play in San Juan during the first half.



28. Eddie Perez (ATL � 370) � Did hit .271/11/45 in 107 games last year in Milwaukee, and the round man figures to get some AB�s back in Atlanta this year. Don�t look for a full-time contribution however.



29. David Ross (LA � 750/unlisted) � Hit 10 HR�s in just 124 AB�s last year, give him a look if Paul LoDuca goes down.



30. Vance Wilson (NYM � 370) � 8 HR and 39 RBI in 268 AB�s last year, but only a .248 career hitter. Should get some playing time when Mike Piazza goes down.
    
    
    
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