KAC 2004 FANTASY BASEBALL - SHORTSTOP RANKINGS
NATIONAL LEAGUE STARTING TO CATCH UP
Alex Rodriguez may be a lame duck at shortstop this year, but he will hardly be leaving the cupboard bare. Besides the usual suspects (Nomar, Jeter, Tejada), the National League is beginning to catch up with their own trio of shortstops with Edgar Renteria, Rafael Furcal, and now Kaz Matsui. There is also a possibility at Alfonso Soriano could become eligible at the position this year. Throw in Orlando Cabrera (Expos) and young Angel Berroa (Royals) and you have one of the better shortstop fields in recent memory�
- Alex Rodriguez (NYY � 2010)
� Thought it was only a coincidence when Arod and Jeter appeared together in that post Super Bowl commercial??? Will be hard pressed to surpass the numbers he piled up in Arlington, where Arod averaged 52 HR�s, 127 runs, and 132 RBI per year along with a +.300 BA. Also ran some more last year, stealing 17 bases � but I think he will steal more than 10 in New York. However, Alex will enjoy plenty of protection in that Yankee lineup and won�t wear down as much away from the late summer Texas heat.
- Edgar Renteria (STL � 1640)
� Breaks the AL Fad Four stranglehold after across the board increases in all five categories, finishing at .330/96/13/100/34. The stolen bases gives Edgar a slight advantage over the #3 and #4 ranked shortstops.
- Miguel Tejada (BAL � 1680)
� Has played in every game for the past three campaigns, and now will be manning short in Baltimore. Again, do you believe in coincidences??? Had a horrible start last year, but don�t let that stop you as he should improve on the averages of the past three years (31 HR, 117 RBI) in one of the majors best hitting parks.
- Nomar Garciaparra (BOS � 1330)
� OK, so he was M � I � A in the playoffs, not to mention refusing to �Cowboy Up� with the head shave in the name of wedding photos. In the past two years, Nomar has hit the 120 mark in both runs (2002) and RBI (2003). Hardly ever strikes out, making him a lock to hit .300 while approaching 30 HR�s. The garage�s best bet to win the AL batting title.
- Orlando Cabrera (MTL � 1570)
� Joined the upper echelon at the position after improving from .263/64/7/56 to .297/95/17/80, an improvement of 31 runs and 24 RBI. Also has played every game in two of the past three years and is also good for about 25 steals. He�ll be playing for a big money contract this year, so you can�t go wrong.
- Rafael Furcal (ATL � 1150)
� Make no mistake, Furcal has arrived and is even showing power hitting 15 HR�s to go along with passing the plate 130 times along with the usual 25 bases. The order behind Furcal will not be as strong, so lower your expectations as far as runs are concerned.
- Derek Jeter (NYY � 1600)
� Getting hurt on Opening Day and missing a quarter of the season did not help � but the power/speed combination was not worth his price tag with only 10 homers and 11 steals although Jeter did hit .324. 1600 salary not recommended for CDM.
Kazuo Matsui (NYM � 750)
� Chances are, Kaz will be worth your while. Matsui hit 69 bombs his final two years in Japan, and has stolen as many as 62 bases (and considered faster than Ichiro), although he had only 13 SB�s last year. Conservatively, 20 home runs and 25 stolen bases should put Kaz among the elite at the position as long as he provides a decent batting average. At 750 with the SB�s he�s essential in CDM.
- Angel Berroa (KC � 900)
� AL Rookie of the Year hit 17 HR with 71 RBI, and stole 14 bases in the final 70 games of the season. I wouldn�t pick him before Matsui, but 20+ HR�s and 30 steals is a possibility.
- Jose Reyes (NYM � 700)
� Moves over to second base this year and after 20 games should be eligible there as well as short. Along with a .307 average, Reyes stole 13 bases in just 69 games, so 30+ steals this year is very possible as he and Matsui man the top of the Mets order.
- Jimmy Rollins (PHI � 1200)
� Not a great average hitter and has also seen his steals decrease from 46 to 31 to 20 the pas three years, but will also be good for a handful of home runs along with 600+ AB�s and close to 100 runs.
- Bobby Crosby (OAK � 450)
� A former first round draft pick, Crosby hit .308 with 22 HR�s and 24 steals in 465 AB�s while winning the PCL MVP crown. He�s not a sure thing to win the starting job out of camp, but the speed/power combo looks promising. The fact that he got listed in CDM for 450 will help there.
- Jose Valentin (CWS � 930)
� If he just had a decent average, Valentin could rank in the top half dozen, especially after coming off years of 28, 25, and 28 HR�s. As it is, anything above .250 is gravy for him. A decent pick if you need power and have some nice average hitters around him.
- Christian Guzman (MN � 1130)
� Some still feel that Guzman can join the top echelon of shortstops, but he only hit 3 HR�s last year, although he did steal 18 bases. Does not strike out often, so he�s a good bet to improve on his .268 average.
- Julio Lugo (HOU � 860)
� After abruptly being waived from the Astros in the wake of a domestic charge, Lugo did well in Tampa hitting 15 HR�s and stealing 12 bases in 139 games. Lugo is also slate to move to second this year, if you like multiple position eligibility.
- Alex Cintron (AZ � 450)
� One of the toughest to strike out, whiffing only 33 times in 448 AB�s and also chipped in 13 HR�s while hitting .317.
- David Eckstein (ANH � 1100)
� Another tough man to strike out, but his stolen bases has dropped to 29 to 21 to 16 over the past three years, and also only hit .252. If he plays every day, count on .280 with at least 20 steals � he just makes too much contact for the BA to stay down for long.
Rich Aurilia (SF � 1120) � Aurilia�s .324/37/97 season seems like a generation ago these days. And Rich is not going to an any better home run venue in Seattle. Should still be good for 15-20 HR�s and about a .280 average.
- Alex Gonzalez (CHC � 920)
� Nice power with 17, 18, and 20 HR�s the last three years, although his batting average was even worse than normal last year, hitting .228.
- Alex Gonzalez (FL � 600)
� Was a lot like the other Alex last year, hitting 18 home runs along with 77 RBI. Don�t ever expect that many knocks again. Was pushing .300 well into July but fell down to .256 by years end. Gonzalez is only a .244 career hitter, so expect more of the post All-Star break Alex.
- Carlos Guillen (DET � 680)
� Another of several acquisitions made by the Tigers, Guillen is slated to hit in the bottom third of Detroit�s order. Expect his usual handful of home runs along with 50+ RBI.
- Chris Woodard (TOR � 440)
� There appeared to be some upside after 13 HR�s in just 90 games in 2002, but his defense and hitting fell off � only hitting 7 HR�s in 349 AB�s.
- Adam Everett (HOU � 410)
� After being touted for years, Everett finally became the Astros shortstop and chipped in 8 HR�s and 8 SB�s in 128 AB�s, there is still room to move into double figures in both areas.
- Omar Vizquel (CLE � 710)
� A bum knee limited Vizquel to 68 games last year, did have 14 HR and 18 SB�s as recently as 2002, perhaps he will still be good for some home runs, and a handful of steals.
- Tony Graffanino (KC)
� His biggest strength is being eligible at second, short, and at third. Had 7 HR�s and 8 SB�s in just 250 AB�s with the White Sox last year. He should still see most of his time v. left-handers.
- Craig Counsell (MIL)
� Neck surgery and a dislocated thumb limited Counsell to 89 games last year, although he did steal 11 bases. Now with Milwaukee, look for him at short for most of the year until the team starts auditioning kids from the minors.
- Jack Wilson (PIT � 710)
� Plays 150 games and makes contact, but does not hit well for average. Did hit nine home runs with 62 RBI last year.
- Khalil Greene (SD)
� The Padres first round pick from two years ago comes into camp with the inside track at the starting shortstop job. Although Greene hits for a little bit of power, he only hit .215 in 65 late season AB�s last year.
- Jose Hernandez (LA)
� It was truly amazing that Hernandez managed to hit .288 while striking out 188 times two years ago. Jose wasn�t so lucky last year hitting only .225 and only hitting 13 HR�s. Amazingly, Jose managed to wear out his welcome with four National League teams (MIL, COL, CHC, PIT) in a 12 month period. Now getting a spring invite with the Dodgers, Jose�s does still bring occasional power along with eligibility and both third and short.
- Mark DeRosa (ATL)
� Appears set for regular playing time with the Braves, and carries eligibility at second, short, and third. Could be capable of 15 HR�s if he plays 150 games.
