Fantasy Baseball Rankings 2012: Evaluating The Top 5 New York Yankees

The New York Yankees have a star-studded lineup that features plenty of sound fantasy options.

Last year the team was second in runs and on-base percentage and seventh in batting average. The pitching staff isn’t as great, but its top heavy with sure-fire studs worth a selection in the early rounds.

Here are the top five Yanks to consider when executing your fantasy draft.

1. Robinson Cano, 2B

One of the top candidates for last year’s MVP award, Cano was an absolute monster in 2011.

His .328/.406/.590 line has fantasy owners drooling. Hitting third in this lineup is certainly a big reason why he scored 104 runs and knocked in 118 RBI, but his 28 home runs suggest he can produce even when the bases are empty.

There is no debate who the most feared hitter in the Bronx is.

2. CC Sabathia, SP

Sabathia is a lock for 17 to 20 wins, the ultimate luxury when selecting starting pitchers.

With so many shoulder and elbow injuries crippling the best starters for months at a time, Sabathia keeps on trucking along. Expect another ERA around three and another 230-plus innings. He is worth a second-round pick.

3. Curtis Granderson, CF

Grandyman exploded onto the fantasy scene in 2011by crushing 36 homers in addition to scoring 112 runs and knocking in 97 RBI. There are certainly questions surrounding his ability to put up those numbers again, but if you listen to ESPN’s AJ Mass, he’s worth the gamble:

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If you're looking for a safe, conventional first-round pick, by all means, take someone like Joey Votto. Nobody is going to think any less of you for doing so. But if you believe our projected stat line (142 hits, 36 homers, 97 RBI, 112 runs, 20 stolen bases) for Granderson is an accurate outlook for 2012, it makes far more sense to grab him instead, because he's going to contribute more across all five categories. Is it unconventional? Sure it is. Is it risky? A little. But it very well could be the kind of pick that wins you a league championship. 

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Granderson is a borderline first-round pick who has the ability and opportunity to reward your faith in a big way.

4. Mariano Rivera, Closer

Sure he may be 42, but nobody is more dreaded coming out of the bullpen.

Last year he notched another 44 saves to go along with 60 strikeouts and a 1.08 WHIP in 61.1 innings. He has shown no signs of slowing down, and with the Yanks poised to win the AL East once again, the save opportunities are going to be plentiful.

5. Mark Teixeira, 1B

Tex beats out Nick Swisher and Alex Rodriguez for a couple of different reasons.

Swisher hits for a higher average, but pales in comparison in virtually every other category aside from walks.

Teixeira may have hit .248 in 2011, but he still smacked 39 home runs, 111 RBI and 26 doubles. He appeared in 156 games, which trumps A-Rod’s 99.

Rodriguez is much too risky to waste a high-level pick on. Teixeria is a safe bet in the middle of one of the best lineups of the past five years. 

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