Fantasy Baseball: What about the rest of the Season? Part I

So we’re in June. The season is well under way and half the guys you drafted haven’t panned out the way you might have hoped. Some of the top players in the American League went undrafted. Joe Saunders has nine wins. I never thought he’s get to ten for an entire season. Carlos Quentin was an afterthought in Arizona last year. Josh Hamilton is The Natural, but the guy that was traded for him is in the top-five in the National League in wins, strikeouts, WHIP, and ERA. It’s time to re-evaluate everything. So, at the one-third mark of the season, The Roundtable looks to who will be at the top the rest of the way.

Today we take a look at pitchers and the overall top-10 the rest of the way. Tomorrow we'll look at outfielders. We'll examine First, third, and Catcher on Sunday and the middle infield on Monday. Have to break it up so all the analysis fits! Have comments or questions on the rankings? Use the email link on the right to contact the Roundtable.

Overall Top 10

1. Chase Utley – Utley has been a force all season in every major category. There is no reason to believe he won’t be a contender across all of the triple crown areas. If we were drafting today, Utley would go number one.
2. Lance Berkman – Berkman has been just as strong all season. His average isn’t as good as Jones’, but he provides eligibility at two positions and already has 17 home runs.
3. Hanley Ramirez – Ramirez is a rare talent, one that could steal 40 bases and at the same time hit 30 home runs. He came very close to those numbers last year, with 29 home runs and over 50 stolen bases. Ramirez fits the bill and will continue this pace.
4. Alex Rodriguez – We all know what he’s capable of doing. He’ll do it in the second half. Buy now while you can.
5. Albert Pujols – Everyone, including me, was terrified of his elbow. Well, that hasn’t been an issue. That being the case, Pujols is a top-five performer that would have been drafted that way if there wasn’t this fear.
6. Alfonso Soriano– After his stint on the DL, Soriano has been nothing but on fire. This is a gut feeling, but I think we’ll see even stronger power numbers the rest of the way.
7. David Ortiz– This could certainly change based on the next 30 days. Bear with me here though. Take out the 3-43 start, and Ortiz is .300/13/43. He’s still on pace for 40 homeruns and 120 RBI. If this next month goes how he hopes it will, the second half of the year will be a monster.
8. Jimmy Rollins – His injury slowed him down during the first half of the season. His turnaround starts this weekend. Rollins excels against the Braves and the NL East in general. Since the majority of his games will be played in division, I like him to come back to what made him a top pick this season.
9. Chipper Jones– I just don’t see him hitting .418 the rest of the season. That means a slump at some point. But I still think his average wins you that category more weeks than not. More than that, Jones has proven himself to be healthy this season, and that will help the power numbers.
10. Miguel Cabrera – Now he has a position. His division, overall, has some weak pitching coming out of Kansas City, Minnesota, and portions of Cleveland’s rotation. He didn’t come over to the American League and forget how to hit. He’ll be better, buy low now.

Just missed: Ryan Braun, David Wright, Scott Kazmir, Brandon Webb

Top 10 Pitchers

1. John Lackey – Lackey started the season injured, but has pitched very well since his return. 17 wins is not out of the question here and he’ll do it with an ERA around 3.30 and a WHIP at or near 1.00. That’s what you want out of an ace and I just feel that he’ll give you the best chance of anyone down the stretch.
2. Josh Beckett – His numbers, outside of the home run totals, are actually better than last season. Batters are hitting for a lower average, his strikeout numbers are better, and his walks are lower. Beckett struggled with the long ball in 2006 as well. Still one of the best around.
3. Scott Kazmir – Kazmir also started on the disabled list, but has picked up where he left off last season. Expect great strikeout numbers and an ERA close to what he has showed in the past. The win totals will be better because Tampa is better, and that’s good news for owners.
4. Edinson Volquez – I know, he’s a rookie. I know, it’s a long season. I know, he hasn’t had to do this before. But I also see a guy with eight wins that is holding batters to an average below .200. Sure, this won’t be all season, but is 15-18 wins out of the question? Not hardly.
5. Brandon Webb – Webb has only had two starts this season where he gave up more than three earned runs. He’s already got ten wins and he has been one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball the last several seasons. He can lead my staff any day.
6. Johan Santana– To me, the biggest disappointment so far. We expected him to simply dominate the weaker NL lineups, and, while he’s been good, there has been no domination. He’s giving up more and more fly balls that are turning into home runs. We saw this at the end of last year too.
7. Justin Duschcherer – I bet a lot of you have looked at this list and wonder why he’s here instead of Jake Peavy or Cliff Lee. It’s another gut feel type call. I think this is a guy that needs to be owned in every league, in every format. He’s been that good for Oakland. If not for an injury last season, then he would have been just as good. His arm strength is there, and I see a very surprising second half from him.
8. Jonathan Papelbon – The only closer on the list. He’s been the best. There are others with more saves and you may question his durability, but no one is as dominant. His ERA will be low, his WHIP will be low, and his strikeout numbers will be high. Just what you want out of a closer.
9. Rich Harden – This could change by the hour given his injury history. But Harden dominates when he’s on the mound. He has a plus-fastball and generates the high strikeout, low WHIP that owners want. Oakland’s offense might be rough, but you can’t plan for wins on a day-to-day basis. I like what he gives me in the other categories.
10. Roy Halladay – Has a tendency to get injured in freaky ways, but I like what he brings. He’s consistent, eats innings, and will add complete games to your totals if your league counts that stat. Halladay has some rough luck when it comes to the win column, but you won’t find a more consistent pitcher on a nightly basis.

Just Missed: Jake Peavy, Cliff Lee, Shaun Marcum, Tim Lincecum

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