MLB Fantasy Baseball: What About the Rest of the Season? Part IV

We've taken a look at the best of the pitchers, the outfielders, and the corner spots. Now we'll take a look at how things shape up down the middle of the diamond. Time to see what middle-infielders and catchers make the grade, as we look at the final 100 games of the season.

Top 10 Catchers

1. Joe Mauer–Average, power, some speed; Mauer has all the tools. We worry about his health, or the fact that he doesn’t hit as many home runs as Victor Martinez, but why hold it against him and not others? I’ll take him over Martinez, now and tomorrow.
2. Geovany Soto–He was a part-time guy last year, but he’s beginning to show that he can hit and handle pitchers. He’s the reason behind the Cubs pitching success, and he swings the bat better than most of his counterparts.
3. Brian McCann–Has the power to be higher and hits for average. He’s on pace to be a 30/100-type guy. Not bad from a catcher. Or any player.
4. Victor Martinez–His legs are still bothering him, but he’s a constant threat with the bat. The Indians need him healthy, especially with Hafner out. I don’t see him as the top catcher anymore, but he’s still got the ability.
5. Jared Saltalamacchia–He’ll see more at-bats as the season goes on. Stuck in a mini-platoon right now, but he has the job secured going forward. We’ll see a jump in production going into the second half.
6. Russell Martin–His game is speed, and we haven’t seen it yet. He’ll hit around .300, but he’s only going to provide 15 home runs and 70 RBI at this rate.
7. Jorge Posada–If his shoulder holds up, he’s one of the best offensive catchers in the game.
8. Ryan Doumit–Why is Martin 100 percent owned, but this guy is going to put up the exact same numbers and is only 90 percent owned in fantasy leagues? A total second-half sleeper.
9. A.J. Pierzynski–Sure, he has weeks where you want to kill him, but A.J. can swing the bat and does it well.
10. Bengie Molina–He’s the best of what’s left. Not exactly saying much, but he gets the job done. The problem for Molina is the weak lineup around him. He’ll hit for power, and that’s all you can hope for really.

Just missed—Dioner Navarro, Miguel Olivo, Mike Napoli

Top 10 Shortstops

1. Hanley Ramirez–Could go .300/30/95 with over 40 steals. By far the best numbers out there.
2. Jose Reyes–He can’t be this disinterested all year, and the Mets will need him to produce in order to get out of their offensive funk. He still provides solid average and speed, regardless of anything else. Two elite categories keep him in the top.
3. Jimmy Rollins–His injury slowed him down early this season, and I think he’s going to make up for that as we go forward.
4. Michael Young–Professional hitter. He’ll hit .320 and still find a way to end up with more than 20 home runs and drive in plenty in that lineup.
5. Miguel Tejada–I’m skeptical, but he seems to have found the rejuvenation machine in Houston. It’s a small park, built for the pull-hitter swing Tejada uses. I don’t care how old he is.
6. Derek Jeter-Do you want to be the guy to count him out? Didn’t think so. He’s been as good as he has for so long for a reason. I still see a .320/15/90 season out of him.
7. Carlos Guillen–Strictly because of how well he seems to hit everyone in his division. Guillen’s numbers against pitchers from Chicago, Kansas City, and Minnesota are staggering.
8. Troy Tulowitzki–He’s starting his rehab assignment. I think when he comes back, he’ll be much better than when he left. And I’d rather have him on my team at 85 percent than a lot of other guys at 100 percent.
9. Bobby Crosby–I’ll never be totally sold on his ability to stay healthy. He also hits in a weak lineup. But Crosby is pounding doubles like they’re going out of style. It gives him plenty of opportunity to rack up runs and he’s keeping his average up in the process. At this rate, the home runs will come.
10. Rafael Furcal–I’m counting on his coming back and playing well. He provides average and speed if nothing else. I think, overall, he’s a better option than players who just miss the cut.

Just Missed—Stephen Drew, J.J. Hardy, Yuniesky Betancourt, Cristian Guzman

 

Top 10 Second Basemen

1. Chase Utley–Unquestionably, Utley would go number one if we re-drafted today. He’s the most complete player in the game right now and has a legit chance at leading all triple-crown categories.
2. Dan Uggla–He’s a step behind Utley, especially where average is concerned. But Uggla provides pop and is certainly making a name for himself in the National League.
3. Ian Kinsler–The best the AL has to offer. Kinsler provides a totally balanced attack in terms of power, speed, and average. He plays in a hitter’s park, and would have been this good last year if not for the injury issues.
4. Brandon Phillips–Many were higher on him than I was to start the season. Phillips is a good player, but his main tool is speed. He’s still in the top-tier of second basemen, just at the bottom of the four.
5. B.J. Upton–Upton being fifth is nice, but he represents a decent drop off in terms of second-base production. He has dual eligibility in the outfield, but doesn’t produce the power. His speed game, though, is second to none in this category.
6. Ryan Theriot–Has eligibility at both middle infield positions, making him a nice addition to any team as a utility-type player. Theriot provides solid average at .323, but doesn’t do much else.
7. Brian Roberts–He was at or near the top of many second-base rankings to start the season. I just haven’t seen enough to warrant keeping him there. He doesn’t look to reach the 20 home-run plateau, hasn’t driven in runs, and hits below any of the guys above him in terms of average. Total disappointment.
8. Yunel Escobar–The rookie has a chance to be higher on this list. He doesn’t provide the steals, but could be a .300/15/75 type player as a first full-season rookie. I like those numbers, and in a keeper format, he jumps up a couple spots.
9. Dustin Pedroia–He would be up higher if not for the recent slide. Pedroia is streaky, to say the least. He’s a .300 hitter with 20 home run potential. Just likely not this year.
10. Rickie Weeks–Prior to the injury, he was struggling. Now this is even more exaggerated. Tough break for a guy you think might finally figure it all out someday. Depending on the length of time he’s out, Cano could replace him here just with the power production.

Just missed—Robinson Cano, Kelly Johnson, Jose Lopez

 

We'll check in again right after the break and see how the stretch run will look. Be sure to leave your comments as to who should be where and guys we may have missed!

Check out the full Roundtable blog.