By ROB SHAW
sportsnet.ca
Of all of the positions in fantasy baseball, there is none that surprised us more than the outfield. 80% of the players ranked within the top 10 in the preseason rankings failed to conclude the season within the top 20.
Injuries certainly played its role with Grady Sizemore, Josh Hamilton, Alfonso Soriano, and Carlos Beltran all plagued by health woes. Manny Ramirez lost his fantasy value after failing a steroids test, and playing at a lower level upon his return.
Then there are the young talents who simply have hit a plateau such as BJ Upton and Curtis Granderson. Meanwhile, a new batch of outfield stars emerged. Here's a look at the top 20 outfielders in fantasy baseball.
Top 10 2009 Outfielders
1) RYAN BRAUN, OF, BREWERS
In just his third season in the Major Leagues, Ryan Braun is the best outfielder in Major League Baseball. His season figures are 32 home runs, 114 RBI, 113 runs, 20 steals, and a .320 average. Those figures define a five-tool talent.
2) MATT KEMP, OF, DODGERS
Matt Kemp's career is off to a blistering start. The precocious 25-year old has established career highs with 26 home runs, 97 runs, and 101 RBI. Of course, it's his combination of power and speed (34 stolen bases) that makes him the second best outfielder in the game.
3) CARL CRAWFORD, OF, RAYS
Carl Crawford has bounced back from a down season with a career best 60 steals. Just when everyone assumed that Crawford hit a lull in his career, the Rays sensation scored 96 runs with 15 bombs, 68 RBI, and a .305 average from atop the Rays lineup.
4) JACOBY ELLSBURY, OF RED SOX
The stolen base king of the 2009 season, Jacoby Ellsbury swiped 70 bags this season. Best of all, he is a multi-dimensional star. With 94 runs, 68 RBI, and a .301 average, Ellsbury is reminding fantasy managers of a young Johnny Damon with more speed.
5) MATT HOLLIDAY, OF, CARDINALS
Who would ever want to play for the A's after what Matt Holliday went through? The former Rockies slugger managed just 11 home runs and a .286 average in Oakland before getting saved by the Cardinals. In St. Louis, Holliday has been a clone of Albert Pujols with 13 home runs, 55 RBI, and a .353 average in 63 games. Overall, with 24 home runs, 109 RBI, 14 steals, and a .313 average, Holliday has met fantasy expectations.
6) JASON BAY, OF, RED SOX
While Manny Ramirez made headlines mostly for the wrong reasons this season, Jason Bay has rewarded the Red Sox with excellent power production. The Canadian slugger has established career highs with 36 home runs, 119 RBI, while chipping in with 103 runs and 13 swipes. These are incredible season numbers for a player who hit just one homerun with five RBI and a .192 average during a terrible July slump.
7) ADAM LIND, OF, BLUE JAYS
It was a breakout season for Toronto slugger Adam Lind. After belting just nine long balls last season, the 26-year old swatted 35 dingers with 114 RBI, 93 runs, and a solid .305 average. Let's hope he'll enjoy a better career path than the last few players who enjoyed breakout seasons such as former rookie phenom Eric Hinske, Vernon Wells, and the recently traded Alex Rios.
8) JAYSON WERTH, OF, PHILLIES
Lo and behold, Jayson Werth is the top rated Phillies outfielder. Not bad for a talented outfielder who gets third billing behind Raul Ibanez and Shane Victorino. The 30-year old veteran followed his breakout season by setting new career highs with 98 runs, 36 home runs, 99 RBI, and 91 walks. He's also a great player to have on base with 20 steals this season.
9) BOBBY ABREU, OF, ANGELS
Apparently, he's not too old to play baseball after all. Credit the Angels for acquiring the 35-year old veteran Bobby Abreu. Considered on the decline despite 100 runs, 20 home runs, 100 RBI, 22 steals, and a .296 average last season with the Yankees, Abreu managed to surpass many of those totals with 96 runs, 15 home runs, 103 RBI, 30 steals, and a .293 average. Despite the success, I'll bet that he's at a discount price in fantasy and reality next season as well.
10) ICHIRO SUZUKI, OF, MARINERS
One of the greatest hitters of all-time, Ichiro enjoyed one of his finest seasons despite landing on the disabled list for the first time in his career. In addition to his 225 hits, Ichiro scored 88 runs, hit 11 home runs, stole 26 bases, and most impressively hit .352. The remarkable average ranks as the second highest of his celebrated career.
11) BEN ZOBRIST, OF/2B, RAYS
The Rays super utility man is sure to find a regular position by next season. Once known as a defensive specialist in the infield, Ben Zobrist crushed 27 home runs, stole 17 bases, and hit .297 as one of the best players on the defending AL Champs.
12) JUSTIN UPTON, OF, DIAMONDBACKS
At the age of 22, Justin Upton is officially a star. The Diamondbacks phenom is looking like a young Ken Griffey Jr., with 26 home runs, 86 RBI, 20 steals, and a .300 average.
13) SHIN-SOO CHOO, OF, INDIANS
Though he lacks the power and speed of Indians sensation Grady Sizemore, Shin-Soo Choo is more consistent and certainly enjoyed the better season. Choo established career highs across the board with 87 runs, 20 home runs, 86 RBI, 21 steals, and a .300 average.
14) JOHNNY DAMON, OF, YANKEES
Hopefully, an awful September won't foreshadow post-season struggles, but overall, Johnny Damon exceeded expectations for the Bombers. The 35-year old veteran evolved into more of a power bat this season by tying his career high with 24 home runs. While his 12 steals are a bit disappointing, his 107 runs and 82 RBI sure aren't.
15) ANDRE ETHIER, OF, DODGERS
The Dodgers kept winning even when Manny Ramirez was suspended for 50 games in large part because of the power of Andre Ethier. The Dodgers 27-year old outfielder pounded 31 home runs with 106 RBI.
16) RAUL IBANEZ, OF, PHILLIES
At one point, it looked like Raul Ibanez would slam 50-plus home runs. Fantasy managers would have been best served had they traded Ibanez early this season when his value reached a peak. His overall statistics are still impressive with 93 runs, 34 home runs, and 93 RBI.
17) MICHAEL CUDDYER, OF, TWINS
The Twins first round pick of the 1999 draft enjoyed his best season in his 10th year of professional baseball. His 32 home runs and 94 RBI allowed the Twins to remain in contention forcing an extra game in the regular season.
18) MICHAEL BOURN, OF, ASTROS
It was a breakout season for Astros speedster Michael Bourn. The former Phillies prospect established career-highs with 97 runs, 27 doubles, 12 triples, and 61 steals, all while hitting .286.
19) DENARD SPAN, OF, TWINS
For a second straight season, Denard Span was a fixture at the top of the Twins lineup despite the presence of former Mets prospect Carlos Gomez. While Span lacks the speed and raw talent of Gomez, he is a more complete player. This season Span established career highs with 97 runs, 10 triples, 8 home runs, 68 RBI, 23 steals, and a .312 average. His performance should improve even more next season when the Twins leave the Metrodome.
20) TORII HUNTER, OF, ANGELS
Unfortunately, an injury marred what was looking to be a career season for the veteran Torii Hunter. The defensive standout still managed to put up big numbers including 22 home runs, 90 RBI, and 18 steals despite missing 40 games this season.
Preseason Top 20 Rankings
1) GRADY SIZEMORE, OF, INDIANS
You can blame the injuries for ending Grady Sizemore's season on September 3, with just 18 home runs and a pitiful .248 average.
2) RYAN BRAUN, OF, BREWERS
As above.
3) JOSH HAMILTON, OF, RANGERS
Injuries prevented an encore from Josh Hamilton after his fine 2008 season. In just barely more than a half season, Hamilton accumulated 10 home runs, 54 RBI, 8 steals, with a .268 average.
4) MANNY RAMIREZ, OF, DODGERS
The steroids certainly didn't help Manny Ramirez this season. Not only did he miss 50 games due to suspension, but upon his return he struggled with 10 home runs, 34 RBI, and .255 average after the All-Star break.
5) CARLOS LEE, OF, ASTROS
After belting 28 home runs in 115 games last season, Carlos Lee managed just 26 home runs in 160 games this season. To his credit, he did hit .300 and drove in 102 RBI.
6) ALFONSO SORIANO, OF, CUBS
The injury bug had a nasty effect on Alfonso Soriano this season. He managed just 20 home runs, 55 RBI, and 9 steals to go with an equally disastrous .241 average.
7) CARLOS BELTRAN, OF, METS
When healthy, Carlos Beltran was pretty decent with 10 home runs, 50 runs, 48 RBI, 11 steals, and a .325 average. Shame is he missed half the season with a deep knee bruise.
8) BJ UPTON, OF, RAYS
Whatever happened to BJ Upton? The Rays former phenom failed to secure his spot at the top of the Rays lineup due to just 79 runs, 11 home runs, 55 RBI, and a .241 average. His greatest fantasy contribution was his 42 swipes.
9) JASON BAY, OF, RED SOX
As above.
10) CURTIS GRANDERSON, OF, TIGERS
The five-tool talent looked more like a one dimensional slugger this season. Curtis Granderson was often removed from the leadoff spot in the second half of the season thanks to his .248 average that complemented an otherwise impressive 30 home runs and 20 steals.
