1) Chase Utley - Philadelphia - Consistency has been pure for Utley over the last five years but I am actually projecting a slight boost in 2010. I am still dreaming at what 2008 could have been if he stayed 100% healthy the entire year and I believe 2009 was mildly discounted from the lingering injury affects. No such problems going forward. (2010 projected fantasy rating is 84)
2) Ian Kinsler - Texas - Kinsler’s hamstring injury and sub-par 2nd half in 09, eliminated any competition that Utley had for the top spot at this position. Biggest concern here is the huge fluctuation in AVG over the last four seasons (.286, .263, .319 and .253). 2008’s .319 seems to be the exception and I am projecting .276 for 2010. (2010 projected fantasy rating is 77)
3) Dustin Pedroia - Boston - Pedroia took a small step back in 2009 but he still remains a solid number three on this list. A move to SS has been talked about and would obviously increase his value. (2010 projected fantasy rating is 73)
4) Brandon Phillips - Cincinnati - Hopefully, with a full off season of rest for his wrist, Phillips will be 100% going into 2010 and there seems to be no reason to believe otherwise. Keep your eye on news as to were Phillips will bat in the lineup this year. Hitting cleanup is the obvious preference and that is were Phillips batted for the good part of 09. (2010 projected fantasy rating is 71)
5) Robinson Cano - NY Yankees - Cano had his best year in 09 and I expect 2010 to be about the same. (2010 projected fantasy rating is 67)
6) Brian Roberts - Baltimore - Consistency has always been there but the 20 SB drop-off over the last two years needs to be watched. Robert’s excellent fantasy value was always evident in the speed categories (R and SB). Age is not a major concern, yet, but it could become a factor soon. (2010 projected fantasy rating is 65)
7) Aaron Hill - Toronto - Hill’s 2010 projection is not easy. I loved Hill going into 2009 but certainly not at the levels that we saw. Realistically, For my 2010 forecast, I am going back to the numbers Hill produced in 2007 plus a modest 5/10% increase. (2010 projected fantasy rating is 62)
8) Dan Uggla - Florida - Power numbers are always easy to predict for Uggla but the drop-off in the R category of 29 over the last two years makes me scratch my head. AVG is always an issue but you know that going in. Trade talks have been swirling this winter with SF and Atlanta as possibilities. (2010 projected fantasy rating is 62)
9) Asdrubal Cabrera - Cleveland - Cabrera had arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow but is expected to be fully recovered by spring. I also give Cabrera a slight premium jump in his value because he qualifies at both 2B and SS but not enough to eclipse Uggla and Hill. (2010 projected fantasy rating is 59)
10) Alexi Ramirez - Chicago White Sox - Look for information on where Ramirez bats in the White Sox lineup next year. Ramirez’s production took a hit when he was batting 7th or lower toward the end of last season. (2010 projected fantasy rating is 57)
11) Placido Polanco - Philadelphia - I have no doubt that Polanco gets a boost for signing with the Phillies. (2010 projected fantasy rating is 57)
12) Jose Lopez - Seattle - (2010 projected fantasy rating is 56)
13) Ben Zobrist - Tampa Bay - Zobrist seems to have a home at 2B going into 2010 after the trade of Iwamura. One note is that Zobrist does not qualify in most leagues at SS anymore since he only played 13 games last year. Nothing in Zobrists past predicted his breakout 2009 season so I am extremely skeptical going forward. (2010 projected fantasy rating is 55)
14) Howie Kendrick - LA Angels - (2010 projected fantasy rating is 54)
15) Ron Theriot - Chicago Cubs - There is a possibility that Theriot will move from SS to 2B to make room for Starlin Castro. It remains to be seen if he will still qualify at both positions after the move. (2010 projected fantasy rating is 54)
Note on the projected fantasy rating: It is based on assigning point values to each of the five standard fantasy categories on a rough scale of 1 to 25. More than 25 can be awarded in a particular category for exceptional production (Bonds 73 HR’s in 2001 or the 100+ SB’s Rickey Henderson produced during several seasons are examples). Theoretically, the top rating would be 125
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