Mom's 2008 Rankings #1 (1 Viewer)

[Your Mother]

Commentary forthcoming. Lowell's ranking is contingent on him signing with Boston again. A-Rod is contingent on him not signing with SF. Without anything around him and playing in a pitcher's park, I honestly think Wright goes ahead of him.

Underrated: Ryan Braun, Alex Gordon, Josh Fields.

1. Alex Rodriguez

****

2. David Wright

3. Ryan Braun

4. Miguel Cabrera

****

5. Garrett Atkins

6. Chipper Jones

7. Aramis Ramirez

8. Mike Lowell

9. Chone Figgins

****

10. Troy Glaus

11. Alex Gordon

12. Edwin Encarnacion

13. Josh Fields

14. Adrian Beltre

15. Ryan Zimmerman

16. Hank Blalock

Others to watch:

Akinori Iwamura

Evan Longoria

Jack Hannahan

Mark Reynolds/Chad Tracy

Ian Stewart

 

[Sammy3469]

I have to say, I'm glad people are still sleeping on Beltre. Even with his bad OBP/AVG he's was still a top 10 3B this year. I also like Figgins here if you don't need the power.

I personally think Lowell is set for a dropoff no matter where he ends up.

 

[Your Mother]

I have to say, I'm glad people are still sleeping on Beltre. Even with his bad OBP/AVG he's was still a top 10 3B this year. I also like Figgins here if you don't need the power. I personally think Lowell is set for a dropoff no matter where he ends up.

I'm not sure about Lowell. Even with little HR power, he gets the ball in the air a ton, which is always a good recipe for success for a righty in Boston.Beltre has power, he just lacks discipline, and it's gotten worse this year, hence the ranking. I thought I might've ranked Figgins low, he's difficult to measure against everyone else in this category since he's not a traditional 3B. I've always avoided him, since it's easier to just get an OF that runs and a traditional power-hitting 3B instead of the other way around.

 

[Capella]

Think Aki is heading to second base next year.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Is Scott Rolen dead? Serious question.

 

[Sammy3469]

Is Scott Rolen dead? Serious question.

Until proven otherwise, I have to think so.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Is Scott Rolen dead? Serious question.

Until proven otherwise, I have to think so.

Incredible decline there.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Is Scott Rolen dead? Serious question.

Until proven otherwise, I have to think so.

Incredible decline there.

He had a very solid year last year, but he has been ravaged by injuries...

 

[RedRaiders]

Wright has to be one of the safer 1st round picks next year. The stolen bases are a great bonus considering his position.

 

[Sammy3469]

Is Scott Rolen dead? Serious question.

Until proven otherwise, I have to think so.

Incredible decline there.

That's all subject to change if he shows he's healed in spring training, but I just don't know see how you can rank him over some of the younger guys at this position given their upside. I certainly wouldn't be keeping him in any league. I'd even prefer to have someone like Kouzmanoff given his 2nd half than Rolen at this point, and I'm not even sure Kouz is the best long term 3rd-base option for the Pads given Headley's production in the minors this year.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Is Scott Rolen dead? Serious question.

Until proven otherwise, I have to think so.

Incredible decline there.

That's all subject to change if he shows he's healed in spring training, but I just don't know see how you can rank him over some of the younger guys at this position given their upside. I certainly wouldn't be keeping him in any league. I'd even prefer to have someone like Kouzmanoff given his 2nd half than Rolen at this point, and I'm not even sure Kouz is the best long term 3rd-base option for the Pads given Headley's production in the minors this year.

I watched Headley take batting practice in San Antonio. He is a beast.

 

[NY/NJMFDIVER]

I would actually bump Ryan Braun to number 2 already, based on Ballpark and lineup protection. Wright has done it longer and will get you more steals, but to think Braun has only been up since mid June and done what he's done is unbelievable.

Ryan Zimmerman is a little low. I gotta think a new ballpark will help him immeasurbly, even if the dimensions aren't demonstratively differnt(though they are definately closer). RFK just plays big, and I like him a lot next year. I would basically flop him with Encarnacion, who could lose his spot to Ryan Freel next year if the Reds don't start dealing Outfielders(or even if they do, Norris Hopper looks like a keeper with Ham and Griffey, assuming a Dunn Deal)

Chipper has had a nice year, but he's always dinged and at age 36, I woudn't want to rely on him

I woudl also slide Glaus down his tier. Injuries, stuck on turf, and roid story equals flux for him with me.

 

[Capella]

Think Aki is heading to second base next year.

Upton permanently in center?

Almost definitely. If Rocco is still alive, he'll be the DH.

 

[Your Mother]

I would actually bump Ryan Braun to number 2 already, based on Ballpark and lineup protection. Wright has done it longer and will get you more steals, but to think Braun has only been up since mid June and done what he's done is unbelievable. Ryan Zimmerman is a little low. I gotta think a new ballpark will help him immeasurbly, even if the dimensions aren't demonstratively differnt(though they are definately closer). RFK just plays big, and I like him a lot next year. I would basically flop him with Encarnacion, who could lose his spot to Ryan Freel next year if the Reds don't start dealing Outfielders(or even if they do, Norris Hopper looks like a keeper with Ham and Griffey, assuming a Dunn Deal)Chipper has had a nice year, but he's always dinged and at age 36, I woudn't want to rely on himI woudl also slide Glaus down his tier. Injuries, stuck on turf, and roid story equals flux for him with me.

I had to think hard about Braun vs. Wright, and your argument is persuasive. Not a big gap between them. I don't know much about the Nats' new park.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Is Scott Rolen dead? Serious question.

Until proven otherwise, I have to think so.

Incredible decline there.

That's all subject to change if he shows he's healed in spring training, but I just don't know see how you can rank him over some of the younger guys at this position given their upside. I certainly wouldn't be keeping him in any league. I'd even prefer to have someone like Kouzmanoff given his 2nd half than Rolen at this point, and I'm not even sure Kouz is the best long term 3rd-base option for the Pads given Headley's production in the minors this year.

The Pads love Headley, but he's going to have a tough time beating out Kouz. Kouz is now batting 3rd against left handers and is hitting ~ .310 since May 10th, and over .400 this month.

 

[Your Mother]

I would actually bump Ryan Braun to number 2 already, based on Ballpark and lineup protection. Wright has done it longer and will get you more steals, but to think Braun has only been up since mid June and done what he's done is unbelievable.

Tough call. Braun is certainly outperforming Wright given that he was called up mid-season, but I would say Wright is also the safer pick. Nothing worse than drafting a bust with one of your top picks.

You don't just trip into the kind of numbers that Braun's put up, and his minor numbers support it. He's a Round 2 guy for me next year.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Yeah, Braun and Wright is an interesting comparison...

Wright has done it longer, and 30/30 from your 3B with a BA over .300 and an OBP over .400 is excellent, but I can see an argument for Braun...

He has 3 more homers and only 14 less RBIs in 150 less ABs, and isn't a slouch on the bases himself, with 14 steals...

Plus, he plays in a better home run hitting park than Wright...

I think Braun is the better pick just because you can get him a round or so later (I'm guessing at next year's ADPs) and he has less pub b/c he plays in Milwaukee and not NY...

 

[428143]

Joe Crede should be on your list, as he will be the ChiSox 3B next season due to his gold-glove caliber defense. I see a .275 average and 25+ homers out of him, if healthy. Fields will probably be in LF, I think the Sox have played him there for the last month.