With the Super Bowl now over and football officially in its off season, it means two things for sports fans. We wont have to hear about any Harbaughs for a while, thank god. And it also means that spring training is just a few weeks away and fantasy enthusiasts are already scouting their teams, and preparing mock drafts. I'm already thinking of ways to sabotage my dad's team this year and its only February 7th. With draft lobbies now open, and fans yearning to return to the ballpark, fantasy owners are already thinking up names and are craving any kind of baseball news. This includes myself. With baseball on the horizon, The Flex brings you the top ten fantasy baseball players for 2013.
1. Mike Trout
This was close race for the number one spot and number one and two can almost be considered a tie. The separation that Trout has from the number two ranked player is slim, but it is enough to land him the title of the number one fantasy player in baseball and makes him worthy of the number one overall pick in your draft. At only 21 years old he has the potential to warrant the top spot for the next ten years of his career. Trout is the definition of an all-around player. Homeruns, stolen bases, high average, high on base percentage, can be counted on and he will play just about everyday. You can put this guy in your lineup everyday and know you have a superstar in your outfield day after day.
2. Ryan Braun
Braun missed the top spot by just a hair to the young Trout, and has been at the top of rankings for years now. Just being edged out by Trout is nothing to be ashamed of and if you have the second pick in your draft and Trout goes first, you should be ecstatic to have a player like Braun on your team. Much like Trout Braun can do most everything a fantasy owner could ask for. The power numbers are there year after year, and his average is going to be one of the best on your team for the whole year. If you need a guy who is going to save your average by being as consistent as possible for 262 games, Braun is your guy. He has some stolen base potential, but cant compare to the speedy Trout in that category. Braun could be a number one overall guy that falls to number two in a lot of drafts.
3. Robinson Cano
Cano had a brutal stretch in the playoffs last year and it is still fresh in the minds of both Yankee fans and fantasy owners, but don't forget the production Cano had during the season and the tremendous value he brings to a position that is fairly scarce at second base. He is for sure the best power hitting second baseman out their and is really only rivaled at his position by Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips. There is no reason for Cano to go any lower than the fifth pick in your draft and even if he is available then he could end up being a steal. He could give you a superstar at a position that is hard to find good production throughout an entire year.
4. Miguel Cabrera
How could a triple crown winner not be a top 5 player? Luckily for fantasy owners everywhere, defense doesn't count which leaves you able to draft a player like Cabrera who provides more than enough much offense to anyone's team. The fact that Cabrera is eligible both at first and third base gives you some versatility to work around off days, or even go after another big bat at one of those positions. With his power numbers and high average a rare combination, he is a top five player for sure, but could possibly slip to later in the first round and is a steal at that point.
5. Matt Kemp
Injury worries push Matt Kemp out of our top four, but he stays in the top five due to the massive potential in a full healthy season in center field. Everyone remembers Kemp's tear he went on at the start of last season and if it wasn't for and injury and the nagging issue that came along with it plaguing him all year, he could have kept up that play and been right in the middle of the MVP talk with Cabrera and Trout. If he can stay healthy, Kemp is a bargain at the fifth pick and could be another dynamic all-around player that can do absolutely everything for your fantasy club.
6. Prince Fielder
Prince Fielder, just like his teammate at number four benefits from only offensive statistics being counted in fantasy leagues. He may be sluggish in the field and on the basepaths, but at the plate he is nothing short of a pitchers worst nightmare. With a swing that could cut down a tree, you can see the power that Prince brings to your team fairly easily. He will get his homeruns every year especially with a triple crown winner hitting in the same lineup. Although you will have to live with his fluctuating average and his lack of versatility in your lineup, he is more than worth it and is absolutely a top ten player.
7. Albert Pujols
This was a tough decision to make. Obviously Albert belongs somewhere in the top ten, but how high? He was one of the most consistent and reliable players in the game for years, but after last year where he struggled in his first year with the Angels, how much has his value dropped? Albert is no longer a number one pick, but don't doubt him just yet. By the seasons end, he could be worthy of the top 5, or be lower than his spot at number seven. This is a critical fantasy year for Pujols, but I could also see him putting up the numbers we are used to and proving me wrong.
8. Joey Votto
One of the more reliable day to day players in the big leagues is our number eight rated player, Joey Votto. The past two years he has been the marquee player on my fantasy team, and I can tell you he gives you average and power along with the best. He also plays close to every single game and is a lock to be in your lineup day in and day out. He had a bit of an injury problem at the end of last year, but all reports are that he is fully recovered and will be ready for spring training at full strength. Votto could be a player with top 5 potential, and it wouldn't surprise me if he crept in to the top 3 by next season. I'm predicting a huge year from Votto and if he is available at the eight spot, don't hesitate to draft him.
9. Troy Tulowitzki
Another top player drops on our list due to the injury bug affecting him the last few years, this time its Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. At the shortstop position there isn't even a close second. It is a position without many solid options, let alone star talent. Tulo is a player that you can build your team around in 2013 and can add power to a position that lacks it all over the league. Shortstop might be the weakest position out there this year and if you can snag Tulo, he is worth it even with the risk of another injury nagging him in 2013.
10. Justin Upton
Filling in the last spot on our top 10 player rankings is the youngest of the Upton brothers in Atlanta, Justin Upton. With a new team in 2013 Upton seems primed to make the leap that we have been waiting for. He has top 5 potential and simply hasn't gotten there yet, even though he has been a dynamic player already in his young carer. Now he is in a very good position in Atlanta. Not only is he playing with his older brother, he is also in a lineup full of other solid bats for the first time and opposing pitchers will be forced to give him pitches to hit. It will be difficult to pitch around him in a lineup featuring B.J., Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward, and Dan Uggla. Upton will be in our top 10 for years to come as he fulfills his monstrous potential and for now he rounds out our list for 2013.
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