Vladimir Guerrero (ANG) - If you are bummed about drafting #3 and missing out on Pujols or Arod, you shoudn't be. Vlad is just a half-tick behind the big two. Vlad missed some time with a shoulder last year, so he could improve on 2004 monster totals of .337/124/39/126/35. At age 30, still very much in his prime.
Carl Crawford (TB) - In his prime, Kenny Lofton used to make the top of this list based on mega-steals along. Well Crawford is starting to develop the power to go along with the 50+ steals. You have to like the upward progression on BA (.281/.296/.301). Won't last far past the middle of Round 1.
Manny Ramirez (BOS) - His numbers are insane and more prolific than any other outfielder in either league, that's not the problem. The issue is that Manny is a Terrell Owens/Ron Artest-like risk this year. I think if the organization hears one more trade request for Manny they just mike sit him until they can find a suitor. If you?re sitting in the middle-to-late stages of Round 1, consider David Ortiz (if available) or go with the likes of Johan Santana then concentrate on hitting in Rounds 2 and 3.
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) - Lesson learned from 2005, don?t expect 260+ knocks every year. Still, Ichiro's high average gets enhanced by the sheer volume of AB's he gets, and consistently steals about 35 bases. Did hit 15 home runs last year but that is more likely to decline.
Gary Sheffield (NYY) - Has slowly shaken off his career-long injury label and has actually been pretty reliable the past few seasons, averaging 35 HR's, 115 runs, and125+ RBI. Even has had double-digit steals in two of the past three seasons.
Chone Figgins (ANG) - 62 steals last year plus eligibility and second as well as third.
Grady Sizemore (CLE) - Emerging five category monster who hit 22 home runs and stole 22 bases last year, and also scored a lot of runs from the leadoff spot.
Hideki Matsui (NYY) - Some consider him a mild disappointment since coming over to the States, but Matsui's strongest attribute is that it's going to take a bone sticking through the skin to get him out of the lineup, as he hasn't missed a game in over ten years. Draft him and you'll have one position you won't have to worry about. Book him for a .300 average, 25 homers, and well over 100 runs and RBI.
Vernon Wells (TOR) - Was one of the games rising stars and was approaching MVP numbers when he decided to lose weight one off-season for reasons unknown - his numbers have gone down across the board the last two years as a result. The Jays have revamped their lineup and Wells is still only 27, I would expect 30 HR/100 RBI minimum.
Scott Podsednik (CWS) - Was flirting with an insane 100 SB pace before getting banged up in the final months of the season. Got rid of his home run stroke but improved his average from .244 to .290 in the process. Recent marriage to a one-time Playboy playmate ought to be worth a five spot deduction however.
Johnny Damon (NYY) - For $52 million I guess loyalty can go out the window. However Damon's numbers in the Bronx should be pretty much the same, and could score even more runs with the likes of Arod, Sheffield, and Matsui hitting behind him. The Yankees have also been known to run more, so you could see Johnny approach 30 SB's again.
Aubrey Huff (TB) - Numbers took a nose dive across the board last year. Is also eligible at third base and is expected to be trade material for a contender some time this year.
Coco Crisp (BOS) - Expectations are through the roof with his recent trade to the Red Sox. Coco has already been a .300 hitter the last two years, steals about 15 bases, and will be expected to improve on his 15 or so home runs. Turning 26 heightens expectations even more.
Torii Hunter (MN) - This choice seems so 2001. Torii hasn?t hit any higher than .270 the last three years, but did steal 23 bases in just 98 games last year and is normally good for 20+ home runs as well.
Brad Wilkerson (TX) - Has never hit for high average but goes from the outhouse to the penthouse moving from Washington to Texas, where he should regain the 30 home run touch he had with the Expos a couple years back. Also eligible at first.
Jermaine Dye (CWS) - Hit 31 home runs last year and topped off comeback season by winning World Series MVP. You would still like to see a higher batting average and more RBI's.
Milton Bradley (OAK) - We ought to have a contest on when the Milton Meltdown is going to occur. This guy got bent at a bottle of Aquafina flying his way in LA. What's going to happen to Oakland, where fans have been known to get more creative with various projectiles after a few 0-4's. He will get you some home runs and stolen bases while in the lineup, but I would probably look for better options.
Dmitri Young (DET) - Hurt the past couple years but should still be good for 20+ home runs if healthy.
Magglio Ordonez (DET) - Injuries plus moving to a park where the fences might as well be set at the Canadian border have killed Maggio's production the past few years. Current plans are to have Ordonez DH a lot this year, last year's stats would had still projected to over 90 RBI over a full season, so he does have value.
Garrett Anderson (ANG) - Home run totals have tailed off drastically in recent years, but veteran is still good for a .300 average and possibly 100 RBI.
Craig Monroe (DET) - Has developed into a decent pattern of 20+ home runs and 80+ RBI.
David Delucci (TX) - Career utility player suddenly turned the power on last year, hitting 29 home runs and actually doing some of his best work on the road. However you have to go back to 2001 to rind Delucci hitting any better than .251 in a season.
Delmon Young (TB) - D-Rays in no hurry to call up the top prospect in the game, and Delmon hasn't been too happy about it, and you can't blame him. Delmon has little left to prove in the minors, hopefully he will be in Tampa's Opening Day lineup.
Nick Swisher (OAK) - Nice pick if you're looking for upside, hit 21 homers in 131 games last year, batting average needs some work. Does have eligibility at first.
Kevin Mench (TX) - Simply put, home runs is his best category, doesn't get a lot of RBI though and doesn't hit for a great average.
Jonny Gomes (TB) - Took advantage of getting playing time in place of Rocco Baldelli, and hit 21 home runs in just 348 AB's. Suffered a freak heart attack and needed angioplasty a few years back, the cause of the episode is still unknown.
Raul Ibanez (SEA) - Nice solid hitter who will get you about .290 with 90 runs, 20 HR, and 90 RBI.
Reggie Sanders (KC) - Seemingly hell-bent on trying to play for every team in the National League, Sanders will now try the Junior Circuit for the first time. Hit 21 home runs and 14 steals last year, astonishing numbers for a player who is now 38. I would expect Reggie's stay in KC to be short, as he will be trade bait for 98th time in his career.
Rocco Baldelli (TB) - Missed last season after a freak off-season knee injury followed by Tommy John surgery. Rehab has gone well and Rocco thinks he can DH by opening day, if so move him up a few spots, you may remember Baldelli was showing some serious five-category potential a few years back and could run exceptionally well, at least before the knee injury.
Jay Gibbons (BAL) - Expect 20+ home runs. Don't expect a high batting or any steals. Also eligible at first.
Alex Rios (TOR) - Has stolen around 15 bases in his first two years and has home run potential when he fills out.
Matt Lawton (SEA) - Had a very interesting 2005, bouncing between three teams and getting a steroid suspension at the end of the year. Fortunately he will only be sitting 10 games, as opposed to the 50 first-time offenders will be docked this year. Has always provided decent numbers in the HR and SB department, and had 109 runs as recently as 2004.
Casey Blake (CLE) - Has 20+ home run power, but average is an issue and is already 32 years old.
Mark Kotsay (OAK) - Nothing spectacular hear, just a steady .280 average and 15, maybe even 20 homers if you?re lucky.
Emil Brown (KC) - Nice waiver wire pick-up who had a couple of nice month last year contributing all five categories, but doesn't have a whole lot of additional upside at age 31.
Carl Everett (SEA) - Another player who has become very well traveled, and now lands in one of the tougher hitters parks around. Should still be good for 20+ bombs and some RBI.
Joey Gathright (TB) - If you're looking for cheap steals in a Diamond Challenge-like game, Gathright is a prime possibility, and had 20 SB's in just 203 AB's last year. But the D-Rays outfield is quite crowded, it may take an Aubrey Huff trade to get Gathright some meaningful playing time.
Jay Payton (OAK) - Flopped in Boston, but hit 13 home runs in 69 games with Oakland.
Jeremy Reed (SEA) - Everyone's favorite sleeper last year didn?t do much in any category. Is still only 24 however, so you could capitalize on the 'post-hype' breakthrough.
Lew Ford (MN) - 'Sweet Lou' was a waiver wire wonder in 2004, but dropped off drastically last year.
Brian Anderson (CWS) - Prospect expected to get first crack at replacing Aaron Rowand in center field. Not much speed and only moderate power.
Gary Mathews (TX) - Has slowly developed some power but is still though of as a utility type.
Jason Michaels - Leaves one favorable situation (Philadelphia) for perhaps an even more favorable situation. The key is Michaels has a shot to start in Cleveland. Doesn't do well in the homer/steal departments, but hits for average and could score some runs.
David DeJesus (KC) - Typical Royal: Not much power, not much speed, but easy on the owners checkbook.
