'THE EDGE' (COMING SOON!!)


KAC 2006 FANTASY BASEBALL - SHORTSTOP RANKINGS


  1. Michael Young (TX) - There's actually a few candidates for the #1 spot this year, but I feel Young is the safest bet. For one his .300+ batting average weights better on a fantasy team because he gets a ton of AB's, and has racked up 641 hits the last three years. Young also hits 20+ homers and approaches 100 RBI and will be among the league leaders in runs scored. His stolen bases have dropped but that's the only negative. He should be given late first-round consideration in most drafts.


  2. Miguel Tejada (BAL) - In April and May, Tejada had appeared to had picked up right where he left off in his monster 2004 season, in which he drove in 150 runs. After June 1 Tejada only hit 13 HR with 53 RBI, and conspiracy theorists will point out that this was about the time when another member of the Orioles was getting some bad news regarding a positive steroid test. Whether all of this is purely coincidental is subject to debate, but it must be noted. On the plus side, Tejada does have quite an ironman streak going, the last game he missed was all the way back in 2000.


  3. Jimmy Rollins (PHI) - Will carry a ton of publicity heading into the season with a 36-game hitting streak on the line. He needed that .400 final month just to get his batting average up to .290 on the year. Rollins stolen bases have been on the upswing the past three seasons, improving from 20 to 30 to 41, and has also flirted with 120 runs the past three seasons.


  4. Jose Reyes (NYM) - Not a great average hitter, which may bog you down if it gets too low and he gets 700 AB's again, hardly ever takes a walk. Most of Reyes value comes from the 60 stolen bases he had last year. However you would expect more than the 99 runs he got last year, that should improve with a more fortified middle-of-the-order hitting behind him.


  5. Jhonny Peralta (CLE) - Here is my sleeper choice, who I am very high on. There were flashes of sheer power in his first full season, hitting 24 HR with 78 RBI, and I?m expecting that to improve big time, some compare him to a young A-Rod. Only negative is Peralta doesn?t steal at all, which means those who have him will have to look for speed elsewhere.


  6. Derek Jeter (NYY) - I'll say the same thing I've been saying for several years now, the Yankee captain is the perfect example of a player who means more in real life than in the fantasy game. Still, you know exactly what you're going to get - and it isn't bad, .300+ average, 20 homers, close to 20 steals, and an absolute ton of runs at the top of the Yankee order. Jeter being ranked only #6 this year is a testament to the depth now at the shortstop position, especially considering that A-Rod and Nomar are no longer in the mix.


  7. Felipe Lopez (CIN) - Huge breakout year in 2005 contributing in all five categories, although he did get a bit inconsistent late. His home run totals were padded in part by playing in his home park, where he hit 16 of his 23 bombs.


  8. Rafael Furcal (LA) - Always seems to be a slight disappointment, perhaps because so much gets expected. Doesn't hit a lot of home runs but turned up the wick with 46 stolen bases in 2005. Has averaged well over 100 runs in the past four seasons, including 130 in 2003.


  9. Julio Lugo (TB) - Ranking is contingent on starting over B.J. Upton or getting traded. Much of Lugo's value comes from his 39 SB's last year, if he stops running he quickly becomes a fantasy afterthought.


  10. Edgar Renteria (ATL) - Value has gone done due to declining results in both batting average and steals over the last couple of seasons. The hope here is that Renteria will run again now that he?s out of Boston and steal at least 20 bases.


  11. Orlando Cabrera (ANG) - I get him and Renteria confused, mainly because they're about the same player. Cabrera is good for about 20 steals but his power and average have dropped dramatically since 2003.


  12. Clint Barmes (COL) - Everyone knows the story about him and the deer meat, causing a broken collarbone and costing a shot at Rookie of the Year. Some theorists suggest that he actually fell off an ATV, but I'm sure they don't want Todd Helton coming to their houses anytime soon. Has played winter ball so he's good to go, what he has to prove is if he can hit on the road (only .232 last year).


  13. Carlos Guillen (DET) - Gets a mulligan for last season since he wasn't close to 100 percent. Remember his .320 average from the last two seasons and 20 HR/97 RBI in just 136 games in 2004 and you could have a steal at this point in the draft.


  14. B.J. Upton (TB) - It's kind of hard to rank someone who spent all of last year in the minors this high, but if he cracks the lineup he is a highly regarded prospect who will get steals if nothing else. Follow developments in spring training before drafting.


  15. Bill Hall (MIL) - 20 homer, 20 steal potential and also eligible at 2B and 3B.
  16. Nomar Garciaparra (LA) - No longer one of the bellcows at the position, but also eligible at 3B and soon to be at first base as well.


  17. Khahil Greene (SD) - If he quit managing to somehow break digits we could see his full potential, which should be 20+ home runs. Also has to be watched since he will be at that magical age of 26.


  18. Bubba Crosby (OAK) - About the same thing as Khahil, turns 26 this year, gets hurt a lot, doesn't have a great average, but has at least moderate power.


  19. Juan Uribe (CWS) - Seems to been around forever, but is still only 26 as well, and also has 15-20 home run power but not a great average.


  20. Omar Vizquel (SF) - Now 38 years old but still a great baserunner, surprisingly stole 24 bases last year.


  21. David Eckstein (STL) - Will pitch in with a few steals and won't hurt in the average department. Extra points if your league counts 9th inning game-winning suicide squeezes.


  22. Rich Aurilia (CIN) - Bounced back somewhat last year and is eligible at both second and short.


  23. Adam Everett (HOU) - Has improved into the 20 SB range and hit double-digit home runs for the first time last year. Batting average still an issue though.


  24. Alex Gonzalez (BOS) - Dropped from 23 to five homers last year with a bad elbow, but performed well in the recent Caribbean World Series. Has the inside track at starting in Boston where he could very well regain his batting stroke.


  25. J.J. Hardy (MIL) - Was Mark Belanger-like the first half of 2005, but went .308/8/31 after the break. The fact that Hardy doesn't steal limits his fantasy potential somewhat.


  26. Jack Wilson (PIT) - Batting average dropped from .308 to .257 last year and doesn't help much in the homer or steal departments.


  27. Angel Berroa (KC) - Has regressed horribly since his breakout 2003 season. Don't see him improving until he gets out of Kansas City.


  28. Russ Adams (TOR) - Former first-round pick hasn't shown much yet except for an occasional steal.


  29. Neifi Perez (CHC) - Filled in for Nomar Garciaparra last year and didn't show much, is again expected to fulfill a utility role.


  30. Hanley Ramirez (FL) - Wow, the Red Sox finally dealt Ramirez. Actually, not that one, Hanley comes over in the Josh Beckett trade and has the inside track on starting this year. The 22-year prospect may struggle at the plate, but should offer stolen bases.


  31. Ronny Cedeno (CHC) - Has a good shot at starting, but won't offer much in the home run or steal departments.


  32. Nick Punto (MN) - Steals a few bases and is eligibe at second and short and could see time at third.


  33. Cesar Izturis (LA) - Stole 25 bases a couple years back but is expected to miss the start of the season following elbow surgery.


  34. Jason Bartlett (MN) - Didn't do that well in his first stint last year, and not much contribution in the speed/power area.


  35. Stephen Drew (AZ) - Long holdout after being drafted in 2004, but is on the fast track to the big show - should be in the show at some point in 2006.