Fantasy Baseball: Early Mock Draft-Round 1, Pick 8

I am not one to select pitchers in the first round, and some can make the case to draft Tim Lincecum or Zach Greinke here, but I am going for probably the best power hitter in baseball-Ryan Howard.

Howard had another outstanding year in 2009, going 45-141-8-.279-.360-.571-.931. Yes, he stole 8 bases in 2009!! Can he reach double digits in 2010? Who cares when he has averaged 47 HRs and 141 RBI over the last 3 seasons.

His power numbers were tremendous even though his BB% has dropped in each of the last two seasons, from 16.8% in 2007, 11.7% in 2008 to 10.9% in 2009. But, in contrast, his K% has dropped as well, from 37.6% in 2007, to 32.6% in 2008 to 30.2% in 2009.

His BABIP of .330 in 2009 was right around his career average, but his HR/FB% was only 25.8% which is lower than his career average of 31.8%. This tells me we could see another 50 HR season from Howard in 2010 should he maintain his FB% around 40%.