FakeTeams: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: SB Nation interviews Jerome Bettis

Fantasy Baseball: Top 5 Minnesota Twins for 2010


Now we move on to the AL Central Champs, the Minnesota Twins.

Joe Mauer- My vote for 2009 Fantasy MVP basically missed the first month of the season and still managed to hit 28 home runs. Mauer has the body to be a big time power hitter in the majors, but the jump in power numbers was definitely not expected to happen so soon. While I don't think Mauer breaks 22 home runs in 2010, I still think he can give you 15-20 and about 95/95 runs/RBI with the ability to hit .330+. If you're drafting Mauer, you're probably going to have to spend a first or second rounder on him, but he could definitely be worth it. Personally, I'm not going anywhere near Mauer at his ADP, but he can easily be worth the gamble.

Justin Morneau- Justin Morneau was on his way to having one of the better power seasons in his career when he was sidelined with a stress fracture in his back. Offseason surgery one his wrist went successful and Morneau seems to be on track to return and be ready by spring training. In any case, his value is at the lowest come draft day and if you can get him at around 50th overall, you're getting excellent value.

Joe Nathan- Not much to say about Nathan. He's consistently near the top of the pack yearly in saves and sports a high 1.00-mid 2.00 ERA with at least 75 K's. Money in the bank.

Denard Span- In his first full season in the majors, Span cemented himself as one of the premier lead-off men in the game. Span will likely score 95+ runs and hit above .300 with 20 or more stolen bases in 2010. If you're in OBP leagues, Span should definitely be a guy you want to target, as he could break .400 during any given year.

Scott Baker- Scott Baker has always been one of my favorite pitchers. When you draft Baker, you'll be happy knowing you're getting a guy who doesn't walk more than 2.05 batter per game (on average) and will probably keep his WHIP in the low 1.10's. He's surely not going to keep the ball on the ground (33.7% career GB%) and he will probably give up more than 1 HR per game, but he will likely give you an ERA in the high three's and be a solid starter.

Sleeper Alert. Kevin Slowey- Slowey missed three months due to surgery on his wrist in 2009. As I said with Baker, Slowey won't put the ball on the ground very much and will probably allow at least 1 HR/G. But, as with Baker, Slowey will keep his walks low and by "low" I mean under 2 BB/9. He won't strike out a ton, but with such elite control and where he'll be drafted, he's definitely worth the pick.

Poll
Will Joe Mauer earn his ADP in 2010?
Absolutely. He's a stud.
110 votes
Not worth a first/second round pick.
42 votes

152 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 4 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Kubel..

I’m not gonna to post a line because I don’t know how that stadium is going to play, but I think he’ll easily earn a spot on this list. There is almost enough data to make me think he’ll hit much better as a LF than DH. Those splits are interesting. A park independent line of .320/.385/.540 wouldn’t surprise me.

by finite24 on Jan 29, 2010 10:24 PM EST reply actions  

You don't want my opinion

There were concerns about Mauer’s back at the beginning of last season…… SO I figured…… hmmmmm he’s a .300 hitting catcher with 15 home run power…and a back injury for a catcher is not a good thing. Since I “stole” Matt Wieters in the draft I was feeling pretty good about his upside.

Nobody would trade for the injured Mauer…. so I dumped him…. that’s right… I said it. I gulped real hard and picked up somebody else. Figuring he would be someone else’s problem not mine.

Now that my qualification to comment intelligently has been destroyed…..

I would rather draft a catcher with questions much much later in the draft…. Wieters finished hot….. Soto was injured most of last year….Doumit… etc Catchers to me are like Tight Ends and kickers in football…. if I get anything from them I am happy.

One other thing…. I always play in a head to head league….. if I was in a roto league I would move Mauer much higher in my rankings,

by Bob_24798 on Jan 30, 2010 8:48 AM EST reply actions  

Morneau

I think you have him pegged just right. I would not touch him any earlier than pick 50. Maybe even later.

by bgkrenz on Jan 30, 2010 6:12 PM EST reply actions  

Get with the times

wrist surgery warning sign!!!!! stay away from him in the first half, then buy low in the second.

by Killface on Feb 2, 2010 7:55 AM EST up reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog about Fantasy Sports.
Start posting on FakeTeams »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

FanPosts

SBNation.com Recent Stories

SEATTLE - JULY 10:  Starting pitcher Felix Hernandez #34 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after defeating the New York Yankees 4-1 at Safeco Field on July 10 2010 in Seattle Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

MLB Power Rankings: On The Challenge Of Identifying A League's Best Pitcher

ANAHEIM CA - SEPTEMBER 08:  Jeff Mathis #5 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim is mobbed by teammates after hitting a  walk off sacrifice fly to score Torri Hunter form third base against the Cleveland Indians in the 16th inning on September 8 2010 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim California.   The Angels won 4-3 in 16 innings.  (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Mathis' 16th-Inning Sac Fly Lifts Angels Over Indians 4-3

Philadelphia Phillies' Jimmy Rollins, left, slides into home to score past the tag of Florida Marlins catcher Brad Davis on a single by Carlos Ruiz in the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) +2 updates

Phils Top Marlins 10-6, Jimmy Rollins Leaves Game With 'Hamstring Tightness'

More from SBNation.com >


Managers

Img00031_1__small Ray Guilfoyle

Authors

Banksy_pie_small ILLZ

Jason_logo_small Jason Hunt

Small Bluethunder33

4312_1109962521830_1609860291_30470763_3161810_n_small Seth Walder

Img_1509_small dukeallstar

Small eklevine

Ice_hockey_monkey_small jackweiland