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.
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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.
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,
Morneau
I think you have him pegged just right. I would not touch him any earlier than pick 50. Maybe even later.
Get with the times
wrist surgery warning sign!!!!! stay away from him in the first half, then buy low in the second.

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