Fantasy Baseball 2011: AL-Only Top 12 Hitters

by Ray Guilfoyle on Feb 11, 2011 8:00 AM EST in Baseball

Like i did yesterday for NL-only leagues, here are the Top 12 hitters for AL-Only leagues:

1. Miguel Cabrera, DET-I wrote about Miggy here in my first base rankings. Grey over at Razzball has Miggy as the #1 player in 2011, and he might be right.

2. Carl Crawford, BOS- I wrote about Crawford in my outfielder rankings here, and think he will lead the AL in runs scored in 2011.

3. Robinson Cano, NYY-I wrote about Cano in my second base rankings here and think he will maintain his status as the best fantasy second bagger in 2011.

4. Adrian Gonzalez, BOS-I wrote about AGonz in my first base rankings here, and think he can be just a monster in Boston's lineup.

5. Evan Longoria, TB-I wrote about Longoria in my third base rankings here. Many think he is the top fantasy third baseman, and now that the Rays have bolstered their lineup with the addition of Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon, he just might be the best.

6. Josh Hamilton, TEX-I wrote about Hamilton in my outfielder rankings here, but have a feeling he could disappoint fantasy owners in 2011.

7. Mark Teixeira, NYY-I wrote about Tex here. I think Teixeira can improve his BA closer to his career average this year.

8, Alex Rodriguez, NYY-I wrote about ARod here and have a feeling he will have trouble hitting 35 HRs in 2011.

9. Shin-Soo Choo, CLE-I wrote about Choo here. Does he have more power in his bat, or is this the best we can expect from Choo?

10. Nelson Cruz, TEX-I wrote about Cruz in part 2 of my outfielder rankings here.

11. Kevin Youkilis, BOS-I wrote about Youkilis in my third base rankings here. Can you tell that I like the Red Sox lineup this season?

12. Adrian Beltre, TEX-I wrote about Beltre in my third base rankings here and think he won't skip a beat moving from Boston to Texas this year.

After looking at the Top 12 for NL-only leagues, I have to say the NL Top 12 is stronger than the AL Top 12. Its interesting that my Top 12 is dominated by Red Sox, Yankees and Rangers for the most part, but the NL is scattered a bit more.

Poll

WIll ARod get over the popcorn blowup and hit 35 HRs in 2011?

Yes

38 votes

No

48 votes

86 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

3b Scarcity

Do you think Longoria should move up to 2nd or 3rd overall because of the lack of options in 3rd base? I’d personally slot Longoria 2nd. The fall from Longoria/Beltre is pretty devastating. I understand OF is not as deep as people perceive, but I think Crawford is overrated in fantasy circles.

by mahoney1213 on Feb 11, 2011 9:29 AM EST reply actions

one can make that case

was disappointed in his 2010 season.

Ray Guilfoyle
www.faketeams.com
www.sbnation.com
www.minorleagueball.com

by Ray Guilfoyle on Feb 11, 2011 12:47 PM EST up reply actions

Crawford & Joe

Seems nuts that Joe Mauer wouldn’t be considered a t top 12 AL Hitter.

There is no way Crawford should be considered that high, as a hitter. He’s valuable at many non hitting things.

by dougbies on Feb 11, 2011 10:28 AM EST reply actions

I like the Crawford ranking – Crawford scored the 2nd most fantasy pts in the AL last yr in CBS 5×5s, only trailing Jose Bautista. He’s moving to a more favorable ballpark with a more favorable lineup (more R and RBI), and a team that has shown the willingness to steal. Also, if you have to start 3 OFs then it becomes scarce pretty quickly

by RossTremblay on Feb 11, 2011 11:27 AM EST up reply actions

Mauer

I almost did, but I am not high on Mauer.
If you read my position rankings, you will see that I am not a fan of his. Actually think Santana will have better stats than Mauer this year in AL-only leagues.
He doesn’t hit for power, and won’t do so in that ballpark.

Ray Guilfoyle
www.faketeams.com
www.sbnation.com
www.minorleagueball.com

by Ray Guilfoyle on Feb 11, 2011 12:46 PM EST up reply actions

I agree on Mauer

I think Mauer carries AVG, but he’s overrated based on that one power season.

I thought I was alone in the stance that Santana could produce better stats than Mauer in fantasy this season. Thanks!

by mahoney1213 on Feb 11, 2011 2:24 PM EST up reply actions

I think

Santana and Posey will outperform Mauer actually

Ray Guilfoyle
www.faketeams.com
www.sbnation.com
www.minorleagueball.com

by Ray Guilfoyle on Feb 11, 2011 6:58 PM EST up reply actions

I am assuming these rankings are based on 5×5 roto leagues? If Matt Kemp played in the AL I’m sure he would have made top three on this list according to your prior rankings. We’ll see where the Beltre rankings are once the Rangers have flat lined come mid-July.

by acr on Feb 11, 2011 11:37 AM EST reply actions

5 x 5

yes, I considered runs scored in these rankings.
yes, Kemp would be top 3

Ray Guilfoyle
www.faketeams.com
www.sbnation.com
www.minorleagueball.com

by Ray Guilfoyle on Feb 11, 2011 12:48 PM EST up reply actions

are there going to be any sb nation paid fantasy leagues this year? I say we do a big league- like 20 teams where everyone puts in $20-40 or so through paypal. Or we do a couple leagues, AL only and NL only where people put money in.

by acr on Feb 11, 2011 3:18 PM EST reply actions

I'm down

nice idea

by mahoney1213 on Feb 11, 2011 3:38 PM EST up reply actions

ok

Does mixed work?

Ray Guilfoyle
www.faketeams.com
www.sbnation.com
www.minorleagueball.com

by Ray Guilfoyle on Feb 11, 2011 7:00 PM EST up reply actions

I like mixed...I'd prefer mixed or NL

rot o would be ok

by mahoney1213 on Feb 13, 2011 8:26 PM EST up reply actions

I would be ok with mixed if it was a big league- at least 14-16 teams. I see yahoo and espn fantasy baseball is now live. Sportsline is too but I think they limit to 10 teams each.

We need to decide on h2h or roto too.

by acr on Feb 11, 2011 8:04 PM EST reply actions