The top five fantasy player for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2009 was much tougher to determine than any others so far. For one, their closer situation is unsettled. Recently, rumors have circulated that the team is looking at Brandon Lyon and Jason Isringhausen for the role. Second, the pitching staff last season had no innings eater with good peripherals who made it to the end of the year without an injury worry.
As a result, the top five could go in any number of ways after the undisputable #1 player Albert Pujols. Ryan Ludwick gets #2 thanks to 37 HRs. Glaus follows as a result of his ability to take walks. Adam Wainwright follows because he is the best pitcher in the rotation, and Rick Ankiel rounds out the top five because he can hit HRs and is in a contract year.
FWIW, here are the ADPs for the five respectively- 3, 85, 207,132,199.
| Rank | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albert Pujols | 1B |
| 2 | Ryan Ludwick | OF |
| 3 | Troy Glaus | 3B |
| 4 | Adam Wainwright | SP |
| 5 | Rick Ankiel | OF |