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Now that we have completed our position rankings, except for the reliever rankings, I am going to take a look at my Top 100 Hitters for 2013. You may see some of the hitters are ranked higher than in my Early Position Rankings, and that is partly due to your comments and my changing my mind on a few guys. Like the position rankings, these will change later in the year and into spring training, but here is my first cut at the Top 50 Hitters for 2013. I will follow up with the rest of my Top 100 Hitters in the next few days.
Here is a look at my Top 50 Hitters for 2013:
1. Ryan Braun, MIL
2. Mike Trout, LAA
3. Miguel Cabrera, DET
4. Matt Kemp, LAD
5. Andrew McCutchen, PIT
6. Josh Hamilton, TEX
7. Robinson Cano, NYY
8. Joey Votto, CIN
9. Prince Fielder, DET
10. Carlos Gonzalez, COL
The rest of my Top 50 Hitters after the jump:
11. Giancarlo Stanton, MIA
12. Albert Pujols, LAA
13. Troy Tulowitzki, COL
14. Justin Upton, ARI
15. Jason Heyward, ATL
16. Buster Posey, SFG
17. Evan Longoria, TB
18. Dustin Pedroia, BOS
19. Adrian Beltre, TEX
20. Ryan Zimmerman, WAS
21. David Wright, NYM
22. Hanley Ramirez, LAD
23. Edwin Encarnacion, TOR
24. Ian Kinsler, TEX
25. Chase Headley, SD
26. Allen Craig, STL
27. Matt Holliday, STL
28. Jay Bruce, CIN
28. a. Billy Butler, KC
29. Jose Bautista, TOR
30. Aramis Ramirez, MIL
31. Bryce Harper, WAS
32. Starlin Castro, CHC
33. Adam Jones, BAL
34. Adrian Gonzalez, LAD
35. Joe Mauer, MIN
36. Elvis Andrus, TEX
37. Jose Reyes MIA
38. Desmond Jennings, TB
39. Yadier Molina, STL
40. Josh Willingham, MIN
41. Mark Teixeira, NYY
42. Brandon Phillips, CIN
43. Eric Hosmer, KC
44. Ian Desmond, WAS
45. Curtis Granderson, NYY
46. Ben Zobrist, TB
47. Brett Lawrie, TOR
48. B.J. Upton, TB
49. Aaron Hill, ARI
50. Paul Goldschmidt, ARI
I moved Ryan Braun up to No. 1 overall due to his consistency and the fact that Angels outfielder Mike Trout will have a tough time duplicating his rookie season. Braun is one stolen base from going 40-30 this season, after going 33-33 last season. Very impressive.
I continue to waiver on ranking Reds first baseman so high. I know this is going against the grain, but the drop in home runs is concerning for me, especially since he is a first baseman. His HR/AB has increased in each of the last two seasons, from one every 14 at bats to one ever 25 at bats this season. He might be one of, if not THE best hitte rs in the game, but for fantasy purposes he is expected to hit for a solid average and hit for power if he is going to be drafted in the first round next season. I may end up dropping him later in the offseason.
Here are 6 guys I am sure I will be higher on than most:
Jason Heyward
Buster Posey
Adrian Beltre
Allen Craig
Bryce Harper
Josh Willingham
Here are 5 guys I am probably lower on than most:
Albert Pujols
David Wright
Jose Bautista
Mark Teixeira
Curtis Granderson
Adrian Gonzalez
I might be higher than others on Eric Hosmer and Desmond Jennings as well. Maybe because I own them in an AL-only keeper league, but I also like them to rebound off of their sub-par sophomore seasons.
I have written several pieces on why I am down on Pujols. The big issue, for me, is his age. He is at an age where many Hall of Famers start to see a decline in performance. His performance is down this season, after being down last season.
I have to say I am starting to warm up to Twins catcher Joe Mauer. I have been down on him due to the lack of power, but for a catcher, he has been very consistent is not hurting you, but actually helping you, in the batting average category. Not a new revelation, but there are so many catchers who can hurt you in the batting average category, Mauer does not. He helps in the runs and RBI categories as well, as he has scored 78 runs and knocked in 83 this season.