Early Top 50 Hitter Rankings for 2014

I posted my early Tiop 25 hitters for 2014 a few weeks ago. Today, I post my early Top 50 Hitters for 2014. You will see that I am high on Astros outfielder George Springer. He probably won't make too many top 50 lists, but if he can put up a 20 home run, 20 stolen base season with a solid batting average, I think he is deserving of a Top 50 ranking. Springer is coming off a monster season playing at two levels in 2013. Some are concerned about how much he strikes out, but he actually improved his strikeout rate after his promotion from AA to AAA this season. He should hit in the middle of the Astros lineup and play center field in 2014.

Red Sox DH David Ortiz is coming of a terrific season at the plate hitting .309-39-.564 with 30 HRs, 84 runs and 103 RBI. This season marks the third straight year he has hit over .300, and has now driven in 100 or more runs in two of the last four seasons. He is one of ten hitters in 2013 to hit 30 home runs and drive in 100 or more runs. When healthy, he is good of 25-30 HRs, 85-100 RBI and a .290+ batting average.

Like Ortiz, Carlos Beltran is old and more injury prone than Ortiz, but when he is healthy, he is one of the better hitters in baseball. He may end up leaving St. Louis, as he is a free agent this offseason, but if he lands in New York, he could have another terrific season at the plate hitting in Yankee Stadium. Taking a closer look at his FanGraphs page shows that he has played 140 or more games in each of the last three seasons, so maybe the injury prone tag no longer applies.

There will be many articles written about Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig this offseason, and I may just do that at some point soon as well. Puig has the ability to be a 25 home run, 20+ stolen base, .280+ hitter in 2014, and there aren't that many hitters in baseball that can make that claim.

My ranking for second baseman Robinson Cano could change depending on where he lands this offseason. Should Cano leave New York, I would drop him to around 15 or so. But, the Yankees are still the favorites to sign him to a long term contract this offseason, and one reason they will is to make him the face of the franchise, with Derek Jeter close to retirement.

You will see I ranked Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun in my top 10, and I am sure many will disagree, but I think he will be the same player he was before his suspension. He dealt with several injuries last season and still hit .298 with 9 HRs, 30 runs and 38 RBI in just 225 at bats. I see 2013 as an aberration for him, as his batted ball data was the worst of his career, and not in line with his career numbers.

Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth fell under the radar in 2013 as the Nationals did not perform up to expectations, but he had a terrific season at the plate. Werth hit .318-.398-.532 with 25 HRs, 84 runs, 82 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 129 games, and I could see him improving on those counting stats slightly in 2014.

Fantasy Rundown

If you are looking for more fantasy baseball rankings, make sure you check out Fantasy Rundown, the one stop spot on the internet for all the fantasy baseball information you will need in 2014.. Next to Fake Teams, of course.

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