A look back at my preseason Top 50 Rankings

Rank

Pos

Player

Analysis

1

OF

Mike Trout

Best player in the game. On pace for 40+ home runs, 120+ runs and 100 RBI. Stolen bases are down.

2

3B

Miguel Cabrera

Best hitter in the game. Power numbers are down. Is he playing hurt?

3

1B

Paul Goldschmidt

Best first baseman in the game. Home runs are down, but power still present.

4

OF

Andrew McCutchen

He's the early favorite for NL MVP right now. There's nothing he can't do. On pace for best year of his career.

5

OF

Ryan Braun

Power is down this season, but still hitting well. But not a top 5, or even top 25 player right now.

6

OF

Carlos Gonzalez

Having the worst year of his career, but is healthy again, so should have a strong second half. Could he be dealt?

7

SS

Hanley Ramirez

Hanley has been playing hurt for most of the season, and as a result his numbers are down from last year's pace. Still solid numbers across the board.

8

SS

Troy Tulowitzki

Slowed down from his scorching first two months. If healthy, should finish with 35 home runs and 90 RBI with 110 runs scored. # 1 fantasy shortstop heading into 2015.

9

P

Clayton Kershaw

Best pitcher in the game should be ranked higher in 2015. Having best year of his career. Watch the greatness.

10

OF

Bryce Harper

Injuries have set him back the last two seasons. If healthy, he can carry your fantasy team in the 2^nd half.

11

1B

Chris Davis

The bust of 2014. Hitting for power, but not at the pace from last season or even my lowered expectations. Was 2013 a fluke?

12

1B

Prince Fielder

Another bust....Fielder is out for the season after I projected him to return to the 40 home run level in Texas.

13

1B

Joey Votto

The leg injuries are becoming a common thing with Votto. He will drop in 2015 rankings.

14

1B

Edwin Encarnacion

One of the best power hitters in the game. Could push Goldschmidt for #2 fantasy first baseman behind Miggy.

15

OF

Adam Jones

Overcame the slow start to put up solid numbers across the board.

16

OF

Shin-Soo Choo

Choo is another disappointment in the top 20. I can't explain what happened to him this season.

17

3B

Adrian Beltre

The future hall of famer is having another solid season but will need a solid second half to reach 30 home runs.

18

3B

David Wright

We may have seen the best from Wright.

19

P

Yu Darvish

Quietly having another solid season on the mound, but for a very bad Rangers team.

20

OF

Jay Bruce

Bruce has been a disappointment this season. Will need strong second half to win back his supporters.

21

SS

Ian Desmond

The batting average is down, but the power and speed stats are still there. Could be dealt this offseason.

22

2B

Jason Kipnis

My #1 ranked fantasy second baseman is making me look bad for backing him in the preseason.

23

OF

Giancarlo Stanton

You knew he would have a good year after I traded him in a keeper league last offseason.

24

1B

Freddie Freeman

Freeman is the new Votto....and he's the better all around player right now.

25

OF

Carlos Gomez

Gomez is following up his breakout 2013 season with solid stats across the board.

26

2B

Robinson Cano

Cano's power is down, but all of his other numbers are as good or better than his 2013.

27

OF

Yasiel Puig

PUIG!!!! Oh, the death threats were supposed to be a distraction, but Puig is actually getting better in his first full season in the bigs.

28

3B

Evan Longoria

This might be what we should expect from Longoria going forward...decent power, low batting average.

29

OF

Jose Bautista

Like teammate Encarnacion, still one of best power hitters in the game.

30

OF

Matt Kemp

Kemp has disappointed this season with some reporting that his bat is slowing down and not catching up to good heat.

31

OF

Justin Upton

Upton is quietly having a good season, and has stayed away from the two month slump like in 2013.

32

2B

Dustin Pedroia

Pedroia is having his worst season as a big leaguer. Could provide value in 2015 drafts.

33

P

Adam Wainwright

The third best starter in the NL, behind only Clayton Kershaw and a healthy Jose Fernandez.

34

P

Jose Fernandez

Was the best pitcher in the game when healthy this season. Won't return till June/July 2015 at the earliest.

35

P

Cliff Lee

Have we seen the best from Lee already?

36

OF

Matt Holliday

His power is down, down big time.

37

P

Felix Hernandez

The best starter in the American League and the favorite to win his second AL Cy Young award.

38

P

Max Scherzer

He is in line for a huge payday this offseason. Won't repeat his 2013 win total.

39

P

Stephen Strasberg

I expected better than a 3.46 ERA from him, and I am sure you did too. Gets hit around more than expected.

40

1B

Adrian Gonzalez

Has had a cold two months after a hot April.

41

P

David Price

The best starter on the trade market this season. Where does he get traded to?

42

OF

Hunter Pence

His power and stolen base numbers are down from 2013. Only 33 RBI on the season. Wow.

43

OF

Alex Rios

Having a good season at the plate and bases, but like many others, his power is down from 2013 levels.

44

1B

Jose Abreu

I was high on him coming into the season, but he has exceeded my expectations. He's a top 20 hitter in 2015.

45

OF

Starling Marte

I had a feeling he wouldn't repeat his stellar rookie season. Ranked too high in preaseason.

46

OF

Wil Myers

Another guy disappointing owners due to injury. I wonder if his 2014 season is what we should expect going forward?

47

OF

Jayson Werth

Having another solid season at the plate at the age of 35.

48

C

Brian McCann

McCann has been a huge disappointment for me this season. Ranked as my #1 catcher with potential to hit 30 bombs. Needs strong second half.

49

1B

Eric Hosmer

I've officially jumped off the Hosmer bandwagon. I'm done with this guy.

50

SS

Jean Segura

His across the board downtrend in five category stats in 2013 has continued into 2014. This is what you should expect from Segura going forward.