Early 2016 Top 100 Hitter Rankings: 1 - 50

There is not much going on during the All Star break for fantasy owners, so a big thanks goes out to Daniel Kelley who is offering our readers his midseason position rankings, posting one position rankings per day. Through Tuesday, he has published his catcher and first base rankings, and you can find them in the links provided below:

Midseason Catcher Rankings

Midseason First Base Rankings

The schedule for his midseason position rankings for the rest of the week is as follows:

Wednesday: Second Base Rankings

Thursday: Third Base Rankings

Friday: Shortstop Rankings

To add to his midseason position rankings, I am publishing my early 2016 hitter rankings. Is it too early to think about 2016? For some, I would say yes. Those of us who are still competing for our league championships or attempting to finish in the money, we aren't looking toward 2016 just yet.

But, for others, who have decided to bail and play for next season, they are thinking about 2016 rankings, or attempting to rebuild their teams to compete in 2016 or even 2017. Or, maybe they have begun to focus on fantasy football, and we have you covered there as well.

Below you will find my early top 50 100 hitter rankings for next season, and sitting at the top of my rankings is a familiar name, but in an unfamilar place. Yes, Paul Goldschmidt is my early #1 hitter for 2016. I ranked the best hitter over the last three seasons, Mike Trout at #2 and Bryce Harper at #3. One can argue that either of these top three will be the #1 fantasy hitter heading into 2016, but, right now, Goldy is my choice, as he provides the power, speed and high batting average that you would want at the #1 spot in 2016 drafts. And he's a first baseman!!! He is on pace to hit 39 home runs and steal 30 bases. While Trout and Harper are on pace to hit more home runs, neither are on pace to go 30-30 this year.

You will see a few new face in my top 20, including two Astros, George Springer and Carlos Correa. I recently wrote about Correa, discussing whether he could be the top fantasy shortstop for the rest of the season and in 2016. I think he can, as he is that special, and I have him ranked accordingly. You all know how much I love Springer, so I won't repeat myself. He could move up a few spots as we approach 2016.

Another new face is Orioles third baseman Manny Machado, as he has silenced his critics and is having a breakout season after missing time last season due to another knee injury. He is one pace for 35 home runs and 24 stolen bases, which, if reached, would push him up my rankings. It will be fun to watch him in the second half for sure.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado is yet another hitter having a break out season in 2015, and he is doing most of his damage on the road, so that tells you he is not just benefitting from playing half of his home games at Coors Field.

Finally, I ranked Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco in the lower part of my top 50, and he might be too high. We have seen enough from him to see that he isn't overmatched at the big league level. Heck, he even took Reds closer Aroldis Chapman deep soon after his call up. But, we will learn more about him in the second half as he goes around the league a few times.

I hope you enjoy the rankings, and let me know if I missed anyone. Who is ranked too high? Who is ranked too low?

Let's discuss in the comments section below.

Update: I decided to publish my top 100 hitter rankings for 2016. Look for part two to publish tomorrow morning.

Early 2016 Hitter Rankings

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