We typically go into hibernation from January to late March, but after three consecutive years of being my league's smelly sock, we're staying open for business and getting a jump-start on Fantasy Baseball 2009.
In the weeks between now and Opening Day, we'll provide position-by-
position breakdowns, highlighting everything from stars to the top comeback and breakout candidates, before capping things off with a first-round mock draft (a complete, 22-round mock draft will also be made available at modbee.com).
To kick things off, let's go behind the plate and examine our catching options.
Head of the Class
The discussion begins with the Braves' Brian McCann, who is coming off a season in which he launched 24 home runs, drove in 96 runs, scored 70 more and batted .297. McCann, soon to be 25, has averaged 22 HRs, 91 RBIs and 60 runs while batting .299 over the past three seasons, and look for him to go somewhere between rounds 3 and 4, and possibly as early as Round 2 if your league's resident Braves fans panic.
On par with McCann are the Dodgers' Russell Martin (13 HRs, 69 RBIs, 87 runs, .280 avg. in '08) and the Cubs' Geovanny Soto (23 HRs, 86 RBIs, 66 runs, .285). Both are solid, middle-of-the-order bats, with Martin being the rare backstop with wheels (his 18 stolen bases led all catchers in '08), and Soto, last season's NL Rookie of the Year, having the benefit of playing half his games in the hitter-friendly confines of Chicago's Wrigley Field. Both should be long gone by Round 5.
Whatever the Twins' Joe Mauer (9 HRs, 85 RBIs, 98 runs, .328) lacks in power he more than compensates for in pure hitting. The soon-to-be 26-year-old, who won his second AL batting title in three seasons in '08, underwent offseason kidney surgery that has put his Opening Day availability in question, but Mauer is a lock to bat over .300, could easily double his HR output of a year ago and will go anywhere between rounds 3 and 5.
Comeback Candidate
The Indians' Victor Martinez was once the most coveted catcher on the market, a given to provide 20 HRs, 100 RBIs and a .300 average. Last season, Martinez sabotaged many owners by hitting exactly two HRs, delivering a puny 35 RBIs and batting .278 while battling injuries. Now healthy and with plenty of miles left at age 30, Victor's vector should again read in the 20-HR, 90-RBI, .300 range in 2009.
Breakout Candidate
After a disappointing rookie campaign in '07, former Modesto Nut Chris Iannetta had a banner sophomore season for the Rockies in '08, batting .264 with 18 HRs and 65 RBIs. Iannetta plays in the ultimate hitter's park (Coors Field) and could club anywhere from 25 to 30 HRs and add 20 points to his average if given 500 at-bats this season. Iannetta should be available in the middle rounds, and could be a late-round steal.
Top newcomer
The name Matt Wieters might not ring a bell now, but we're banking on the Orioles' rookie becoming a household name by summer. The 22-year-old switch-hitter, who stands 6-foot-5 and has already drawn comparison's to Boston's Jason Varitek, batted a combined .355 with 27 HRs and 91 RBIs for Class A Fredrick and Double-A Bowie last season, and it shouldn't take Wieters, the fifth overall pick in the 2007 draft, long to crack Baltimore's starting lineup.
On the downside
The Yankees' Jorge Posada (3 HRs, 22 RBIs, .268) can still be a productive fantasy performer, but injuries have taken their toll in recent seasons and, at 37, his best days are clearly behind him. The same goes for soon-to-be 37-year-old Red Sox backstop Jason Varitek (13 HRs, 43 RBIs, .220), who had to take a massive pay cut to return this season. Draft either at your own risk.
Best of the Rest
More solid options who could be available in the middle to later rounds: Bengie Molina (16 HRs, 95 RBIs, .293.); Ryan Doumit (15 HRs, 69 RBIs, .318), Yadier Molina (seven HRs, 56 RBIs, .304); Ramon Hernandez (15 HRs, 65 RBIs, .257); Dioner Navarro (seven HRs, 54 RBIs, .295); A.J. Pierzynski (13 HRs, 60 RBIs, .280); Mike Napoli (20 HRs, 49 RBIs, .273); Kelly Shoppach (21 HRs, 55 RBIs, .261); Chris Snyder (16 HRs, 64 RBIs, .237) and Kurt Suzuki (seven HRs, 42 RBIs, .279).
Stu Rosenberg's fantasy sports column runs Fridays. He can be reached at srosenberg@modbee.com or 578-2300.
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