I am going to start with some extremely early 2013 positional rankings, just so we can all get an idea of where people currently sit. Keep in mind these rankings are preliminary and before I have done any of my projections. That means that there is going to be a lot of room for fluctuation between now and draft day.
- Albert Pujols – Los Angeles Angels
- Joey Votto – Cincinnati Reds
- Prince Fielder – Detroit Tigers
- Adrian Gonzalez – Los Angeles Dodgers
- Edwin Encarnacion – Toronto Blue Jays
- Paul Goldschmidt – Arizona Diamondbacks
- Mark Teixeira – New York Yankees
- Allen Craig – St. Louis Cardinals
- Freddie Freeman – Atlanta Braves
- Eric Hosmer – Kansas City Royals
- Anthony Rizzo – Chicago Cubs
- Paul Konerko – Chicago White Sox
- Ike Davis – New York Mets
- Adam LaRoche – Washington Nationals
- Corey Hart – Milwaukee Brewers
Thoughts:
- While Buster Posey, Carlos Santana and Joe Mauer all qualify for this list, I have left them off the rankings for now. We all know they hold significantly more value as catchers, and that is where we are all going to be targeting them.
- Billy Butler has played just 11 games at first this season, so in most formats he likely won’t have eligibility at the outset. It does hurt his value slightly, but he still holds plenty of appeal (obviously) as a Utility option.
- I know Adrian Gonzalez has been a disappointment this season (despite picking up over 100 RBI), but I do think there is something to his lack of power and Fenway Park. It just wasn’t a stadium conducive to his swing and, with an offseason to get things figured out, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him return to his 35+ HR days in Los Angeles. I am definitely buying for 2013.
- After disappointing with the Padres in 2011, Anthony Rizzo has quickly made fantasy owners forget with the Cubs in 2012. The question is, can he maintain this type of production or is he going to struggle like others before him (think Ike Davis or Eric Hosmer)? With a .317 BABIP and 20.0% HR/FB, I would anticipate him being just fine. He has all the talent and could quickly emerge as one of the elite options in the game.
- Speaking of Hosmer, am I a glutton for punishment? Perhaps, but I don’t buy into his .264 BABIP (especially given his 19.0% line drive rate). It was a poor season, of course, but I would expect a major rebound from him in 2013. Don’t sleep on him.
Make sure to check out the rest of our extremely early 2013 rankings:
Butler has 14 games according to ESPN, but the likelihood that he collects 6 more starts in the final 14 games is very low.
I got to say, I really enjoy seeing these rankings and I hope to see the remaining positions over the next few weeks.
As a Freeman owner in a keeper league, I’m disappointed to see him below Goldschmidt and Craig.
Eric – I agree 100%, though there are leagues tha require 5 or 10 games for eligibility. It really depends on the format, which is why I mentioned it.
Tuco – Not to worry, we are going to do them all. In fact, 2B is going up this afternoon!!
Where is Ryan Howard? Is he not deserving of a top 15 spot?
With Hosmer’s injury in the last week, Butler ended up with exactly 20 games at 1B, so it turns out he will qualify in basically all leagues in 2013. Where would you slot him in to your rankings?
I would have to really take a look, br my gues would be somewhere in the 8-11 range. He’s right in that mix with Freeman, Craig and Rizzo types.
Rotoprof:
Can you comment on morales?