Yesterday the news broke that Curtis Granderson suffered a broken forearm, leaving him out of action for about 10 weeks (in other words he should miss the first month of the season, with the potential for more).  That type of missed time is one thing, but the extra risk in a power hitter breaking his forearm, potentially limiting his power, sends him tumbling down our rankings.

He fell out of our Top 20, so let’s take a look at how things now look:

1. Ryan Braun – Milwaukee Brewers
2. Mike Trout – Los Angeles Angels
3. Matt Kemp – Los Angeles Dodgers
4. Carlos Gonzalez – Colorado Rockies
5. Andrew McCutchen – Pittsburgh Pirates
6. Giancarlo Stanton – Miami Marlins
7. Jose Bautista – Toronto Blue Jays
8. Josh Hamilton – Texas Rangers
9. Matt Holliday – St. Louis Cardinals
10. Jason Heyward – Atlanta Braves
11. Yoenis Cespedes – Oakland A’s
12. Justin Upton – Atlanta Braves
13. Bryce Harper – Washington Nationals
14. Jay Bruce – Cincinnati Reds
15. Jacoby Ellsbury – Boston Red Sox
16. Ben Zobrist – Tampa Bay Rays
17. Adam Jones – Baltimore Orioles
18. Shin-Soo Choo – Cincinnati Reds
19. Allen Craig – St. Louis Cardinals
20. Norichika Aoki – Milwaukee Brewers

Thoughts:

• While Ryan Braun is still sitting atop our rankings, the fallout from his ties to the Biogensis clinic in Florida needs to be watched closely.  Depending on the news over the next few weeks, the risk of a potential suspension could drop him significantly.  At this point, however, nothing appears imminent and Braun proved in 2012 just how good he was.
• While outfield is a deep position, it’s amazing how many “risky” options there actually are towards the top of the rankings.  Is Jose Bautista over the injury that prematurely ended his 2012 season?  Can Carlos Gonzalez and Jacoby Ellsbury stay healthy?  We all know the risks surrounding Josh Hamilton.  It’s interesting as to where we want to take the risk and where we want to play it safe.  Obviously, it is going to depend on where they are available on draft day if you want to roll the dice.
• Is Jay Bruce primed to take the next step in his development in 2013?  The potential is definitely there, if he can start producing better on the road.  To find out more, as well as our projection for him, click here.
• Norichika Aoki jumps into the Top 20, taking the spot of Curtis Granderson.  He may be overlooked by some, but he offers average, speed and more power potential then your typical leadoff hitter.  There’s definitely a lot to like.
• How will the move to a hitter’s park like Great American Ballpark help Shin-Soo Choo?  It certainly couldn’t hurt.  Already a 20/20 threat (he accomplished the feat in 2009 & 2010), he has a realistic shot at getting back there in 2013.
• While we looked at Ben Zobrist and where he ranks among shortstops (click here to view), one of his biggest advantages is his positional flexibility.  When you couple that with the potential to go 20/15, or better, there’s an awful lot to like.
• According to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times (click here for the article), “Manager Don Mattingly said he doesn’t expect the rehabilitating outfielders to play in Cactus League games until early next month.  Kemp is recovering from a major shoulder operation and Crawford from reconstructive elbow surgery. Kemp is working out with no restrictions, whereas Crawford is slowly strengthening his throwing arm.  Both players are expected to be in the Dodgers’ opening-day lineup.”  It’s not a concern at this point, but time will tell.

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Make sure to check out our 2013 rankings (all of which will be updated in the next few weeks):

• Catchers (updated 02/18/13)
• First Basemen (updated 01/15/13)
• Second Basemen (updated 01/22/13)
• Shortstops (updated 01/24/13)
• Third Basemen (updated 01/29/13)
• Outfielders 21-40 (updated 02/07/13)
• Starting Pitchers 1-20 (updated 02/12/13) | 21-40 (updated 02/14/13)
• Relief Pitchers (updated 01/31/13)