How am I doing my rankings? First I take the CHONE projections for each player, next I calculate what percentage of my needed stats they will garner me in my keeper league (3rd place for each category). Finally I see just how much added bonus they give me in comparison to the average player at the position.
What About Joe Mauer's Power?
Joe Mauer for years was a slightly overrated fantasy asset. Sure he was going to give you a ridiculous average especially for a catcher but his power was equivalent to Dioner Navarro's aka non-existant. And then 2009 came and all of a sudden Mauer was smacking home runs left and right with no harm done to his .365 average. If Joe Mauer hits 30+ home runs this season he's worth a 1st round pick because Catcher is so shallow, if he hits 12-15 home runs than you're team might be in trouble.
If Only He Played Everyday
The biggest problem with catchers is that most of them get ample days off weekly. For instance Mike Napoli has hit 20 HRs in each of the past two seasons with a .270+ average. These are solid numbers for any position really and especially catcher. The problem is Jeff Mathis steals 50 games away from Napoli each season even though he can't hit .215. Imagine what Napoli could offer you if he took he played 80 games behind the dish and another 65 at DH.
When Do You Gamble on Wieters?
Over the past 4 5 years there's been an ample set of highly touted rookies to gamble on in a fantasy draft. Some of these gambles have paid off, others have failed miserably. This season the man to gamble on is Matt Wieters. Personally I'd rather have Wieters than Ianetta, Shoppach, Yadier Molina, Montero, etc. Why? Post All-Star break Wieters hit .300+ in his rookie year. If he can do that for an entire year you're getting a top 5 catcher at half the price.
What About Joe Mauer's Power?Joe Mauer for years was a slightly overrated fantasy asset. Sure he was going to give you a ridiculous average especially for a catcher but his power was equivalent to Dioner Navarro's aka non-existant. And then 2009 came and all of a sudden Mauer was smacking home runs left and right with no harm done to his .365 average. If Joe Mauer hits 30+ home runs this season he's worth a 1st round pick because Catcher is so shallow, if he hits 12-15 home runs than you're team might be in trouble.
If Only He Played Everyday
The biggest problem with catchers is that most of them get ample days off weekly. For instance Mike Napoli has hit 20 HRs in each of the past two seasons with a .270+ average. These are solid numbers for any position really and especially catcher. The problem is Jeff Mathis steals 50 games away from Napoli each season even though he can't hit .215. Imagine what Napoli could offer you if he took he played 80 games behind the dish and another 65 at DH.
When Do You Gamble on Wieters?
Over the past 4 5 years there's been an ample set of highly touted rookies to gamble on in a fantasy draft. Some of these gambles have paid off, others have failed miserably. This season the man to gamble on is Matt Wieters. Personally I'd rather have Wieters than Ianetta, Shoppach, Yadier Molina, Montero, etc. Why? Post All-Star break Wieters hit .300+ in his rookie year. If he can do that for an entire year you're getting a top 5 catcher at half the price.
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If you're a Twins fan, you might like my predictions for the AL Central I posted today.