Top 25 Center Fielders
2012 Fantasy Baseball Player Rankings – Top 25 Center Fielders
If you’re lucky Matt Kemp might drop down to a much later round than anticipated. Out of all the 2012 draft results we’ve looked at, the draft positions at the of position were over the place.
1. Matt Kemp, LAD .299 BA, 38 HR, 111 RBI – Kemp will come back with another monster year to carry a weak Dodgers offense. An MVP snub from last year will provide Kemp a chip on his shoulder to perform big again in 2012.
2. Jacoby Ellsbury, BOS .309 BA, 27 HR, 85 RBI – If not for Justin Verlander, Ellsbury could have been your AL MVP despite the Red Sox collapse. He should have another big year and likely swipe another 30+ bags. Great player.
3. Curtis Granderson, NYY .268 BA, 37 HR, 108 RBI – Granderson was another MVP candidate after his monster year in 2011. Trying to pull homers out of Yankee Stadium causes his batting average to dive but his power numbers and SB’s more than make up for it.
4. Adam Jones, BAL .292 BA, 26 HR, 89 RBI – Jones is a high-level, 5-tool guy who is still improving. The kid from San Diego will be an All-Star very soon and could be a steal if people sleep on him during the draft.
5. Andrew McCutchen, PIT .280 BA, 24 HR, 95 RBI – This dude is another stud on a team that does not get much attention. McCutchen will put up great numbers for anyone who gets him.
6. Michael Morse, WAS .286 BA, 32 HR, 95 RBI – Morse is a stud who could be an MVP candidate in the future. He hits for above average power and average, but does not steal bases.
7. Michael Bourn, ATL .278 BA, 3 HR, 45 RBI – Bourne brings the element of elite speed and base running ability to any fantasy owner. He will be among the tops in runs scored and stolen bases.
8. Shane Victorino, PHI .280 BA, 19 HR, 72 RBI – Being the leadoff hitter for the Phillies’ potent offense, Victorino will fill the stat sheet all across the board this season.
9. Drew Stubbs, CIN .257 BA, 23 HR, 62 RBI – Stubbs can score runs and steal bases. His power numbers come in stretches as Stubbs is a streaky hitter.
10. Chris Young, ARZ .250 BA, 26 HR, 87 RBI – I don’t understand why this guy can’t hit for a better average. Regardless, his numbers in other categories more than make up for it.
11. Howard Kendrick, ANA .290 BA, 17 HR, 70 RBI – Kendrick’s value is his versatility and his ability to hit regardless of where he plays. He’s a solid pickup.
12. Emilio Bonifacio, MIA .278 BA, 5 HR, 43 RBI – One of the fastest players I have ever seen. Bonifacio will score plenty of runs and steal plenty of bases for your team.
13. B.J. Upton, TB BA, .255 BA, 23 HR, 80 RBI – One of those guys who is what he is; a good player that never maxed out his full potential over the course of 162 games. Upton still carries good fantasy value but won’t get close to his younger brother’s numbers.
14. Cameron Maybin, SD .270 BA, 12 HR, 65 RBI – Had an impressive first season in San Diego. I expect him to improve on his 2011 campaign and use the space of PetCo Park to his advantage.
15. Austin Jackson, DET .269 BA, 13 HR, 57 RBI – He will steal you 30+ bases and score plenty of runs with the Tigers scary lineup. He is a base-hit machine.
16. Coco Crisp, OAK .282 BA, 12 HR, 51 RBI – Coco’s numbers could also be better than expected if the Oakland offense wakes up out of its four-year slumber.
17. Ben Revere, MIN .269 BA, 2 HR, 35 RBI – Most of Revere’s production will come in the runs and stolen Base categories because he is super fast with good base running ability.
18. Alejandro De Aza, CWS .277 BA, 10 HR, 50 RBI – A young hitter with some pop and speed, look for De Anza to be a regular in the White Sox lineup. He could steal 30 bags if he plays enough.
19. Alex Rios, CWS BA, .257 BA, 18 HR, 65 RBI – Rios is a head scratcher. The dude can play but he is incredibly inconsistent. Which Rios will show up in 2012?
20. Yoenis Cespedes, OAK .270, 14 HR, 59 RBI – Owners should temper their expectation for the Cuban defective as he gets used to facing Major League pitching. Cespedes has good upside when he does get comfortable playing everyday in Oakland.
21. Dexter Fowler, COL .265 BA, 11 HR, 63 RBI – Speed and some surprising pop. He will score a number of runs and swipe 20 bags for you.
22. Nyjer Morgan, MIL .300 BA, 4 HR, 49 RBI – He is a spark plug for his team. He will use his speed on the base paths to score and steal and drive the other team mad.
23. Peter Bourjos, ANA .284 BA, 15 HR, 52 RBI – Another of the Angel’s many speedsters, Bourjos can be a nightmare for opposing teams but he can be remarkably inconsistent. That can improve with experience.
24. Angel Pagan, SF .280 BA, 8 HR, 52 RBI – Interesting to see where he will hit in the Giants lineup. He is a good player but he will be playing in a pitcher-friendly division.
25. Vernon Wells, ANA .244 BA, 23 HR, 68 RBI – The only thing I can figure out about Vernon Wells is that he is overpaid. Can be a steal if he plays up to his salary level.