Things I thought I knew before draft day.

Hi everybody. I hope everyone had a nice Easter. Sorry I haven't been around for awhile but let's just skip that. Two quick things first off I saw two movies this weekend and both were awesome, Grindhouse and Blades of Glory. Grindhouse in particular was just a very fun movie if you know what it is going into it. I recently completed my last of five fantasy baseball drafts and as often happens when drafting several some things became readily apparent to me. Things I didn't know that I had thought soon came to light.

First off catchers who are going to have good years:
Joe Mauer, MIN.
Chris Iannetta, COL.
Mike Piazza, OAK.

Mauer, may not be likely to hit .347/.429/.507 again, but he's still by far the best all around catcher in baseball. Victor Martinez is great, but his defensive problems won't let him stay at catcher for that much longer. Mauer because of how good he is defensively will be catcher for longer unless the Twins move him to the infield to save his knees. I need a few more seasons from Atlanta's Brian McCann before I'll give him the crown. Iannetta, the Rockies young catcher, has raked throughout his career in the minors and seems likely to have a strong rookie season this year. Since every other position in the history of the Rockies has had at least one player hit for power you have to figure the Rockies should be do. He's off to a bad start so far .133/.188/.200. His defense means he'll stay in the lineup while his bat catches up. Mike Piazza playing for Billy Beane in Oakland is a no brainer that should once again turn out great for the A's. Following the script he wrote last season when he gave Frank Thomas a chance to put his money where his mouth was Beane once again paid a minimum for a Hall of Fame bat seeking redemption. Piazza last season hit .332/..372/.564 when not playing in the pitchers heaven of Petco Park so moving into a position as Oakland's full-time DH should allow him to stay in the lineup more consistently and allow him to hammer away.

First base
Derek Lee CHC
Ryan Sheely KC
Todd Helton COL

Derek Lee was a top three first basemen last year before his injury cost him most of last season. The fact that the injury was a freak accident, a runner ran into him means it shouldn't cost him time this year. People seem to be forgetting how highly they Lee last year. He's a forty dollar talent going for mid-twenties. Why not take a role of the dice. If the Cubs are truly capable of contending I think it will be due more to a healthy Lee rather then Soriano or any of the Cubs other new editions. Sheely who was blocked in the Colorado system by Todd Helton put up sick numbers while playing in the Rockies system to the tune of .319/.408/.591. Sure the numbers were inflated by the Colorado effect but they still deserve a chance off of the waiver wire. On to the blocker himself: Todd Helton. I know he's not what he was three years ago but don't forget the guys been injured the last few years and he still manages to get on base and play some gold glove caliber defense. You the Todd Helton and you think fantasy god. He's not that guy anymore. But he's a very cheap alternative who should put some pretty decent numbers. Imagine if he does get traded how much he would want to prove to everybody that his wasn't just a Coors Career.

Onto second.
Howie Kendrick
BJ Upton
Chase Utley

No one should be surprised that Utley's on the list because he is by far the best second basemen in baseball right now. He hits. And he hits. And he hits. He hits for power, average, drives in runs and can even steal a few bases. In Philadelphia's offense he should pile up RBI and runs. Given the right situation he could win the MVP award in the future. I said earlier that I have five fantasy baseball teams. On those five teams I have approximately two second basemen that play everyday. On two of them I have Utley and on the other three I have Howie Kendrick (though on one of them I have Robinson Cano playing middle infield). Kendrick is awesome. He is a pure hitter who is going to win at least a couple of batting titles at some point. How can I say that? Try .361/.405/.570 in his minor league career. He's also right at the age were he should be exploding. Upton.......I'm pissed at the Devil Rays this year. Upton before the season started was ticketed to be the Devil Rays answer to Chone Figgins and Ryan Freel meaning he would play all over the diamond and would steal a ton of bases. He's hitting the hell out of the ball right now and he should have a great year but I'll be missing the versatility.

Tomorrow I'll do the rest of the infield and outfield.