1. Chase Utley (1) – I had him as my No. 1 ranked middle infielder going into the year, and he’s done nothing to suggest anything different so far.
2. Alfonso Soriano (3) – Well, it has gone much smoother than anticipated. Soriano is on his way to putting up fat numbers in an effort to score a huge contract at year’s end.
3. Chone Figgins (2) – The top three could easily be reversed and I’d have no problem with it; they are that close in value.
4. Tadahito Iguchi (10) – After threatening to bat him lower early in the season, Guillen has settled in with Iguchi in the two-hole. It’s a really good spot to be in.
5. Jeff Kent (6) – I was down on Kent going into the year as I figured he’d have to slow down one of these years and he typically goes high in drafts. After a slow start, he’s homered in three straight and has 10 RBI in four games.
6. Jorge Cantu (4) – He’s been miscast as a No. 2 hitter and currently sits on the DL. Still, this RBI machine will be back soon enough.
7. Brian Roberts (9) – B-Rob eased all concerns over his elbow injury with a fast start. Now there’s a groin problem to worry about. His speed still makes him a coveted property.
8. Rickie Weeks (5) – Although he hasn’t quite lived up to my high expectations, a move to the leadoff spot means big things are still to come for Mr. Weeks.
9. Marcus Giles (7) – Giles has been truly terrible so far. While the 2-hole is more ideal than leadoff, he’ll be fine.
10. Mark Loretta (8) – Loretta is also off to a rather slow start, but has turned it around as of late by raising his average nearly 80 points during a recent seven-game hitting streak. If he gets his OBP back up to his career level, Loretta should easily exceed 100 runs scored.
11. Jose Vidro (16) – He’ll no doubt get hurt. Still, he is always capable of this when in the lineup. He’s a sell-high candidate and RFK limits his upside, but Vidro will continue among the lead leaders in average while he is healthy.
12. Placido Polanco (11) – He may be hitting .292, but it’s about as empty of a .292 that you will find (OPS a measly 617). Polanco still remains one of the toughest hitters in all of baseball to strike out. Too bad his fantasy owners couldn’t care less. He needs to start hitting; he will, and in the Detroit lineup, there’s still some upside here.
13. Robinson Cano (12) – Limiting his at-bats against lefties has allowed Cano to excel in batting average while suppressing his counting stats.
14. Mark Ellis (13) – The man who was one of baseball’s best players the second half of last year got off to an abysmal start this year. He’s already showing signs of life and is a good buy-low candidate.
15. Brandon Phillips (n/a) – I’m seriously turning into a believer. Phillips always had this potential, and it took the clichéd change of scenery to get it out of him. He’s always had speed as well but never a good basestealer; Phillips has 8 stolen bases already.
16. Ryan Freel (14) – Freel could easily be more valuable than uncertain teammate Phillips because of the steal factor, which Freel still has the advantage in. Griffey Jr. staying healthy is about as likely as Woody Paige saying something coherent; Freel will get his.
17. Ty Wigginton (n/a) – He’s available at second base in most formats, so I figured I better mention him here. I refuse to list him any higher and still recommend you trade him before it’s too late.
18. Craig Biggio (17)
19. Orlando Hudson (15)
20. Adam Kennedy (20)
21. Ronnie Belliard (19)
22. Jose Lopez (n/a)
23. Ray Durham (21)
24. Luis Castillo (n/a)
25. Jose Castillo (n/a)
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