2008 Fantasy Baseball Center Fielders - Top 5

2008 TOP 5 FANTASY CENTER FIELDERS

"Put me in coach, I'm ready to play...today, look at me, I can be... centerfield!" When I think of baseball, that song always comes to mind; that and "Take me out to the ballgame" of course. But when I started to think of the next post, which was the Center Fielders top 5, that song would not leave my head, thanks Fogerty! What an easy group of players to choose from, I had no problem sourcing my top five and if you have an issue with my decisions, please email me and I will help explain. I do think the best overall center fielder of my generation is Andruw Jones, but after last years collapse, I am scared to list him + the Dodger's Suck!!! Yes I am a true Padre Fan! On we go to position #8.



#1 - Carlos Beltran - 2007 Stats
554 AB's, .276 AVG, 93 Runs Scored, 153 Hits, 33 Doubles, 3 Triples, 33 HR's, 112 RBI's, 23 Stolen Bases & 69 Walks.



#2 - Ichiro Suzuki - 2007 Stats
678 AB's, .351 AVG, 111 Runs Scored, 238 Hits, 22 Doubles, 7 Triples, 6 HR's, 68 RBI's, 37 Stolen Bases & 49 Walks.



#3 - Grady Sizemore - 2007 Stats
628 AB's, .277 AVG, 118 Runs Scored, 174 Hits, 34 Doubles, 5 Triples, 24 HR's, 78 RBI's, 33 Stolen Bases & 101 Walks.



#4 - Curtis Granderson - 2007 Stats
612 AB's, .302 AVG, 122 Runs Scored, 185 Hits, 38 Doubles, 23 Triples, 23 HR's, 74 RBI's, 26 Stolen Bases & 52 Walks.



#5 - Aaron Rowand - 2007 Stats
612 AB's, .309 AVG, 105 Runs Scored, 189 Hits, 45 Doubles, 0 Triples, 27 HR's, 89 RBI's, 6 Stolen Bases & 47 Walks.



Center Fielder Notes:

Carlos Beltran - It has been said that the '08 Mets will be running a lot more and one to help with this duty is Beltran. The Mets have a fantastic offensive team and the top of the lineup will plate many runners with some heavy hitters in Delgado & Alou to do most of the clean-up work. Carlos sits nicely in the heart of the Metropolitans lineup and should have a terrific season. Being a switch hitter does nothing but help his value and a 100 run, 100 RBI's, 25+ HR season is on the works for this career .280 bat slinger. Carlos has hit 24+ HR's every year since '01 except in '05 when he only hit 16 jacks. In the last two seasons he has totaled 41 and 33 dingers and his round tripper total should stay around the 30 range. Even after slumping tremendously in May through June of 2007 (.230 in that time), Carlos still recorded a decent .276 average. He was not one to blame with the September collapse last year and if Delgado and Alou can return to their slugging ways, Beltran will be the #1 Center Fielder in '08. What is not to like with the Mets top 5. Reyes, Castillo, Wright, Beltran, Delgado & Alou should be an absolute force to recon with and opposing pitchers will have their work cut out for them.

Ichiro Suzuki - He would be #1 if he has more extra base hit power. Ichiro is a hit machine and has at least 200 hits in his 7 seasons playing ball in the US. In Japan, Ichiro recording a lifetime .353 average and in the US has just been a little more shabby by notching a .333. Most hitters dream of doing what he can and he gets plenty of chances as he had a whopping 678 plate appearances at the top of the Mariners lineup in 2007. Not only does he get on base, but he runs very well and forces outfielders to come up with the ball quickly as he will stretch many singles into doubles if they are on their heels. Every season in the bigs here in the states, he has scored 100+ runs as well. Not to mention he has at least 20 doubles every year too. He wont hit you many homers or drive in super #'s with his stick, but he is as consistent as they come. If Sexton, Beltre, Ibanez and Johjima do there share of the pulling; Ichiro will finish in the top three in fantasy points and who knows, he might even be at the top. Consistency matters and you can't lose in drafting the journeyman.

Grady Sizemore - Just like a fine bottle of wine, Grady increases his numbers every year and this could be the breakout season. The baseball world sees the 27 year old mark as the coming out season, and Grady still isn't quite aged yet, as he turns 26 in August. In 3 full seasons, he has recorded 22+ HR's, 111+ runs scored and has a nice .283 lifetime average. He is fleet of foot and should be able to steal around 25-30 bases in 2008. Last year he had a .390 on base percentage and that # will slowly increase as he gets more and more comfortable with the AL pitching. No longer will he have to worry about facing Santana with the recent move by him to the NL (that is if the Mets can get his deal done soon as many experts seem to think will happen anytime now). The Indians have a potent lineup with players like Victor Martinez, Travis Hafner, Jhonny Peralta, Casey Blake and the emerging Ryan Garko to bolster their lineup. They are one of the toughest crews for pitchers to face and Hafner should fall back into form giving opposing mangers a handful of headaches in '08. Sizemore should plate 100+ times, hit 20+ dingers, drive in 75+ runs and steal 25+ bases. Do not forget that he has a great eye for the zone as well as he walked 101 times in '07.

Curtis Granderson - The only reason why I am not completely sold on him yet as it was one terrific season that has catapulted him to being a premier center fielder. If he repeats what he did in '07, he might just be the best in the game but the only worry is his knack to strikeout. He has joined an elite group, or actually he is the only member of the 20/20/20 club (Triples, HR's & stolen bases, if you need a refresher course). Also, Curtis will be 27 for the '08 season and the Tiger faithful will most likely see the next Willie Mays in their 2008 lineup. I know you might think that a statement like that is outlandish, but wait and see. I have written plenty about of high I am on the Tigers offense and with that being said, Curtis is in store for a historic 2008 if all cards fall into place. Don't feel foolish to believe that he will score 120+ times, hit 20+ Doubles, 20+ Triples, 20+ HR's, steal 20+ bases and drive in 75+ runs in what could be the best offensive team in history. He will set the table, Polanco will move him around the bases and the rest of the slugging crew will do the cleanup. He is the best triples man in the game and as long as he can start to learn to make more contact, his average should slowly rise each year. Some do not care though as they feel if he does try to put the ball in play more, his power #'s will decline. This will be something to watch in 2008. Draft him and watch the points roll in on the Lake Michigan tsunami!

Aaron Rowand - A change of scenery will do this guy some good. He will have a lot of weight on his shoulders and will be the man in San Fran in '08. He has to and will most likely be the only shining star in this mediocre lineup. He and Bengie Molina have a lot to accomplish with the departure of Bonds (although Bonds still hasn't landed anywhere and who knows, he might not). The Giants don't want any part of Dr. Roids as they decided to put all their eggs in one basket by signing Rowand. Not only is his lineup skimpy, he now enters, what I think to be, the best pitching division in baseball. The things I do like about his new squad is that he has some members who get on base and therefore he should see some good RBI #'s. He has a fantastic swing and hits for above par average. He will not score 100 times in 2008 as he doesn't have the protection in Howard to help him out. He has great power alley prowess and if he can keep swinging a hot bat, he will have 120+ RBI's and could have 40+ Doubles & 25+ HR's come seasons end. If Dave Roberts, Omar Vizquel & Randy Winn do their job, Rowand will give the Giants fans something to cheer about; at least it won't be for a cheater.

Check back soon for the review of the Top 5 Right Fielders soon!