2008 Fantasy Baseball - 5 Outfielders who were left from each position's Top 5

2008 TOP 5 FANTASY OUTFIELDERS WHO FEEL LEFT OUT!


The compiled list below consists of 5 outfielders who just didn't quite make the Top 5 list of their position. They have been calling me to complain why they were left off and I feel bad so I decided to include them in my blog. These guys are still top notch and if you have the chance to claim them come draft day, they will write you a thank you note!!


#1 - Torii Hunter (CF) - 2007 Stats
600 AB's, .287 AVG, 94 Runs Scored, 172 Hits, 45 Doubles, 1 Triple, 28 HR's, 107 RBI's, 18 Stolen Bases & 40 Walks.


#2 - Carl Crawford (LF) - 2007 Stats
584 AB's, .315 AVG, 93 Runs Scored, 184 Hits, 37 Doubles, 9 Triples, 11 HR's, 80 RBI's, 50 Stolen Bases & 32 Walks.


#3 - Corey Hart (RF) - 2007 Stats
505 AB's, .295 AVG, 86 Runs Scored, 149 Hits, 33 Doubles, 9 Triples, 24 HR's, 81 RBI's, 23 Stolen Bases & 36 Walks.


#4 - Jeff Francoeur (RF) - 2007 Stats
642 AB's, .293 AVG, 84 Runs Scored, 188 Hits, 40 Doubles, 0 Triples, 19 HR's, 105 RBI's, 5 Stolen Bases & 42 Walks.


#5 - Ken Griffey Jr. (RF) - 2007 Stats
528 AB's, .277 AVG, 78 Runs Scored, 146 Hits, 24 Doubles, 1 Triple, 30 HR's, 93 RBI's, 6 Stolen Bases & 85 Walks.


Mixed Outfielder Notes:
Torii Hunter - After 10 full seasons in the bigs, he has a par average of .271, but he still manages to be very damaging at the dish. He has been traded now to a team that should benefit him greatly. The Angels are a sweet offensive squad and he should fit very nicely in the heart of their line up. I still am unsure where he will hit in the order but he will be surrounded by some people with some speed and pop. Chone Figgins will most likely lead off and players like Gary Matthews Jr., Vladimir Guerrero, Garret Anderson, Casey Kotchman, Howie Kendrick & Torri should put up some great numbers in a division that they are expected to crush. Hunter has hit 23+ HR's in all of his last 7 seasons (except in '05 when he was sidelined for half of the season). He does tend to strike out a lot, but that should not scare you off from drafting him in early rounds. Expect 100 runs scored, 100 RBI's, 20 stolen bases, 40 doubles and 25+ jacks in 2008.


Carl Crawford - He turns the pivotal 27 in 2008! Another guy who likes to swing and miss a lot, but at least he is very aggressive with his attempts at the plate. He has hit .301 or higher in each of his last 3 seasons and has a lifetime AVG or .296 in 5 full seasons in the show. His power #'s aren't the best, but he will steal many bases and stretch lots of singles into doubles and doubles into triples. Last season he only managed 9 triples but in each of the three seasons before '07 he hit 19, 15 & 16 three baggers. He has hit 11+ HR's in each of the last 4 years and will always work pitchers and catchers and the base paths. In every season he has played in, he has swiped 46+ bags. His team's lineup is quite potent and he should be able to have a nice breakout year in 2008. Carlos Pena, B.J. Upton, Akinori Iwamura, Johnny Gomes, Rocco Baldelli & Evan Longoria will be a sleeper offensive squad and could really light up the AL in 2008. I can easily see Carl scoring 100+ runs and be close to having 200 hits in '08. Draft him with a smile!

Corey Hart - A name that many people still aren't in tune with. Corey arrived heavily on the scene last season and has now cemented his starting job for the Brew Crew in Right Field. The 2008 Brewers City squad will be a force to recon with. A fantastic lineup with many up and coming stars will make Corey hart a household name soon. Corey will either lead off or hit second and if he gets on base, most of the time he will score. In 500 AB's in '07 he was able to smack 24 dingers. He also will steal some bags as last year (24) and will most likely increase that # to over 30 in 2008 as his AB's will increase by about 100 plate appearances. Also, because he will get many more at bats, figure he should be able to blast 30 shots as well. Expect a 175 hits season, .300 AVG, 100 runs scored, 100 RBI's and 10 triples in 2008. He is a genuine sleeper for many fantasy owners but the ones who really do their homework will know his value. What will benefit him the most is his stacked lineup of Rickie Weeks, Bill Hall, J.J. Hardy, Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder (the newly turned vegetarian) and the new addition, Mike Cameron.

Jeff Francoeur - He is only 24 and has shown he is a player who is very talented in scaring opposing pitchers. The only drawback is that he will strikeout a lot. He is a very aggressive swinger and puts the ball in play hard. His average continues to get better and he has hit over 100 RBI's in two solid seasons in the bigs. He will either hit 5th or 6th for the Braves and should have enough runners on base to hit over 100 RBI's again in 2008. His line up is one that will continue to score runs and give fits to managers of all teams that play them. Players like Brian McCann, Mark Teixeira, Chipper Jones, Matt Diaz, Yunel Escobar & Kelly Johnson will make the Braves a team that will put up many runs by either playing small ball or just by smacking the ball out of the park. I expect their lineup to be: 1 - Johnson, 2 - Escobar, 3 - Jones, 4 - Teixeira, 5 - McCann, 6 - Francoeur & 7 - Diaz. He will see many great pitches to hit as runners will be on base and Matt Diaz provides a significant amount of protection so that pitchers have to come to Jeff. There is plenty of upside with Francoeur and you should be very excited if you get him come draft day.

Ken Griffey Jr. - We all know he is the man! The only factor is his health. He has been playing for 18 seasons now and last year he maintained his health for the first time since the 2000 season. He played in the most games since '00 and in his last 3 healthy seasons he has hit 27+ blasts. He will always have a presence at the plate because at any time he can hit one out. He has no speed left but did manage to take 6 bags in '07. That was the most he has taken since the 2000 season which should show owners that his hammys are healthy and he will get time off to make sure he can complete another season in full. He has some nice pieces in their lineup that will provide protection and also base runners to get across the plate. Expect 100 RBI's, 25+ HR's, 30 Doubles and a .275 average in 2008. Be aware that he is always a player who could get hurt, so if you draft him, make sure you get a backup that could provide you a starting spot if he goes down.


Check back soon for the top 5 rookies who will roam the outfield in 2008.