LestersLegends.com

By Alex Mazalatis
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Time to take away all the bias, all the perception and present the stats. There are many factors to include when deciding between two players, but this article is designed to get you to think outside the box.
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2010 Totals:
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Player A
.315 BA, 89 runs, 27 HRs, 95 RBI,11 SBs, 267 total bases, .949 OPS
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Player B
.300 BA, 92 runs, 21 HRs, 76 RBI, 32 SBs, 258 total bases, .853 OPS
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2009 Totals:
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Player A
.297 BA, 101 runs, 32 HRs, 92 RBI,20 SBs, 300 total bases, .930 OPS
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Player B
.342 BA, 101 runs, 24 HR, 106 RBI, 27 SBs, 313 total bases, .954 OPS
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Player A has combined for 59 home runs the past two seasons, compared with Player B having 45. Player B has the advantage with regards to speed, netting 41 stolen bases compared to 18. If I were to give you the choice of who to select, I’m assuming the majority would select Player A.
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Player A is Troy Tulowitkzki and Player B is Hanley Ramirez.
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Key factors to consider:
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In 2010, Tulo hit .339 with 15 HRs at home and .291 with 12 HRs away. Since the 2009 ASB, Tulo has hit .323 with 43 home runs. Hanley has a career average of .313 and 26 HRs. Hanley has only missed 52 games in the past five seasons.
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This is a classic case of risk reward. Hanley has been the prime example of consistency since he was traded from Boston. On the other hand, Tulo has proven his worth, but can he stay on the field? In only 122 games last year Tulo was able to put up very comparable numbers to his impressive 2009 151 game season. Add 30 games for Tulo last year and what would his numbers have looked like?
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Is the risk worth the reward? Where are you selecting him in your draft? How much is he going for? Shortstop is a very scarce position, and being able to lock one of these guys into your lineup is always a good thing. However, there are too many question marks for me to select Tulo over Hanley.
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Tulo has averaged 125 games played in the past three years. In the early rounds, it is always safer to select players who has been consistent, and selecting Hanley over Tulo is still the best bet. Hanley is one season removed from his 24/104/.342 campaign and 15 of Tulo’s 27 home runs were in the one month. I still consider Tulo a first rounder, and would be happy to have him on my team, but selecting him higher or purchasing him for more than Hanley is simply the wrong move.
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Alex Mazalatis of NY, NY has been a fantasy sports enthusiast since 2000. Through the years he was won money, lost money, obtained 3 nicknames, talked lots of trash and wasted an inordinate amount of time deciding who to add and who to drop. Most importantly, he hasn’t found an argument he could lose. He can be reached at amazalatis@gmail.com.
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Also check out:

• 2011 Fantasy Baseball Profiles
• 2011 Fantasy First Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Second Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Third Basemen Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Shortstop Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Catcher Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Outfielder Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Starting Pitcher Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Closer Rankings

My son got an early birthday present when his favorite player, Big Papi won the HR Derby over Hanley Ramirez. Both Ortiz and Ramirez entered the final round with 21 HRs. Papi exploded for a record-tying 11 HRs in the final round to Hanley’s 5. It was the first time a Red Sox player has ever won a HR Derby. Corey Hart jumped out to an early lead with 13 first round HRs, but Papi never relented hitting 8, 13, and 11 HRs.

Image courtesy of Icon SMI

 
6/1/09

Hitters
Hanley Ramirez – 3 for 5, 2 Runs, HR, RBI
Colby Rasmus – 3 for 4, 2 Runs, Double, HR, RBI
J0e Thurston – 3 for 3, Run, 2 Doubles, Walk
Seth Smith – 3 for 4
Juan Pierre – 3 for 5, RBI, SB
Carlos Lee – 3 for 3, Run, HR, 2 RBIs, Walk
Jack Wilson – 3 for 4, Run, RBI
Adam LaRoche – 3 for 5, 2 Runs, 2 Doubles
Andy LaRoche – 2 for 4, 2 Runs, Triple, 3 RBIs
Wilson Valdez – 2 for 4, Run, Double, Triple, 3 RBIs
Jim Thome – 2 for 4, Run, HR, 3 RBIs

Pitchers
Rich Hill – W, 7 IP, 0 Runs, 2 Hits, 7 Ks
Billy Buckner – W, 6 IP, 0 Runs,
Roy Oswalt – W, 7 IP, 1 Run, 8 Ks
Joba Chamberlain – W, 8 IP, 2 Runs, 4 Hits, 5 Ks
Joe Blanton – W, 7 IP, 3 Runs, 5 Ks
Gavin Floyd – ND, 7 IP, 2 Runs, 4 Hits, 8 Ks
Jarrod Washburn – 7 IP, 1 Run

 
Images courtesy of Icon SMI

It’s pretty common knowledge that Hanley Ramírez is going to be the #1 pick.  What’s not to like about him?  He has 30/30 potential at the shallow Shortstop position.  Once he’s plucked out of the draft pool, the question is what do you do with the second pick?  Not long ago, before a steroid scandal, a bad hip, an affair with an aging Pop star, a link to an infamous madam, the list goes on, that answer would have been simple.  Now that A-Rod and his tarnished image is on the shelf, three other names  (Albert Pujols, José Reyes, David Wright) rise to the surface.

Naturally Albert Pujols is going to generate some heavy consideration.  Why not?  The dude can mash.  He shrugged off an elbow scare last year to put up another monster year (.357, 100 R, 37 HR, 116 RBI).  His 1.115 OPS was the highest of his career.  While his numbers are amazing, his Run, HR, and RBI totals of the past two seasons make up the worst two-season stretch in his career.  He’s getting walked more.  He had a career high 104 BBs last year, which was up five from his previous career high set in 2007.  Aside from a minor dip in his production, the other main reason to pass on Pujols in the two-hole is his position.  He’s easily the best First Baseman in the league, but he isn’t ahead of his competition by leaps and bounds.  You have Lance Berkman, Mark Teixeira, Ryan Howard, Miguel Cabrera, Adrián González, Justin Morneau, and Prince Fielder to name a few.  While they aren’t Prince Albert, they’re close. 

That leads me to José Reyes.  He is part of a Big Three Shortstop group of the aforementioned Hanley Ramírez and Jimmy Rollins.  Reyes is rock solid, but he leaves you hanging in the HR, RBI, and Batting Average departments compared to Pujols and teammate David Wright.  He scores a lot of Runs, but he gets little (if any) separation from Pujols and Wright there.  He swipes a ton of bases, but I contend that they can be made up later.  I’d love to have Reyes on my fantasy team, but not before Pujols and Wright come off the board.

That leads me to David Wright.  He has averaged 106 Runs, 29 HRs, 112 RBI, 22 SBs, and .311 over the past four seasons.   His numbers have looked even better the past two years (114 R, 32 HRs, 116 RBI, 25 SBs, .313).  He has topped Pujols in Runs, RBI, and SBs without losing much in HRs or Average.  He has topped Reyes in HRs, RBI, and Average without losing much in Runs.  He doesn’t touch Reyes SBs, but he’s pretty good for a Third Basemen.  Which brings me to the second part of my argument.  With A-Rod hurt and Miguel Cabrera switching to 1B, Wright doesn’t really have any peers.  Kevin Youkilis and Aubrey Huff had great seasons, but I see them taking a step back.  Chipper Jones is solid, but he’ll turn 37 in a month and he hasn’t played 150 games since 2003.  Aramis Ramírez is real good, but he doesn’t score Runs or steal bases like Wright, and his HR, RBI, and BA numbers are slightly lower.  Evan Longoria has the potential to make the leap, but I see much lower R, SB, and BA for him.

This debate was sparked by the Rotoprofessor’s First Round Rankings.

2008 MLB All-Star Game
J.D. Drew took home MVP honors going 2 for 4 with a Run, a HR, 2 RBI, a Walk, and a SB.  Home Run Derby Champ Justin Morneau went 2 for 4 with 2 Runs (including the game-winner), a Double, and a Walk.  The NL got solid offensive contributions from their Shortstops as Hanley Ramirez and Miguel Tejada each went 2 for 3 with a Run.  Tejada added a Walk and a SB.  Albert Pujols also collected two Hits.  Matt Holliday clubbed a HR for the game’s first Run.  It was the NL’s only Extra-base Hit.

Obviously pitchers don’t last long in All-Star Games, but a few performances stood out.  Starters Cliff Lee and Ben Sheets each allowed 1 Hit in 2 scoreless Innings with 3 Ks.  Aaron Cook had the longest outing throwin 3 scoreless Innings.  Ryan Dempster struck out the side.  Carlos Zambrano, Dan Haren, and George Sherrill all pitched at least 2 scoreless Innings.  Scott Kazmir pitched a scoreless 15th Inning for the Win.

Thursday, July 10th
Justin Morneau went 5 for 5 with 2 Runs, 2 Doubles, a Walk, and an 11th Inning Game-winning HR.  Hanley Ramirez went 5 for 6 with 2 Runs, a Double, a HR, and an RBI.  Ryan Howard smacked two more HRs with 3 RBI.  Fernando Tatis went 3 for 5 with a Run, 2 Doubles, a HR, and 4 RBI.  Denard Span and Michael Young each banged out 4 Hits.  Ken Griffey, Jr. went 2 for 5 with 2 Runs, a Double, a HR, and RBI.  David Ross went 3 for 4 with 2 Runs, 2 HRs, and 2 RBI.  Ben Francisco went 3 for 5 with 2 Runs, a HR, and 4 RBI.  Howie Kendrick went 3 for 5 with 3 Runs, a Double, 2 HRs, 3 RBI, and a Walk.  Nick Punto. Marcus Thames, Jeff Larish, Gabe Kapler, Jeff Keppinger, Joey Votto, Willie Bloomquist, Aaron Lind, Stephen Drew, Chad Tracy, Conor Jackson, Cristian Guzman, Juan Rivera, Ramon Vazquez, Jorge Cantu, and Chris Davis each had 3 Hits.  Ryan Braun, David Dellucci, Austin Kearns, and Casey Blake each had 3 RBI.  Mike Fontenot scored 3 Runs.

Dave Bush pitched a gem allowing 1 Run on 4 Hits in 8 Innings with 13 Ks to improve to 5-8.  Jamie Moyer threw 7 strong Innings allowing 1 Run to improve to 8-6 with a 3.95 ERA.  R.A. Dickey (7 scoreless Innings, 4 Hits) and Greg Smith (6 scoreless Innings, 4 Hits) each got no-decisions.  Aaron Laffey gave up 2 Runs on 4 Hits in 6 Innings to even his record at 5-5 with a 3.45 ERA.  Paul Maholm gave up 2 Runs in 8 Innings to improve to 6-5 with a 3.93 ERA.  Mike Mussina gave up 2 Runs in a 6 Inning no-decision.  Jeremy Guthrie gave up 1 Earned Run on 4 Hits in a 7 Inning no-decision.  Dan Haren (8 Innings, 1 Earned Run, 3  Hits, 9 Ks) and Jason Bergmann (7 Innings, 2 Runs) each earned no-decision.  Zack Greinke gave up 1 Run with 8 Ks in a 7 Inning no-decision.  Mark Buehrle gave up 2 unearned Run in 7 Innings with 8 Ks, but took a Loss.

Wednesday, July 9th
Carlos Quentin went 2 for 3 with 3 Runs, 2 HRs, 4 RBI, and a Walk.  Garrett Atkins went 3 for 3 with 2 Runs, 2 HRs, and 3 RBI. Jacoby Ellsbury had 4 Hits.  Dustin Pedroia had 3 Runs and 3 RBI.  Kevin Youkilis went 3 for 5 with 3 Runs, a Double, a HR, and 4 RBI.  Manny Ramirez (3 RBI), Sean Casey, Delmon Young, Hanley Ramirez, Grady Sizemore, Sal Fasano, Matt Joyce, Nate McLouth, Nick Markakis (3 Runs), Carlos Delgado, Michael Young, Mark Grudzielane, Ross Gload, Ichiro Suzuki, and Adrian Beltre each had 3 Hits.  Miguel Cabrera, Geoff Blum, Adam Jones, Jesus Flores, Juan Rivera, Jose Lopez, Donnie Murphy and Ramon Castro each had 3 RBI.

John “A Day in the Life” Lannan gave up 2 Hits in 6 scoreless Innings to improve to 5-9 with a 3.40 ERA.  Johan Santana threw five scoreless Innings to improve to 8-7 with a 2.84 ERA.  Scott Olsen gave up 1 Run on 4 Hits in 8 Innings to improve to 5-4 with a 3.77 ERA.  Sidney Ponson (6 Innings, 5 Hits, 1 Run) and Edwin Jackson (6-1/3 Innings, 1 Run) each earned no-decisions.  J.A. Happ gave up 2 Runs on 5 Hits in a 6-1/3 Inning no-decision.  Ben Sheets gave up 3 Runs in 6 Innings with 11 Ks, but took a Loss.  Glendon Rusch gave up 1 Run on 5 Hits in 6 Innings to improve to 2-3.  Jered Weaver gave up 1 Earned Run with 5 Ks in a 6 Inning no-decision.  Carlos Zambrano gave up 1 Run on 1 Hit in 8 Innings with 5 Ks to improve to 10-3 with a 2.84 ERA.  Derek Lowe (7-2/3 Innings, 1 Run, 2 Hits) improve to 7-8 with a 3.85 ERA as he outdueled Tim Hudson (7 Innings, 2 Runs, 4 Hits).