http://thefantasysportsreview.com All the fantasy sports news, insight and information that you crave en-us http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s161/serioussportsnewsnetwork/Logo_02b.gif http://thefantasysportsreview.com 128 21 http://thefantasysportsreview.com/getting-ready-for-fantasy-baseball/ We're here to over-prepare you for the upcoming fantasy baseball season. http://thefantasysportsreview.com/2008/02/10/getting-ready-for-fantasy-baseball-third-baseman/ We are in the golden age of the third baseman. This year there are quality offensive players at the hot corner of all types: vets (Chipper Jones), prospects (Ryan Zimmerman, Ryan Braun and Alex Gordon), base stealers (Chone Figgins) and of course, power guys (Alex Rodriguez). Four guys (A-Rod, David Wright, Braun, Miguel Cabrera) look like they will go in the first round of most fantasy drafts, but there will be plenty of other options later in the draft. Regardless of when you draft a third baseman, you should have no trouble finding and keeping an above-average fantasy player at the position. http://thefantasysportsreview.com/2008/02/10/getting-ready-for-fantasy-baseball-second-baseman/ Aside from catchers, second baseman look like they’ll be the weakest position in fantasy baseball this year. Other than Chase Utley, there are few guys that have enough history of major league success to be considered safe picks. Only Utley, Brandon Phillips, Brian Roberts and B.J. Upton ranked in the top 100 of ESPN’s player rater last year, and Upton is listed as the Devil Rays starting center fielder this year. That means if you want an elite second baseman, you’ll have to get them in the first couple of rounds. http://thefantasysportsreview.com/2008/02/10/getting-ready-for-fantasy-baseball-first-baseman/ While first base is often the deepest position in fantasy baseball, there can be a lot of pressure in that distinction. If you wait too long and get stuck with Todd Helton or Kevin Youkilis, you’ll spend the entire season trying to find another source of home runs. Then again, if you take Albert Pujols in the first round and he only gives you 32 homers and the Cardinals offense struggles, you’ll wonder why you didn’t wait a couple of rounds to fill you first base spot. Regardless of what you decide to do, go into the draft with a plan. Either use an early pick on a safe, consistent guy or wait until round ten and get ready to platoon. http://thefantasysportsreview.com/2008/02/10/getting-ready-for-fantasy-baseball-catchers/ I’d like to preface this by letting everyone know I drafted Brian McCann (.270, 18, 92) in the third round last year, so I’m an idiot. The only guy this year worth a pick that high is Victor Martinez, and that’s because he gets quite a bit of time at first base. Catchers are the hardest position players to read, don’t be an idiot like 2006 me. http://thefantasysportsreview.com/2008/01/28/getting-ready-for-fantasy-baseball-tommy-john-and-francisco-liriano/ After watching the 2006 Francisco Liriano I want to say that last year was just a bump in the road–no big deal. I want to say 2008 will be the year he surpasses Johan Santana as the Twins top starter (if Santana is still a Twin, that is). I want to believe Liriano when he says he’s 100 percent healthy. But, like you, I’m too scared. More than anything, I want to use a late fantasy draft pick on Liriano, but will it be worth it? http://thefantasysportsreview.com/2008/01/25/getting-ready-for-fantasy-baseball-the-sophomore-slump/ Do you think the sophomore slump really exists? The guy in your league who’s set on drafting Ryan Braun in the first-round doesn’t think it does, but you won’t even look at the second-year 3B/LF (multiple-position eligible this year!) until the middle of round two. Which one of you is right? In typical FSR fashion, let’s look at recent history and see if there’s anything too this. Here are the averages of the ten batters (Kenji Johjima, Nick Markakis, Ian Kinsler, Hanley Ramirez, Ryan Zimmerman, Dan Uggla, Andre Ethier, Prince Fielder, Russell Martin, Josh Willingham) who received a vote in the 2006 ROY balloting. http://thefantasysportsreview.com/2008/01/24/getting-ready-for-fantasy-baseball/ FSR is proud to present you our newest daily column, Getting Ready For Fantasy Baseball. This column will include short thoughts and advice on the upcoming fantasy baseball season. Enjoy. Today we’re going to talk about what we learned from the first round of last year’s draft–draft a position player.