Individual Player Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide 2009: Mark Teixeira

Mark Teixiera's signing with the New York Yankees was a coup for Brian Cashman. Mark Teixeira is one of the most complete 1st basemen in baseball. Teixeira will be 29 years of age this year and in the ascent of his most productive years. The number one pick in most leagues over the past few years has been Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies or Alex Rodriquez of the the New York Yankees. If I get the number one pick this year it will be Mark Teixeira of the New York Yankees. Why? The last 54 games he played with the LA Angeles were very impressive. If the 54 games he played with the Los Angeles Angels are any indication of what 2009 will be like, Teixeira should be the deciding factor in whether the Yankees make it back into the playoffs in 2009.

Let us take a look at those final 54 games that Mark Teixeira played with the Angels in 2009 . If he had of played all 162 games with the Angels last year, Teixeira would have very likely had 42 Home runs, 172 Runs Batted In and he more than likely would have had a .358 Batting Average with 207 Hits and he would have only struck out 92 times, 107 less than Ryan Howard. Ryan Howard last year had 48 Home Runs, 146 Runs Batted In, and .251 Batting Average.

The move for Teixeira to the Angels last year one was a postive one. He had gone from a team - Atlanta Braves that are nowlanguishing in the cesspool of medicrocity to the Los Angeles Angels that had an excellent offense and had an excellent chance to go somewhere in the playoffs, so he was hyped. It was also a contract year, so that also might have been a factor in his play, but I will give him the benefit of the doubt.

For leagues that also take into consideration defense, Mark Teixeira will be a hands down favorite. In 2008 he had a fielding percentage of .997. Teixeira committed only 5 errors last year, and he was third in turning double plays with 130. So, if fielding stats are taken into consideration in your fantasy league, Mark Teixeira should be your number one pick. The New York Yankees have one of the best infields in baseball. He has won the Gold Glove twice.

Playing for the New York Yankees in 2009 should help pad Mark Teixeira's offensive numbers. He will hit anywhere from 3rd position to 5th position in the batting order. Mark Teixeira should be able to wait on his pitches, and he is a very selective hitter with only 92 strikeouts last year. For leagues that subract strikeouts this should be plus factor. Power hitters are known for their strikeouts.