Top 5 Keeper Center Fielders - Ultimate Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide 2009

Conventional wisdom will dictate that players you want to hold onto in a keeper league are those who cannot only score in a myriad of categories, but whose star is on the rise. Age is also a factor, as statistically speaking, a baseball player will enter his peak production years between the ages of 27 and 29. Finally, you want to hang on to players whose team will present an advantage to him in fantasy baseball. Here then are the top five centerfielders to hold onto in a keeper league.

Josh Hamilton (Rangers)

Hamilton was the feel good story of 2008; a former first pick overall who squandered his considerable talent only to make an amazing comeback last year. Anyone who saw the hitting display he put on at he All-Star game knows Hamilton has serious power. Only 28, Hamilton is coming of an MVP-type season, having hit .304 with 32 homers and 130 RBIs. He scored 98 runs in the process and stole 9 bases. All indications are that he will pick up where he left off in 2009.

Gary Sizemore (Indians)

Sizemore is 27 and coming off a 30-30 season. The Cleveland Indian centerfielder has strung together four straight seasons of 100 or more runs, and added 33 homers and 38 steals to the mix. A lifetime .279 hitter, Sizemore looks like a safe bet to be a great keeper league player. This season another 30-30 season should be within his grasp.

B.J. Upton (Rays)

Upton is 25 and has a tremendous upside. Though his power was way down during the regular season in 2009, he homered seven times in 66 post season at bats. Upton, who in 2007 put up 24 homers while hitting .300, can also swipe bases with the best of them, stealing 44 bases in 60 times last year. The fact that the Rays are an up and coming team adds to his appeal. Take Upton as early as you can in the draft, he is a keeper.

Carlos Beltran (Mets)

At 31, it's hard to consider Beltran old, and it looks like this fantasy great still has 3-4 great years ahead of him. Beltran is capable of scoring in all categories, and is coming of a season which saw him hit .284 with 27 homers and 25 steals. Along the way, Carlos also collected 116 runs and 112 RBIs. Though he will not steal 40 bases or hit 40 homers any more, few players can offer more at the centerfield spot.

Jay Bruce (Reds)

Bruce was a 21 year old rookie in 2008, who in just 108 games, hit 21 homers. A lifetime .308 hitters in the minors, Bruce will steadily improve his average over the next few years. And while he will never steal 30 bases for you, 10-15 bases a year are not out of his reach. This kid will be a star in the majors, catch him on the rise.

Statistical References:

www.sports.yahoo.com

www.minors.baseball-reference.com