Top 5 Keeper Left Fielders - Fantasy Baseball Draft Strategy Guide 2009

Left field is home to some of baseball's most exciting hitters, and a wealth of options for anyone looking to draft stars for their fantasy league team. While some have history of delivering big numbers, other players are up and coming stars, so a little research and a lot of chance will decide who rules in left. For those team owners in keeper fantasy leagues, several players may be worth investing for the future as they come into their prime.

The top five fantasy baseball left fielders are:

1. Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers

2. Alfonso Soriano, Chicago Cubs

3. Matt Holliday, Oakland A's

4. Carlos Lee, Houston Astros

5. Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay Devil Rays

#1 Keeper Left Fielders - Ryan Braun - Fantasy Baseball 2009

Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers is one of baseball's most exciting young players. In just two short seasons, he has become one of baseball's biggest sluggers, delivering highlight reel-type shots. Owners in keeper fantasy leagues will want to grab a hold of Ryan Braun and not let go. As part of young and promising Brewers team, Braun seems an automatic lock for 35 home runs and 100 RBIs for many seasons to come. As other players around him in the lineup improve, like Prince Fielder, Braun's numbers should too. Ryan Braun can also hit for average, with a .285 average in 2008 and .324 in 2007.

#2 Keeper Left Fielders - Alfonso Soriano - Fantasy Baseball 2009

Alfonso Soriano, the former second baseman, has adjusted well to the outfield, and his offensive production has not suffered. Injuries have limited his total output, but he may be his healthiest he has been in a few seasons. That could be great news for a Cubs team that has added Milton Bradley to the middle of the lineup. Expect big numbers for Alfonso Soriano this year, with 40+ homers and 120+ RBIs not out of the question.

#3 Keeper Left Fielders - Matt Holliday - Fantasy Baseball 2009

Former Rockie Matt Holliday brings his bat to Oakland, where the A's hope he and the return of Jason Giambi will prove a nice 1-2 punch. There is no denying the stats for Matt Holliday in Colorado: he routinely hit over .300 with nice power. Fantasy league team owners should beware, however; Oakland's roomy Cisco Field is much different than the hitter-friendly Coors Field in the thin air of Denver where Holliday made his name. While he is a good bet for most teams, there is no guarantee his MVP-level numbers will translate to the Bay Area.

#4 Keeper Left Fielders - Carlos Lee - Fantasy Baseball 2009

Carlos Lee missed the final seven weeks of last season with a fractured finger, but he still hit .314 with 28 homers and 100 RBI. Now that he is completely healthy, expect bigger numbers from Lee in 2009. With a scrappy lineup that includes Lance Berkman, Miguel Tejada, and Hunter Pence, the Astros should score more runs, giving Lee more opportunities. Carlos Lee has been very consistent over the past four years, which makes drafting him on a fantasy league team, and holding onto him for a few seasons more, a sure bet.

#5 Keeper Left Fielders - Carl Crawford - Fantasy Baseball 2009

Carl Crawford actually had a bit of a down year last season, hitting .273 with 8 homers. He has been consistently batting .300 with double digit homer totals over the past four seasons, and he should rebound well in 2009 with a solid Rays lineup around him. Crawford should deliver close to 200 hits and decent RBI totals. Carl Crawford will be a nice pickup for any fantasy league team.

Other players to watch for when drafting for 2009 include Manny Ramirez (who may or may not play the outfield, depending on where he signs), Boston's Jason Bay, newly signed Devil Ray Pat Burrell, and Carlos Quentin of the White Sox (who had a breakout year in 2008 but has yet to prove he can repeat).

Source: MLB.com