Top 5 Minnesota Twins Keepers - 2009 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide

Second in the Central last season at 88-75, the Twins nevertheless have a team with a core of hot young players; the kind of players who are ready made for fantasy baseball keeper leagues. Here then is a list of the top five players to draft and keep from the Minnesota Twins.

Justin Morneau (1B)

It's hard to believe that Morneau is all of 27. The AL MVP in 2006, Justin has been a hitting machine the past three seasons, posting 370 RBIs in that span of time. A legit .300 hitter who will hit 25-35 homers for you a season, Morneau is the type of player you want to draft and hang on to in a keeper league. Only Ryan Howard and Prince Fielder come with more upside at first. Take Morneau early and hang on to him for years to come, he will reward your effort.

Joe Mauer ( C )

At 25, Mauer is young enough to be around for a while. What's more, as one of the best hitting catchers in the league, Mauer is an elite pick in any fantasy baseball league, and more so in a keeper league. Last season Mauer hit .328 with 85 RBIs, scoring 98 runs in the process. Though he has yet to show a great deal of power, few catchers have as high an upside or can help your team as much. Look for Mauer to mature into a 20/80/.315 player.

Delmon Young (OF)

Young's lack of power last season is bound to make him a sleeper pick in a lot of leagues this season. Few young players (he is 23) however have Delmon's upside. Despite a spotty minor league career behavior wise, Young still flashes the type of talent that made him the first overall pick in the 2003 MLB draft. Draft Young and watch him develop into a complete hitter over the next few seasons; in time Delmon will reward you with a .300/25/100 season. Oh yeah, and don't forget he can still a few bases as well.

Carlos Gómez (OF)

Gomez, is a lanky 6-4, 195 lbs outfielder with a ton of talent and speed. A five tool player, Gomez made a meteoric rise through the Mets organization before landing a starting job with the Twins. Last season Gomez had 38 extra base hits and 25 steals. Only 23, look for Gomez to fill out over the next few seasons and become a 30/30 man in the not too distant future. For now he will reward you with a +30 steal season.

Francisco Liriano (SP)

Forget his injury plague 2008 season. Now that he has dropped below radar with some baseball fantasy owners, is the right time to go after Liriano. Despite his injuries, Francisco finished strong last season, going 6-1 in August and September. In the near future, look for Liriano to be a constant 15-16 game winner who averages close to 200 K's a season.

Statistical References:

www.sports.yahoo.com

www.minors.baseball-reference.com