Top 5 Oakland Athletics Keepers - Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide 2009

Last season was pretty disappointing for the A's who finished up 75-86, 24.5 games out of first place. Despite rebuilding during the 2008 season, there are a number of players worth looking at for fantasy baseball drafts for 2009 for keeper leagues. The top 5 Oakland A's are: Matt Holliday, Ryan Sweeny, Kurt Suzuki, Justin Duchscherer, and Travis Buck.

Top 5 Oakland Athletics Keepers - Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide 2009

#1 Oakland Athletics Keepers - OF Matt Holliday - Fantasy Baseball 2009

The 2006, 2007 NL Silver Slugger winner didn't disappoint in his first year in the American League in 2008. Matt Holliday hit .321 with 25 HR's, 88 RBI's and a .409 OBP. At 29 with several proven years in the Majors you are likely not going to steal him at the fantasy baseball draft, but definitely the top A's Keeper pick for the 2009 season.

#2 Oakland Athletics Keepers - OF Ryan Sweeny - Fantasy Baseball 2009

2008 was Ryan Sweeny's first real season in the majors. He played in 115 games, with 384 at-bats ending up hitting .286 with 5 HR's, 45 RBI's, a .350 OBP, OPS of .733 and 9 SB's. I look for him to improve somewhat on his 2008 numbers now that he's used to the league and hit for close to .300 with 15 HR's, and 75 RBI's in 2009.

#3 Oakland Athletics Keepers - C Kurt Suzuki - Fantasy Baseball 2009

Kurt Suzuki enters the 2009 season coming off of a solid 2008 where he hit for .279 with 7 HR's, 42 RBI's, a .346 OBP, and .716 OPS. As far as catchers go for MLB for the 2009 draft, don't overlook Suzuki as one of your round 8-12 picks! For the 2009 season, he should hit around .285 with 10-15 HR's, and 60-70 RBI's.

#4 Oakland Athletics Keepers - P Justin Duchscherer - Fantasy Baseball 2009

In Justin Duchscherer's first full season as a starter, he went 10-8, 95 Strikeouts, a 2.54 ERA, and 1.00 WHIP! Don't let his record fool you, he could have easily had 15-20 Wins in 2008! Look for Duchscherer to be in this range in 2009 and definitely worth picking for one of your fantasy baseball pitchers for this season's draft!

#5 Oakland Athletics Keepers - OF Travis Buck - Fantasy Baseball 2009

Travis Buck only played 38 games in the show last year, hitting an underwhelming .226, however, in 2007 he did hit .288 over 82 games with a .851 OPS! Look for Buck to hit his stride in 2009 and hit for .290 with 70-85 RBI's, 20 HR's, and an OPS over .800!