Top 5 Overall Atlanta Braves - 2009 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide

The Atlanta Braves are in for an exciting 2009 season, after acquiring SP Javier Vazquez from the Chicago White Sox, and acquiring SP Derek Lowe from free agency. Their rotation should be greatly improved, but they are still a bit weak on the offensive end. The Braves are still at least a year from becoming a major contender in the NL East, and they should be in line for a third place finish.

The top five fantasy baseball players for the Atlanta Braves are Javier Vazquez, Derek Lowe, Chipper Jones, Brian McCann, and Casey Kotchman.

#1 Overall Atlanta Brave: Javier Vazquez - Fantasy Baseball 2009

Vazquez had a surprisingly mediocre 2008 season, but make no doubt about it, Vazquez is the Brave's best fantasy player, and will prove doubters wrong in 2009. He finished 2009 with a 4.67 ERA, a 12-16 record, and 200 strikeouts. Javier is simply too good and too overpowering with the strikeout numbers, and his control is not nearly as his bad his WHIP shows. Look for 13 wins, around 200 strikeouts, and an ERA closer to 3.75. He will be a tremendous value.

#2 Overall Atlanta Brave: Derek Lowe - Fantasy Baseball 2009

Derek Lowe posted more impressive numbers than Vazquez, and he should be in line for a tremendous year with the Braves. Last year, he posted a 3.24 ERA with 14 wins. He also posted 147 strikeouts. Look for 13 wins and a 3.50 ERA...another solid year of production.

#3 Overall Atlanta Brave: Chipper Jones - Fantasy Baseball 2009

Chipper Jones batted a ridiculous .364 last season, with 22 home runs and 75 RBI. Look for that batting average to take a steep hit, but he hasn't regressed as much as we all think he has. Look for similar power numbers (20 home runs), and a batting average closer to .325. He may be a tad overrated.

#4 Overall Atlanta Brave: Brian McCann - Fantasy Baseball 2009

McCann had a great year for a catcher last year, posting a .301 batting average, with 23 home runs and 87 RBI. McCann remains one of the league's top catchers, and shoul post numbers extremely similar to those of last year. The home runs should remain around 20, but the RBIs will undoubtedly be there.

#5 Overall Atlanta Brave: Casey Kotchman - Fantasy Baseball 2009

Kotchman has flown under the radar for a while, but he posted decent numbers last season. He batted .272 with 14 home runs and 74 RBI. Look for Kotchman to remain consistent in the power category, while raising his batting average and RBI numbers. I like Kotchman as a corner infielder for 2009.