Top 5 Overall Chicago Cubs - 2009 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide

100 years and no championships. That is the monkey that sits on the Cubs' back heading into the 2009 season. Everyone thought last year was going to be the year, but an early exit sweep at the hands of the Dodgers ended those hopes in 2008. Regardless of their losing ways, the Cubs are one of America's favorite teams, with a relentless following, and a roster packed with fantasy options.

#1 Overall Chicago Cubs: Alfonso Soriano (LF) - Fantasy Baseball 2009

2008 Stats: .280 BA, 29 HR, 27 2B, 75 RBI, 19 SB, 76 RS

Soriano missed a good deal of playing time due to injury in 2008, but he made the most of his time when on the field, putting up 29 home runs and 75 RBI in just 109 games. A healthy season would do both him and you wonders, and he should be considered a second or third round selection in this year's draft. He's likely to remain a threat in the power and stolen base department again in 2009, putting up a line of .275, 38 home runs, and 70 RBI out of the leadoff spot in Chicago.

#2 Overall Chicago Cubs: Aramis Ramirez (3B) - Fantasy Baseball 2009

2008 Stats: .284 BA, 27 HR, 44 2B, 111 RBI, 97 RS

There are a few pundits who would list Derrek Lee higher on the list than Aramis Ramirez, but not this one. Ramirez has hit 25 or more home runs in six consecutive seasons, and driven in 100 or more runs in five of those, making him one of the more consistent producing third basemen in the league. Keep him on your radar in the fifth round and look for him to give you a season of .300, 35 home runs, and 110 RBI.

#3 Overall Chicago Cubs: Carlos Zambrano (SP) - Fantasy Baseball 2009

2008 stats: 14 Wins and 6 Losses, 3.91 ERA, 1.293 WHIP, 130 SO

As fiery as he is on the mound, you have to wonder if Zambrano would perform at such a high level without that energy driving him. He's has a few injury scares over the last few seasons, but they were mild, and until you hear the magic words saying injury alert, there is no reason to steer clear. The only major concern to have is his drop in strikeouts in each of the last three seasons. Still, he's liable to contribute a season of 14-18 wins, an ERA under 4.00, and close to 180 strikeouts if healthy.

#4 Overall Chicago Cubs: Derrek Lee (1B) - Fantasy Baseball 2009

2008 Stats: .291 BA, 20 HR, 41 2B, 90 RBI, 8 SB, 93 RS

A Triple Crown threat in 2005, Lee is a ghost of his former self these days, but still a solid option at first base. He still hits for average, with occasional power, but that seems to have drifted down to the 20-25 home run range rather than the 46 he hit in 2005. He's also seemingly determined that he no longer needs to steal bases, taking away another benefit from the past. There are better options out there, but you should feel good about landing him if you do late in the draft. He'll put together a season near .300, with 20 home runs and 85 RBI.

#5 Overall Chicago Cubs: Geovany Soto (C) - Fantasy Baseball 2009

2008 Stats: .285 BA, 23 HR, 35 2B, 86 RBI, 66 RS

23 home runs, 86 RBI, and a .285 batting average isn't too shabby for a catcher, let alone a rookie. That stellar batting line was the primary reason why Soto was rewarded with the National League Rookie of the Year in 2008 and why his expectations for 2009 may be pretty high. He'll no doubt continue to hit, but the book is out there on him now and pitchers will adjust. He'll likely regress a bit, somewhere in the neighborhood of .275m 18 home runs, and 70 RBI.

Sources

MLB Standings, MLB.com

MLB Team Stats, Hitting, MLB.com

MLB Team Stats, Pitching, MLB.com

Alfonso Soriano, Baseball-Reference.com

Aramis Ramirez, Baseball-Reference.com

Carlos Zambrano, Baseball-Reference.com

Derrek Lee, Baseball-Reference.com

Geovany Soto, Baseball-Reference.com