Top 5 Overall Cincinnati Reds - Your Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide 2009

It was another disappointing year in the standings for the Cincinnati Reds in 2008, but it was a successful season nonetheless. They brought forward young talent to build the team around and saw successful results, and may well be a player in 2009 if their pitching staff comes around.

#1 Overall Cincinnati Reds: Brandon Phillips (2B) - Fantasy Baseball 2009

2008 Stats: .261 BA, 21 HR, 24 2B, 78 RBI, 23 SB, 80 RS

It took two teams and a few false starts before Brandon Phillips found a home for himself in Cincinnati. His power is exceptional for a second baseman and will continue to be playing in Great American Ballpark. But let's be fair, the only thing keeping him above Votto at this stage is the 25-35 stolen bases he'll net you on the season. Look for another year of .280, 25 home runs, 80 RBI, and 30 stolen bases in 2009.

#2 Overall Cincinnati Reds: Joey Votto (1B) - Fantasy Baseball 2009

2008 Stats: .297 BA, 24 HR, 32 2B, 84 RBI, 7 SB, 69 RS

Votto was a shining star on the Reds season in 2008, ranking among rookie leaders in home runs and RBI's on his way to finishing second in the Rookie of the Year voting. He seemingly got better as the season wore on, finding his groove again in late August and early September, giving fantasy owners a look at what to expect in 2009. This fantasy owner is putting him on the watch list, with a possible season of .305, 35 home runs, and 105 RBI within reach.

#3 Overall Cincinnati Reds: Jay Bruce (RF) - Fantasy Baseball 2009

2008 Stats: .254 BA, 21 HR, 17 2B, 52 RBI, 4 SB, 63 RS

Bruce burst onto the scene in 2008, but faded a little bit down the stretch, as would be expected with most rookies in their first campaign. He produced in the power department, as was expected, but his batting average was mediocre at best. He may have more upside in the long run than Votto, but given the example after the first season, I'd rather have Votto at this stage. Still, Bruce may likely improve on his rookie season and settle in a little better, with stats in the range of .280, 28 home runs, and 85 RBI in 2009.

#4 Overall Cincinnati Reds: Aaron Harang (SP) - Fantasy Baseball 2009

2008 stats: 6 Win and 17 Losses, 4.78 ERA, 1.383 WHIP, 153 SO

After years of being the only consistent starter on the Reds staff, Harang finally had a down year. He had a career high in losses and the second worst ERA of his career in 2008, but still put up peripheral stats that made him worth owning. He's likely to rebound in 2009, and put up stats more in line with his previous benchmarks. Look for a year of 3.80 ERA, 12-14 wins, and 190 strikeouts.

#5 Overall Cincinnati Reds: Edinson Volquez (SP) - Fantasy Baseball 2009

2008 stats: 17 Win and 6 Losses, 3.21 ERA, 1.327 WHIP, 206 SO

It figures, it took years for the Rangers to start developing a pitching prospect, and then once they do, they ship him off for another hitter. Granted, he hadn't amounted to much more than promise, but a change of scenery certainly did wonders didn't it. The 17 wins and 3.21 ERA are likely to take a bit of a hit in his sophomore season, especially after the rest of the league and playing in Great American Ballpark catches up with him. Still, count on him for 12-14 wins, an ERA near 4.00 and 180 strikeouts in 2009.

Sources

MLB Standings, MLB.com

MLB Team Stats, Hitting, MLB.com

MLB Team Stats, Pitching, MLB.com

Brandon Phillips, Baseball-Reference.com

Joey Votto, Baseball-Reference.com

Jay Bruce, Baseball-Reference.com

Aaron Harang, Baseball-Reference.com

Edinson Volquez, Baseball-Reference.com