Top 5 Overall Designated Hitters - Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide 2009

Each fantasy baseball league has their own rules about the different players and what positions they are allowed to play. When you are doing your fantasy baseball draft it is important to know what the rules are so you know if and where in your lineup a designated hitter will be eligible to play. If there are spots for designated hitters then these are some the top 5 designated hitters on my fantasy baseball rankings.

#1 Overall Designated Hitter - Fantasy Baseball 2009: David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox

2008 Stats: 74 runs, 23 home runs, 89 RBI, 1 stolen base, .264 AVG

2009 Projection: 98 runs, 33 home runs, 115 RBI, 1 stolen base, .291 AVG

After last season some people are worried about taking David Ortiz in their fantasy baseball draft in 2009. Ortiz missed 53 games in 2008 and saw his home run and RBI totals drop to his lowest total since 2002. I think we've seen the end of David Ortiz hitting 50 home runs and knocking in 130 runs but he's still the highest ranked designated hitter.

#2 Overall Designated Hitter - Fantasy Baseball 2009: Pat Burrell, Tampa Bay Rays

2008 Stats: 74 runs, 33 home runs, 86 RBI, 0 stolen bases, .250 AVG

2009 Projection: 82 runs, 32 home runs, 92 RBI, 0 stolen bases, .255 AVG

The Tampa Bay Rays shocked the world last year and they've added help at the designated hitter position by signing Pat Burrell. Burrell regularly hits 30 home runs, knocks in 90 runs and draws a lot of walks. But could get even better playing now that he's playing in a league with the designated hitter. Pat also won't have to worry about playing the field and can focus 100 percent on hitting the ball.

#3 Overall Designated Hitter - Fantasy Baseball 2009: Travis Hafner, Cleveland Indians

2008 States: 21 runs, 5 home runs, 24 RBI, 1 stolen base, .197 AVG

2009 Projection: 82 runs, 25 home runs, 85 RBI, 0 stolen bases, .289 AVG

Travis Hafner was injured for over 100 games in 2008 and hit just .197 for the season. Hafner might start slow but I expect him to put together a pretty solid season.

#4 Overall Designated Hitter - Fantasy Baseball 2009: Jason Giambi, Oakland A's

2008 Stats: 68 runs, 32 home runs, 96 RBI, 2 stolen bases, .247 AVG

2009 Projection: 70 runs, 32 home runs, 98 RBI, 0 stolen bases, .256

Jason Giambi is going back to Oakland where he started his career. It looked like Jason Giami was slowing down but he still managed 32 home runs and 96 RBI in 145 games last season. Returning to Oakland might motivate Giambi to have a good season and he'll have the newly acquired Matt Holliday in his lineup too.

#5 Overall Designated Hitter - Fantasy Baseball 2009: Jim Thome, Chicago White Sox

2008 Stats: 93 runs, 34 home runs, 90 RBI, 1 stolen base, .245 AVG

2009 Projection: 70 runs, 28 home runs, 90 RBI, 0 stolen bases, .255 AVG

Thome continues to hit home runs and RBI but his strikes out are really high and his batting average, on base and slugging percentages continue to decrease.

Sources: All 2008 baseball stats were found at www.baseball-reference.com.

Other player information was found at www.mlb.com.