Top 5 Overall Texas Rangers - 2009 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide

Now here is a tough task. The Rangers finished second in the American League West in 2008, but they did so some twenty-one games behind the champion Angels. Most of their problems continue to fall on the fact that they have yet to build a solid pitching staff, something that new team president Nolan Ryan will look to address, just not this year. That being said, if you are looking for pitching option for your fantasy team, you need to keep moving.

#1 Overall Texas Rangers: Josh Hamilton (CF) - Fantasy Baseball 2009

2008 Stats: .304 BA, 32 HR, 35 2B, 130 RBI, 9 SB, 98 RS

2008 was another chapter in the great comeback story of Josh Hamilton. He picked up where injuries cut him short in 2007 with a season that was almost MVP worthy and saw him win the Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game. With a full season under his belt and the fact that he plays his home games in a hitter friendly environment in Arlington, 2009 should shape up to be even better for Hamilton. Expect an increase in home runs to about 35, with a .300 batting average and 120 RBI's.

#2 Overall Texas Rangers: Michael Young (3B/SS) - Fantasy Baseball 2009

2008 Stats: .284 BA, 12 HR, 36 2B, 109 RBI, 10 SB, 102 RS

2008 marked the first time in six seasons that Young failed to hit over .300 or collect 200 hits. Still, for a shortstop, he still put up respectable numbers at the top of the Rangers line-up and should continue to do so again in 2009. Keep an eye on a building rift though regarding a proposed move to third base for Young in order to make room for Elvis Andrus at short. Young's not too keen on the idea and it may weigh heavily on him this season. Regardless, he's good for a repeat of 2008, with the possible return to his steady numbers if things shake out well.

#3 Overall Texas Rangers: Ian Kinsler (SP) - Fantasy Baseball 2009

2008 Stats: .284 BA, 12 HR, 36 2B, 109 RBI, 10 SB, 102 RS

Kinsler missed a little bit of time in 2008 due to an injury that cut his season short, but he's said to be fully recovered coming into 2009. That being said, his numbers in 2008 were a sign of things to come and showed his growth as a player. He's likely to continue to build on those numbers at the age of 27. A season in the range of .305, 24 home runs, and 85 RBI would be a nice gift from a second baseman, but keep an eye on his health, because he is yet to play a full season in the big leagues.

#4 Overall Texas Rangers: Chris Davis (1B) - Fantasy Baseball 2009

2008 Stats: .285 BA, 17 HR, 23 2B, 55 RBI, 1 SB, 51 RS

A fantastic mid-season pick-up in 2008, Davis showed some serious power flashed in just an 80 game audition. Extrapolated over a full season, Davis could rank right up there among the top hitting first basemen in the game. For now though, stash him away on your sleeper list and hope that he falls to you late in the draft. If he does, you could get credited with a low cost season of .275, 35 home runs, and 100 RBI. Not too bad for a sleeper.

#5 Overall Texas Rangers: David Murphy (LF) - Fantasy Baseball 2009

2008 Stats: .275 BA, 15 HR, 28 2B, 74 RBI, 7 SB, 64 RS

Murphy is a decent ball player, but you shouldn't need to fall back on a player that should be a fourth outfielder on most teams as the number five fantasy player on the entire team. Don't get me wrong though, he had solid fantasy value, but mostly on a salary cap level, where his low price rewarded thrifty spenders. However, in a draft and trade league, Murphy would probably be nothing more than an injury replacement. Don't look for much improvement on his 2008 numbers, even if he stays healthy for a full season.

Sources

MLB Standings, MLB.com

MLB Team Stats, Hitting, MLB.com

MLB Team Stats, Pitching, MLB.com

Josh Hamilton, Baseball-Reference.com

Michael Young, Baseball-Reference.com

Ian Kinsler, Baseball-Reference.com

Chris Davis, Baseball-Reference.com

David Murphy, Baseball-Reference.com