Top 5 Overall Texas Rangers - Insider Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide 2009

The Texas Rangers had one of the most electrifying offenses in all of baseball last season that put up a lot of runs. A lot of runs means their roster is full of a ton of great fantasy baseball prospects. Here is a look at the five best fantasy baseball players on the Texas Rangers.

1. Josh Hamilton

2. Ian Kinsler

3. Michael Young

4. Vicente Padilla

5. Jarrod Saltalamacchia

#1 Overall Texas Ranger: Josh Hamilton, Outfield

There's no real doubt about this one. Hamilton will likely be the first overall pick in a lot of fantasy baseball drafts this year, and for good reason. One potential area for concern is that Milton Bradley is no longer protecting Hamilton in the Rangers lineup, so Hamilton's numbers may dip a little from his big year last year, while his walk numbers increase exponentially.

#2 Overall Texas Ranger: Ian Kinsler, Second Base

Kinsler is maybe the most valuable second basemen in all of baseball. He can do it all from the plate. He gets on base a lot, meaning Josh Hamilton should be driving him in frequently, but still hits with enough power that he should easily have 20 HRs and 80 RBIs this season. He should be the first second baseman drafted in your fantasy draft.

#3 Overall Texas Ranger: Michael Young, Shortstop/Third Base

The Rangers have been discussing moving Young to third base in order to get a young prospect at short. His fantasy value dimishes greatly if this happens because Young's offensive numbers are above average for a shortstop, but below average for a third baseman. Still, he should see enough games at short this season to be listed at that position, making him a nice play later in your draft.

#4 Overall Texas Ranger: Vicente Padilla, Starting Pitcher

The Rangers' pitching last season was an absolute mess, but Padilla managed to end up with 14 wins despite an ERA of 4.74. Wins can be a flukey stat, but the Rangers offense should put up runs in front of him, and Padilla should be able to pitch well enough to at least reach double digits in win total again this year.

#5 Overall Texas Ranger: Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Catcher/First Base/Designated Hitter

Big things have been expected from Saltalamcchia since being traded over from Atlanta and so far, he hasn't been able to produce. He'll have to earn the job from Texas' other catcher, Taylor Teagarden, but at the very least, Saltalamacchia should see a lot of at-bats against right-handed pitching, which he hits fairly well, making him a nice situational play on your fantasy team at the catcher position.