Top 5 Overall Toronto Blue Jays - Insider Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide 2009

It's a crying shame that the Blue Jays find themselves in the American League East. They are a solid ball club from top to bottom, but find themselves stuck underneath the Red Sox and Yankees, and now the upstart Tampa Bay Rays in the division. If they played in the National League, we'd be discussing how they are contenders for the crown in 2009. Instead, we talk about how much of a thorn they'll be for the front-runners. Still, the Blue Jays can surprise any team in this division and make a run if things shake out right.

#1 Overall Toronto Blue Jays: Roy Halladay (SP) - Fantasy Baseball 2009

2008 stats: 20 Wins and 11 Losses, 2.78 ERA, 1.053 WHIP, 206 SO

In a just world, Halladay would enter 2009 as the defending Cy Young award winner after a stellar 2008. Unfortunately, his fantastic season was an also-ran to Cliff Lee's huge comeback year. Still, Halladay proved that he's one of the top aces in the game. Three straight years of 16 or more wins and 220 plus innings will put you in an elite class among starting pitchers. There may be a little worry about his workload, but having the opportunity to rack up complete games in your fantasy league shouldn't make you shy away from him on draft day. Expect another year of 18-20 wins, 180 strikeouts, and a sub-3.50 ERA in 2009.

#2 Overall Toronto Blue Jays: Alex Rios (RF) - Fantasy Baseball 2009

2008 Stats: .291 BA, 15 HR, 47 2B, 79 RBI, 32 SB, 91 RS

Those of us who have waited for the emergence of Rios' power came to the slow realization that it isn't going to develop into the 30 home run threat we had hoped for. Still, his output is solid across the board otherwise, and his nearly doubling of his career high in stolen bases from 17 to 32 was a nice surprise in 2008. He's a solid fantasy contributor that can be counted on for consistent production. Bank on a year of .300, 22 home runs, 85 RBI, and 30 stolen bases from a player in the middle of his prime.

#3 Overall Toronto Blue Jays: Vernon Wells (CF) - Fantasy Baseball 2009

2008 Stats: .300 BA, 20 HR, 22 2B, 78 RBI, 4 SB, 63 RS

Wells missed significant time in 2008 due to injuries, but was generally productive when he was on the field. Extrapolated over a full season, he likely would have seen another 30 home run and 100 RBI season. Fantasy players will continue to look at him as a solid outfield option, with hopes of a repeat of his 2006 season (.303, 32 HR, 106 RBI) in their heads. A full season of Wells will likely tally you a line of .300, 25 home runs, 100 RBI, and 10 stolen bases.

#4 Overall Toronto Blue Jays: Travis Snyder (LF) - Fantasy Baseball 2009

2008 Stats: .301 BA, 2 HR, 6 2B, 13 RBI, 0 SB, 9 RS

Snyder hit 23 home runs across three minor league levels before getting a cup of coffee with the Blue Jays to close out the season, so it is easy to see where all the hype is surrounding him. Having an open spot in the outfield in Toronto will hopefully pay immediate dividends, although he may spend time platooning with Adam Lind to start the year unless he has a stellar spring training. Still, roll the dice and target him as a sleeper pick-up, hoping for a season of .270, 15 home runs, and 60 RBI as a back-up outfielder.

#5 Overall Toronto Blue Jays: Shaun Marcum (SP) - Fantasy Baseball 2009

2008 stats: 9 Wins and 7 Losses, 3.39 ERA, 1.163 WHIP, 123 SO

Marcum was well on his way to a breakout in 2008 when he went down with an arm injury and finished the season on the disabled list. His peripheral stats were impressive for a young starter through 25 starts, and there if healthy, it should be reasonable to expect him to build off of that experience. Wait for him to have a few starts to shake off the rust, then pick him up with hopes of a 12-9, 3.60 ERA, and 150 strikeout season.

Sources

MLB Standings, MLB.com

MLB Team Stats, Hitting, MLB.com

MLB Team Stats, Pitching, MLB.com

Roy Halladay, Baseball-Reference.com

Alex Rios, Baseball-Reference.com

Vernon Wells, Baseball-Reference.com

Travis Snyder, Baseball-Reference.com

Shaun Marcum, Baseball-Reference.com