Major League Rankings

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To kick off this year’s pre-draft preparations, Fantasy Baseball Cafe has compiled a list of the top 100 major league players, with non-keeper, 5×5 roto leagues in mind. Some of the choices we made were almost too close to call. Who should be number one? The Big Unit, whose age is a concern? A-Rod, one of the best overall players at a relatively shallow position? Pedro Martinez, who would be the clear number one pick if his health weren’t an issue?

When using these rankings, please adjust not only for your league format, but above all for your own instincts. We look forward to lively discussion of the top 100 in the Cafe forums, and please check back for ranking updates as well as in-depth positional analysis.

TOP 100

1 Johnson, Randy – SP, ARI
Age is the only factor that might slow him down.
2 Rodriguez, Alex – SS, TEX
He’d be a top pick no matter what position he played; at shortstop, he should be the first hitter taken in every AL or mixed league draft. Whether A-Rod or the Big Unit is number one is mainly a matter of taste. In keeper leagues, pick Rodriguez first.
3 Helton, Todd – 1B, COL
Amazing talent, Coors Field… what more could you ask for?
4 Sosa, Sammy – OF, CHN
The best bet to break the single season home run record.
5 Bonds, Barry – OF, SF
After last season, Mr. Bonds needs no introduction.
6 Schilling, Curt – SP, ARI
If healthy, he’ll dominate again.
7 Martinez, Pedro – SP, BOS
Without his history of arm trouble, Pedro would be our number one pick. He carries more risk than any other early pick, but the rewards could be staggering.
8 Suzuki, Ichiro – OF, SEA
Ichiro can carry a team in steals and average.
9 Guerrero, Vladimir – OF, MON
The complete package. Vlad would be even higher on this list if he had a better team around him.
10 Jones, Chipper – 3B, ATL
He’ll gain of eligibility early in the season, but keeper leaguers may want to bump him down a notch or two since his 3b days seem to be over.
11 Bagwell, Jeff – 1B, HOU
Even his down years are still very, very good.
12 Piazza, Mike – C, NYN
The poster boy for positional scarcity, he’s the best at the shallowest position.
13 Giambi, Jason – 1B, NYA
If he stays healthy and doesn’t wilt under the pressure of the Big Apple, he’ll post monster numbers that might even approach Helton’s.
14 Maddux, Greg – SP, ATL
Still has enough gas in the tank.
15 Mussina, Mike – SP, NYA
Just imagine what his numbers will be if he gets some run support.
16 Alomar, Roberto – 2B, NYN
After Kent’s injury, he’s clearly number one at 2b.
17 Jeter, Derek – SS, NYA
Less valuable in fantasy baseball than in real life, he’s still very good.
18 Abreu, Bobby – OF, PHI
Will contribute in all categories.
19 Hudson, Tim – SP, OAK
The ace of a great staff.
20 Rivera, Mariano – RP, NYA
Forget the World Series – he’s still the top closer.
21 Pujols, Albert – 3B, STL
Sophomore slump? Not likely for this kid.
22 Brown, Kevin – SP, LA
Another top starter with injuries in his baggage.
23 Ordonez, Magglio – OF, CHA
Has the talent for a great career.
24 Ramirez, Manny – OF, BOS
Will be even better if Garciaparra stays healthy.
25 Kent, Jeff – 2B, SF
Could take a while to return at full strength. From now on, pay some of the neighborhood kids to wash the truck.
26 Sheffield, Gary – OF, ATL
Numbers will be solid no matter where he plays.
27 Green, Shawn – OF, LA
Starting to put it all together.
28 Delgado, Carlos – 1B, TOR
Expect a big comeback.
29 Garciaparra, Nomar – SS, BOS
Better than Jeter if healthy, but that’s a big if. Early signs are good, however.
30 Kendall, Jason – C, PIT
Back at full strength with something to prove.
31 Glaus, Troy – 3B, ANA
If he could only raise his average…
32 Gonzalez, Juan – OF, TEX
Should be happy now that he’s back in Texas. Well, maybe.
33 Berkman, Lance – OF, HOU
Lots of talent and a hitters’ park (no matter what they decide to call it in the post-Enron days). Bump him up in keeper leagues.
34 Foulke, Keith – RP, CHA
We have a hunch that Foulke will be a force for quite some time.
35 Posada, Jorge – C, NYA
Not as talented as I-Rod, but a lot safer.
36 Nen, Robb – RP, SF
Money in the bank.
37 Giles, Brian – OF, PIT
One of the most overlooked players in the majors.
38 Hoffman, Trevor – RP, SD
Lights-out talent.
39 Griffey, Ken – OF, CIN
Hasn’t been the same since leaving Seattle.
40 Tejada, Miguel – SS, OAK
Not quite up there with the big three, but getting closer.
41 Gonzalez, Luis – OF, ARI
He may not repeat last year’s numbers, but he’ll still be solid.
42 Morris, Matt – SP, STL
Healthy again and better than ever.
43 Soriano, Alfonso – 2B, NYA
If he learns plate discipline, he’ll be a star. If not, he could disappear.
44 Walker, Larry – OF, COL
Captain of the all-injured team. Have to love him when he’s healthy, though.
45 Drew, J.D. – OF, STL
Will he ever reach his potential?
46 Wagner, Billy – RP, HOU
If you draft him, picking up Dotel wouldn’t hurt.
47 Pierre, Juan – OF, COL
Not just another Coors field product, this kid’s for real.
48 Sweeney, Mike – 1B, KC
How long will he stay in Kansas City?
49 Williams, Bernie – OF, NYA
The man who defines the word solid.
50 LoDuca, Paul – C, LA
Won’t repeat last year’s surprising output, but still a good choice at catcher.
51 Sasaki, Kazuhiro – RP, SEA
Should get many save opportunities.
52 Jones, Andruw – OF, ATL
For what seems like the tenth year in a row, the experts are predicting a breakout season.
53 Wood, Kerry – SP, CHN
If his arm doesn’t break down again, he’ll be the ace on anyone’s team.
54 Rollins, Jimmy – SS, PHI
We knew he was good, but that good?
55 Oswalt, Roy – SP, HOU
Maybe pitchers can succeed in Houston after all.
56 Floyd, Cliff – OF, FLA
Another high risk / high reward player.
57 Percival, Troy – RP, ANA
Another solid season ahead.
58 Nevin, Phil – 3B, SD
Keeper leaguers take note: after this year, he’ll be a good 1b instead of a great 3b.
59 Vazquez, Javier – SP, MON
The comparisons with Pedro aren’t too far off the mark.
60 Benitez, Armando – RP, NYN
Another solid pick at closer.
61 Aurilia, Rich – SS, SF
Has surprised everyone who ignored his potential.
62 Zito, Barry – SP, OAK
After some terrible stretches early in 2001, came back to show how good he can be.
63 Klesko, Ryan – 1B, SD
Moving to the outfield won’t hurt his production.
64 Chavez, Eric – 3B, OAK
His star is rising quickly – jump on the bandwagon.
65 Boone, Bret – 2B, SEA
No, he won’t repeat last year’s monster season. He’ll still be good, though.
66 Garcia, Freddy – SP, SEA
Good pitcher, good park, good team. Good draft choice.
67 Rolen, Scott – 3B, PHI
Still in Philly, still a good choice at 3b.
68 Clemens, Roger – SP, NYA
Age will catch up with him… someday.
69 Lopez, Javy – C, ATL
The fact that Lopez makes the top 70 shows how thin catcher is.
70 Ramirez, Aramis – 3B, PIT
It happened a bit later than expected, but he’s turned into one of the brightest young stars in the game.
71 Castillo, Luis – 2B, FLA
Speed, speed, speed. Should raise his average a bit this year.
72 Smoltz, John – RP, ATL
His incentive-for-starts contract will keep him at closer.
73 Dunn, Adam – OF, CIN
Has the tools to be a star. Long-term, we like Austin Kearns even more, though.
74 Koskie, Corey – 3B, MIN
If his injury turns out to be serious, move him well down your list.
75 Mulder, Mark – SP, OAK
How did the A’s wind up with so many good starters?
76 Kile, Daryl – SP, STL
What a difference not pitching in Colorado can make…
77 Glavine, Tom – SP, ATL
No longer as spectacular as he used to be, he’ll surprise those who think he’s finished.
78 Isringhausen, Jason – RP, STL
Izzy will pick up a lot of saves this year.
79 Beckett, Josh – SP, FLA
Everybody’s favorite prospect, he may actually live up to the hype.
80 Urbina, Ugueth – RP, BOS
Why the Red Sox were looking for a closer when they have Urbina is a mystery.
81 Durham, Ray – 2B, CHA
Good stats at a tough position to fill; may improve a bit if the White Sox do as well as expected.
82 Furcal, Rafael – SS, ATL
Watch Furcal closely to see whether his injury left any lingering effects.
83 Beltran, Carlos – OF, KC
Developed nicely last year.
84 Thome, Jim – 1B, CLE
Cleveland’s lineup is no longer a powerhouse, but Thome will still make his owners happy.
85 Leiter, Al – SP, NYN
Will benefit from an improved lineup and better defense.
86 Koch, Billy – RP, OAK
Should rebound from last year’s disappointing season. Don’t expect Oakland to be patient if he stumbles, however.
87 Cruz, Jose – OF, TOR
Nice combination of speed and power.
88 Palmeiro, Rafael – 1B, TEX
Will have a good season in a powerful Rangers lineup.
89 Vidro, Jose – 2B, MON
If he played anywhere but Montreal, he’d be a household name.
90 Sexson, Richie – 1B, MIL
He’ll miss Burnitz, but Young’s presence will more than compensate.
91 Damon, Johnny – OF, BOS
Will the Lead Sox give him the green light? You know the answer to that, don’t you?
92 Lieber, Jon – SP, CHN
Solid workhorse. Doesn’t get too many headlines, so he may be undervalued in some leagues.
93 Beltre, Adrian – 3B, LA
His owners’ patience should be rewarded this year.
94 Thomas, Frank – 1B, CHA
The early favorite for comeback player of the year. More valuable in leagues where he qualifies at 1b.
95 Alou, Moises – OF, CHN
Leaving Houston hurts, but he’ll enjoy playing with Sosa.
96 Anderson, Matt – RP, DET
Won’t turn into another Todd Jones.
97 Stewart, Shannon – OF, TOR
Five-tool talent.
98 Wickman, Bob – RP, CLE
Finally Cleveland’s closer situation is clear.
99 Edmonds, Jim – OF, STL
The Cardinals are looking for good things from him again – you should too.
100 Colon, Bartolo – SP, CLE
Has the arm, but can be frustratingly inconsistent.