Finally Finished

Well, the 2009 MLB season is officially over but not with a dramatic end. It took a few days and a few sleepless nights but the Philadelphia Phillies are the 2009 World Series Champions. After a long rain delay, which took days not hours, the Phillies finished the Rays off in Game 5 with World Series MVP Cole Hamels sitting on the bench after starting the game.

To me, this year seemed like a year where things, magical things, were going to happen. Starting the season in search of a Fantasy Championship, which didn't happen, I watched a young team in the AL East grow and mature into a World Series runner up. Honestly, did you think the Rays were going to take a step out of the AL East basement let alone having them reach the playoffs and walk into the World Series with a stride of pure confidence only a young true winner can bring. I was supporting the Rays through the playoffs and I was a little disappointed in their finish but after watching them, my fantasy season draft, which is only 5 months away, was truly affected.

Here are a few things I saw and you should take note of too.

Ryan Howard - Does anyone have the right to even question him? This guy may fall into slumps but when he starts connecting, this guy just flat out carries a team. Take a look at game 3/4. He had 3HRs and 6RBIs. This guy deserves a high draft pick but for owners who draft him there is a side note, you must draft a guy like Ichiro to offset the K's and low AVG.

Pat Burrell - This guy just didn't have a good World Series, 1-14, with no HRs and 1RBIs. This guy is going to find him a nice contract after this year but just watch for where he lands. His position in the 2009 draft depends on his future team. He is a career .257 hitter but gives you a nice 25-30HRs with 80-100RBIs.

Shane Victorino - Make sure to find him during the draft and take him off the board!

Brad Lidge - This guy was the epitome of domination...but don't let this fool you. Don't reach too far for him during draft day.

David Price - This is a guy you want on your team. A left handed thrower who hits mid-90's on his fastball is nothing to joke about. Look for him but remember, with his big time name, people will reach and draft him higher than he should be. This guy should be closer to the mid teens.

Rocco Baldelli - Make sure to keep his name on your draft sheet, period.

Matt Garza - Make him a 2nd/3rd starter on your team next year. I think his composure and experience gained from this World Series will be truly valuable for him and you.

I hope this is a quick guide for fantasy owners. Yes, I know that these are fairly big names in the drafts but you have to make sure you need draft these players in the right spots.

You can't win your league with your First Round Pick but you surely can lose it!

Rocco...again

Rocco Baldelli, I bet you are getting tired of me posting about him, finished his first 9 inning game while playing the field. He went 0-2 with a BB but the more important news is how he is feeling after the game.

David Price is earning his hype because he just completed 2.1 more innings at the end of a ball game. More importantly Price is showing his maturity and composure on the mound. This is a great sign for fantasy owners. If he can handle the pressures of a World Series game, during the 9th inning, he should surely be able to handle the day to day grind of a 162 game season. Ok, I won't go that far but his performance in the playoffs this year is showing me this kid might be a force to be reckon with next year.

Ryan Howard, where the fuck are you?!?!

James Shields - not a bad choice for a 3rd starter next year. Draft him in the early to mid teens.

ALCS is Over

The Rays have finally completed the ALCS and will find themselves, yet again, in unchartered territory. Their next stop will be the finest stage of all...the World Series. The young and fine tuned Rays will find themselves against the Phillies of Philadelphia.

But over the course of 7 games in the ALCS, fantasy owners should consider some numbers and players.

Baldelli - It seems like I have a man crush on this guy and well I will admit it, I do! This guy knows how to play baesball but for some odd reason the baseball gods don't seem to want him on the field...until now. After suffering through injury after injury Baldelli seems to have found a way to please the baseball gods. He had an RBI in the decisive game 7 and signs point for him to be a productive fantasy player in 2009. This guy will be a sleeper.

David Price found himself with an opportunity to cement his name on the playoffs and he came through. He closed out game 7 and seems to be on his way to a full time player in 2009. Expect fantasy owners to over reach for this guy on draft day. I try to stay away from guys like this, young/full of potential/but has proved nothing in the bigs. He has the potential to put up big numbers but don't go reaching until spring training reports come out on where he will be situated on the roster.

Matt Garza, earned the ALCS MVP, will be high on darft day if he continues his success in the playoffs. It seems like any player who stands out on the big stage finds himself drafted higher in drafts. This guy has the potential and stuff to be a dominating pitcher but don't be fooled with the playoff success. He has pitched around 320innings in his career and the extra innings he is throwing this year might spoil his 2009 season. I still think he is a solid number 3 pitcher.

Jon Lester - This guy seems to have a arm of a robot. After throwing 81 and 63 innings in 06 and 07 respectively, he went for 210.1 innings and added another 26.2 innings in the playoffs. Not sure how this will affect his 2009 performance. In my eyes, he still stands as a solid number 3, like Garza.

Pedroia had a career year in 2008 but I am not sold on this guy just yet. I see his SB total, 20, being a legit number but I am not sure he can sustain his power, 17HRs. This is where his value comes from, putting together a player who can steal 20 and bring in 15-20HRs with a .300AVG is a solid mid single round talent. If you don't have the chance to fill in the 2B with the likes of Utley or Roberts, Pedroia isn't a bad choice.