I’ve thrown darts, um, I mean predicted the outcome of each of the divisions as well as the World Series. Now it’s time to peer into the future and reveal individual player accomplishments for the baseball season ahead. I’ve broken my forecast down into three main categories: league leaders, a preseason All-Fantasy team, and the end of the year award-winners.
League Leaders – these are the guys whom I forecast will lead their respective leagues in the major statistical categories…
Wins
AL – Justin Verlander, Tigers
NL – Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks
ERA
AL – Felix Hernandez, Mariners
NL – Johan Santana, Mets
WHIP
AL – Roy Halladay, Blue Jays
NL – Johan Santana, Mets
Strikeouts
AL – C.C. Sabathia, Indians
NL – Johan Santana, Mets
Saves
AL – Jon Papelbon, Red Sox
NL – Manny Corpas, Rockies
Batting Average
AL – Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners
NL – Chase Utley, Phillies
Home Runs
AL – Alex Rodriguez, Yankees
NL – Prince Fielder, Brewers
RBI
AL – Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
NL – Ryan Howard, Phillies
Stolen Bases
AL – Carlos Gomez, Twins
NL – Jose Reyes, Mets
Runs
AL – Alex Rodriguez, Yankees
NL – Hanley Ramirez, Marlins
All-fantasy team – here is my position-by-position preseason All-Fantasy team for each league…
Catcher
AL – Joe Mauer, Twins
NL – Russell Martin, Dodgers
First Base
AL – Justin Morneau, Twins
NL – Ryan Howard, Phillies
Second Base
AL – Robinson Cano, Yankees
NL – Chase Utley, Phillies
Third Base
AL – Alex Rodriguez, Yankees
NL – David Wright, Mets
Shortstop
AL – Derek Jeter, Yankees
NL – Hanley Ramirez, Marlins
Outfield
AL – Carl Crawford, Rays
AL – Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners
AL – Magglio Ordonez, Tigers
NL – Matt Holliday, Rockies
NL – Alfonso Soriano, Cubs
NL – Jeff Francoeur, Braves
Starting Pitcher
AL – Justin Verlander, Tigers
NL – Johan Santana, Mets
Relief Pitcher
AL – Jon Papelbon, Red Sox
NL – Manny Corpas, Rockies
Awards – here are my prognostications of who will be taking home the hardware at the end of the season…
Rookie Pitcher of the Year
AL – Joba Chamberlain, Yankees
NL – Johnny Cueto, Reds
Rookie Hitter of the Year
AL – Evan Longoria, Rays
NL – Kosuke Fukudome, Cubs
Cy Young Award
AL – Justin Verlander, Tigers
Runner up: Felix Hernandez, Mariners
NL – Johan Santana, Mets
Runner up: Cole Hamels, Phillies
Most Valuable Player
AL – Alex Rodriguez, Yankees
Runner up: David Ortiz, Red Sox
NL – Chase Utley, Phillies
Runner up: David Wright, Mets
Filed under: Fantasy Baseball | Tagged: awards, Baseball, Fantasy Baseball, league leaders, sports
[...] know this 22-year-old flame-thrower by now. Cueto created a buzz during spring training and was my pick for NL Rookie Pitcher of the Year. He lived up to the hype on Wednesday, becoming just the third pitcher ever to win while allowing [...]