Fantasy baseball is gearing up for another season and with that serious owners are thinking about their top picks. There is serious talent in the shortstop position and thus there are several potential keeper players out there.
Shortstop Keeper #1: Jose Reyes (Mets)
2008 was a great season for Jose Reyes. He seemed to really mature during the 08 season with the Mets and his more serious attitude proved to do great things for his game. He had a 200-hit season, broke the Mets’ stolen base record with his 282nd career stolen bases and batted a .297.
Coming of the 2008 season Reyes seems to have adopted his new take on baseball and likely will have a season that rivals 08 in 2009. He is an exciting player who still has a bit more room to grow. He is absolutely a keeper pick.
Shortstop Keeper #2: Troy Tulowitzki (Rockies)
I’ve already named Troy Tulowitzki is a great shortstop and now I’m willing to bet he will be a top keeper. Tulowitzki had some trouble in 2008 with injuries, but he still managed and acceptable season. In 2009 owners can expect Tulowitzki to fight back and make it a real season to remember. It seems like his injuries are done for now and if he stays healthy for 2009 he will likely have a real breakout season. As of now all seems well with Tulo, so he remains a top keeper prospect.
Shortstop Keeper #3: Jimmy Rollins (Phillies)
Jimmy Rollins is the golden boy of the hour and his 2009 season will likely continue on a roll from 2008 making him a prime keeper candidate. Rollins had 76 runs and 59 RBIs in 2008 with a batting average of .277. His stolen base count is what made him great in 2008 and it”ll hold steady in 2009, Rollins has great speed.
As for 2009 Rollins will likely improve his batting average a bit, but not by leaps and bounds. He will stay consistent.
Shortstop Keeper #4:Hanley Ramirez (Marlins)
Hanley Ramirez has been impressive since his rookie year in 2006. He has also risen to the occasion and become the face of a franchise at the tender age of 25. He likely will be to the Marlins what Jeter is to the Yankees.
Last year Ramirez batted a 301 and has a career batting average of .306. In 2008 he had 177 hits and 125 runs, 67 RBIs and 33 home runs.
He has improved in the last 3 years in home runs and likely will continue to improve in the 2009 season. He will likely come in with over 30 homers this year and keep his batting average of .300. Overall he is an extremely solid keeper pick.
Shortstop Keeper #5: Derek Jeter (Yankees)
Derek Jeter has been the talk of New York for years and while his game has suffered as he has aged he is still a solid player with great instincts and natural talent. Jeter is as much a part of New York as anything else and his consistent on the field and at the plate makes him a keeper.
In 2008 Jeter batted a .300 with 69 RBIs and 88 runs. His home run count has slid for several years now so owners shouldn’t grab Jeter with the expectations of a home run king but he’s an all around solid player who will put up another .300 season.
