Get ready for your 2009 fantasy baseball draft by dominating the competition with some of the best fantasy baseball rankings, projections, and tips for free. Here is a complete listing of the Top 5 Rookie Left Fielders for 2009 fantasy baseball drafts. Note: Rookie left fielder rankings are based on the potential for each player to play in 2009 or their individual major league readiness for the 2009 season, and not just overall talent at the minor league level and years beyond 2009.
Top 5 Rookie Left Fielder Rankings – Fantasy Baseball 2009
#1 – Travis Snider – Toronto Blue Jays
#2 – Matt LaPorta – Cleveland Indians
#3 – Chris Dickerson – Cincinnati Reds
#4 – Aaron Cunningham – Oakland Athletics
#5 – Michael Saunders – Seattle Mariners
Player Details & 2009 Projections:
#1 Rookie Left Fielder – Fantasy Baseball 2009: Travis Snider – Toronto Blue Jays
Snider is extremely young, just 21 entering the 2009 season, but his bat is definitely big league ready. He should split time in left field with Adam Lind, while also playing DH, and potentially even first base with that position possibly being his future full time job once Lyle Overbay is gone. With 400 plus at bats, Snider could easily post 20-30 homeruns, 80 rbi, 60 runs scored, 3-5 stolen bases, and a solid .300 batting average.
#2 Rookie Left Fielder – Fantasy Baseball 2009: Matt LaPorta – Cleveland Indians
LaPorata will be 24 years old for the 2009 season and clearly ready to be a full time big league player. If his defense in left field was better he would likely be a top option to open the season as a starter, however his defensive liabilities may push him to first base. Yet either way, LaPorta looks big league ready and should contend for 400 plus at bats for the Indians in 2009. 20-25 homeruns, 70-80 rbi, 50-60 runs scored, 3 stolen bases, and a .290 batting average are a good bet in 2009 if LaPorta does in fact notch 400 at bats.
#3 Rookie Left Fielder – Fantasy Baseball 2009: Chris Dickerson – Cincinnati Reds
After getting his first taste of the big leagues last year, Dickerson played so well that he now enters the 2009 season as the favorite to win the starting left outfield job in Cincinnati for opening day. If Dickerson bats leadoff as he did last year, his draft value will continue to rise heading into 2009 fantasy baseball drafts. With 500 plus at bats likely for Dickerson in 2009, his stats could reach 20 stolen bases, 10-15 homeruns, 100 plus runs scored, 50 rbi, and an excellent batting average around .300.
#4 Rookie Left Fielder – Fantasy Baseball 2009: Aaron Cunningham – Oakland Athletics
Cunningham managed to sneak his way onto the Athletics roster towards the end of the 2008 season, and gave a glimpse of what he can do if given some playing time. While Cunningham doesn’t have great power or speed, he does have an overall decent game with a plus .300 batting average potential. It’s very likely Cunningham makes the Athletics opening day roster and challenges for 300 at bats in 2009. He could post 5-10 homeruns, 10-15 steals, 40 runs scored, 20 rbi, and a batting average around .300 if given playing time in 2009.
#5 Rookie Left Fielder – Fantasy Baseball 2009: Michael Saunders – Seattle Mariners
With just Wladimir Balentien currently projected to be the starting left fielder in Seattle in 2009, you can bet that if Saunders has a good spring training, he will more than likely make the open day big league roster in Seattle, with the chance of even starting in left field. Given 400 at bats, Saunders could post 15-20 homeruns, 10 steals, 60 rbi, 40 runs scored, and a solid .285 batting average.
Rookie Left Fielders Just Missing the Top 5:
Chris Marrero – Washington Nationals, Lou Montanez – Baltimore Orioles, Nolan Reimold – Baltimore Orioles
