Center Field Preview: Worm Style

Written by Worm on February 24, 2006

Big draft this weekend? We’re here to help. For your edification, (whatever that means,) here is a list of the current projected starting major league center fielders for all 30 teams, in the order of their likely fantasy value for this season, as I see it. Use it at your peril! Um, I mean, at everybody else’s. Yeah.

1. Grady Sizemore, Indians
Sizemore has everything you could want in a fantasy center fielder, and he’s young. Last year he was a solid 5-category producer, the only player on this list that can make that claim, and will probably be able to make that claim again at the end of this season.

2. Jim Edmonds, Cardinals
Edmonds has the gift of raw power, which gives him instant fantasy value. He’s had a remarkable run of consistency in recent years, and has been a solid producer in every category except stolen bases. Age and injury are serious concerns for the upcoming year, however. Still, the upside is too big to ignore.

3. Andruw Jones, Braves
Jones did some things last year, you may have heard. Leading the majors in home runs is, well, a good thing if the guy is on your fantasy team. He’s also just 28. He’s had trouble with inconsistency from year to year, and may have a label as a one-category fantasy performer, but something tells me we haven’t heard the last of Andruw Jones…

4. Johnny Damon, Yankees
The big free agent signing won’t have his hair slowing him down on the bases, so expect 70-100 steals from him this year. Yeah, just kidding. Still, he’s a solid player, and should be able to put up another typical Johnny Damon season. If anything, his runs scored should probably go up this year.

5. Carlos Beltran, Mets
He’ll be ranked higher when he gets the hell off the Mets. I swear, somebody needs to check the water in Shea Stadium, something’s just not natural about that place. The potential is there for Beltran to be a monster, though. He’s not a big hitter for batting average, but can fill out the rest of your categories.

6. Randy Winn, Giants
What’s Winn doing so high on this list? Well, he hits at the top of the lineup, and does get on base, so he’ll be a big help in runs scored. His stolen bases are his biggest asset, but he won’t hurt you in the other categories. And he was the man for the Giants after being traded there last season. He is indeed a valuable fantasy player.

7. Vernon Wells, Blue Jays
Wells has shown his potential, but recently he’s been high on promise, low on performance. Still, you can do lots worse for your fantasy team, and if he puts it together and blows up while he’s on your squad, you’ll look like a genius. Just don’t count on it.

8. Juan Pierre, Cubs
Pierre is the premier stolen base threat on this list. It’s too bad he’s non-existent in two categories, homers and RBI, otherwise he’d be ranked higher than this. Still, Pierre retains excellent value as a potential top-5 base stealer.

9. Rocco Baldelli, Devil Rays
Baldelli is coming back after missing the entire 2005 season. He hopes to be ready for the start of the season, and we’ll see what kind of start he gets off to. He’s got fine potential, but he hasn’t really capitalized on it yet.

10. Kenny Lofton, Dodgers
The ancient one somehow still cracks the Top Ten on this list. His playing time has been down in recent years, but the production level, surprisingly, has remained very high. He’s still a solid base stealing threat, and could catch some people by surprise as the starting center fielder for the Dodgers. The big downside, of course, is age, and the threat of injury or a decline in performance.

11. Brady Clark, Brewers – Clark is a worthy fantasy starter, able to hit for average and steal some bags.

12. Ken Griffey Jr., Reds – Don’t get hurt out there, kid!

13. Torii Hunter, Twins – Hunter was a mixed bag before getting hurt last season, so the risk is there. Nonetheless, upwardly mobile, this pick is.

14. Brad Wilkerson, Rangers – The move to Texas should revive Wilkerson’s fantasy life. Er, value.

15. Mark Kotsay, A’s – Pretty mediocre fantasy player… well look at that, right in the middle of this list!

16. Coco Crisp, Red Sox – We’ll see how playing in Beantown works for this breakfast cereal. Don’t get too overexcited, though.

17. Eric Byrnes, Diamondbacks – If he stays healthy, maybe he can do some things.

18. Aaron Rowand, Phillies – He’d be a better player if he could hit.

19. Ryan Church, Nationals – I’m running out of throwaway remarks.

20. David DeJesus, Royals – His value is in batting average. Other numbers would be better if he wasn’t on the worst team ever invented.

21. Mike Cameron, Padres
22. Darin Erstad, Angels
23. Cory Sullivan, Rockies
24. Willy Taveras, Astros
25. Chris Duffy, Pirates
26. Jeremy Reed, Mariners
27. Curtis Granderson, Tigers
28. Corey Patterson, Orioles
29. Brian Anderson, White Sox
30. Eric Reed, Marlins

Happy drafting!

-- Written by Worm on February 24, 2006