We will be rolling out plenty of 2010 fantasy baseball coverage in the coming days, weeks and months, but let’s start right here with player-by-player profiles of our rough top 100 preseason rankings. Stay tuned to the site for more player profiles, draft kit information, rankings, sleepers, busts, etc. as Spring Training approaches.
Raul Ibanez, OF, Philadelphia Phillies
Overview: Consistent producer who emerged as a power threat in his first season with the Phillies … despite his fewest at-bats since 2004, managed a career-best 34 home runs … health is an issue to consider because of Ibanez’s age, but even at 37 years old, is as trustworthy as fantasy outfielders come.
2009 numbers: .272 avg., 34 HRs, 93 RBIs, 93 runs, 4 SBs in 134 games
Key splits and trends: Most of his damage was done in the first half of the season, when he hit .309 (80-for-259) with 22 HRs and 60 RBIs … a groin injury derailed his hot start, and he had a difficult time recovering … a 17-for-102 stretch throughout the summer drove his batting injury down from .307 to .272.
Strengths: Power is a plus, but intangibles are even more important; has nearly unparalleled lineup support and run production opportunities … is a proven commodity with more than a decade of fantasy success under his belt.
Weaknesses: Should be considered an injury risk, as age makes sudden erosion a possibility … isn’t particularly dynamic at the plate, either; hit just .233 with runners in scoring position.
Bold prediction for 2010: Ibanez fails to log 500 at-bats and falls short of the 30-home run mark.
