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Back in February, seven of the RotoBaller writers put together their consensus fantasy baseball rankings. Today, I'm branching out on my own to bring you RotoBaller's Top 300 for the 2015 fantasy baseball season.
There's a number of players whom I like or dislike more than the expert consensus, so I'll add in a little bit of my rankings analysis here as well. Good luck in your drafts, RotoBallers!
Editor's Note: be sure to check out our famous 2015 fantasy baseball rankings dashboard, which includes preseason rankings, analysis, and tons of rankings articles for every MLB position.
Players I Like More Than The Consensus
Troy Tulowitzki – If healthy, Tulo is farther ahead of the replacement level at his position than any other player. Reports are that he is entering this year healthier than he’s been in a while, and as a player that has no. 1 overall potential, I’m willing to take the risk.
Hanley Ramirez – Projected to bat cleanup behind Betts, Pedroia, and Ortiz, with plenty of support behind him in the lineup, Ramirez has room to put up elite numbers in a hitters’ park at a very thin shortstop position.
Manny Machado – Manny is only 22. He looks healthy this spring – stealing bases and all. Despite starting off rusty last year due to injury, he went .278/12/38/32 in half a season batting at the bottom of the order. I’m banking on Beltre-type numbers from Manny this year. You read that right. And as an Orioles fan, I have to over-rank someone.
Jacob DeGrom – DeGrom was really good last year, and I see no reason for that to change. In fact, because the Braves lost Gattis, Upton, and Jay-Hey, and the Phillies dumped Rollins and Byrd, I expect DeGrom at least to maintain his level of performance in a weaker NL East.
Jorge Soler – Soler has enormous power and makes good contact. At his age, his plate discipline and fly ball tendencies should continue to improve.
Players I Like Less Than the Consensus
Adrian Beltre – Third base is deep this year, and maybe Beltre’s age is starting to catch up to him. He’ll turn 36 around Opening Day, and his home runs dropped dramatically last year. At a deep third base position, I’d rather shy away from potential decliners.
Matt Kemp – On the wrong side of 30. Reportedly has two arthritic hips. Has not stolen double digit bases since 2011. Going to an extreme pitchers’ park. And an injury risk. There’s a chance he will sustain his late season surge from last year, but I see better options.
Kole Calhoun – Calhoun is a steady player, but is being drafted too highly. In 206 career games, he has stolen 8 bases. He has homered 25 times and hit .271. And it appears that 27 is no longer the magical peak year for players. The Angels lineup is aging and arguably worse after losing Kendrick, so his counting stats could easily decline as well.
Alex Cobb - Has battled injuries in the past, and has started the season with another. Pair that with the AL East featuring beefed-up lineups, and despite Cobb’s enormous talent, I’ll let someone else take the risk.
2015 Fantasy Baseball Rankings - Top 300
