AL SS

Yankees: Derek Jeter
Red Sox: Alex Gonzalez
Blue Jays: Russ Adams
Devil Rays: Julio Lugo
Orioles: Miguel Tejeda

White Sox: Juan Uribe
Twins: Jason Bartlett
Indians: Jhonny Peralta
Tigers: Carlos Guillen
Royals: Angel Berroa

Angels: Orlando Cabrera
A’s: Bobby Crosby
Rangers: Michael Young
Mariners: Yusi Betancourt

A better looking group of players than AL 2B because the talent at the top is much better than its counterpart 2B. Jorge Cantu and Brian Roberts are the only flat-out studs while Michael Young, Miguel Tejeda, Jhonny Peralta, Derek Jeter, and Bobby Crosby head the SS list.

The only player on this list I want no part of come draft day is Seattle’s Yusi Betancourt. He can flat-out field but the bat is nowhere in site. He may grab 10+ SB, but the 500+ ABs of .240 will kill you. If you want a Seattle middle infielder with low AVG and double digit steals, draft Willie Bloomquist for a $1. (My assessment of Yusi was previously addressed here when I covered the Mariners.)

After Yusi, the weakest SS is Minnesota’s Jason Bartlett. However, I expect him to live-up to the 2005 pre-season hype. 10+ HR and SB are right there, and I expect very few teams to be willing to gamble a few dollars on him.

The Royals’ Angel Berroa looks like another player who has not lived-up to expectations albeit ones set himself and not the Rotocommentariat. His 2003 rookie season was Jeter-esque - 17 HR 73 RBI .287 AVG 21SB. His following ones were not horrendous (8/43/.262/14 and 11/55/.270/7), but not close to reaching the bar he set in 2003. The perception surrounding him is one of failure. I would not be surprised to see him come closer to his 2003 HR & SB totals than either of his other seasons. He is moving towards “veteran sleeper” status right now.

At the top of the heap, I like Michael Young and Miguel Tejeda the most. Both players have high AVGS in 600+ ABs with excellent HR and RBI numbers. Derek Jeter is beloved by real world baseball writers and Yankees fans, but I am not impressed with his lack of eye-popping Roto numbers. He will always be a $25+ draftee but his typical performance (15 HR 70 RBI .300 AVG 20 RBI) leaves me expecting more.