Posted by Mike Caprio March 6, 2009

Right Field has been manned by some of the biggest power hitters of all-time.  Looking at 2009, however, there appears to be a chasm between those on their way out and those on their way in.

If you take a look at this year’s crop of 2009 Keepers in Right Field you’ll see what I mean.  With the emerging of talent of Jay Bruce and Justin Upton, against the health issues that surround perennial fantasy superstar Vladimir Guerrero, you’ll see that there are two ways to go here.  For my money I’d rather go young and build on promise, than on 2-3 years of production from an aging veteran.

1.  Nick Markakis (Age:25)-2008 Stats.- .306 Avg, 20 HR, 87 RBI, 10 SB, .406 OBP, .491 SLG, 897 OPS

Markakis has improved his patience and power in each of his first 3 seasons in Baltimore.  The presence of Matt Wieters, sophomore Adam Jones, Brian Roberts, with the resurgence Aubrey Huff in the lineup should improve his run production numbers.

2.  Vladimir Guerrero (Age: 33/34?)-2008 Stats.- .303 Avg, 27 HR, 91 RBI, 5 SB, .365 OBP, .521 SLG, 886 OPS

Vlad the Impaler is the oldest 33 year old outfielder in Major League Baseball.  His back appears to be completely contorted when he is in the field.  However, at the plate he is still a force, though a bit off his career averages in power and patience in ‘08.  Losing a half a season of Teixeira will likely hurt his protection in the lineup; however, the addition of Abreu should help increase the runners in scoring position when he steps to the plate.

3.  Jay Bruce (Age:22)-2008 Stats.- .254 Avg, 21 HR, 52 RBI, 4 SB, .314 OBP, .453 SLG, 767 OPS

Bruce joined the Reds with extremely high expectations and did a reasonable job of deflecting any criticism late in the season and enters 2009 with a PECOTA projection of .283 28 HR, 90 RBI.  He should be an All-Star fixture for the next 10 Years.

4.  Jermaine Dye (Age: 35)-2008 Stats.- .292 Avg, 34 HR, 96 RBI, 3 SB, .344 OBP, .541 SLG, 885 OPS

Jermaine Dye is one of the more undervalued players in fantasy baseball.  An Outfielder that averages (300, 30, 100) would be someone at the Top of most Fantasy draft boards, but in a Keeper League his projected value starts to drop beyond 2010.

5.  Justin Upton (Age:21)-2008 Stats.- .250 Avg, 15 HR, 42 RBI, 1 SB, .353 OBP, .463 SLG, 816 OPS

The younger Upton has been a favorite “sleeper” among baseball prognosticators to have a “breakout” year in 2009.  Upton’s PECOTA forecast shows improvement across the board in his Age 21 season.  Daryl Strawberry is among his Top 3 Comps (less the drugs and strippers hopefully), meaning he might have Hall of Fame talent if he can keep it all together.

6.  Hunter Pence (Age:26)-2008 Stats.- .269 Avg, 25 HR, 83 RBI, 11 SB, .318 OBP, .466 SLG, 784 OPS

In 108 games in his rookie season of 2007, Pence exceeded Houston’s wildest expectations with an 899 OPS and 246 Total Bases.  Last year he fell back to Earth in his first full season, but PECOTA sees a rebound in his batting average(.286 24, 86 RBI), and expects his 2008 power numbers to stay reasonably intact.

7.  Corey Hart (Age:27)-2008 Stats.- .268 Avg, 20 HR, 91 RBI, 23 SB, .300 OBP, .459 SLG, 859 OPS

Hart finally was able to wrestle a full time role in 2007 and the Brewers were rewarded with an OPS of nearly 900 and 23 Stolen Bases.  Last year in more games, Hart regressed a bit, but entering his Age 27 season, he will be entering his prime and locked in Right Field for the foreseeable future at Miller Field.

8.  Bobby Abreu (Age:35)-2008 Stats.- .296 Avg, 20 HR, 100 RBI, 22 SB, .371 OBP, .471 SLG, 842 OPS

Abreu gets very little love.  Over his 13 seasons his consistency should be commended.  His career line of .300 22 HR, 98 RBI, 29 SB (903 OPS) is not easily attained by any outfielder in baseball.  I would expect similar production over the course of the next three years, but be careful not commit beyond that.

9.  Magglio Ordonez (Age:35)-2008 Stats.- .317 Avg, 21 HR, 103 RBI, 1 SB, .376 OBP, .494 SLG, 870 OPS

Magglio’s 2007 was off the charts and led to a runner up for MVP.  Entering his Age 35^th season PECOTA sees a regression in performance overall. (.296 17 HR, 81 RBI) and personally I would be weary of entering into a long term commitment.

10.  Brad Hawpe (Age:30)-2008 Stats.- .283 Avg, 25 HR, 85 RBI, 2 SB, .381 OBP, .498 SLG, 879 OPS

Hawpe is an interesting case in hitting at Coors Field, in that his numbers aren’t drastically impacted by Coors Field.  14 of his 25 Home Runs were hit at home, but his inter division road numbers are solid.  Hawpe did lose significant production in the lineup with the loss of Matt Holliday to the American League, that should impact his run production in 2009, but he is a solid Right Fielder for all fantasy formats.

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