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Joey Vanzo vs. Andrew Deehr PDF Print E-mail
Debate
Written by Administrator   
Monday, 16 March 2009 00:00
If you are unfamiliar with the RULES for the is contest, you can get caught up to speed HERE.

* Spring Training scores do not count for the regular season.  This is to get everyone ready for a long season of writing.  None of the articles have been or will be modified for the staff of FantasyPros911.com.

Spring Training Week One Question:

Why Hanley Ramirez is Fantasy Baseball’s number one pick?

Joey Vanzo, the home team, will take the pro side to this debate By picking Reyes, you are chasing power.  By picking Pujols, you are chasing speed.  By picking Wright, you are left digging for a shortstop.  By picking Hanley, YOU CAN HAVE ALL THREE!

Albert Pujols, Jose Reyes, and David Wright are great centerpieces to any Fantasy Baseball team.  However, Florida Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez should be the top pick in all leagues.  Let's break it down by category and see whats in store for Han-Ram in 2009.

Batting Average:

Han-Ram has posted BAs of .292, .332, and .301 in his first three seasons.  His BABIPs have been high averages of .366, .390, and .379 in those same years.  On the surface, these may seem tough to repeat.  But after three straight seasons, its time to call it a skill.  Throw in the fact that Hanley's walk rate has jumped from 7.5% to 13.5% over the last two and I see no reason why Ramirez won't hit between .310 and .325 in 2009.  

Homeruns:

Ramirez's homeruns have increased every season he has played in the bigs.  The 17 he hit his rookie season rose to 29 in year two and to a career high of 33 in 08.  His isolated power last year was higher than more perceived sluggers Matt Holliday, Josh Hamilton, and top pick candidate David Wright.  The power is for real.  Survey says 35 big-flies for Han-Ram in 2009.

RBIs:

RBIs are without a doubt Hanley's biggest question mark as he posted a paltry 67 after a respectable 81 in 2007.  Moving to the #3 spot in the order should help him bump those totals into the 90's this season.  After all, Mike Jacobs, Dan Uggla, and Jorge Cantu all eclipsed that number playing in South Beach a season ago.

Stolen Bases:

Hanley's steal totals may dip slightly with the move to the 3 hole.  However, Ramirez should be a safe bet for 30 bags with his great speed and as often as he reaches base.  And remember--there is major upside here.  Hanley stole 51 bases in each of his first two seasons.  

Runs:

Han-Ram has crossed home plate 119, 125, and 125 times over the last three seasons.  This is more than Jose Reyes in each season over the same time period.  With his OBP hitting the magic .400 mark in 2008, expect more of the same.

You cannot go wrong building your team around Jose Reyes, Albert Pujols or David Wright with the top pick in 2009.  But the bottom line is that First Base is the deeper than the power alleys at old RFK Stadium, Wright is only guaranteed to outperform Hanley in one category, and Jose Reyes does not offer the statistical balance that Ramirez brings to the table.  Give me Hanley's .315-35-90-30-115 line and I do not have to chase other categories later in the draft.  Instead, I can draft the best overall player and watch him blossom into the clear-cut number 1 heading into 2010.

Before you vote read Andrew Deehr's con side
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written by Josh Billington, March 19, 2009
Joey sold me on Hanley Ramirez. Whenever you see the argument on paper, accompanied with the position scarcity at SS, Hanley is clearly the man. Thanks, Joey Vanzo. I hope I get the first pick in my draft, now.
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Statistics
written by nathanginder, March 16, 2009
Statistics are what make fanball what it is. Not only are there plenty of numbers here, but there are also all the statistical categories needed to evaluate Han-Ram. I would love to have the 35 big-flies and 30 bags to build my team on. Keep up the colorful vocab.
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no contest
written by bryne willey, March 16, 2009
Vanzo's article was more enjoyable to read, was well organized, and had the stats to back up his arguments.
A fantasy article has to be able to get info out concise and quickly, while still being entertaining and this article had it tenfold when compared to his opponent.
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Nice Job
written by tonycincotta, March 16, 2009
Loved the layout, easy read, nothing but the facts.
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written by patrick dicaprio, March 16, 2009
this was an excellent job--easily the best i have seen so far! i havent read them all yet though but very nice job so get your pals over here to vote to make sure you dont lose.

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