Ortiz, Kemp offer hitting help no matter their position

Position-By-Position Rankings C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF | DH/UT | SP | RP

Projected 2008 Stats Rank Player BA R HR RBI SB 1 David Ortiz .282 109 35 119 6 2 Matt Kemp .296 82 21 77 19 3 Torii Hunter .284 81 20 87 17 4 Travis Hafner .274 92 28 97 2 5 Jason Bay .266 91 26 84 9 6 Vladimir Guerrero .311 93 22 102 6 7 Shane Victorino .283 87 14 61 25 8 Adam Jones .273 83 23 84 12 9 Jim Thome .267 72 29 79 1 10 Bobby Abreu .301 87 23 96 5 SLEEPER Billy Butler .290 77 18 85 3 BUST Jose Vidro .282 54 5 50 2 NOTE: Draft rankings are based on BP's Player Forecast Manager software (PFM), and assume a standard rotisserie 5x5 format with no keepers. Rankings customized to your league's rules, including dollar values for auction-based drafts, are available to Baseball Prospectus subscribers. These projections account for a player's projected injury risk and playing time, as well as contextual factors such as the strength of his teammates and his position in the batting order. PECOTA is human and its rankings are not always perfect. Well, actually it's a computer. But we have commented when we think its valuations have gone astray.

By Joe Sheehan, BaseballProspectus.com

Most fantasy leagues have a spot for DHs or an extra hitter. Here's the best of the guys not listed in the other categories. Don't be afraid to double up on a position, especially in the outfield, if the right guy is there in a middle round.

1. David Ortiz

Big Papi is still a huge power source, worth a high pick even though he locks up your utility slot. He's not going to hit .332 again, but if Jacoby Ellsbury turns out to be real, he might drive in 150 runs.

2. Matt Kemp

The barrier to Kemp putting up great fantasy stats is merely opportunity, as he could lose playing time unnecessarily to Juan Pierre. If he plays, he's a five-category stud.

3. Torii Hunter

Coming off the two best seasons of his career, Hunter moves west for $90 milllion over five years. He could run more under manager Mike Scioscia, although some of the value will be lost to a tougher home park.

4. Travis Hafner

Up in 2006, down in '07, the two years together look just like Hafner's averages in '04-05. Like Ortiz, he has only DH-eligibility, so watch your roster management if you pick him.

5. Jason Bay

Bay played through a sore knee last season that affected every part of his game. His decision to forego surgery means the risk of another injury-plagued season is significant.

6. Vladimir Guerrero

Leg problems have taken a toll on Vlad, although it shows up more in his defense and baserunning than his batting stats.

7. Shane Victorino

A surprising source of speed last season, Victorino enters '08 as the No. 2 hitter and center fielder for the Phillies, so he should score a ton of runs.

8. Adam Jones

The prize prospect in the Erik Bedard trade, Jones brings speed and power to Camden Yards, and will be a top candidate for AL Rookie of the Year.

9. Jim Thome

With 500 homers behind him, Thome keeps grinding out power, although he is something of a two-trick pony at this point, and like Ortiz and Hafner, just a DH.

10. Bobby Abreu

Abreu still brings speed, and his high OBP batting in front of Alex Rodriguez makes him a terrific source of runs as well.

Sleeper: Billy Butler

While Alex Gordon was disappointing, Butler came up at midseason and flashed a big-time bat. Butler is the classic low-profile-on-bad-team player who can win you a title.

Bust: Jose Vidro

He hit .300 last year for the first time since '03, yet didn't have an OBP or SLG above .400. That's the mark of a fantasy killer. Don't be there when he drops back to .280.

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