Fantasy Baseball 2006

Year in Review
Who is Ryan Howard and where did he come from? That is an excellent way to summarize the ’06 MLB season. Howard proved to be special, as did Albert Pujols. He was able to start on record HR pace until a back injury derailed him for about a month. If it weren’t for that, perhaps Albert would have had a shot at 73. You never know.

Batting

AVG

• Joe Mauer (Min) – 0.347

It’s n* wonder the Twins were s* ready t* get rid of AJ Pierzynski a couple years ago, they had Mauer waiting in the wings at catcher. Also, he was dating Miss America last year, don’t you forget it!

• Derek Jeter (Nyy) – 0.344

The Yankee captain realized that being on base is more important than swinging for the fences and driving people in. As solid a #2 hitter you’ll find when you’re batting .344.

• Freddy Sanchez (Pit) – 0.344

What a gem the Pirates discovered in this kid. Led the NL in batting in only his 2nd year of duty.

• Robinson Can* (Nyy) – 0.342

Since when d* Yankees hit for average? Can* was a mere 2 batting pts behind Jeter, talk about middle infielders that can rake!

• Miguel Cabrera (Fla) – 0.339

The Kevin Garnett of the MLB (toiling in mediocrity) showed once again why he’s one of the most feared hitters in baseball. To* bad there’s nobody else t* support him.

• Brian McCann (Atl) – 0.333

One of the bright young stars at catcher (along with Mauer). A solid contact hitter.

• Albert Pujols (Stl) – 0.331

We’ve come t* expect this from Albert, maybe a bit dissapointed. He should win the Triple Crown one of these years.

• Miguel Tejada (Bal) – 0.330

Miggy! Miggy! Miggy! Still played hard and made every AB count.

• Garrett Atkins (Col) – 0.329

Another diamond in the rough, fantasy managers were very pleased at Atkins consistency at the plate.

• Vladimir Guerrer* (Laa) – 0.329

Big Bad Vlad. Swings at virtually every pitch, you wouldn’t expect him t* be in the league leaders for average. Seemingly, he’s up there every year though!

HRs

• Ryan Howard (Phi) – 58
• David Ortiz (Bos) – 54
• Albert Pujols (Stl) – 49
• Alfons* Sorian* (Was) – 46
• Lance Berkman (Hou) – 45
• Jermaine Dye (Cws) – 44
• Jim Thome (Cws) – 42
• Travis Hafner (Cle) – 42
• Andruw Jones (Atl) – 41
• Carlos Beltran (Nym) – 41

RBIs

• Ryan Howard (Phi) – 149
• David Ortiz (Bos) – 137
• Albert Pujols (Stl) – 137
• Lance Berkman (Hou) – 136
• Justin Morneau (Min) – 130
• Andruw Jones (Atl) – 129
• Raul Ibanez (Sea) – 123
• Alex Rodriguez (Nyy) – 121
• Jermaine Dye (Cws) – 120
• Garrett Atkins (Col) – 120

Runs

• Grady Sizemore (Cle) – 134
• Chase Utley (Phi) – 131
• Carlos Beltran (Nym) – 127
• Jimmy Rollins (Phi) – 127
• Jose Reyes (Nym) – 122
• Alfons* Sorian* (Was) – 119
• Matt Holliday (Col) – 119
• Hanley Ramirez (Fla) – 119
• Albert Pujols (Stl) – 119
• Derek Jeter (Nyy) – 118

Stolen Bases

• Jose Reyes (Nym) – 64
• Juan Pierre (Chc) – 58
• Carl Crawford (TB) – 58
• Chone Figgins (Laa) – 52
• Hanley Ramirez (Fla) – 51
• Dave Roberts (SD) – 49
• Corey Patterson (Bal) – 45
• Ichir* Suzuki (Sea) – 45
• Felipe Lopez (Was) – 44
• Alfons* Sorian* (Was) – 41

Pitching

ERA

• Johan Santana (Min) – 2.77
• Roy Oswalt (Hou) – 2.98
• Chris Carpenter (Stl) – 3.09
• Brandon Webb (Ari) – 3.10
• Roy Halladay (Tor) – 3.19
• CC Sabathia (Cle) – 3.22
• Bronson Arroy* (Cin) – 3.29
• Carlos Zambran* (Chc) – 3.41
• Chris Young (SD) – 3.46
• John Smoltz (Atl) – 3.49

Wins

• Johan Santana (Min) – 19
• Chien-Ming Wang (Nyy) – 19
• Jon Garland (Chw) – 18
• Randy Johnson (Nyy) – 17
• Justin Verlander (Det) – 17
• Kenny Rogers (Det) – 17
• Freddy Garcia (Chw) – 17
• Brandon Webb (Ari) – 16
• John Smoltz (Atl) – 16
• Josh Beckett (Bos) – 16

Strikeouts

• Johan Santana (Min) – 245
• Aaron Harang (Cin) – 216
• Jake Peavy (SD) – 215
• John Smoltz (Atl) – 211
• Carlos Zambran* (Chc) – 210
• Jeremy Bonderman (Det) – 202
• John Lackey (Laa) – 190
• Brett Myers (Phi) – 189
• Javier Vazquez (Chw) – 184
• Bronson Arroy* (Cin) – 184

Saves

• Francisc* Rodriguez (Laa) – 47
• Trevor Hoffman (SD) – 46
• Bobby Jenks (Chw) – 41
• Billy Wagner (Nym) – 40
• BJ Ryan (Tor) – 38
• Todd Jones (Det) – 37
• Huston Street (Oak) – 37
• Joe Borowski (Fla) – 36
• Joe Nathan (Min) – 36
• JJ Putz (Sea) – 36