Top 51 Players in Fantasy Baseball Right Now...

This is based upon right now --- with some appreciation toward past performance. So, alas, Pat Burrell hasn't yet cracked the top 50, even though he's one of the hottest players right now. But There's always time, Mr. Burrell, to crack the top 50...

1. Ichiro Suzuki - OF: Vaulting from #11 to #1 since our last ranking. That's what you get when you're hitting .478, stole 3 bases, have 7 runs, and the rest of the "elite" players are stinking up the joint to start the season.
2. Vlad Guerrero - OF: Just starting to turn it on...
3. Carlos Beltran - OF: So much for playing in Shea Stadium, huh?
4. Alex Rodriguez - 3B: Two stolen bases this early is a nice sign. The horrible RBI total isn't.
5. Albert Pujols - 1B: Took him long enough to finally hit his first HR of the season. Shouldn't be his last, either.
6. Miguel Tejada - SS: Come on, Miggy. Anytime you want to hit a HR, you just go ahead now, okay? Otherwise, we like your stats so far.
7. Bobby Abreu - OF: 8 runs, some nice RBI totals, at least he's been consistent, which can't be said of most players to start the season.
8. Jason Schmidt - SP: 13.0IP/16Ks/2wins...and fantastic ERA/WHIP numbers as well. #1 pitcher right now.
9. Alfonso Soriano - 2B
10. David Ortiz - 1B
11. Carl Crawford - OF: Is on pace for close to 100 steals for 2005. We doubt he'll crack 100, but that speed is why he'll linger this high on the rankings.
12. Pedro Martinez - SP
13. Derek Jeter - SS: Possibly the only "big name" SS that's hitting right now.
14. Brad Lidge - RP: Huge move in the rankings, as he's the best closer in baseball right now.
15. Aramis Ramirez - 3B
16. Manny Ramirez - OF: One of a multitude of players off to a slow start this season.
17. Todd Helton - 1B
18. Jim Thome - 1B: Could either Helton or Thome possible go homer-less all season? Yeah, we know it won't happen, but geez, come on people...
19. Johan Santana - SP: Not the greatest ERA, but he's always a slow starter.
20. Josh Beckett - SP: Better numbers than Santana right now...but Santana has history on his side, so he gets the nod ahead.
21. Carlos Zambrano - SP
22. Gary Sheffield - OF
23. Aubrey Huff - 1B/3B/OF: Nice all-around numbers so far on the season. Gotta love that eligibility at three positions.
24. Jeff Kent - 2B: Would be top 10 if he was higher last ranking...but he's rocketing up this list. Great start to the season.
25. Roger Clemens - SP: What else is new?
26. Randy Johnson - SP: Is that rust we see, or just a slow start? Time will tell.
27. Scott Rolen - 3B
28. Hideki Matsui - OF
29. Jake Peavy - SP: So much for 2004 being a fluke as some "experts" (not us) warned.
30. Adrian Beltre - 3B: Good to see some pop finally come out of his bat to match his average.
31. Joe Nathan - RP: 2nd best closer in baseball right now. Moving up the list solidly.
32. Miguel Cabrera - OF
33. Ben Sheets - SP
34. Michael Young - SS
35. Carlos Delgado - 1B: Spring Training is past him...and let's hope all his hitting troubles as well.
36. Carlos Guillen - SS: So far showing that 2004 wasn't a fluke. So far...
37. Francisco Rodriguez - RP: 3rd best closer in baseball right now, and closing fast...
38. Tim Hudson - SP: Low K totals, but solid otherwise.
39. Mark Teixeira - 1B
40. Nomar Garciaparra - SS
41. Paul Konerko - 1B
42. Jim Edmonds - OF
43. Carlos Lee - OF: He's still undervalued...except by his genius owners.
44. Jose Reyes - 2B/SS: Very solid average, still hasn't utilized his speed yet, but he will.
45. Eric Chavez - 3B: Hank Blalock is still nipping at his heels to pass him...
46. Troy Glaus - 3B: Would've been much higher if his past history wasn't so horrible at times. But he can skyrocket if he keeps this up.
47. Richie Sexson - 1B: It's a battle this year between Sexson and Glaus as to who has the bigger bounce-back year. Right now, Glaus leads.
48. Billy Wagner - RP
49. Octavio Dotel - RP
50. Jason Varitek - C: Best hitting catcher to start the season.
And Mr. 51 this week is.....
51. Pat Burrell - OF: At the top we said he didn't crack the top 50. We didn't say he didn't make the list. Can't deny that he's been the best player so far this season so far. If he reverts back to his 2002 form, then his owners are going to be ecstatic.

EXCLUDED THIS WEEK: (((the horror!!!)))
Melvin Mora (we bare knew ya)
Jimmy Rollins
Rafael Furcal
Mariano Rivera
Keith Foulke
Oliver Perez
Marcus Giles
Victor Martinez
Adam Dunn
Juan Pierre (you need to steal a base to make the list...)