Fighting Phils Phantasy Phocus

C - Rod Barajas
He's no power backstop, for sure, and he'll play just over 100 games while splitting time with Chris Coste. His R and RBI numbers aren't really tantalizing, but really good fantasy catchers (Joe Mauer, Brian McCann, Piazza) are pretty thin. However, you could do worse if you realize you haven't drafted a catcher by the 15th round; remember, someone's going to have to settle for Yadier Molina.

1B - Ryan Howard
So this is clearly your best bet when it comes to drafting Phils players. He's young (27), hit .313 last season and is the incumbent NL MVP. He's not the best first baseman in the draft (Pujols, duh) but he's damn good if you can get him. Watch out though because pitchers are much more likely to pitch around him when he gets hot. But that will help if your league manager decides to count OPS or OBP.

2B - Chase Utley
Utley is the second best second baseman out there (if Soriano is still 2B eligible in your league, that is), and hitting in front of Howard, he should see a lot to hit. He batted .309 last season, but expect that to drop a little bit. He'll score you a lot of runs though, and he'll play (well) every day. Grab him up, but more of a second or third round pick after the true power hitters are off the market.

3B - Wes Helms
Helms is a good sleeper pick, simply because he'll be getting a full season of AB's, barring injury. He'll get you some RBI's in the Phillies lineup, but won't hit over .300 and certainly won't steal any bases. A solid pick, could have a decent season overall.

SS - Jimmy Rollins
The Phillies lead-off man should get a ton of base hits and doubles, but don't expect him to continue the home run glut from the end of last season. Manuel wants him to get on base in front of Utley and Howard, so he'll score a lot of runs and his OBP should be excellent.

RF - Shane Victorino
Decent outfielder in real life, but if your league isn't very deep, don't bother. He won't put up the numbers expected from an OF position, and for as fast as he is in the field he doesn't put up the SB's. He will get some hits and runs, but that's about it.

CF - Aaron Rowand
The dude comes to play, but running through the OF wall and riding the bench for a few months won't help your fantasy value. Really between he and Victorino, take your pick. Rowand will have a few steals but not enough to really consider. Love the guy in the field but not really a fantasy stud.

LF - Pat Burrell
Dude's only 30 and still has some decent pop in his bat. That is, if he can manage to get his bat on the ball. If his eye 'thing' is all figured out and he starts reading pitches correctly, expect Burrell to top 100 both in RBI and Runs scored, and some decent HR numbers (25+). Not a bad pick considering some folks will write him off after he struggled last season.

SP - Cole Hamels
He guaranteed 20 wins not a month ago, so watch out. He had some injury problems last season but apparently has a better workout regimen and is healthier than he has ever been. He'll top 200 K's and his WHIP will be decent, but don't count on those 20 wins. Definitely a solid pick in the 5th round, but don't go higher; remember, he's still a young guy.

SP - Brett Myers
His ERA should be over 4.00, but his K's come in droves and he'll pitch 200 innings. Solid pick when the upper echelon elite are gone (Santana, Carpenter, Webb, Oswalt). He pitched better in the second half last year, after allegations that he was having some 'trouble at home.' Maybe if he pitches angry he's better. Who knows?

SP - Freddy Garcia
Remember when he was one of the horses that led the White Sox to their '05 World Series win? Yeah, he kind of dropped off after that in production. However, he's primed to pull an Arroyo-of-'06. He'll get the wins, and the K's should come back in the lighter hitting NL.

SP - Adam Eaton
Eh, the Texas to Philly transfer is injury prone and has a penchant for giving up the HR. He won't really net you any of the numbers you're looking for in a fantasy starter, so it's not worth risking a draft pick on him. Chances are he'll stay on the FA list, so keep an eye on him and snag him if he gets hot in the NL. Or don't.

SP - Jamie Moyer
Old Man Curveball's still got it, but don't expect him to keep it. He's a contact pitcher, so he'll put up less than impressive numbers in K's. He'll get the innings, but feel free to pass on him. His role is more of a mentor for Myers and Hamels. He's not going to have a breakout season, he's just going to pitch to the tune of a +4.00 ERA and 10 or so wins.

SP - Jon Lieber
Although Lieber has been moved to the bullpen, he's first in line if any of the starting 5 go down. If you plan on drafting him, expect him to work as a long reliever with starter eligibility. He won't strike out anyone, and he'll have a pretty high ERA if the past is any indication. However, he didn't want to move to the bullpen, so he'll be pitching pissed. That could bode well for at least the first month or two of the season.

RP - Geoff Geary
He'll get a few wins and K over 50 with a decent WHIP, and he'll get some decent time on the mound with the Phillies bullpen being what it is (read: crap). Not a top tier guy by any means, but he'll do you good if you forgot to draft relievers.

RP - Tom Gordon
In his second full year in the NL, Gordon should hit his stride and be fairly effective in the closer role. He'll strike out a bunch and get enough saves to make him worth drafting if you can't get yourself a K-Rod or Rivera. Excellent WHIP, decent ERA, and a few Holds to boot.