Dan Aaronson's Fantasy Corner: 2006 Fantasy Baseball Player Rankings

=Fantasy Corner= by Dan Aaronson

With pitchers and catchers reporting in less than a month, it's time for some early fantasy baseball player rankings. Updates and analysis will follow soon.

NOTE: These rankings factor in players' short-term keeper value.

Catchers
1. Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins 2. Victor Martinez, Cleveland Indians 3. Jason Varitek, Boston Red Sox 4. Javy Lopez, Baltimore Orioles 5. Michael Barrett, Chicago Cubs 6. Ivan Rodriguez, Detroit Tigers 7. Ramond Hernandez, Baltimore Orioles 8. Jason Kendall, Oakland Athletics 9. Mike Lieberthal, Philadelphia Phillies 10. A.J. Pierzynski, Chicago White Sox

First Basemen
1. Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals 2. Derrek Lee, Chicago Cubs 3. Mark Teixeira, Texas Rangers 4. Lance Berkman, Houston Astros 5. Todd Helton, Colorado Rockies 6. Adam Dunn, Cincinnati Reds 7. Carlos Delgado, New York Mets 8. Paul Konerko, Chicago White Sox 9. Richie Sexson, Seattle Mariners 10. Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies

Second Basemen
1. Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies 2. Alfonso Soriano, Washington Nationals 3. Chone Figgins, Los Angeles Angels 4. Marcus Giles, Atlanta Braves 5. Jeff Kent, Los Angeles Dodgers 6. Rickie Weeks, Milwaukee Brewers 7. Jorge Cantu, Tampa Bay Devil Rays 8. Tadahito Iguchi, Chicago White Sox 9. Brian Roberts, Baltimore Orioles 10. Placido Polanco, Detroit Tigers

Third Basemen
1. David Wright, New York Mets 2. Aramis Ramirez, Chicago Cubs 3. Eric Chavez, Oakland Athletics 4. Morgan Ensberg, Houston Astros 5. Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves 6. Troy Glaus, Toronto Blue Jays 7. Hank Blalock, Texas Rangers 8. Melvin Mora, Baltimore Orioles 9. Adrian Beltre, Seattle Mariners 10. Nomar Garciaparra, Los Angeles Dodgers

Shortstops
1. Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia Phillies 2. Miguel Tejada, Baltimore Orioles 3. Michael Young, Texas Rangers 4. Jose Reyes, New York Mets 5. Rafael Furcal, Los Angeles Dodgers 6. Bobby Crosby, Oakland Athletics 7. Julio Lugo, Tampa Bay Devil Rays 8. Felipe Lopez, Cincinnati Reds 9. Clint Barmes, Colorado Rockies 10. Khalil Greene, San Diego Padres