Fantasy Baseball Insiders

The 2007 season saw breakout campaigns from the likes of Ryan Braun, Carlos Pena, and Fausto Carmona. 2008 brought us the unlikely stories told by Josh Hamilton, Dustin Pedroia, Nate McClouth and Cliff Lee.

2009 was no different, as many players out played their draft day value, making them worthy of this year’s all-surprise team.

CATCHER – Joe Mauer

Not only was Mauer the biggest surprise at catcher in 2009, he was the very best at his position.

After totaling just 29 HR in his last three seasons combined, Mauer hit 28 bombs in 2009. The 26-year-old also knocked in 96 runs and batted .364, both of which are career highs.

What’s most impressive about Mauer’s offensive toolbox is his plate discipline. For the fourth consecutive year, the former No. 1 overall pick walked more than he struck out, leading to an incredible .442 OBP. This contributed to his astounding run total of 94, which is 23 more than the fifth highest run total among catchers.

Honorable Mention: Kurt Suzuki

FIRST BASE – Kendry Morales

Baseball America ranked Morales as the Angels’ seventh best prospect in 2006, saying he was a “mature hitter with above-average power from both sides of the plate.”

Despite his obvious talent, Morales totaled just 12 HR and a .249 batting average over his first three seasons in the big leagues.

2009 was much different, however, as the 26-year-old smashed 34 HR with 108 RBI, while batting .306.

Morales finished the season with more HR than Miguel Cabrera, and totaled more RBI than Mark Reynolds, Adrian Gonzalez, and the aforementioned Cabrera. His .306 average was better than the likes of Prince Fielder, Ryan Howard, and Mark Teixeira.

Honorable Mention: Billy Butler

SECOND BASE – Ben Zobrist

Zobrist started at every position except catcher and pitcher in 2009, though the majority of his time was spent at second base.

The former Houston Astros farmhand collected just 15 HR and a paltry .221 batting average in limited playing time during his first three seasons at the major league level.

Just like Morales, 2009 was a breakout campaign for Zobrist, as the 28-year-old hit 27 HR while driving in 91 runs and batting .297. He even stole 17 bases after totaling just seven in his three previous seasons.

I know what you must be thinking – where’s the love for Aaron Hill, right? I agonized over this decision, but after crunching some numbers, I determined Zobrist’s 2009 season was the bigger surprise.

Hill put together a very good 2007 campaign before a concussion ended his 2008 season prematurely. In addition to this, Hill’s 2009 season output (103 runs, 36 HR, 108 RBI, .286 BA) came in 181 more at-bats than Zobrist.

Honorable Mention: Aaron Hill

THIRD BASE – Pablo Sandoval

Sandoval started 147 games this season, his first full year in the big leagues. 120 of those starts came at the hot corner, making the switch-hitter an obvious pick for the surprise 3B of the 2009 fantasy season.

Kung-Fu Panda hit 25 bombs this season while driving in 90 runs and scoring 79 times. He even swiped five bases and hit an incredible .330, which was the best among starting third basemen. The 23-year-old tied Evan Longoria with 44 doubles, a mark topped by no one at the position.

Perhaps the best thing about Sandoval this season was his catcher and first base eligibility, allowing fantasy owners a great deal of flexibility. 

Honorable Mention: Casey McGehee

SHORTSTOP – Jason Bartlett

Prior to the 2009 season, Bartlett had never hit more than five HR, scored more than 75 runs, knocked in more than 43 runs, stole more than 23 bases, or hit for an average higher than .309.

Believe it or not, the 29-year-old finally enjoyed a breakout season to the surprise of most, setting career highs in runs (90), HR (14), RBI (66), steals (30), and batting average (.320).

Bartlett was arguably the fifth best shortstop in 2009, even though he went undrafted in most leagues. He out produced Rafael Furcal, Alexei Ramirez, Stephen Drew, Miguel Tejada, and Jimmy Rollins, all of who were likely drafted way ahead of him.

Honorable Mention: Troy Tulowitzki

LEFT FIELD – Adam Lind

Like most players on this list, Lind saw limited action in each of the last three seasons. From 2006 to 2008, Lind accumulated 676 at-bats and hit .270. During that time, he hit 22 HR and at times showed why Baseball America ranked him as Toronto’s No. 1 prospect in 2007.

The 26-year-old finally put it all together in 2009, raking 35 HR while driving in 114 runs. He also scored 93 times and maintained a .305 batting average, never letting it fall below .283. Lind finished the season tied with Miguel Tejada with 46 doubles, fifth most in all of baseball.

Honorable Mention: Scott Podsednik

CENTER FIELD – Michael Bourn

In 2008, Bourn showcased his blazing speed, swiping 41 bases despite batting just .229 and reaching base at a .288 clip.

2009 saw Bourn raise his batting average to .285, and his OBP to a respectable .354. This led to a whopping 97 runs and allowed him to finish second in steals with an astounding  total of 61.

His power numbers (three HR, 35 RBI) are nothing to get excited about. However, the fact that he was a consistent threat to reach base all season truly maximized his fantasy value, and was a pleasant surprise to the fantasy baseball community.

Honorable Mention: Franklin Gutierrez

RIGHT FIELD – Justin Upton

Upton took the fantasy world by storm in 2009, hitting 26 HR while batting .300. He also scored 84 runs and knocked in 86, despite playing for the offensively challenged Diamondbacks.

The former No. 1 overall pick was one of only two players in baseball this season to hit at least 25 HR, swipe 20 bases, and bat .300. And oh yea, he’s only 22 years old.

Honorable Mention: Andre Ethier

STARTING PITCHER – Javier Vazquez

Don’t get this twisted, because I’m not claiming Vazquez to be the best pitcher this season. Rather, he was 2009’s biggest surprise among starting pitchers.

Anyone who’s ever seen Zach Greinke or Felix Hernandez pitch before knew what they were capable of. Vazquez on the other hand, has always been a reliable source of strikeouts, but it’s been a long time since his ERA was as low as it was this season.

Think about this: between 2004 and 2008, (five seasons) Vazquez recorded an ERA under 4.50 only once, posting a 3.74 ERA in 2007.

2009 was a completely different story, as a move back to the N.L. led to a 2.87 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 238 strikeouts. He finished in the top five among all starters in K/9 (9.77), K/BB (5.41), BAA (.226), and WHIP (1.03).

Honorable Mention: Randy Wolf

RELIEF PITCHER – David Aardsma

One could argue Andrew Bailey deserves this award, and it would be tough for me to disagree. My vote goes to Aardsma, however, and here’s why:

Prior to 2009, Aardsma accumulated 144 2/3 innings at the big league level over the course of four different seasons. During that time, he posted a 5.28 ERA and a horrific 139/90 K/BB ratio. The tall right-hander failed to record a save with four different teams.

2009 was much different, however, as the 27-year-old ranked sixth among major league closers in saves with 38. His peripherals were equally impressive, as Aardsma posted a 2.52 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and a .190 BAA.

Honorable Mention: Andrew Bailey

Be sure to check back in the coming days for the 2009 All-Bust Team!