Fantasy Baseball Insiders

Photo courtesy of: Yasuo Hirao

Wednesday’s post covered this year’s All-Surprise Team. Today, we’re going to visit the opposite side of the ranks as I present the 2009 All-Bust Team.

While compiling this list, I did my best to exclude players who spent a significant amount of time on the disabled list, as I feel it’s unfair to hang the “bust” label on players due to injury.

CATCHER – Russell Martin

Martin’s performance this season was one of the most perplexing of any player. In the three seasons prior to 2009, the 26-year-old averaged 80 runs, 14 HR, 74 RBI, 16 steals and a .284 batting average.

2009 was a much different story, as Martin posted career lows in runs (63), HR (seven), RBI (53), and batting average (.250).

Martin’s LD%, GB%, FB% and even his BB% and K% were all in line with his career averages, so it’s difficult to understand why he struggled so much this season.

The only thing that stands out is Martin’s .285 BABIP, which is 21 points lower than his career BABIP of .306. This points to the possibility of some bad luck, but doesn’t explain it all.

Bottom line is this: Martin was drafted as the No. 1 catcher in most leagues this season. His production, however, ranked him at No. 14, as the Dodgers’ backstop stunk up the joint with a .239 average in the second half.

Honorable Mention: Geovanny Soto

FIRST BASE – Chris Davis

Davis combined to hit 40 HR last season between the minors and big leagues, including 17 long balls to go along with a .285 average with the Texas Rangers. Based on his young age and power potential, many fantasy owners bought into the 23-year-old as their starting first basemen this season, a move they would soon regret.

The big left-handed hitter got off to a slow start, and was sent back down to the minors in July with a .202 batting average. After a 44-game stint in Triple-A, Davis returned to Texas and hit .308 with six HR in his final 36 games.

It was encouraging to see him improve, but the season ending totals are not pretty. 21 HR in just 391 at-bats (19.6 HR/FB ratio) is very impressive, but Davis’ .238 average destroyed his fantasy value.

Honorable Mention: Aubrey Huff

SECOND BASE – Howie Kendrick

With the emergence of Aaron Hill (among others), good second basemen are much easier to find these days. It was a good year for this position as a group, making it tough to find a true “bust” candidate.

Dustin Pedroia’s production saw a slight decline, but most of us expected that. Dan Uggla’s third consecutive 30-HR season was overshadowed by a .243 average, but it’s to be expected. This left me with one clear choice as the second base bust of the season.

Howie Kendrick has been called a future batting champ for almost five years now. While he may very well possess the talent, the guy simply can’t stay on the field. The 26-year-old played in just 105 games this season, disappointing managers once again.

When next year’s draft comes around, consider this: Placido Polanco (82 runs, 10 HR, 72 RBI, seven steals, .285 average in ‘09) is likely to out produce Kendrick (61 runs, 10 HR, 61 RBI, 11 steals, .291 average in ‘09), and he will be available much later in the draft.

Honorable Mention: Kelly Johnson

THIRD BASE – Garrett Atkins

Atkins’ 2009 struggles came as a surprise to most, but they were something we all should have seen coming.

In his three seasons previous to 2009, Atkins HR totals dropped each year; beginning with 29 in 2006, to 25 in 2007, to 21 in 2008. Same goes for his RBI totals, as Atkins drove in 120 in 2006, then 111 in 2007, and just 99 in 2008.

What about his batting average you ask? Yep, you guessed it. After batting a career-high .329 in 2006, his average dropped to .301 in 2007, then to .286 in 2008.

In addition to this, Atkins’ walk totals have declined each of the last three seasons, while his strikeouts have increased progressively as well.

All of this added up to the worst season of Atkins’ career, as the 29-year-old was hardly worth owning by All-Star Break. On the season, Atkins set career-lows in HR (nine), RBI (48), runs (37), and batting average (.226).

Honorable Mention: Adrian Beltre

SHORTSTOP – Alexei Ramirez

Most fantasy owners (myself included) were practically giddy over the potential Ramirez flashed in his 2008 rookie season. In just 480 at-bats, Ramirez hit 21 HR and stole 13 bases while maintaining a .290 average.

Looking forward to the 2009 season, visions of Alfonso Soriano part two danced in our heads. With an opportunity to log 550 at-bats, a 25/25 season was well within sight.

Unfortunately, Ramirez stumbled out of the gates to the tune of a .214 average in April. The 28-year-old recovered nicely in May and finished the season with a respectable .277 average. The big time power/speed combo he flashed in 2008, however, never showed up.

Despite logging 62 more at-bats in 2009, Ramirez hit six less HR (15), knocked in nine less runs (68), and stole only one more base (14).

What’s most discouraging is Ramirez’s startling low total of doubles. Of all major leagues who logged at least 500 plate appearances in 2009, Ramirez had the third fewest two-baggers with only 14.

Honorable Mention: J.J. Hardy

LEFT FIELD – Alfonso Soriano

Soriano entered 2009 as the No. 2 ranked left fielder in fantasy baseball behind Ryan Braun. In his previous three seasons, Soriano averaged 97 runs, 36 HR, 80 RBI, 26 steals and a .285 batting average; numbers worthy of a top 20 selection on draft day.

A closer look at the numbers, however, suggests we should have seen this coming. Soriano’s HR totals have decreased each of the last three seasons; beginning with 46 in 2006, to 33 in 2007, to 29 in 2008. Likewise, his number of games played has decreased significantly as well; starting with 159 in 2006, to 135 in 2007, to 109 in 2008.

2009 turned out to be the worst season of Soriano’s career, as the 32-year-old hit just 20 HR, his lowest total since he hit 18 in his 2001 rookie season. Soriano even set career lows in batting average (.241) and steals (nine).

Perhaps the most telling fact is that Jason Kubel, Franklin Gutierrez, Juan Rivera, Marlon Byrd, and Cody Ross all out produced Soriano in 2009. This fact alone is enough to say Soriano was one of the biggest busts of the 2009 season.

Honorable Mention: Pat Burrell

CENTER FIELD – B.J. Upton

As I mentioned in this week’s Fantasy Roundtable Discussion, B.J. Upton is my biggest disappointment of the 2009 season, so he certainly fits as the biggest bust among center fielders.

In 2007, Upton’s first full year at the big league level, the former No. 2 overall pick hit 24 HR and stole 22 bases while batting .300. The next season brought more success, as Upton’s HR total declined, but he hit 37 doubles and maintained a .273 average while swiping 44 bags. Following the 2008 post season which saw him hit seven HR and post a .652 slugging percentage, it was hard not to love this kid.

2009 was an extremely disappointing season for Upton however, as the 25-year-old scored just 79 runs, which tied with him with Alberto Callaspo (among others) for 76th place in the majors. Upton’s HR total of 11 ranked 167th in all of baseball, a mark he shared with Adam Kennedy. His RBI count (55) ranked 154^thin the majors, same as Juan Uribe.

Upton’s season batting average (.241) was the biggest cause for disappointment. Consider this: Upton played in 144 games this season. In 47 of those games, he went 0-for-4 or worse. That means Upton failed to record a hit in one-third of his games played this season.

Honorable Mention: Chris Young

RIGHT FIELD – Magglio Ordonez

Over the past three seasons, Ordonez has averaged 90 runs, 24 HR, 115 RBI, and a whopping .325 batting average.

2009 was much different for Ordonez, as the 34-year-old found himself in a platoon with Clete Thomas by mid July. Ordonez responded, batting .375 in the second half.

The big time power numbers that were used to seeing Ordonez display, however, never showed up. Ordonez failed to hit more than two HR or drive in more than 10 runs in any month this season.

Save Ordonez’s 2004 and 2005 injury plagued seasons, 2009 was by far the worst of his career. His run total (54), HR total (nine), and RBI total (50) are all career lows.

Honorable Mention: Alex Rios

STARTING PITCHER – Francisco Liriano

Liriano burst upon the scene in 2006, when the young southpaw went 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and a stellar 4.50 K/BB ratio in 121 innings. His season was cut short by an injury that eventually led to Tommy John surgery.

After missing all of the 2007 season, Liriano returned in August 2008 and appeared to be as good as new. During an eight-game stretch, Liriano went 5-0 and posted an incredible 1.56 ERA. This had fantasy owners giddy over his 2009 potential.

Unfortunately, Liriano’s 2009 season didn’t go as planned. The 25-year-old struggled with his command, and was placed on the disabled list before being relegated to the bullpen upon his return.

Liriano’s season totals were not pretty. In 136 2/3 innings, he went 5-13 with a 5.80 ERA and 1.55 WHIP. Liriano’s K/9 was a respectable 8.03, but his BB/9 of 4.28 became the biggest cause for concern. While Liriano’s FIP (Fielder Independant Pitching on an ERA scale) was just 4.87, nearly a full run less than his ERA, he clearly isn’t the same pitcher most of us thought he would be.

Honorable Mention: Cole Hamels, Derek Lowe

RELIEF PITCHER – Brad Lidge

Anyone who thinks someone other than Brad Lidge deserves this distinction is just plain wrong. After posting a 1.95 ERA and 1.23 WHIP while converting all 41 of his save opportunities last season, Lidge apparently forgot how to pitch.

In 58 2/3 innings this season, Lidge went 0-8 and posted a horrific 7.21 ERA and 1.81 WHIP, while blowing 11 of his 42 save opportunities. The 32-year-old allowed a career high 11 HR, and for the first time in his career, posted a K/9 less than 10 (9.36), and a BB/9 over five (5.22).

To be fair, Lidge’s outrageously high BABIP (.369) and unusually low strand rate (62.8%) suggest a decent amount of bad luck. No amount of good luck, however, could help him avoid his 2009 control issues. This was by far one of the worst seasons a closer has endured in recent memory.

Honorable Mention: Kerry Wood