A life-long baseball and football fan, John has been a contributor to
Sports Grumblings since 1997. John also has experience in brodacst
radio, going back to his days as a newscaster at Fordham University's
famous WFUV station, as well as guest sports at various sports talk
radio stations around the country. John currently is the co-host of Gridiron Grumblings Live!.
In 2007, John
was the recipient of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA)
award for Best Fantasy Football Series, for his outstanding column Snap, Crackle and Pop.
The
consensus choice as the No. 1 fantasy pick not only in the National League, but
overall. Currently the FFRS rankings at Sports Grumblings offers New York Met shortstop Jose Reyes the top overall value, but at most media outlets Pujols is the clear top choice and for good reason. Pujols
is simply the best right-handed hitter on the planet. He's durable, consistent
and dominating. He hits for average, power and registered double digit stolen
bases (16) last year. Pujols showed his prowess as a quick healer and one that
will play with pain after suffering a mid-season abdominal strain. He's
unlikely to threaten .360 again, but he's a lock to put up numbers worthy
of the number one fantasy selection overall.
Albert Pujols 2007 Projections
G
AB
Runs
Hits
2B
3B
HR
BB
RBI
SO
SB
CS
E
AVG
150
548
107
179
33
1
42
98
135
5
11
2
10
0.330
2. Ryan Howard Philadelphia Phillies
No
sophomore jinx for Howard in 2006. He
made a splash winning the HOME RUN Derby at the All Star game, on his way to
leading the majors in homers, RBI and a N.L. MVP award. Awesome power. Teams will pitch around him
more in 2007, so he may not hit 58 home runs again. Surprising stat: Howard hit
exactly 29 Home runs at home and 29 on the road. Built like a linebacker, Howard, 27, will be
a dominant for years. He is the best 1B
in the N.L. not named Pujols.
Ryan Howard 2007 Projections
G
AB
Runs
Hits
2B
3B
HR
BB
RBI
SO
SB
CS
E
AVG
147
531
93
163
27
1
48
90
118
14
0
0
13
0.310
3. Prince Fielder Milwaukee Brewers
Fielder had a nice rookie season,
hitting for power (28 home runs) and a decent (.271) average.He is only 22 and has tremendous upside,
especially in the HOME RUN department. He hit most of his homers on the road
(17 vs. 11). Eventually Fielder will learn to take advantage of Miller Park.
Fielder has surprising speed for a 260 pound pseudo-Sumo dude.His seven stolen bases trailed only Nick
Johnson among N.L. first basemen.
Prince Fielder 2007 Projections
G
AB
Runs
Hits
2B
3B
HR
BB
RBI
SO
SB
CS
E
AVG
153
558
90
151
33
0
32
64
98
10
8
4
13
0.270
4. Lance Berkman Houston Astros
Berkman
is a lifetime .304 hitter with 225 home runs in 7+ seasons. Plays mostly at
first base, although last year he played 47 games in the outfield.Berkman is a triple-crown threat, or would be
if Pujols and Howard were not in the same league. Hard to believe, be he's only the fourth-best
first baseman in the senior circuit. Only five of his 45 home runs came as a
right-handed batter. The only concern is that he has no protection in the weak
2007 Houston
lineup.
A life-long baseball and football fan, John has been a contributor to
Sports Grumblings since 1997. John also has experience in brodacst
radio, going back to his days as a newscaster at Fordham University's
famous WFUV station, as well as guest sports at various sports talk
radio stations around the country. John currently is the co-host of 
No
sophomore jinx for Howard in 2006. He
made a splash winning the HOME RUN Derby at the All Star game, on his way to
leading the majors in homers, RBI and a N.L. MVP award. Awesome power. Teams will pitch around him
more in 2007, so he may not hit 58 home runs again. Surprising stat: Howard hit
exactly 29 Home runs at home and 29 on the road. Built like a linebacker, Howard, 27, will be
a dominant for years. He is the best 1B
in the N.L. not named Pujols.
Berkman
is a lifetime .304 hitter with 225 home runs in 7+ seasons. Plays mostly at
first base, although last year he played 47 games in the outfield.Berkman is a triple-crown threat, or would be
if Pujols and Howard were not in the same league. Hard to believe, be he's only the fourth-best
first baseman in the senior circuit. Only five of his 45 home runs came as a
right-handed batter. The only concern is that he has no protection in the weak
2007 Houston
lineup.