Baseball Stadiums and Building Your Fantasy Rosters - Part 1

ESPN recently came out with an article detailing how "pitcher or hitter" friendly each ball park has played over the past couple seasons.  You are welcome to check out the article over at ESPN.com.

The ManSpeak feels this provides an opportuntiy to evaluate what players become more attractive based off these rankings.  Here's what we have compiled.

Attractive

Troy Tulowitzi - SS - Colorado Rockies - Coors Field (#1 Ranked Hitters Park)

Tulo was a big part of the offense for the Rockies last year, who play half their games in the most hitter friendly ball park in MLB.  Only age 25, it seems highly likely that he is able to duplicate his success from last season.  Leading all shortstops with 32 homeruns and second with 92 RBI's, Tulo provides power at the postion.  Throw in a gaudy .930 OPS and 20 stolen bases and he easily should be considered a must in the first 20 picks of your draft. 

Joey Votto - 1B - Cincinnati Reds - Great American Ball Park (#4 Ranked Hitters Park)

Votto is key part of the up and coming Reds.  The Reds are hoping that he can put together a full season of production (missed 30 games last season) and Votto is fully capable of doing so.  An all-around hitter, Votto can get on base (.414), hit for average (.322), drive in runs (84 rbis), and put the ball over the fence (25 homeruns).  With another year of maturity under his belt and in hitter friendly Great American Ball Park, look for big things from Mr. Votto in 2010. 

Felix Hernandez - SP - Seattle Mariners - Safeco Field (#27 Ranked Hitters Park)

A grizzled veteran at the ripe age of still only 23, Hernandez has figured it out.  Last year the young stud put together a stellar season where he finished among league leaders in wins (tied for 1st), strikeouts (7th), quality start percentage (1st) and ERA (4th).  With an improving sinker that keeps the ball on the, one of the top defenses behind him, and cavernous Safeco Field, Hernandez should be a lock as a Cy Young favorite for 2010. 

Adam Wainwright - SP - St. Louis Cardinals - Busch Stadium (#28 Ranked Hitters Park)

A Cy Young finalist last season, Waino only projects to keep up his solid performance as a starter since mid-season 2008.  Often overshadowed by the other ace on his own staff, Wainwright finished 2009 among leaders in wins (tied for 1st), ERA (6th), and quality start percentage (8th).  Pitching in Busch Stadium helps as every hitter not named Albert Pujols has struggled there since the stadium opened in 2006.  Look for another strong season from this 28 year old ace.  

Stay tuned, as we will detail which players to stay away from based on the ball parks they play in.