10-T. Michael Cuddyer (.276 AVG, 93 R, 32 HR, 94 RBI, 6 SB, Average Draft Position in ESPN leagues: 260)

Michael Bourn (.285, 97 R, 3 HR, 35 RBI, 61 SB, ADP: 260)

These pair of Michaels went undrafted in most ESPN leagues (the ADP of 260 is as high as ESPN goes), but they performed like middle-of-the-draft picks all season. Cuddyer, who was injured last year, playing in just 71 games, and had a disappointing season in 2007, had a career year from a power standpoint. His previous season high in home runs was 24, but his 32 long balls mixed with a decent average and good run and RBI totals made for a great 2009 season for his owners. The other Michael, Michael “Jason” Bourn, used his namesake to kick some butt in the fantasy world, setting career highs in just about every category. After a rough 2008 season, his first year as a starter, (.229 AVG, 41 SB, 57 runs), Bourn made his name as a bonafide leadoff man and his 61 steals were a welcome addition to any fantasy team, especially considering he was claimed off of waivers in most leagues.

9-T. Justin Verlander (19-9, 269 Ks, 3.45 ERA, 1.18 WHIP [walks + hits / innings pitched], ADP: 165.6)

Zack Grienke (16-8, 242Ks, 2.16 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, ADP: 84.6)

These guys were a surprise this season not because they’re not household names, but because not many people anticipated either of them to have as good of a season as they had. Verlander, the 2006 AL Rookie of the Year, wasn’t anything to write home about in 2007 and really struggled in ’08, posting poor strikeout totals (163 in 201 innings pitched) and a terrible ERA (4.84). However, in 2009, he rebounded to lead the Majors in wins, strikeouts, and innings pitched. His 1.18 WHIP was a huge help considering all of the innings he logged and his gaudy strikeout numbers were a boost to any fantasy squad. Grienke, Verlander’s AL Central counterpart, was able to corral his social anxiety disorder enough to finally put together the season everybody has been predicting for him since he was a toddler. If only the anemic Royals offense could put up more runs, Grienke may have made a run at Bob Welch’s 27 wins (what most consider to be the modern day wins record).

8. Matt Cain (14-8, 171 Ks, 2.89 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, ADP: 142.8)

Cain is in the same breed as Grienke, a great talent, but a young kid who had some maturing to do before he finally put it all together. Cain was also the victim of poor run support from a struggling offense, but managed 14 wins nonetheless. His ERA sort of skyrocketed in the season’s last month or so, but he was one of the top pitchers in the league all year, which was a boost to any fantasy team considering he was selected in the 12th round, on average, in 12 team leagues.

7. Javier Vazquez (15-10, 238 Ks, 2.87 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, ADP: 147.9)

Rounding out the streak of pitchers, Javy Vazquez was illegally drafted so late. I say illegal because everybody who’s anybody knows he’s a National League kind of pitcher and I also believe that Ozzie Guillen was the main culprit for his sub-par 2008 campaign. Ozzie outted the guy that many considered to be either his ace or his No. 2 guy for the White Sox, accusing Vazquez of being unable to pitch in big games and allowing too many big innings. Now, I’m not even going to get started on Ozzie Guillen and his stupid, attention-capturing tirades because I could be here all day doing that. However, I do feel Ozzie was in the wrong and when your manager doesn’t have faith in you, it’s not easy to take the mound and have a lot of confidence in yourself. It was the best career move Javy’s ever made to sign with Braves, and his 2009 performance showed that, especially from a fantasy standpoint.

6. Aaron Hill (.286, 103 R, 36 HR, 108 RBI, 6 SB, ADP: 177.1)

Hill was the prototypical 27-year-old breakout fantasy star. There has been a lot of talk about how players emerge at their physical peak at age 27 and as such, usually have their breakout year, numbers-wise. Hill turned 27 just before the season started (March 21) and proceeded to blow his career high in homers (17) away. He missed most of 2008 due to injury but rebounded with arguably the best fantasy year from an AL second baseman (sorry, Aaron, but Chase “Ponyboy” Utley takes the crown as best MLB second baseman). Following his power surge of a season, Hill claimed that he was still just a gaps hitter and wasn’t planning on trying to be anything more than that as a player. Whatever you say, Aaron, as long as you keep parking the ball.

5. Jason Bartlett (.320, 90 R, 14 HR, 66 R, 30, ADP: 199.7)

Bartlett transformed his “all-field, no-hit” nickname like Optimus Prime (or Chris Brown for that matter), turning in an All-Star season en route to earning his first All-Star nod. Hey now, he’s an All Star! Smashmouth says “only shooting stars break the mold.” Well, you can just call Jason Bartlett Haley’s Comet then (I know that’s not a shooting star, but there aren’t any famous shooting stars!). The young, slick-fielding shortstop made a trip to the DL, but even that didn’t slow him down during his breakout year. As if his .320 average, 90 runs, and 30 stolen bases weren’t enough to make fantasy owners say “Oh, oh, oh, oh,” (yep, a Kid Cudi reference), his 14 bombs and 66 RBIs were easily career highs and made him a legit five-category stud. Too legit to quit, in fact. Yes! I got four song references in one rationale! And people said it couldn’t be done…

4. Mark Reynolds (.260, 98 R, 44 HR, 102 RBI, 24 SB, ADP: 218.9)

OK, my fanmail to the Arizona Diamondbacks would read like this:

Dear Mark Reynolds,

You had such a great fantasy year, what with becoming a speed demon in addition to your budding power numbers and all, especially since you were drafted in the 18th round in some leagues. So, in order to celebrate fully, I think you need to come up with a rap, Greg Olsen and the 7th Floor Crew style from Miami a few years back. It would accomplish the goal of getting your sick stats out to the world in a creative way and you can call it the Reynolds Wrap. You get it? Like tinfoil? Reynolds Wrap? Haha, I love it. Now, can I have an autograph? Or at least can you tone down the strikeouts enough so that you don’t keep breaking your own record year in and year out?

Thanks.

Love,

Your biggest fan who happens to not be an Arizona Diamondbacks fan at all,

Tony Andracki.

3. Kendry Morales (.306, 86 R, 34 HR, 108 RBI, 3 SB, ADP: 260 i.e. NOT DRAFTED)

Who do you think is more jealous of Morales, the owners of the teams who were not lucky enough to pick him up off the waiver wire, the Cuban National Team (he’s a Cuban defector, I probably should have explained that sooner), or Mark Teixeira? You’d be right if you answered any of the three. Why Mark Teixeira, though, you ask? Well, it’s simple. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Greater California Area That Does Not Include San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, or Any Other City In California That I Can Name That Could Make Their Name Longer let Teixeira walk via Free Agency because they had this Cuban stud waiting in the wings. Morales, who costs roughly $360 billion less than Teixeira, put up just about the same numbers across the board. He even boasted a better average! So why would Teixeira be jealous, you still ask? I don’t know. He probably wouldn’t be considering he cashed in huge and just won a World Series. I just needed an ample and creative opportunity to get a comparison across.

2. Wandy Rodriguez (14-12, 193 Ks, 3.02 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, ADP: 222.8)

Rodriguez waved his magic “Wandy” before the 2009 campaign, turning in stellar numbers across the board, including a winning record from a losing team. Wandy was a bonafide ace from every standpoint, real life, fantasy life, video game life, avatar life. You name the outlet and Wandy was a stud in it. Considering Wandy wasn’t drafted until the 18th or 19th round in most cases, Wandy was a fantasy savior. I’m not about to compare him to Jesus or any other biblical savior, but if there was a Bible for Fantasy Baseball from 2009, Wandy would be the Jesus in that story. Or the Moses. Or Noah from Noah’s Ark. No, not that stupid movie with Steve Carell. The real Noah’s Ark. I digress, but my point is, Wandy was a stud for 2009. Whatever Wandy wants, Wandy should get. That last sentence didn’t make much relevant sense, but I just needed to fill my quota of saying the name ‘Wandy’ at least 10 times in his rationale for the No. 2 spot on this prestigious list. Mission Accomplished.

And the No. 1 Fantasy Surprise of 2009 is…(drumroll, please)

1. Ben Zobrist (.297, 91 R, 27 HR, 91 RBI, 17 SB, ADP: 260, i.e. UNDRAFTED!!)

Zeus, as I call him because he was as good as the God of all Greek Gods fantasywise in 2009, was the definition of a fantasy surprise. I had never heard of Zeus at all before this season, and while I may not be the world’s most credible source on Prospects (I would turn to my co-worker Brett Rosin for that), he came out of obscurity to be a fantasy stud. He was the Devil of the 2009 Rays, forcing manager Joe Maddon to find a way to get his bat in the lineup. The fact that he is able to play every position in the universe doesn’t hurt, either. Maddon could stick him at any position and he’d be more than adequate. That’s what she said. Fantasy owners could do the same. It was a match made in Heaven, which by the way, is where Zeus lived in the Greek myths. Zobrist helped out in every single category and from a guy that went undrafted in just about every league (if not every league), that’s fantasy gold. It’s Michael Phelps good. If I could give Zobrist eight gold medals, I would. But, nobody allows me to handle gold medals. I don’t know why. Either way, Zobrist is near the top of my list for guys that I want to draft next year.