Some of us think about the injury factor with every pick.
Our tolerance of risk defines us as a person as well as our fantasy drafts.
With this in mind, lets create our All-Safe team for 2012-
By 'safest'- I mean most likely to produce without any fear of injury.
Usually, I would discuss WHY I selected the players I have chosen, but let's face it,ANY player can get hurt at any time. And there will be a little chatter after the selections are made....
Safest player of the first round:
Prince Fielder
Safest Catcher:
Brian McCann
Safest 1b:
Prince Fielder
Safest 2b:
Robinson Cano
Safest 3b:
Adrian Beltre
Safest shortstop:
Elvis Andrus
Safest Outfielders:
Upton
Pence
Bruce
Werth
Bourn
I have to admit that after selecting Upton, Pence, and Bruce...five word names became more prevalent
Safest pitchers:
Halladay
Weaver
Haren
Cain
Lester
Safest closers:
Papelbon and Bell
Safest third baseman was tough. Each and every third basemen has an injury history. The guy I selected, Beltre, was on the disabled list last year. Some catchers have seen less dl time than the players at the hot corner.
This used to be a relatively 'safe' position overall, now one of the toughest for injury.
Of my picks, the worst would be Elvis Andrus. Too young. But, shortstop is a young man's position and even in taking an All-Safe player, we have to go out on a limb.
First base is still the haven for safety.
Pujols, Votto, Gonzalez, Cabrera, Teixeira, and Fielder are all safe picks. First basemen do not have to be athletic at their positions. When one of them does get hurt, it is usually something to do with a pitched ball or a mishap with a runner from the batters box.
Pitchers. I dislike selecting any young pitcher as safe. I want to see a five year track record. Hopefully, a clean track record. These pitchers have demonstrated good mechanics in that no injuries have manifested in their elbows or shoulders.
Also, their bodies have become accustomed to the stress points over a longer period of time.
Overall- I'll stress safety near the top of a draft. If Matt Kemp ran into walls like Aaron Rowand, but happened to make it through last year intact, he would be a no-drafter for me this year. I would think that lady luck would have his number this year.
This would lead to the question on who the most 'unsafe' 1st rounders would be. Longoria, Carlos Gonzalez, and the Missouri/Missouri in me would include Jacoby Elllsbury as well.
What are your thoughts?
Who makes your All-Safe Team?
