Top 100 hitters for 2013

It's been a long time, I shouldn't have left you(left you), without a dope hub to step to(step to). Okay, that was awful. Forgive me, I'm a little rusty. It has been a while since my last hub. Been a little too busy lately spending so much of the money that I've accrued here in the past few months on hubpages (sarcasm). I can't lie, I've had a little success here at hubpages, but not as much as I would like, so I am back.

After the success of my 2013 Top 100 Baseball Keepers hub, I've decided to make another Top 100 list. A list of who I think will be the 100 best hitters this upcoming season. It will be different from my keepers list. So you may see some guys who I have higher on this list than on the keeper list. It is different in the fact that I believe certain players will just have a better 2013 season than others. Like older players might not be a highly soft-after keeper (and might not be high on my keeper list or even on it period), but he can be a player that could help you win your 2013 leagues.

1. Mike Trout

2. Ryan Braun

3. Miguel Cabrera

4. Joey Votto

5. Matt Kemp

6. Giancarlo Stanton

7. Andrew McCutchen

8. Albert Pujols

9. Prince Fielder

10. Robinson Canó

11. Josh Hamilton

12. José Bautista

13. Carlos Gonzalez

14. Buster Posey

15. Dustin Pedroia

16. Justin Upton

17. Jason Heyward

18. Adrián Beltré

19. Troy Tulowitzki

20. Bryce Harper

21. Ian Kinsler

22. David Wright

23. Evan Longoria

24. Adrian Gonzalez

25. Matt Holliday

26. José Reyes

27. Billy Butler

28. Ryan Zimmerman

29. Edwin Encarnación

30. Jacoby Ellsbury

31. Hanley Ramirez

32. Starlin Castro

33. Curtis Granderson

34. Austin Jackson

35. Pablo Sandoval

36. Adam Jones

37. Jay Bruce

38. Michael Bourn

39. Eric Hosmer

40. Chase Headley

41. Joe Mauer

42. Freddie Freeman

43. Mark Teixeira

44. Brandon Phillips

45. Matt Wieters

46. Alex Gordon

47. Jose Altuve

48. Nelson Cruz

49. Carlos Santana

50. Elvis Andrus

51. Brett Lawrie

52. B.J. Upton

53. Shin-Soo Choo

54. Shane Victorino

55. Ben Zobrist

56. Paul Konerko

57. Melky Cabrera

58. Paul Goldschmidt

59. Yoenis Cespedes

60. Jurickson Profar

61. Brian McCann

62. Mike Moustakas

63. Jimmy Rollins

64. Jesus Montero

65. Mike Napoli

66. Jason Kipnis

67. David Freese

68. Asdrubal Cabrera

69. Allen Craig

70. Ian Desmond

71. Mark Trumbo

72. Alex Rios

73. Aramis Ramirez

74. Anthony Rizzo

75. Josh Willingham

76. Michael Morse

77. Ben Revere

78. Aaron Hill

79. Dexter Fowler

80. Ryan Howard

81. Rickie Weeks

82. Martin Prado

83. Carlos Beltran

84. David Ortiz

85. Hunter Pence

86. Neil Walker

87. Yadier Molina

88. Corey Hart

89. Miguel Montero

90. Derek Jeter

91. Josh Reddick

92. Chris Davis

93. Angel Pagan

94. Colby Rasmus

95. Carlos Gomez

96. Pedro Alvarez

97. Erick Aybar

98. Andre Ethier

99. Ike Davis

100. Torii Hunter

Mike Trout, OF, Los Angeles Angels

I debated for weeks on who I should put #1. It came down to Trout, Miggy, or Braun. You really can't go wrong with either player at #1, but the choice was made for me just a few days ago. When the Angels inked Josh Hamilton to a 5-year deal, I immediately thought about the notion of Trout scoring 150+ runs. I had concerns about the Angels line up when Torii Hunter bolted for Detroit, but those worries were greatly diminished when Josh Hamilton signed on.

The thought of Hammy and Pujols hitting behind him has to get you giddy about Trout's full-season potential production. One would think it's unlikely for Trout to repeat the ridiculous numbers he put up last season, so a slight drop in production could be expected but just keep this in mind: Trout will be just 21 years-old to begin next season. His power has yet to reach its peak. He may have been "too good" in the power department last season, but it is certainly repeatable for a guy with such immense talent as Trout has. Then you consider Hammy is a bonafide elite hitter who drives in runs almost as good as anyone in baseball. Is it really unreasonable if Trout were to hit 32 bombs, score 150 runs, drive in 90 RBIs, and steal over 50 bases while hitting over .300? I don't think so. Sounds like the best hitter in fantasy baseball to me.

Giancarlo Stanton, OF, Miami Marlins

Granted there is almost nothing around Stanton now. Jose Reyes is gone, of course Hanley was traded midseason of last year. There is reason to stay away from him, but there is more reason to love him. The guy hit 37 dingers in only 449 ABs and 123 games played. Yes, 123 games played. Stanton's power is absolutely monstrous, and the 50-HR upside is there. I would have him higher if he wasn't an injury concern.

Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Colorado Rockies

It's not that I don't like Cargo. You'll see him top 10 on many overall lists, but he's not even a top 10 hitter on my list because I want a guy who's production won't fluctuate between home and away games and won't miss games because of nagging injuries. Yes, I realize Stanton is just as risky as Cargo on the injury front, but Cargo doesn't have that 50-HR upside that Stanton has. Despite Stanton's injuries, he still managed to help his owners win HRs almost every week he played. I've always been highly critical of Cargo's home/road splits. They make him a little more risky in head-to-head. Also, his numbers have gradually decreased every year since his breakout campaign in 2010. One of the top hitters? Yes, but not as high as many experts will rank him this season.

Bryce Harper, OF, Washington Nationals

Hmmm...I had a tough time ranking Harper. The upside is there but with his style he's more susceptible to a sophomore slump than Trout is. I went the safe route and put him at #20. That is neither too high or too low for him.

Edwin Encarnación, 1B, Toronto Blue Jays

I am a believer in Double-E (yes this is a horrible nickname), but am I supposed to believe he's as good as he was last year? There is no doubt he has the power to hit a lot of bombs, but I'm not sold on the newly found plate discipline. A .941 OPS is repeatable? I don't think so. Could he hit 40 HRs again? No doubt, but he'll probably do it with a .260 BA and a .340 OBP.

Eric Hosmer, 1B, Kansas City Royals

I'm sorry, I just can't give up on Hosmer. I just can't. This is the year he becomes the great hitter we all think he'll be. (I know, he'll probably burn me again)

Brett Lawrie, 3B, Toronto Blue Jays

Lawrie is a lot like the aforementioned, Hosmer, somebody I won't give up on. Besides, Lawrie wasn't nearly as awful as Hosmer was last season. Lawrie has a new and improved line up around him with the addition of Reyes and the return of Joey Bats.. He really has no excuses not to produce next season. 20 HRs, 85 RBIs, 100 runs with a .280 BA is certainly possible.

Jurickson Profar, SS, Texas Rangers

I have Profar ranked pretty high on this list because I don't want you to forget about him. Keep in mind that a certain individual by the name of Mike Trout was about like Profar was this time last year, under the radar and barely drafted in leagues. When Trout was called up the rest was history (literally). Not saying Profar is the next Trout (because those numbers Trout put up would be really hard for any veteran star player to match let alone a rookie), but he has elite upside like Trout. Of course there is the threat of Andrus, but I figure Texas finds someway to get Profar in their everyday line up by opening day next season. Texas has lost quite a few bats this offseason including Hammy, Mike Napoli, and Michael Young. So Profar might be starting next year right away. Don't let him slip too far and start looking for him in the mid-to-late rounds. Anybody that Keith Law is high on, I'm on board.

Mark Trumbo, OF/1B, Los Angeles Angels

I'm not sure if Trumbo gets moved or not, but if he doesn't, he's in a great situation. Potentially hitting behind the likes of Trout, Hammy, and Pujols could be a huge boost for his run producing totals. I would have him higher, but I can't overlook that yucky .227 BA and .271 OBP in the 2nd half of last year after batting .306 with a .358 OBP in the first half. Good Lord. If we can just get a little consistency out of Trumbo this year, 30+ HRs and 100 RBIs with a .275 BA is attainable.

David Ortiz, DH, Boston Red Sox

I really love Big Papi. I have him low only because of healthy concerns and aging. But I believe that where you'll get Ortiz this year will be at a great price. You could be getting top 50 production from him. The man can hit the baseball and if he stays healthy he's gonna be way better than his ADP. Of course it sucks that he'll clog up your UTIL spot and can't play anywhere else in your line up, but who could complain about a .300 BA with 30 bombs, 100+ RBIs, and 85 runs(yes Big Papi is a surprisingly a good source for runs given his size) from him?

Derek Jeter, SS, New York Yankees

Like Big Papi, Jeter is another oldie but goodie. He's only this low because I have concerns about his health going into next season. Other than that, there's no doubt in my mind that Jeter will perform at a top 10 level at one of the weakest positions in fantasy baseball.