Ryan Braun

2013

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2012

Braun won the National League MVP award with a .332/.397/.557 batting line in 2011. A .352 BABIP certainly had something to do with those offensive stats, but he's also been able to increase his walk rate each year in the majors. Braun also stole 33 bases in 36 attempts, which was a career high. The loss of Prince Fielder from the middle of the lineup may have an impact on Braun's offense and some regression should be expected, but he still needs to be considered one of the top fantasy outfielders in 2012. Braun won his appeal in February following a positive test for PED use during the 2011 playoffs, and should once again be considered a top-five pick in most mixed formats.

2011

Braun shook off a slow start to the 2010 season to finish strong, hitting .304/.365/.501 with 25 HR and 14 stolen bases. While those numbers look good, it is the third season in a row where Braun's slugging percentage has decreased. The encouraging part is that he hit .364/.440/.583 over the last two months of the season with nine home runs and 39 RBI. Some people may fall asleep on Braun because of his season totals, but expect a bounce back season from the left fielder.

2010

Braun led the National League with 203 hits in 2009 and continues to be one of the better hitting outfielders in the league. He increased his walk rate and decreased his strikeouts while also stealing a career-high 20 bases. Braun was one of only six players in the NL to top 100 runs and RBI. He did all of this prior to his 26th birthday, and there's not really any reason to expect anything less from him again in 2010.

2009

Braun was on his way to a stellar sophomore season, hitting .300/.341/.592 through the end of August, when a rib injury contributed to a .208/.304/.356 September. His conversion to left field was a success both from a defensive perspective and in that it didn't appear to affect his offense. He still needs to be more selective at the plate, though he improved in that area dramatically during the second half of the season. His third base eligibility is lost this season which may reduce his value just a little, but his bat combined with stolen bases are still going to make him one of the top options in the outfield.

2008

Braun led the NL with a .634 SLG on his way to winning the Rookie of the Year award. There is no doubt that he's one of the better hitters in the league, but he still has room for improvement at the plate. His great year was buoyed by a .367 BABIP which likely isn't sustainable so he'll need to learn to be more selective at the plate. A move to left field also appears to be imminent, which means he could lose his third base eligibility after the 2008 season.

2007

Braun is one of the top hitting prospects in the minors, but has drawn negative marks for his defense. The Brewers are going to give him every chance to handle the hot corner and then will move him to the outfield as a last resort. GM Doug Melvin has said that Braun will be given the third base job if Corey Koskie can't return from post-concussion syndrome or gets hurt, so he's not far away from getting his big league shot. Expect him to be with the Brewers at some point in 2007 and the starter at third base in 2008.

2006

Braun played as well as any 2005 first-round pick last summer, hitting .349 with 10 HR in a combined 189 AB between rookie-level Helena and Low-A West Virginia. He should move fast through the farm system and could be part of the Brewers by 2007.