Fantasy Baseball Insiders

Our 2011 fantasy baseball projections will be released one-by-one until the top 100 players have been revealed. These rankings consider past achievements, current performance and expected future results based on standard 5×5 H2H settings.

Tigers’ first baseman Miguel Cabrera is the epitome of consistency. Discounting his rookie campaign, Cabrera has seven full seasons under his belt averaging 158 games player per year. Miggy’s career averages (again not counting his rookie season) would be worth the third overall pick: 100 runs, 34 homers, 117 RBI, .317 average.

Cabrera will likely be sandwiched between Magglio Ordonez and Victor Martinez as the Tigers’ cleanup hitter in 2011, providing him plenty of protection and opportunity.

Any thoughts of a letdown following his career-best 2010 campaign should be directed to the positive trends in his peripherals over the last three seasons:

OPS

• 2008: .887
• 2009: .942
• 2010: 1.042

BB%

• 2008: 8.2%
• 2009: 9.9%
• 2010: 13.7%

K%

• 2008: 20.5%
• 2009: 17.5%
• 2010: 17.3%

First base is deep, but other than Albert Pujols, Cabrera is the most consistent and reliable option available. Draft him with the third pick and plug him into your lineup knowing you’re set at first base for the rest of the season.

Image courtesy of: Michael G. Baron

Fantasy Baseball Insiders’ 2011 Big Board:

• No. 1: Albert Pujols
• No. 2: Hanley Ramirez

Previous articles from Fantasy Baseball Insiders:

• 2011 Projections: Adrian Beltre
• The Sub-2.50 ERA Curse: Why Five Elite Starting Pitchers May Regress in 2011
• 2010 Batting Average on Balls in Play Leaders: What to Expect in 2011?
• 2011 Closer’s Corner: Papelbon, Cordero & Rivera Are the Only Reliable Options

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