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.

Over the past few days, we’ve announced the top-10 players on our 2011 big board. To help keep these rankings easy to find, we’re recapping the top-10 in one short post. Click on each player’s name for a more in-depth analysis, including 2011 projections!

1. Albert Pujols (1B – STL) – His career averages (119 runs, 41 HRs, 123 RBI, 8 steals, .331 batting average) haven’t been matched in a single-season since Larry Walker posted a redonkulous 143/49/130/33/.366 line in 1997.

2. Hanley Ramirez (SS – Fla) - His career averages (112 runs, 25 HRs, 78 RBI, 39 steals, .313 batting average) are jaw-dropping considering his position. However, the most impressive stat (and the one that separates him from Troy Tulowitzki) is that he’s averaged 152 games per season over the last five years.

3. Miguel Cabrera (1B – Det) - Entering his age-28 season and still improving. 33 HRs in six of the last seven seasons, and no less than 103 RBI, .292 batting average in seven full seasons.

4. Troy Tulowitzki (SS – Col) - He was the only shortstop to hit 25 HRs last season. Entering his age-26 season, he’s one of only two players at a thin position capable of a 30/20/.300 line.

5. Adrian Gonzalez (1B – Bos) - His career home/road splits suggest 50 HRs/.315 batting average are entirely possible in Boston’s lineup.

6. David Wright (3B – NYM) - Despite the strikeouts, he still has the 30/100/100/.300 potential that Longoria shares, only Wright is capable of adding 30 steals to the mix.

7. Evan Longoria (3B – TB) - Career averages of 88 runs, 27 HRs, 101 RBI, 10 steals, .283 batting average at a surprisingly thin position. And he’s only 25.

8. Ryan Braun (OF – Mil) - Improving plate discipline suggests possible improvement on three year averages (102 runs, 31 HRs, 108 RBI, 16 steals, .303 batting average) in 2011.

9. Carl Crawford (OF – Bos) - 20-HR, 50-steal, .300-average potential in Fenway.

10. Carlos Gonzalez (OF – Col) -  First player to post at least 35 HRs, 110 runs, 110 RBI, 25 steals and a .330 batting average since Ivan Rodriguez recorded a 35/116/113/25/.332 line in 1999 with the Texas Rangers.

The top 20 on our 2011 Big Board will be announced in the coming days as we continue our journey to rank the top 100 players!

Image courtesy of: Gallery 2 Images

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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