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.

After being placed on waivers by the Blue Jays in August of 2009, Alex Rios hit just .199 in 146 at-bats for the White Sox, who claimed his seven-year, $70 million contract. The player who was once thought to be a 30/30 threat was hardly fantasy relevant entering the 2010 season.

But despite coming off arguably his worst season as a pro, Rios bounced back in 2010, hitting 21 HRs while swiping 34 bases and batting .284 as the White Sox’s No. 3 hitter. He was especially effective in the first-half (as usual), posting 15 HRs, 23 steals and a .305 average before the All-Star Break.

Despite his woeful 2009 campaign and injury concerns that troubled him early in his career, Rios has posted no less than 567 at-bats in four consecutive seasons. His dynamic three-year averages (see below) suggest Rios should be drafted as a top second-tier outfielder. His current ADP on Mock Draft Central, however, is just 61.16, well below the likes of Ichiro, Andre Ethier, Jose Bautista and Jayson Werth.

Given another 575 at-bats in the White Sox’s loaded lineup, Rios should approach another 90/20/90/30 line. Draft him with confidence.

Image courtesy of: Mike Wilkins

The latest from Fantasy Baseball Insiders:

• Guerrero to Baltimore: Why He’s Better Off in Camden Yards than Rangers Ballpark

Fantasy Baseball Insiders’ 2011 Big Board:

• Nos. 1-10: Is Pujols Still The Top Pick?
• Nos. 11-20: Where Do Votto, A-Rod and Halladay Fit In?
• Nos. 21-30: Hernandez, Lincecum or Wainwright?
• Nos. 31-40: Heyward, Upton or McCutchen?
• No. 41: Clayton Kershaw

MLB Trades: Fantasy Impact:

• Frank Francisco Traded to the Blue Jays, Who Will Be The Team’s Closer?
• Mike Napoli Traded to the Texas Rangers: Fantasy Impact
• Vernon Wells Traded to the Los Angeles Angels: Fantasy Impact
• Adrian Beltre Traded to the Texas Rangers: Fantasy Impact

Previous articles from Fantasy Baseball Insiders:

• 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