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 failing to deliver a full season since his debut in 2005 due to injuries and general suckiness, Rickie Weeks finally broke out last season, posting a dynamic 112-run, 29-HR, 83-RBI, 11-SB, .269-BA line at the second base position.

Atop a potent Milwaukee Brewers lineup, Weeks led the league in plate appearances (754), while only Albert Pujols and Mark Teixeira scored more runs than him. Among qualifying two-baggers, Weeks tied Robinson Cano for the second-most home runs, and only Cano and Dan Uggla posted more RBI.

There are, however, some red flags. Weeks had the 11th highest strikeout rate in 2010 (28.3 percent), and his contact rate (75.0 percent) was 17th worst among qualified batters.

Weeks’ injuries also cannot be ignored. According to Baseball Injury Tool, Weeks spent time on the DL in the four seasons prior to 2010.

• 2006: Missed 69 days, torn tendon in his right wrist
• 2007: Missed 19 days, right wrist inflammation
• 2008: Missed 15 days, left knee sprain
• 2009: Missed 140 days, torn tendon in right sheath (wrist)

Keep this risk in mind when drafting Weeks.

Even so, Weeks is capable of damaging numbers at second base. Given only his second season with 500-plus at-bats (a big if), the 28-year-old could prove to be a valuable fantasy asset batting in front of Corey Hart, Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder and Casey McGehee.

Image courtesy of: Mike Watson

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Previous articles from Fantasy Baseball Insiders:

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