By now, you’ve already drafted your fantasy team(s) and have set your lineup(s) for Opening Day. (Happy Opening Day, by the way!)
While some sites make lazy claims by promoting top 100 players as breakout candidates, I choose to dig much deeper. Heck, I’ve seen Drew Stubbs flagged as a 2011 breakout performer on several occasions.
How can a guy who hit 22 HRs and stole 30 bags last year be dubbed a future fantasy star? He’s already a top-50 player in my mind. He’s already risen from the depths of the waiver wire, just as I had predicted he would at this time last year…
There are many different effective strategies when it comes to drafting starting pitchers. Some will hoard the top talents in the year after the year of the pitcher, while others will rely on weekly spot-starts. Both approaches work, but I have employed a much different scheme in recent seasons:
Ideally, you own just one or two reliable starters. They must maintain a consistently low ERA (preferably no higher than 3.50—3.75) and WHIP (Carl Pavano was a great example last year). Strikeouts aren’t important…
Unlike third base and shortstop this year, outfield is extremely deep. In 2010, the average top-40 fantasy outfielder hit 22 homers, stole 20 base, scored 88 runs, knocked in 82 RBIs and hit .285. This speaks volumes to the depth of the position.
While first- and second-round talents such as Braun, Crawford, CarGo, Holliday and Kemp are exciting to own, you’re probably better off filling your infield spots early in the draft.
The likes of Alex Rios, Jacoby Ellsbury, Drew Stubbs, Ichiro Suzuki, Andre Ethier, Jay Bruce, Hunter Pence and Nick Markakis can all be drafted much later in the draft, and offer valuable production. Here’s the top 30…
According to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Giants are “leaning toward making (Brandon Belt) their starting first baseman.” An announcement is expected later today.
This morning, I ranked the top 10 rookies for 2011. At the time, I assumed Belt would begin the season in Triple-A and join the big league club sometime in May or June. For that reason, I included him only as an honorable mention outside the top 10. If this news is accurate, however, Belt would fit in at No. 3 or 4 on the list…
While several young prospects are anxious to help your fantasy team this season, only a select few will begin the year on a big league roster. This makes this list difficult to project. Fortunately, I have it covered.
Just remember this: While these up-and-coming stars can be exciting to own, they’re not going to carry your team to fantasy stardom. Their true value is multiplied in dynasty and keeper formats…
Thursday, March 31, 2011
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