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.

From 2005 to 2009, Brian Roberts established himself as one of the most reliable and productive second basemen in fantasy baseball, posting an average season of: 598 at-bats, 99 runs, 13 HRs, 64 RBI, 37 steals, and a .294 batting average.

In 2010,  Roberts was limited to just 59 games due to neck and back injuries, effectively destroying Baltimore’s offensive fantasy value.

Roberts made his spring debut last Tuesday, and appears ready to go. Given a full season atop Baltimore’s revamped lineup, the 33-year-old could be in for a big season. At least seven Orioles starters have the ability to hit 20 HRs this season, while Guerrero, Reynolds and Scott are all expected to push for 30. Further, six of Baltimore’s projected nine starting hitters have either a career batting average above .280 or hit at least that last season.

Bottom line: Roberts should score a whole bunch of runs. In addition to his solid average, double-digit power and 30-steal wheels, he should re-emerge as a valuable fantasy asset. Fortunately, others have yet to notice. Roberts’ current ADP on Mock Draft Central is 129, and he ranked just outside the top 100 according to Yahoo! composite rankings. Get him now, before the rest of the fantasy baseball world realizes his true fantasy value.

Image courtesy of: Keith Allison

Fantasy Baseball Insiders’ 2011 Big Board:

• Top 50 Fantasy Baseball Projections
• Nos. 51-60: Jimenez, Verlander, Carpenter or Sabathia?
• Nos. 61-70: Weaver, Haren or Latos?
• No. 71: Francisco Liriano
• No. 72: Tommy Hanson

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30 Teams in 30 Days Fantasy Preview:

• Baltimore Orioles
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• 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 

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