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 weeks, we’ve announced the top 90 players on our 2011 big board. Click on each player’s name for a more in-depth analysis, including 2011 projections!

Check out our 2011 Big Board Top 50 here.

Check out our 2011 Big Board Nos. 51-60 here.

Check out our 2011 Big Board Nos. 61-70 here.

Check out our 2011 Big Board Nos. 71-80 here.

Check out our 2011 Big Board No.s 81-90 here.

91. Brian Wilson (RP—SF): Has improved ERA, WHIP, K/9, BB/9 and contact rate each of last three years, and set career-high with 48 saves last season. A recent oblique strain, however, leaves his availability for Opening Day in doubt.

92. Carlos Marmol (RP—ChC): 2010 Strikeout total (138) was higher than that of 10 starters with 200-plus innings. Strikeout rate (15.99) was highest among both starters and relievers in at least 40 years. Regression to the mean, however, is likely.

93. Pedro Alvarez (3B—Pit): Sixteen HRs in just 347 at-bats last season. Strikeout rate (34.3 percent) and contact rate (69.7 percent) are concerning. Still, the overweight and under-conditioned 24-year-old is capable of 30 HRs and a .260 average as the Pirates cleanup hitter.

94. Ben Zobrist (1B, 2B, OF—TB): Advanced batting eye (14.0 percent walk rate) and fly-ball rate (38.1 percent) remained in tact last year, but deflated HR/FB rate (6.0 percent) and unfortunate BABIP (.273) kept him from repeating 2009 line: 91 runs, 27 HRs, 91 RBI, 17 steals and a .297 batting average.

95. Nick Markakis (OF—Bal): Despite disappointing 2010 (12 HRs, 60 RBI in 709 PA), he ranks 18th in runs (94 per season), 19th in batting average (.299) and 24th in RBI (90 per season) among qualified batters since 2007. Strikeout rate is on the decline, while his contact rate is up. At age-27, 2011 is the first of his prime years.

96. Colby Rasmus (OF—STL): Increased HRs, steals, walk rate and batting average from rookie season to 2010. Substantial drop in contact rate and rising strikeout rate, however, will limit his value going forward. Spot in Cardinals’ order in front of Pujols should yield 90 runs, but 30-HR, 10-steal potential won’t be reached without improved plate discipline.

97. Curtis Granderson (OF—NYY): Elevated fly-ball rates (49.3, 47.2) and deflated BABIP (.275, .277) over last two seasons have led to more power (30, 24 HRs), but less-than-appealing batting averages (.249, .247). Mechanical adjustment last August yielded 14 HRs with 34 RBI in the last 48 games last season.

98. Mike Stanton (OF—Fla): 110 HRs over three levels in last three years (including 22 in 359 at-bats with the Marlins last season) . Light-tower power makes 21-year-old a valuable keeper/dynasty league asset, though he should produce now too; 30-35 HRs are reasonable given 600 PAs.

99. Max Scherzer (SP—Det): 2.46 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 9.26 K/9, 3.16 BB/9 in 153 2/3 innings following mid-May demotion last season. 2010 BABIP (.297) and LOB rate (74.9 percent) confirm legitimacy of this. The 26-year-old is a No. 2 starter in 2011.

100. Joakim Soria (RP—KC): Set career-highs in saves (43), strikeout rate (9.73) and walk rate (2.19) last season. He also posted the fifth-lowest ERA (1.78) among full-time closers. His xFIP (2.99) suggests a regression may be due in 2011, but there’s no reason to believe he won’t produce as a top-five closer.

Check back tomorrow for a complete update of my 2011 Big Board!

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?
• Nos. 71-80: Young, McGehee or Ramirez?
• Nos. 81-90: Upton, Young or Werth?

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• Baltimore Orioles
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• Mike Napoli Traded to the Texas Rangers: Fantasy Impact
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