1. Albert Pujols - Until he gives us a reason it's always a bad idea to bet against Pujols. He can't be this good forever but he doesn't seem to be slowing down yet. He is a triple crown threat every year and he adds double digit SB totals just to show you who's boss. The usual .325AVG/40HR/120RBI/105R/10SB should be in order.
Ceiling Projection: .335AVG/46HR/130RBI/120R/14SB
Possible Basement: .305AVG/34HR/110RBI/102R/4SB
1A. Miguel Cabrera - Miguel Cabrera is due for a coming out party. Sure he has been a top player for a long time but I still don't think he gets the credit he deserves. I think 2011 is the year all that changes when he passes Pujols as the #1 hitter in baseball. I see him being easily capable of .328AVG/43HR/130RBI/112R
Ceiling Projection: .338AVG/46HR/138RBI/118R
Possible Basement: .318AVG/35HR/115RBI/106R
3. Joey Votto - For some Votto's season came out of nowhere but it should have been expected. He has great contact skills and superb power. There is little reason to doubt he can repeat his 2010 performance or even build on it. The SB numbers should drop but everything else should stay relatively the same. .315AVG/35HR/118RBI/106R
Ceiling Projection: .329AVG/42HR/126RBI/106R
Possible Basement: .298/30HR/109RBI/96R
4. Adrian Gonzalez - Gonzalez's move to beantown makes him an interesting player to project. He will likely hit more home runs, RBIs and score more runs. He could be the next breakout star at 1B but he could also continue to produce solid numbers just outside of the top tier. The home runs will rise no doubt but it's his average that concerns me the most. The previous two seasons before last year he had struggled against lefties before hitting .337 against them. A jump of more than .100 means he must have improved his approach against lefties but it also means he probably got a bit lucky against them. He may not return to his 08-09 levels against southpaws but a drop from .337 can be expected and that will drive his AVG down and keep him out of elite company. But you never know what kind of an effect leaving Petco and joining a solid lineup could do for his numbers. He's a sleeper bet to be the #1 1B at season's end. Look for .285AVG/37HR/123RBI/100R
Ceiling Projection: .305AVG/46HR/135RBI/110R
Possible Basement: .276AVG/34HR/112RBI/94R
5. Mark Teixeira - Mark Teixeira has established a level of excellence that fantasy players have come to expect from the switch hitting slugger. 30 some odd home runs, 200+ Runs/RBI and so long as the BABIP fairy plays nice a .290+ AVG. Last season the BABIP fairy was a real bitch to Teixeira and his AVG dropped to .256. Look for the BABIP to normalize and a return to the .300 range. I foresee .292AVG/34HR/120RBI/111R
Ceiling Projection: .308AVG/37HR/134RBI/118R
Possible Basement: .280AVG/31HR/110RBI/103R
6. Prince Fielder - Prince Fielder struggled in 2010 after posting elite numbers in 2009. Still only 26 he should bounce back to stud status. His 2010 numbers should be his basement level of production and he could approach 50 HR if things go his way. .277AVG/40HR/128RBI/93R
Ceiling Projection: .290AVG/49HR/135RBI/102R
Possible Basement: .265AVG/34HR/104RBI/80R
7. Ryan Howard - Howard's power dropped off significantly in 2010 and many think this is the beginning of the end for the prodigious slugger. I am more optimistic for the slugger going into next year. The power came back for Ryan in the second half and he will be looking to bounce back in order to justify his massive contract. I predict something around .275AVG/36HR/120RBI/94R
Ceiling Projection: .280AVG/46HR/125RBI/100R
Possible Basement: .265AVG/30HR/100RBI/85R
8. Kevin Youkilis - "Youk" missed the final two months of 2010 with a thumb injury and the health of his hand will determine what he's capable of in 2011. If he returns to 100% he could rank higher on the list at the end of the season. He should be counted on for a .300+ AVG and he could flirt with 30HR. I expect Youkilis to miss a few games here and there throughout the season and this should hold him back from being considered a dominant fantasy player next year. .308AVG/24HR/102RBI/90R
Ceiling Projection: .318AVG/30HR/110RBI/95R
Possible Basement: .295AVG/22HR/96RBI/80R
9. Adam Dunn - Big Donkey isn't going to improve his numbers much although the move to Chicago will help erase any regression that was going to occur. He has been the game's most consistent power hitter in baseball the past 7 years but he is 31 now and a drop in production is on its way. 2011 will probably be more of the same but if he spends significant time on the DL in the future it should spell the end of his 40+ HR power. .252AVG/39HR/106RBI/82R
Ceiling Projection: .272AVG/43HR/118RBI/85R
Possible Basement: .240AVG/35HR/100RBI/78R
10. Justin Morneau - Morneau was on an absolute tear when a concussion ended his season. He has MVP potential but the severity of the concussion raises some red flags about a full recovery. As long as Morneau is in the lineup he should produce and is a prime candidate to buy low and provide major return. .290AVG/28HR/103RBI/80R
Ceiling Projection: .305AVG/34HR/116RBI/90R
Possible Basement: .275AVG/26HR/99RBI/80R
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