Fantasy Baseball 2011 Rankings: Troy Tulowitzki and The Top 10 Shortstops

Shortstop is the shallowest position in fantasy baseball this season, so plan accordingly.

If you can't grab a guy like Hanley Ramirez or Troy Tulowitzki, wait until a late round to grab some of the other guys on this top 10 list.

Guys like Stephen Drew and Alexei Ramirez will be decent, but they aren't worth taking in the first seven or eight rounds of your draft.

Jump on the great ones early, and if you can't get one of them, patience will be the key to success. Let your opponents panic and draft shortstops way too early while you sit back and grab some key pitchers or outfielders that they miss.

Here are the top 10 shortstops for the 2011 fantasy baseball season.

10. Rafael Furcal, Los Angeles Dodgers

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 25: Rafael Furcal #15 of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats against the New York Mets on July 25, 2010 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers won 1-0. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Furcal is getting old, but he can still produce.

He's an injury risk, but he still managed to hit .300 with eight home runs and 43 RBI in 2010 in just 97 games.

He's lost a step on the basepaths, but he still swiped 22 bases last season.

He's probably not keeper-worthy this year, but if you can grab him in a later round, you probably won't regret it.

9. Alexei Ramirez, Chicago White Sox

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CHICAGO - AUGUST 01: Alexei Ramirez #10 of the Chicago White Sox throws the ball to 1st base against the Oakland Athletics at U.S. Cellular Field on August 1, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox defeated the Athletics 4-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/G

Ramirez is a solid shortstop who won't disappoint you if you know what to expect.

That means expect a .280 batting average, around 70 RBI and about 15-20 home runs.

He won't put up huge numbers, but he'll solidify your shortstop position.

8. Stephen Drew, Arizona Diamondbacks

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PHOENIX - SEPTEMBER 22: Infielder Stephen Drew #6 of the Arizona Diamondbacks fields a ground ball out against the Colorado Rockies during the Major League Baseball game at Chase Field on September 22, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Peter

Drew has the potential to have a breakout season in 2011.

He's been consistently hitting around 15 home runs a year and driving in 60-plus runs.

But if he figures it all out this year, he could be a .300/20/80 guy.

That's someone I'd like on my team.

7. Starlin Castro, Chicago Cubs

Bob Levey/Getty Images

HOUSTON - JUNE 05: Shortstop Starlon Castro #13 of the Chicago Cubs fields a ground ball in the ninth inning against the Housto Astros at Minute Maid Park on June 5, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

It's hard to know what exactly to make of Starlin Castro.

He had a great rookie season, hitting .300 with three home runs and 41 RBI in 125 games.

He also stole 10 bases.

The best part about Castro is that he should improve on all those numbers in 2011, especially steals.

He has the speed to swipe about 25-30 bases per year.

6. Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia Phillies

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 20: Jimmy Rollins #11 of the Philadelphia Phillies slides in to second base after being tagged out in the second inning during Game Four of the NLCS against the San Francisco Giants in the 2010 MLB Playoffs at AT&T Park on October

Rollins' average has been declining for the past three years after hitting .296 in 2007 and he hit an all-time low in 2010 at .243.

He still put up decent power numbers for only playing in 88 games, hitting eight home runs and driving in 41 runs.

If he can stay healthy for more time in 2011, he's definitely worth a spot in your lineup. But keep an eye on his worrisome batting average decline and don't be afraid to get rid of him if it slips too much.

5. Derek Jeter, New York Yankees

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees warms up against the Texas Rangers in Game Four of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 19, 2010 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Rangers won 10-3. (Ph

Jeter will get to 3,000 hits this season, barring an injury.

He should also rebound from his disappointing .270 batting average of 2010.

He'll put up plenty of power numbers from the shortstop position as well and will benefit from hitting in an All-Star caliber batting order with Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira and Robinson Cano, among others.

4. Elvis Andrus, Texas Rangers

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 22: Elvis Andrus #1 of the Texas Rangers runs to first base after hitting a double against the New York Yankees in the first inning of Game Six of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 2

When you talk about the shortstop position, speed is a valued commodity.

Andrus provides plenty of speed.

He swiped 32 bases in 2010 but has the potential to reach 50 in 2011.

That makes him very valuable to whatever team can grab him in your league.

3. Jose Reyes, New York Mets

Al Bello/Getty Images

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 18: Jose Reyes #7 of the New York Mets in action against the Atlanta Braves during their game on September 18, 2010 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Reyes bounced back nicely in 2010 after an injury-riddled 2009.

If he can stay healthy in 2011, he's a borderline elite shortstop.

He can put up 15 home runs and 70-80 RBI and is capable of about 35 stolen bases.

He's lost a step recently, but he's still a dangerous piece for the New York Mets.

2. Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Troy Tulowitzki #2 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates as he rounds third base after hitting his second two-run home run of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium on September 18, 201

Tulowitzki had an unbelievable 2010, hitting .315 with 27 home runs and 95 RBI.

The truly unbelievable thing is that he posted those numbers in just 122 games.

If he can play a full season in 2011, the sky is the limit for Tulowitzki.

He's a definite first round talent in your draft.

1. Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins

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PHOENIX - JULY 08: Hanley Ramirez #2 of the Florida Marlins at bat during the Major League Baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 8, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Marlins 10-4. (Photo by Christian

Ramirez has a unique set of talents.

He combines power and speed better than any other player in baseball.

He had a bit of a down year in 2010, dealing with some attitude problems. But if those are in the past, he should have a great bounce back year in 2011.

He's capable of putting up a .300/30/100 season with 30-40 stolen bases.

Besides Albert Pujols, he's probably the best fantasy player in the game for 2011.