Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft: 50 Best Bets in Fantasy Right Now

It's getting to be that time of year, folks.  The start of spring training is just over two weeks away and in fantasy baseball language, that means your basic scouting should be near done and your draft big board should be set.  Over the next couple of months, you can put the sure bets aside and focus more on potential sleepers who could make the team following minor league contracts or a freak spring.

Yet, let's talk about the best bets.  I'm talking about players who no matter where they're picked, will put up solid numbers throughout the season. 

Take New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano, for example.  He'll do well in pretty much every offensive category except for stolen bases and OBP, the latter in which he'll put up average numbers.

Thus, in the spirit of us all taking a break from drowning ourselves in stats, I've got a gift for all you fantasy nuts out there.  Here are 50 players that are sure to have solid 2012 seasons, no questions asked.

1. Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers

You were expecting, maybe, Albert Pujols?  Sure, he's solid, but his off-2011 has dropped him down a few slots on my big board.

Occupying the top spot this year is Kemp, whose MVP-caliber season last year turned him into a fantasy beast.  The man hit .324 with an NL-leading 39 homers and an MLB-leading 126 RBI to go with a whopping 40 steals.

He just signed a huge extension and there's no reason to believe he'll regress, so he's a fine pick for the first overall pick in anyone's draft.

2. Miguel Cabrera

Cabrera is a player who you have to be careful with given his history of off-field issues, but his stats when he's on are undeniable.  He won the AL batting title last year and holds a .317 lifetime average and is also a lock for 30-plus home runs and 100-plus RBI.

Plus, if you play in a league where OBP is a factor, Cabrera is a beast in that department as well.  He's posted a .434 mark there the past two years and is just one of those players who feels so at home when at bat.

He doesn't have much speed and is basically a typical power hitter, but the results speak for themselves.

3. Ryan Braun

Were he not currently awaiting to hear about the future of a pending 50-game suspension, Braun may occupy the top spot.  He hits well for average, has great power and can steal bases with the same strength as someone like Kemp.

He's going to put up good stats in all offensive categories no matter what happens.  Yet, with this possible suspension hanging over his head, he is relegated to the No. 3 spot.

4. Albert Pujols

2011 was an interesting year for Albert Pujols.  It was the first time in his career that he hit under .300 and also the only time he failed to accumulate 100 RBI.  Thus, now that he's signed a 10-year deal with the Angels, people are freaking out about his already creaky body breaking down.

However, allow me to educate the nervous ones.  Pujols hit .299 last year and had 99 RBI to go with 37 homers.  Thus, I think it's a bit premature to suddenly write the man off.

The fact is that Pujols is still Pujols.  He's still at the top of his game despite starting to slow down with age and in fantasy baseball, he'll be a great contributor to any team.

5. Joey Votto

The 2010 NL MVP survived the offseason and is still on the Reds, so I'm anticipating him to have a good year.  He hits well for average, has great left-handed power and led the NL with a .416 OBP last season, so you can't really fail.

Barring a massive collapse, he'll do just fine in the fantasy baseball world.

6. Prince Fielder

Now that the cries of blasphemy are dying down, allow me to elaborate.  Prince Fielder is a fine power bat who will surely hit lots of home runs this year.  My only concern is that playing in Comerica Park will drop his total from last year.

More importantly, he's moving to the American League after spending his entire career up until now in the National League.  That could prove to be a tough adjustment so until I get a chance to watch Fielder in spring training, at No. 6 he stays.

7. Jose Bautista

He hits well for average, has freakish home run power and now he has some protection in the borderline dangerous Toronto Blue Jays lineup.  That being said, it's looking like 2012 will be a fine year for Jose "Joey Bats" Bautista.

To give a better idea, I'm talking probably 50-plus home runs to go with over 100 RBI.  He's proven that his breakout year wasn't just him overachieving so when it comes to drafting him, there should be next to no hesitation on your part.

8. Jacoby Ellsbury

At 6'1", 185 pounds, Ellsbury doesn't look like a fantasy beast.  Yet, he is just the opposite.

Ellsbury proved just how dangerous he can be in 2011 when he hit .321 with 32 homers, 105 RBI and 39 steals.  He's essentially a skinnier Matt Kemp so if he's available to draft when it's my turn in the draft queue, sign me up!

Throw in the fact that he plays in hitter-friendly Fenway Park, and Ellsbury is an even surer bet in terms of fantasy.

9. Robinson Cano

Robinson Cano is one of the best hitters in fantasy baseball, having great ability to hit for average and power.  He also comes through in the clutch on a regular basis and playing on the dangerous New York Yankees, he'll drive in a lot of runs as well as score lots of them.

The only problem with Cano is that he's impatient at the plate, so all of the aforementioned stats/skills will come at a price of a low-to-average OBP.  Still, most leagues don't carry OBP and as a result, Cano could produce some great results for your team.

10. Troy Tulowitzki

Easily the best shortstop available, Tulowitzki makes one of the shallowest positions in fantasy look great.  His skills at the plate are undeniable as he could easily hit over .300 and smack 30-plus homers with over 100 RBI.

The fact that he plays in the hitter-friendly Coors Field doesn't hurt either.

The only problem with Tulowitzki is his health, as he has spent extended time on the disabled list three of the past four seasons.  Still, that's why the waiver wire exists.  Overall, he'll do just fine in fantasy.

11. Adrian Gonzalez

Adrian Gonzalez made the most of Fenway Park last year, as he had no problem adjusting to the AL along with his new hitter-friendly home park.  He hit .338 with 27 home runs and 117 RBI.  The home run total seems low for Fenway, but he'll easily top that in 2012.

Simply put, Gonzalez is one of the best lefty bats in the game and entering this coming season, he'll do just as well as he did in 2011 if not even a little better.

12. Roy Halladay

How is Roy Halladay one of the best bets in fantasy today?  Well, let's take a look at his numbers since joining the Phillies.

A 40-16 record, 2.40 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, a perfect game and just the second no-hitter in postseason history.

Thus, I have two words for everyone: Enough said.

13. Clayton Kershaw

Kershaw is one of those pitchers who keeps getting better and better as the years go by, having finally broke out last year in winning the NL Cy Young Award.  He's about to turn 24, so he definitely has plenty of years left.

Will he win 21 games next year and again lead the majors in ERA?  I'm not entirely sure.  Yet, what I am sure of is that the lanky lefty will continue to put up ace numbers and be a fantasy monster.

14. Justin Verlander

Here's a guy who became the first player in 20 years to win both the AL Cy Young and MVP awards, going 24-5 with a 2.40 ERA and incredible 0.92 WHIP.  If that isn't a sure bet in fantasy, then I don't know what is.

15. Dustin Pedroia

The Red Sox have one of the most dangerous lineups in baseball, and Dustin Pedroia is the peskiest hitter in that starting nine.  He's only 5'9" and weighs in at 180 pounds, but check this out.  He hit .307 with 21 homers and 91 RBI while stealing 26 bases.  Not only am I petrified of this guy, being a Yankees fan, but I'm also damn impressed!

Second base is a shallow position in fantasy and if Pedroia was available come draft time, it would not only be a privilege to have him on my team, but an honor.  I suggest you look at him with the same attitude.

16. Cliff Lee

Like Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee is going to give you great numbers in all major pitching statistics.  He plays for the NL's best overall team and will surely accumulate a lot of wins as well as strikeouts.  If he goes on another consecutive scoreless innings tear like he did twice last year, then you might just own ERA in your league should the man be on your team.

Yet, as with all players, Lee comes with a risk and in his case, it's a big one.  Sure, he's one of the best pitchers in baseball and will surely have a great season.  Yet, like every pitcher, he's going to have some bad starts here and there.

Therein lies the problem with Lee.  When he has a bad start, it's usually BAD.  In his lone playoff start last year, despite going six innings and striking out nine, he gave up five earned runs on 12 hits as he took the loss.

That's not the worst he could have done, but the WHIP shows just how much damage can be done on C-Lee should his stuff be off.  Yet, it's a risk worth assuming as overall, the man will be a sure thing for whichever team in your league should have him.

17. Justin Upton

Mark my words: Following the 2012 season, Justin Upton will be named the NL MVP.  He finished fourth in that race in 2011 after hitting .289 with 31 homers and 88 RBI.  He also stole 21 bases, so there's another reason for him to be a sure thing in fantasy.

This year, he's sure to build off of that great year now that he has Jason Kubel and Paul Goldschmidt protecting him in the lineup.  I'm anticipating him to hit over .300, drive in over 100 runs and maybe even flirt with the 40-home run mark.

In fantasy language, there's only one word for that type of production: beast.

18. Carlos Gonzalez

After a breakout 2010, Carlos Gonzalez had a slight regression last year.  Still, his season as a whole was pretty good.

The lefty hitter can hit the ball to all fields and put up a solid batting average.  Playing in Coors Field, he also has the potential to put up monster numbers in home runs.  Throw in his abilities on the basepaths, and CarGo having another good season in 2012 seems like a sure thing in my eyes.

Call me an optimist, but I just have a feeling about the guy.

19. Evan Longoria

Had he not posted a career-worst in batting average last year (.244) and missed time with an oblique injury, Evan Longoria would have made this list's Top 10.  Despite his issues last year, he still hit 31 homers with 99 RBI and was instrumental in the Rays making a run at and ultimately clinching the AL Wild Card.

He plays in one of the most competitive divisions in baseball but as the Rays have shown us in recent years, they don't go down easy.  With Longoria leading the pack, the All-Star third baseman will definitely return to his old form in 2012 and work his way back up the ranks in fantasy.

Batting average may be a crapshoot, but the run production will speak for itself.

20. Mark Teixeira

It's no secret that over the past couple of years, Mark Teixeira has been exposed.  He simply can't hit the curveball and his batting average has taken a hit as a result.  For the past two years, he only hit .252.

Still, the fact remains that Tex is one of the game's best switch-hitters and is a lock for 30 or more home runs and 100-plus RBI, not to mention a phenomenal OBP.  To rob your fantasy team of such production in not drafting him is just robbing yourself of the league championship.

21. Mike Stanton

Mike Stanton is much like Teixeira in that he is a power hitter whose ability to hit for average is...well, average.  The only difference is that he only has two years of experience under his belt and will improve with time.

His Marlins are expected to compete this year and based on the fact that he has 56 homers in just 250 career games, he'll definitely be the one to watch in the power department in 2012.  His strikeout totals may be a bit much, but the .344 career OBP is soothing in that he's definitely a sure bet to post high power and RBI numbers in fantasy.

22. CC Sabathia

Sabathia has been one of fantasy baseball's most reliable pitchers ever since coming to the New York Yankees in 2009, having won 19 games or more each of his three seasons in the Bronx.  Given the amount of run support he gets, combined with the fact that he's just a monster on the mound (literally, at 6'7" and around 300 pounds), there's no reason to believe that 2012 will be any different.

The only concern with him is his large-framed body breaking down over the course of the season, as he will turn 32 in July, but Sabathia is still an unbelievable pitcher nonetheless.  In fantasy this season, he'll give you great numbers in wins, ERA and strikeouts as he continues to be one of the best bets in terms of fantasy aces.

23. Jered Weaver

He's not as scary a presence on the mound as Sabathia, though they're the same height, but Weaver is still a great pitcher overall and a fantasy stud.  He did great in winning 18 games for the usually light-hitting Angels last year, as he also just shut the opposition down with a 2.41 ERA and remarkable 1.01 WHIP.

He should be in line for an equal or greater amount of wins in 2012 now that he has Albert Pujols on his team so when it comes to getting an ace or No. 2 starter for your fantasy team, Weaver is definitely a great bet to place in terms of posting great pitching numbers all around.

24. Ian Kinsler

As I mentioned before, second base is a shallow position and the stars who play there are few and far between.  Ian Kinsler is a special kind of fantasy second baseman as he doesn't hit particularly well for average, but makes up for it in other areas.

He hit just .255 in 2011, but also smacked 32 homers with 77 RBI and 30 steals as the leadoff man for the Texas Rangers.  Given how well he produces in the latter three stats, taking a hit in batting average is worth it to draft this guy.

Oh, and let's not forget that the Rangers have a dangerous lineup from top to bottom and have made the World Series each of the past two years, not to mention play in a great hitters' park.  Thus, while Kinsler may not hit any higher than maybe .260, the rest of the offensive stats he puts up will do all of the talking for him.

Long story short: DRAFT HIM!!

25. Hunter Pence

At the halfway point, we have one of the best all-around players in baseball.  Hunter Pence is a five-tool player who hits well for average and power, has good speed, plays good defense and has a great arm.

The best part is that he is finally out of Houston and now in Philadelphia, whose lineup will ensure that he gets some good pitches to hit.  He hit .324 with 11 homers and 35 RBI in 54 games for the Phils last year, so just imagine what he'll be able to do in a full season.

Is he the best outfielder in fantasy?  No.  Is he a great addition to any team and one of the best bets in terms of consistent production?  Absolutely.

26. Michael Young

Michael Young's power may be hit or miss, so that might scare some fantasy managers off.  Still, the man is a sure thing in that he is easily the most consistent hitter in the game.

He's basically a lock to hit over .300 and given the state of the Rangers' lineup, he'll also drive in a lot of runs.  In terms of how well he'll do in fantasy, it all depends on how the rest of your offense looks, as Young himself will do just fine.

No matter how you look at it, he's one of the best bets at the corner infield spots.

27. Curtis Granderson

All it took was an adjustment of both swing and stance, and Curtis Granderson had an MVP-caliber season in 2011.  He only hit .262, but smacked 41 homers with an AL-leading 119 RBI.  Granderson also led the majors with 139 runs scored.

That being said, some managers may be scared off by Granderson as his 2011 season just screams overachievement.  Still, the fact remains that he's part of a great Yankees lineup and will get good pitches to hit.  Oh, and the short porch in right field doesn't hurt either.

This man's production will be just as good in 2012, so definitely consider him as your first or second outfielder.

28. Andrew McCutchen

Andrew McCutchen's batting average dipped 30 points in 2011 as he worked on his home run swing, but he still had a decent year for the seemingly resurgent Pittsburgh Pirates.  He hit 23 home runs with 89 RBI and 23 steals despite hitting just .259.

All of his five-tool skills should balance out in 2012 and provide another All-Star season, so you can't really go wrong in drafting McCutchen.  He's still young at age 25, but he plays with the mindset of a veteran.

29. Pablo Sandoval

Like Teixeira, Pablo Sandoval is a switch-hitter who can just crush the ball deep with a scary amount of power.  The only difference is that unlike Teixeira, Sandoval hits well for average.  In three full MLB seasons, the man known as "Kung Fu Panda" has hit .304.

The only major risk with Sandoval is his health, but he's a great bat to have on your team when he's at 100 percent.  The power speaks for itself and with Melky Cabrera in the lineup now, Sandoval will get more good pitches to hit and could be due for a career year.

In fantasy, such results would pay great dividends for whichever team drafts him.

30. Matt Holliday

Compared to what we're used to seeing from him, Matt Holliday had an off-year in 2011.  He hit .296 with 22 homers and 75 RBI, and those are respectable numbers.  Yet, injuries limited him to just 124 games.

That being said, now that Pujols is out of the picture and the Cardinals looking as good or even better than they did in 2011, Holliday could be due for one hell of a bounce-back season.  He hits well for average and has great power, so drafting him in fantasy could be a big risk worth taking.

It seems scary, but the fact remains that when Holliday is on, he's one of the best bets among fantasy outfielders.

31. Felix Hernandez

King Felix is one of the best pitchers in the game, but he is cursed in that he plays on a team with an anemic offense.  His Seattle Mariners hit an MLB-worst .233 last year and as a result, the 2010 AL Cy Young Award winner went 14-14 despite a respectable 3.47 ERA.

Still, he's one of the most consistent pitchers in the game and if he has the right amount of support combined with a reliable defense, he's just going to shut the opposition down with ease.

32. Paul Konerko

Paul Konerko is one of the game's most consistent hitters, having hit .300 with 31 homers and 105 RBI last year as the lone bright spot in the inconsistent offense of the Chicago White Sox.  He hit 39 home runs and hit .312 the year before, so it's a sure bet that the Captain of the South Side will continue his hot-hitting ways.

The only thing that scares me about him is that he'll be 36 at the start of the season, and that's pretty old for baseball.  Still, based on the last few years alone, I have to label him as one of the best bets in fantasy as he has done fine work in that regard in recent years.

33. Cole Hamels

To be blunt, Cole Hamels can't afford to not be one of the best bets in fantasy this season as he will be a free agent next offseason.  He posted great numbers in ERA and WHIP last year, but the win total topped out at 14.  Thus, while Hamels is one of the sure bets in fantasy baseball this year, we need to apply the Felix Hernandez rule to him.

Allow me to translate that: great ERA, WHIP and strikeout totals, but the win total could be underwhelming.  Still the preceding stats more than compensate for the lack of wins.

34. Josh Hamilton

Were it not for his injury history, Josh Hamilton would easily make the Top 20.  Still, he's so good when he's healthy that the results just speak for themselves.

I mean, come on.  We're talking about a guy who won the 2010 AL MVP Award and played in just 133 games that year while taking home the AL batting title as well.

If that doesn't scream consistency and one of fantasy's best bets, I don't know what does.

35. Jose Reyes

OK, so he's had some injury trouble the past few years.  Jose Reyes is still one of the fastest and most pesky hitters in the game, and his winning the NL batting title last year in just 126 games is a testament to that.

Throw in his base-stealing ability, and the man can potentially be a fantasy monster.  Playing outside of the cavernous Citi Field should up his power numbers too, as he begins the next chapter of his career with the Miami Marlins.

36. David Ortiz

After a few off-years, David Ortiz silenced the haters last year and showed that he does indeed still have it.  He hit .309 and while his home run total may have seemed low at 29, he was still great at getting on base.

Ortiz will continue to be a great fantasy option this year as he will be returning to the hitter-friendly Fenway Park, so the results should speak for themselves.  He's getting old at age 36, but he's still got plenty of gas left in the tank to put up good numbers and make some fantasy owners jump for joy.

37. Mike Napoli

Mike Napoli finally broke out last year, much in thanks to the hitter-friendliness of the ballpark in Arlington.  As a catcher/first baseman for the Texas Rangers, he hit .320 with 30 homers and 75 RBI in just 113 games.

I'm going to play psychic now and say that Napoli will stay healthy all of next season as he builds off of last year's success and becomes a dangerous presence in the Texas lineup.  Catcher is a thin position and considering how this guy is also first base-eligible, he's a great man to have on your team.

Given his home stadium and manager Ron Washington's approach towards heavy hitting, he's due for a complete breakout year.

38. Tim Lincecum

Once again, we have another sufferer of Felix Hernandez Disease, also known as a pitcher who is absolutely phenomenal but only puts up average numbers due to lack of run support.  Lincecum has been that pitcher for most of his career, but has still managed to take home two NL Cy Young Awards before the age of 30.

In terms of fantasy, he's one of the best bets in terms of strikeouts in ERA, and even WHIP.  If you're ready to throw total wins aside for those stats, he'll do fine work for you.

39. Alex Rodriguez

Given how he posted his lowest home run and RBI totals since 1995 last season, I can understand why some would be puzzled as to why Rodriguez is on this type of list.  He's getting old and has bad knees, so the amount of good years he has left is minimal at best.

Yet, if I know A-Rod, I know that there's a pattern with years in which he doesn't come through in the clutch.  Usually, the following season, he has an absolutely unbelievable season and is completely locked in.

There are a lot of talented third basemen out there, some of whom are better locks than Rodriguez, but history has him here on this list, and I have a feeling he could be due for a great season and will be a sure bet for fantasy.

40. James Shields

James "Big Game" Shields flew out from under the fantasy radar last year and while he didn't get much in terms of wins, going just 16-12, he led the majors with 11 complete games and posted a 2.82 ERA while striking out 225 hitters.

The Rays are primed to make a huge statement in the AL East this year, with Desmond Jennings joining the lineup full time and Carlos Pena back at first base, so the win total could definitely be higher this year.  Shields looked locked in last year and is one of the best bets this year in that he'll be hungry for more after his breakout season.

Draft him, and you could just have the steal of the year.

41. Brandon Phillips

Brandon Phillips is one of the best second basemen in the game, both at bat and in the field.  2012 will be his contract year as he is playing not only for his team, but for his future.  Yet, he hits well enough for average and has enough pop that he'll surely be an All-Star again this year.

Given how good second basemen are few and far between, Phillips is one of the surest things at that position.  Thus, should he be available, draft him and hang onto him.

42. Eric Hosmer

Eric Hosmer finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting last year and should his sophomore campaign be anything like his rookie one, he could find himself as a finalist for AL MVP.  He showcased tremendous ability to hit for average and power last year, balancing both perfectly.

On top of that, he also stole 11 bases.  Entering this year, he's going to be the unquestioned leader of the offense of a Royals team looking to get back into serious contention for the first time in nearly 20 years.  Among first basemen, while not the best, he's still one of the top bets to put up great numbers and if he were on my team, I wouldn't complain one bit.

43. Matt Cain

Like his teammate Lincecum, Cain suffers from Felix Hernandez Disease.  Both are still great pitchers, but there is a key difference between the two,  You see, Cain enters free agency next season.

That being said, Cain is going to be locked in and fully focused in 2012 as he pitches for his future.  He may not be an ace on paper, but he has ace material and will put up great numbers in both ERA and WHIP.

In those two categories, he's definitely one of the best bets.

44. Dan Uggla

Dan Uggla is a second baseman similar to Ian Kinsler in that he has great power, but questionable batting average.  The only risk with Uggla is that home run hitting seems to be his only strength, as of late.  He smacked 36 longballs last year, but hit just .233.

I can understand why the batting average may scare some off, but the home run total says it all.  Uggla has hit the 30-homer mark in five of his six pro seasons and is essentially a lock to reach that plateau each year.

In terms of fantasy, he's a one-way ticket to being among the top in home runs and while you will take a hit in batting average, his power is unquestionable.

45. Mariano Rivera

I don't normally include closers this high on a big board, but Rivera's performance last year was just too good.  He is the all-time leader in saves with 603, and saved 44 contests last year with a 1.91 ERA and remarkable 0.90 WHIP.

Ready for the crazy part?  He's 42 years old.  The fact that he's still pitching that well and that consistently at his age is just insane.

Thus, while closers are usually easy to come by via the waiver wire, Rivera is the best bet out of them all.

46. Michael Morse

Mike Morse finally got the chance to play a full season last year and made people wonder why they had passed on him for so long.  In 146 games, he hit .303 with 31 homers and 95 RBI as the Nationals started to show signs of life.

The team is definitely the sleeper squad of 2012 and with most of the core coming back and sure to improve upon last season, Morse will put up equal or greater numbers compared to his 2011 stats.  Given how locked in he was all last year, he's a surefire bet and one of the best options to have in your fantasy outfield this year as he may very well be an MVP candidate.

47. Hanley Ramirez

It's no secret that in his injury-plagued 2011, Hanley Ramirez was god awful.  This season, he is moving from shortstop to third base and has already made something of a hissy fit about that.

Ramirez has since changed his tune, but the questions remain about just how much of an effort he'll make going forward.  Still, putting all attitude issues aside, Ramirez is still one of the most dangerous offensive players in the game.  He has a batting title under his belt, can hit for power and has speed that could soon make him a member of the famous 40-40 club.

Say what you want about his demeanor.  When Han-Ram is on, he is ON and thus, one of the best bets in fantasy.

48. Adrian Beltre

A hamstring injury limited Beltre to 124 games last year, but he still hit .296 with 32 homers and 105 RBI.  Playing in Texas did wonders for his stats and put to rest any ideas that he may be done following a forgettable four seasons in Seattle and one bounce-back year in Boston.

He could easily hit the 40-homer plateau and hit over .300 so long as he's playing in Texas, but his durability is always going to be a question.  Still, in terms of power and average, he's going to be one of the best bets at third base and if you're prepared to have him ride the DL slot for a couple of weeks at some point, then draft him.

Otherwise, you're going to get killed in home runs one week.

49. Brett Lawrie

For the last two slides, I've got a pair of gambles for you.  First up is Brett Lawrie, who'll be manning the hot corner for the Toronto Blue Jays this season.

Here's a guy who hit .347 with 18 home runs and 62 RBI in 73 minor league games last year.  Upon being promoted to the majors, he hit .293 with nine longballs and 25 RBI in 43 games as the British Columbia native was given a warm welcome by the Toronto fans.

Throw in the fact that he was completely focused throughout his brief time in the majors, and I'm anticipating Lawrie to completely break out in 2012.  He has what it takes to be an elite third baseman and while under the radar, is one of the best bets at the position.

50. Stephen Strasburg

Stephen Strasburg only has 92 MLB innings under his belt and missed most of 2011 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but was still lights out upon his return late last season.  In five starts, he went 1-1 with a 1.50 ERA, 0.70 WHIP and 24 strikeouts in 24 innings.  In doing so, he put to rest any questions about how good he would be following such a procedure.

That being said, with the Nationals looking pretty good entering spring training, Strasburg is going to continue to mow down hitters with ease as he slowly works his way up the ranks of elite pitchers in baseball.  I can understand why drafting him may seem scary, but trust me.  He's going to be great both next year and throughout his career and to pass on him in fantasy should just be a crime.