Fantasy Baseball Rankings 2012: Which Studs Are Surefire Top-5 Picks?

With the Super Bowl officially a thing of the past, it's high time we started looking forward to baseball season.

The actual 2012 MLB season doesn't start until early April, but the 2012 fantasy baseball season has already begun.

Before long, it's going to be time to draft.

There's more depth in fantasy baseball drafts than there is with any other sport, but the one thing baseball drafts have in common with all the others is that you really can't screw up if you have a top-5 pick.

But, you need to pick a player who is top-5 material.

I'll save you the trouble of researching. If you end up with a top-5 pick in your draft, you're going to want to use it on one of these guys.

5. Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Colorado Rockies

Troy Tulowitzki is the best hitting shortstop in the majors, and it's not even close.

In 2011, Tulo led all major league shortstops with a .916 OPS, a .544 slugging percentage, 105 RBI and he tied for the major league lead with 30 home runs. He also hit .302, third-best among major league shortstops.

At the rate he's going, Tulo is a lock for a .300 average, 30 home runs and 100 RBI, and he'll also get you double-digit stolen bases. 

There are better hitters than Tulo out there, but not at the shortstop position. It's not what it once was, as there are a few too many shortstops that have talent but aren't consistent enough to be worth a first-round pick.

Tulo is the exception to the rule.

If you draft him, you won't have to worry about your SS spot for the rest of the season.

4. Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, Boston Red Sox

Jacoby Ellsbury did it all in 2011. That's no exaggeration.

All told, Ellsbury hit .321, slugged 32 home runs, drove in 102 runs, scored 119 runs and stole 39 bases.

He went from being a mere speed demon to being one of the best all-around offensive players in baseball.

The natural question, of course, is if Ellsbury can do it all again. Specifically, will he hit for as much power in 2012 as he did in 2011?

It's a good bet that he will.

It would be one thing if Ellsbury started the year hot and then cooled down, but he did the opposite. He started driving the ball with astonishing regularity after the All-Star break, posting a .625 slugging percentage and hitting 21 home runs.

The only downside is that Ellsbury stopped stealing bases. Even still, he's a legitimate 30-30 threat, and there just aren't many of those around the big leagues.

If Ellsbury continues to improve, he could even be a 40-40 threat.

3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B/3B, Detroit Tigers

Miguel Cabrera was good in 2011. Like, really good.

Cabrera led the majors in both average (.344) and on-base percentage (.448), and he finished second in OPS at 1.033. He added 30 homers, 105 RBI and 111 runs scored.

The signing of Prince Fielder makes Cabrera even more valuable, as Cabrera should benefit from having another lethal force in the lineup. Furthermore, the Tigers confirmed at Fielder's introductory presser that Cabrera will move across the diamond to third base to accommodate Fielder.

That means Cabrera will be eligible at both first and third base, giving him unique versatility.

In addition to that, you'll be getting one of the best hitters in baseball.

You won't be disappointed.

2. Jose Bautista, OF, Toronto Blue Jays

Jose Bautista proved in 2011 that his 2010 season was no fluke. He truly is one of the best power hitters in baseball.

Bautista followed up his 54 home run campaign by blasting a league-high 43 in 2011. He also led the majors with a 1.055 OPS and .608 slugging percentage.

This is pretty impressive seeing as how Bautista did not finish the season nearly as hot as he started it.

He only hit 12 homers after the All-Star break, slugging .477 and hitting .257 overall. He slugged .702 and hit .334 before the All-Star break.

A lot of people blame his decline on the Home Run Derby, and it's a legit gripe. We've seen sluggers stop slugging after participating in the Derby. Bautista is not the first, nor will he be the last.

But, don't let that scare you away from him. When Bautista is right, there's not a better hitter in baseball.

1. Matt Kemp, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

Matt Kemp was a fantasy player's dream in 2011.

A year after his epic flop in 2010, Kemp bounced back to hit .324 with 39 home runs, 126 RBI, 115 runs scored and 40 stolen bases. He came this close to joining the 40-40 club.

The difference, if you don't mind a little gossip, was Kemp's Rihanna-free existence. It may sound a bit silly, but you can't argue with the numbers.

With Rihanna out of the picture, what Kemp proved in 2011 is that he is everything we were waiting for him to be. He's a true five-tool player, and he is one of the game's brightest stars.

More importantly, he'll help you compete in every major rotisserie category.

Check and mate.