Fantasy Baseball Rankings 2012: Carlos Gonzalez and Sluggers Lacking Consistency

It happens every year. You snag a guy early you know is just going to kill it for you, based on projections and his career arc and because you've watched him play and can just tell he's got that special something.

And sure enough, he's a bust.

Maybe his swing is just slightly off. Maybe he takes an unexpected dip in one particular stat. Perhaps the injury bug bites him.

One way or another, you leave disappointed.

So who are those high-risk, high-reward players in fantasy baseball this year? And should you pounce or stay away?

Let's find out.

David Wright, 3B, New York Mets

At some point, Wright became an injury-prone, power-lacking option at third base after once seeming like a 30-30 man for your fantasy team.

Some of the lack of power could be contributed to the large confines of Citi Field—and perhaps he'll be helped by dimensions that were shrunk over the winter—but he's also increased his strikeouts, and his runs and RBI totals might naturally be down this year, given the Mets' poor lineup.

Wright still has a ton of potential, and if he's healthy, he'll help your team. But don't overpay for him—there are safer options at the position.

Hanley Ramirez, 3B, Miami Marlins

Ramirez has first-round talent, though don't tell that to any owners who drafted him last year. Between injuries and issues with management, Ramirez hit .243 and only managed 10 home runs.

Ramirez has the ability to help your team in every category, and you shouldn't be surprised if an owner in your league targets him at the end of the first round.

I'd recommend waiting to see if he hits the second round, or perhaps even the early third. Ramirez would be excellent value there and could be a guy that spearheads your championship push.

Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Colorado Rockies

Gonzalez wasn't bad last year, but he wasn't nearly as good as his epic 2010 season, when he hit .336 with 34 home runs and 117 RBI.

Last year, those numbers dipped significantly. While injuries didn't help his cause, a .295 average, 26 home runs and 92 RBI were disappointing numbers for those who selected him in the first round.

But fear not, fantasy owners—draft Gonzalez with confidence! He still posted very good 2011 numbers, and a healthier Gonzalez will give you 2010 power numbers even if he doesn't reach that high of an average again.

If Gonzalez is sitting on the board in the third round, snatch him up and have yourself an evil laugh—you just hosed your league-mates with a savvy pick.

Jayson Werth, OF, Washington Nationals

Oh, Jayson Werth—was there a more disappointing free agent than you last year?

Actually, there was: Carl Crawford, who would be on this list if I considered him a slugger (he's never hit more than 20 home runs—he's no slugger).

But Werth was a close second. A .232 average, 20 home runs and only 58 RBI will do that.

I don't think Werth will ever come close to his 2009 season again, when he hit 36 home runs and had 99 RBI. But I do think Werth is perfectly capable of giving your fantasy team a season in which he hits .270 with 25 home runs and 85 RBI.

Don't draft Werth high. But don't treat him like the plague, either.

Pablo Sandoval, 3B, New York Giants

Will the real Kung-Fu Panda please stand up?

Is the real Sandoval the one we saw in 2009 (.330, 25 home runs, 90 RBI) and 2011 (.315, 23 home runs, 70 RBI) or the one we got in 2010 (.268, 13 home runs, 63 RBI)?

I'd say the 2009 and 2011 version, and more specifically, the Sandoval we saw in 2011.

You shouldn't be taking him over Jose Bautista, Hanley Ramirez, Evan Longoria, Adrian Beltre or probably even David Wright.

But if you need to snag a third basemen in the middle rounds, Sandoval is an excellent option. Expect him to hit above .300, give you 20 home runs or more and hover around the 75 RBI mark.

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