Fantasy Baseball Rankings 2012: 3 Teams Chock Full of Fantasy Studs

It's that wonderful time when spring training is in full swing and fantasy owners are poring over the pages of Baseball Prospectus. Here is a breakdown of those actual teams that dominate the upper echelons of fantasy rankings. 

Here is a fantasy breakdown with a twist. We break down the teams with a great deal of fantasy impact headed into the 2012 season. 

Now, we are not counting the teams with the most fantasy players, because things get messy with sleepers and draftable players. 

It's all about the fantasy studs here. 

Rankings via Yahoo Fantasy Player Ranker 

1. Detroit Tigers

I love this team for the balance they have in the top 100 of players available. They have Miguel Cabrera, who is still rattled by a shot to the face, and Prince Fielder, which makes that lineup instantly one of the best in baseball. 

Don't count out their pitching, as they come in with the best in baseball, Justin Verlander. As far as rankings go, Verlander is No. 2, Cabrera is No. 9 and Fielder is No. 16—three solid players in the first two rounds of most leagues. 

Consider Doug Fister, sitting at No. 51, who may be in store for a career year in 2012, and the Tigers are one of the most top-loaded in baseball. 

2. Philadelphia Phillies

If you value starting pitching, you are going to target a great deal of the Phillies rotation. 

Roy Halladay comes in as the third best pitcher and No. 7 overall. After that, Cliff Lee is No. 8, Cole Hamels is No. 21 and Jonathan Papelbon is No. 77 and arguably the best closer on the board. 

Phillies hitting has taken a hit, but still feature four sluggers in the top 100. 

3. Texas Rangers

If we are looking for top-loaded teams, we have to consider the Texas Rangers. The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees make strong cases, but I am loving the balanced players from the Rangers. 

Ian Kinsler, Adrian Beltre and Michael Young are listed as top-35 players. That's a good thing because their hitting is going to have to carry them. 

Josh Hamilton, in my opinion, is underrated at No. 45 overall. 

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