Fantasy Baseball Draft Strategy: Why Infielders Are Key to a Winning Season

As the start of the 2012 baseball season grows nearer, so too does the start of the fantasy season.

While you're contemplating your strategy and compiling your own personal wish list, it's important to take stock of the players at the top of the heap as well as the guys in the middle of the pack whose upsides may be a little less obvious. And in addition to snagging an innings-eating pitcher and a shutdown closer, you need players who are going to put up big numbers with their offensive production.

They can be found at first and third (and sometimes even second) base.

The power alleys can provide your fantasy team with its main source of home runs, runs scored and RBI, so snagging a game-changing power hitter (or two) at those positions is a must. Last year, Toronto third baseman/outfielder Jose Bautista led the American League with 43 homers and had 103 RBI. His slugging percentage was .608 and his on-base percentage was .447.

First baseman Albert Pujols, always a top pick in fantasy drafts, had 37 homers and 99 RBI in 147 games last year with a .541 slugging percentage. Pujols was the most productive member of the 2011 World Series champion Cardinals, and fellow infielder David Freese hit .297 with 10 homers and 55 RBI, ranking near the top of the roster.

Or look at the Rangers, who lost to St. Louis in the World Series. Second baseman Ian Kinsler and third baseman Adrian Beltre dominated that offense. Kinsler hit 32 home runs, tying Beltre for the team lead, and scored 121 runs, 25 more than Elvis Andrus, who finished second on the team. Beltre had 105 RBI (one fewer than team leader Michael Young) and 88 runs scored.

Great teams get ample production out of their infielders, and a good fantasy team should mimic that by selecting players who can put up power numbers in those positions. Stud left-fielders and DHs are important too, but never underestimate the power of the infielders.