Fantasy Baseball Rankings 2012: Blundering Busts to Avoid on Draft Day

Every year, fantasy baseball fanatics draft players based on their reputation or hype instead of analyzing whether said players are actually worth grabbing.

Separating the legit from the overhyped is key in every fantasy baseball draft, especially when you are looking at a player early in the draft.

Here's a look at my top five busts for the 2012 MLB season (note: rankings are based on production vs. average draft position).

5. Ben Zobrist, 2B/OF, Tampa Bay Rays

Ranked 48th overall by Yahoo! Sports, I honestly don't understand all the hype being generated over Ben Zobrist.

Can he hit? Of course he can.

But is he worth drafting so early? Of course not.

If Zobrist reenacts his spectacular 2009 season, then he will be a bargain at No. 48 overall. But, the reality is, he's 30 years old now and he hasn't even hit .270 in his past two seasons.

In 2011, Zobrist hit .269 with 20 home runs, 91 RBI and 99 runs, while stealing 19 bases. I'm not saying he's not worth drafting, but there are plenty of players at his ADP who can help you much more, especially given there's some depth at second base this year.

4. Adam Jones, OF, Baltimore Orioles

When I think Adam Jones, I think, "Meh."

He'll be a decent source of home runs, RBI and runs, and he won't kill you in batting average. But, people, he's an outfielder. There are plenty of outfielders who can be decent in these categories. Drafting Jones doesn't really distance you from anyone.

He's ranked 76th overall, including an unbelievable 22nd among outfielders. Don't do it, folks. You will regret it.

3. Derek Jeter, SS, New York Yankees

All you Derek Jeter lovers out there are going to be hating on me after this, but let's face it, Jeter is old and declining.

Last season, Jeter hit .297, but he had only six home runs, 61 RBI and 84 runs in a loaded Yankees lineup. Even in his time to shine, the postseason, he hit .250 with two RBI and eight strikeouts in 24 at-bats.

Beyond that, Jeter's age is showing. He's not the base-stealing threat he once was and he played the fewest games since 2003 last season. Steer clear, even at a shallow position.

2. Jose Reyes, SS, Miami Marlins

Before you start yelling at me and telling me Jose Reyes was an All-Star last season and he hit .337 and he had 101 runs and he stole 39 bases, let me state my case first.

I am not debating Reyes' skill level. He was one of the best hitters in baseball last season. What I am debating is his ability to stay on the field for most of the season.

Reyes hasn't played in 135 games or more since 2008. He played in 36 games in 2009 and managed 126 games last season. He's essentially a 28-year-old going on 35 years of age.

Reyes is a boom-or-bust player. If he pretends he's a younger player without an injury history, he will boom. If he plays within the reality of the world, he will be a bust. There's nothing worse than losing your star shortstop for the fantasy baseball playoffs.

1. Kevin Youkilis, 1B/3B, Boston Red Sox

Everybody in Boston loves Kevin Youkilis. He's risen from an eighth-rounder in the 2001 draft to a three-time All-Star and two-time world champion.

But his history on the baseball field and collection of bromances are overtaking his true value in fantasy baseball.

Last season, Youkilis hit .258 with 17 home runs, 80 RBI and 68 runs—mediocre numbers across the board. At 33 years of age, he's a declining player who is getting far too much credit this year, ranked 58th overall.

Let me put it this way: Kevin Youkilis is Boston's version of Derek Jeter. While once a good thing, that is now a bad thing.

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