2011 Fantasy Projections, No. 26: Shin-Soo Choo Is on the Verge of Elite Status

Our 2011 fantasy baseball projections will be released one-by-one until the top 100 players have been revealed. These rankings consider past achievements, current performance and expected future results based on standard 5×5 H2H settings.

Shin-Soo Choo has established himself over the last two-and-a-half seasons as an incredibly valuable (and perhaps under-appreciated) fantasy asset. Of the seven players who posted 20 HR and 20 steals last year, only three (Hanley Ramirez, Carlos Gonzalez and Choo) came with a .300 batting average. In fact, Choo posted a 20/20/.300 line in 2009 as well, placing him in exclusive company.

Choo’s elite BABIP (career .360) has been questioned by some, but his ability to maintain it over the course of three seasons (.367, .370, .347) proves its legitimacy.

If Choo had a better lineup around him to support his runs and RBI totals, he’d undoubtedly be a top-20 player. Healthy returns from Grady Sizemore and Carlos Santana in 2011 could go a long way in helping Choo become just the fourth 20/100/100/20/.300 player in the last three years (Carlos Gonzalez in 2010, Hanley Ramirez and Ryan Braun in 2009).

With his Korean military commitment no longer an issue, Choo is free to continue doing his best Bobby Abreu impression in 2011. The 28-year-old is a top-30 pick, seventh among outfielders. Draft with confidence.

	PA	R	HR	RBI	SB	AVG
2010 stats	646	81	22	90	22	.300
3-year average	567	79	19	81	16	.302
2011 FBI Forecast	665	95	24	95	24	.308

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: FANTASY BASEBALL INSIDERS

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Fantasy Baseball Insiders’ 2011 Big Board:

• Nos. 1-10 Is Pujols Still The Top Pick?
• Nos. 11-20 Where Do Votto, A-Rod and Halladay Fit In?
• No. 21: Dustin Pedroia
• No. 22: Chase Utley
• No. 23: Ryan Zimmerman
• No. 24: Jose Reyes
• No. 25: Josh Hamilton

MLB Trades: Fantasy Impact:

• Frank Francisco Traded to the Blue Jays, Who Will Be The Team’s Closer?
• Mike Napoli Traded to the Texas Rangers: Fantasy Impact
• Vernon Wells Traded to the Los Angeles Angels: Fantasy Impact
• Adrian Beltre Traded to the Texas Rangers: Fantasy Impact

Previous articles from Fantasy Baseball Insiders:

• The Sub-2.50 ERA Curse: Why Five Elite Starting Pitchers May Regress in 2011
• 2010 Batting Average on Balls in Play Leaders: What to Expect in 2011?
• 2011 Closer’s Corner: Papelbon, Cordero & Rivera Are the Only Reliable Options