Fantasy Baseball 2011 Rankings: Carlos Gonzalez and the Top 10 Outfielders

Carlos Gonzalez made a serious run at the National League Triple Crown in 2010.

So if he can come close to matching that feat in 2011, he's a good bet to finish the year as the No. 1 outfielder in the 2011 fantasy baseball season.

But there are plenty of great outfielders available, all of whom bring different skills to the table.

If you need balance, go with Gonzalez.

If you need power, grab Matt Holliday.

If you need speed, Carl Crawford is your guy.

And if you need average, Ichiro is a sure-fire bet to hit above .300.

So going into this year's draft, diagnose what you need and draft from there. There are plenty of outfielders to fill your needs.

Here are the top 10 outfielders for 2011.

10. Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners

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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 29: Ichiro Suzuki #51 of the Seattle Mariners at bat against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on September 29, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Ichiro won't hit for power or drive in many runs, but he's a guarantee to hit .300-plus with 200 hits.

The guy is a base-hit machine and he hasn't shown any signs of slowing down.

So if you need a boost to your team average, Ichiro is a no-brainer.

9. Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates

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DETROIT - JUNE 13: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates bats in the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers during the game on June 12, 2010 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Pirates 4-3. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty

McCutchen could develop into a triple-threat outfielder this season.

He should improve his .286/16/56 line from 2010.

Plus, he stole 33 bases last year and there's no reason to think he can't eclipse that mark as well.

He brings a little bit of everything to the table and should be valued appropriately in your league.

8. Nelson Cruz, Texas Rangers

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 16: Nelson Cruz #17 of the Texas Rangers hits a leadoff double in the bottom of the fifth inning against the New York Yankees in Game Two of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 16, 201

Cruz hit .318 with 22 home runs and drove in 78 runs in 2010.

He did all that despite playing in only 108 games.

If he can stay healthy, he could eclipse 30 home runs and 100 RBI in 2011.

He also stole 17 bases in 2010, so he's no slouch in the speed department either.

7. Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers

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PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 27: Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers leaves the field during spring training at Camelback Ranch on February 27, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Kemp took a major step back last season, hitting a career-low .249.

Given his previous batting averages, I'll call his 2010 average an anomaly.

He still provides plenty of power, hitting 25-plus home runs, and he is a threat to drive in 100 runs in a good year.

If he gets on base more often this season, he should also return to his 30-plus steals style.

6. Justin Upton, Arizona Diamondbacks

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NEW YORK - JULY 31: Justin Upton #10 of the Arizona Diamondbacks runs after hitting a seventh inning two run single against the New York Mets on July 31, 2010 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by J

Upton also took a step backward last season.

But he's still only 23 years old, so he has plenty of time to get back on track.

The Diamondbacks are hoping he produces a lot this season after they got rid of Mark Reynolds.

It's Upton's show in Arizona, so let's see how he handles it.

5. Carl Crawford, Boston Red Sox

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FT. MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 20: : : : Carl Crawford #13 of the Boston Red Sox poses for a portrait during the Boston Red Sox Photo Day on February 20, 2011 at the Boston Red Sox Player Development Complex in Ft. Myers, Florida (Photo by Elsa/Getty Image

Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury are going to run all over the place this season.

Crawford had 47 steals last season, so expect him to have at least that many in 2011.

But he's also surprisingly productive in terms of power too. He hit 19 home runs and drove in 90 runs in 2010.

Expect him to at least match those numbers in the hitter-friendly Fenway Park.

4. Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers

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ATLANTA - JULY 15: Ryan Braun #8 of the Milwaukee Brewers against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on July 15, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Braun's home-run total dipped to 25 last season, a career low.

But hitting in the same lineup as Prince Fielder, he'll continue to get plenty of pitches to hit in 2011.

If he can make the most of them and improve his homer total, he could end the season as the top-rated outfielder.

3. Matt Holliday, St. Louis Cardinals

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ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 09: Matt Holliday #7 of the St. Louis Cardinals against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on September 9, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

At least the Cardinals have one superstar locked up long-term.

Holliday should be trying to produce as much as possible this season, just in case Albert Pujols leaves in free agency after the season.

With the injury to Adam Wainwright, the Cardinals need Holliday to do plenty of hitting and improve on his .312/28/103 line from 2010.

2. Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers

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SURPISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 27: Josh Hamilton #32 of the Texas Rangers bats during a spring training game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on February 27, 2011 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images)

Hamilton had an outstanding .359 batting average last year.

He also hit 32 home runs and drove in 100 runs in his MVP campaign.

There's no reason to think Hamilton won't make a run at another MVP award in 2011.

Expect his average to come back to earth a bit, finishing in the .325-.330 range.

1. Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies

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PHOENIX - SEPTEMBER 21: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies warms up on deck during the Major League Baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 21, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Image

CarGo broke out in a big way in 2010.

He finished the year with a .336 average, hitting 34 home runs and driving in 117 runs.

Oh, and he also stole 26 bases.

There's nothing this guy can't do, so if you can grab him in Round 1, do it and don't look back.

The results will be more than worth it.