2011 Fantasy Projections, No. 77: Why Cubs' Aramis Ramirez Will Bounce Back

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.

Since 2004, Aramis Ramirez has averaged 28 HRs, 96 RBI and a .295 batting average per season.

That’s including the 80 games he missed in 2009 due to a dislocated shoulder, as well as the thumb, oblique and quad injuries that lingered last season, limiting him to just 124 games while yielding a career-low .241 batting average.

Yet, despite his troubles last season, Ramirez’s 25 HRs and 83 RBI were matched by just six other third basemen.

Ramirez’s .245 BABIP was likely the effect of a league-high 56.8 percent fly-ball rate (career 45.7 percent). The combination of his prolonged early-season slump and lingering thumb injury likely forced him to press at the plate, causing the ridiculously high number of fly balls.

However, this should even out in 2011, resulting in a normal BABIP and thus a more Ramirez-like batting average.

Though the injury bug remains a concern given that he’s missed 118 games over the last two seasons, Ramirez will bat third in a curious Cubs lineup.

Without a true leadoff hitter, the team will likely rotate Blake DeWitt, Starlin Castro and Kosuke Fukudome atop the order.

Ramirez will likely be protected by Carlos Pena and Marlon Byrd. Ideal? No.

But there’s enough talent around to help Ramirez approach another 25/90/.280 season.

Draft the 32 year old as the ninth third baseman, No. 77 overall.

	PA	R	HR	RBI	SB	AVG
2010 stats	507	61	25	83	0	.241
3-year average	498	68	22	86	1	.278
2011 FBI Forecast	570	75	25	90	0	.277

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: FANTASY BASEBALL INSIDERS

Fantasy Baseball Insiders’ 2011 Big Board:

• Top 50 Fantasy Baseball Projections
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• No. 71: Francisco Liriano
• No. 72: Tommy Hanson
• No. 73: Brian Roberts
• No. 74: Shane Victorino
• No. 75: Michael Young
• No. 76: Casey McGehee

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