2011 MLB Preview: The Top Five Non-Aces for the Season

Everyone has his or her own strategy when entering a fantasy baseball draft. These tactics depend on your favorite teams, your opponents, the league's scoring style, and dozens of other factors. There is one thing I strongly encourage you to consider on draft day for your team: selecting pitchers that are not aces.

It seems like a dumb thing to focus on, but I have found it to be very useful in my leagues for two reasons. First, No. 2 and No. 3 starters often get to pitch against teams that are resting a starter or two by midseason. Second, they often draw a duel against a lesser pitcher.

I've come up with my top five non-ace pitchers to target in your drafts this year. There is a mix of bonafide studs and sleepers, so you have the chance to get more than one of these guys.

Let me know what you agree and disagree on!

Tommy Hanson, Atlanta Braves

Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

ATLANTA - OCTOBER 2: Tommy Hanson #48 the Atlanta Braves pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies at Turner Field on October 2, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

You'll have to pay a pretty penny to acquire Hanson in most drafts. But with the addition of Dan Uggla, the continued growth of young talent, like Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman, and the steady production of Brian McCann and Martin Prado, you can expect strong run support.

I'm a huge Braves fan and love Hanson, but I'm not taking pitching early this year. If you have a different strategy or are in a pitching-heavy league, pick him up in round 5.

• Average ESPN draft position - 48.4
• No. 3 in the Atlanta Braves' rotation (ridiculous)
• 2010 - 10 W, 173 K, 3.18 ERA, 1.12 WHIP

Max Scherzer, Detroit Tigers

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

NEW YORK - AUGUST 16: Max Scherzer #37 of the Detroit Tigers delivers a pitch against the New York Yankees on August 16, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Max Scherzer is admittedly one of my favorite pseudo-sleepers this year. If he were pitching for the Mets, Royals, and/or a handful of other teams, he would be the unquestioned ace. In Detroit, though, he sits behind 3-time All Star Justin Verlander. It's no secret that Scherzer has the ability to be a star in the league, as an 11th overall selection in 2006.  But, he's also a bargain in a lot of leagues.

I'm aiming to take Scherzer in the 9th or 10th round in my ten team league.

• Average ESPN draft position - 101.2
• No. 2 in the Detroit Tigers' rotation
• 2010 - 12 W, 184 K, 3.50 ERA, 1.25 WHIP 

Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 14: Matt Cain #18 of the San Francisco Giants throws a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers during the spring training baseball game at Scottsdale Stadium on March 14, 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty

Matt Cain guided my team to a championship last year. A little known fact is that Cain is actually younger than teammate Tim Lincecum, but has pitched in the majors for a year and a half longer. In other words, there is a ton of room for growth. He is often overlooked by outsiders, and you need to take full advantage of grabbing him. Even if he just repeats what he did last year, you'll be in great shape.

At age 26, I expect him to continue improving. He's one pitcher who I must have in round 8.

• Average ESPN draft position - 76.3
• No. 2 in the San Francisco Giants' rotation
• 2010 - 13 W, 177 K, 3.14 ERA, 1.08 WHIP

Shaun Marcum, Milwaukee Brewers

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

MARYVALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 24: Shaun Marcum #18 of the Milwaukee Brewers poses for a portrait during Spring Training Media Day on February 24, 2011 at Maryvale Stadium in Maryvale, Arizona. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

The former Toronto Blue Jay ace isn't getting the kind of love I think he should be getting. Good! It's an opportunity to stack your pitching staff with undervalued arms. Shaun Marcum reminds me of a right-handed Ted Lilly—tiny WHIP with a little bit high ERA. But if Marcum follows the route that so many AL-turned-NL pitchers have, he'll soar. The bulk of his pitching will be against the weak NL Central, too.

I'm taking him after my Max Scherzer selection in round 11.

• Average ESPN draft position - 116.1
• No. 3 in the Milwaukee Brewers' rotation (once Zack Greinke returns)
• 2010 - 13 W, 165 K, 3.64 ERA, 1.15 WHIP

Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 19: Cole Hamels #35 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch against the San Francisco Giants in Game Three of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at AT&T Park on October 19, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra

I'm betting most of you saw this one coming. As good as the Phillies' 2011 rotation is, and I happen to think it's the best in history, Cole Hamels has the ability to make it even better. He has the stuff of a Cy Young Award winner when he's on and, last year, he was on. You know he's going to get run support, and he'll be facing guys like Jason Marquis and Ricky Nolasco in the NL East.

The more drafts I do, the higher Hamels is going. I love getting him in round 7 before taking Cain if he's available.

• Average ESPN draft position - 60.4
• No. 3 in the Philadelphia Phillies' rotation
• 2010 - 12 W, 211 K, 3.06 ERA, 1.18 WHIP

Who You Got?

It is possible to have all five of the pitchers I have listed and, if you do end up with them, don't even worry about what your friends say. You'll do just fine. Add a Trevor Cahill here and an R.A. Dickey there for a spot start, and you'll see your team fly to the top of the pitching categories.

Where am I right? Where am I wrong? I want to hear your ideas.