Fantasy Baseball 2011: Albert Pujols and the Top 100 Draft Targets
With only a few days left until Opening Day, many people will have their fantasy drafts coming up soon. Fear not, as Bleacher Report is here with your top 100 draft targets. These targets will be for your standard five-by-five leagues.
The categories for hitters are as follows: average, runs, home runs, RBI and steals. The following are categories for pitchers: wins, ERA, WHIP, strikeouts and saves.
All of the projections listed for the players in the following slides will be the ones made by Bill James. Also, as a note, for fantasy purposes owners tend to undervalue stolen bases despite being just as valuable as home runs. As a result, some speedsters may be higher up on the list than many would expect.
100) Bobby Abreu
1 of 100
Projections: 96 R, 18 HR, 94 RBI, 23 SB, .268 AVG
Even as he gets older, Abreu still remains a 20/20 threat in addition to being able to put up a good batting average. For those reasons, he should be considered a top-100 fantasy player.
99) Curtis Granderson
2 of 100
Projections: 95 R, 25 HR, 73 RBI, 14 SB, .264 AVG
Granderson should have adjusted to the Big Apple by now. If this is the case, he should take advantage of the short porch in left at Yankee Stadium.
98) Carlos Beltran
3 of 100
Projections: 74 R, 20 HR, 74 RBI, 12 SB, .274 AVG
If he was healthy, Beltran would be much higher up on this list. He could be a huge steal if he manages to play at least 130 games this year.
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97) Derek Jeter
4 of 100
Projections: 101 R, 13 HR, 68 RBI, 17 SB, .295 AVG
Jeter is much more valuable to the Yankees than he is in fantasy baseball.
96) David Ortiz
5 of 100
Projections: 91 R, 33 HR, 112 RBI, 0 SB, .261 AVG
Ortiz still remains a solid choice in fantasy leagues. He provides a lot of help in the home run and RBI categories.
95) B.J. Upton
6 of 100
Projections: 87 R, 16 HR, 63 RBI, 40 SB, .255
Fantasy owners are still waiting for that true breakout year from Upton. He will need to cut down on his strikeouts if that is going to happen this year.
94) C.J. Wilson
7 of 100
Projections: 13-10, 186 K, 3.59 ERA, 1.32 WHIP
Last season was Wilson's first year as a starter in the majors. He should improve on his numbers from last year.
93) Brett Gardner
8 of 100
Projections: 101 R, 5 HR, 46 RBI, 50 SB, .275 AVG
Gardner is one of those players that could help you win the stolen-bases category week in and week out.
92) Colby Rasmus
9 of 100
Projections: 91 R, 24 HR, 68 RBI, 14 SB, .261 AVG
I personally believe that Rasmus has the potentially to hit 30-plus home runs this year. If he does, expect closer to 85 RBI from Rasmus.
91) Carlos Marmol
10 of 100
Projections: 5-4, 105 K, 3.14 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 34 SV
Marmol is one of the best relievers in the game. He is a strikeout machine out of the bullpen.
90) Mariano Rivera
11 of 100
Projections: 5-2, 58 K, 1.89 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 33 SV
Just like Jeter, Rivera is another player who is much more valuable in real life than in fantasy baseball.
89) Elvis Andrus
12 of 100
Projections: 82 R, 2 HR, 43 RBI, 34 SB, .274 AVG
Andrus is still very young and he should continue to get better over the course of the season.
88) Ben Zobrist
13 of 100
Projections: 85 R, 17 HR, 77 RBI, 20 SB, .268 AVG
With his eligibility at multiple positions, Zobrist has additional value. If he can put up numbers similar to what he did in 2009, fantasy owners will be very happy.
87) Grady Sizemore
14 of 100
Projections: 105 R, 23 HR, 81 RBI, 23 SB, .265 AVG
Sizemore has been a disappointment the past two years. Taking him is a bit risky but could have big rewards.
86) Kendry Morales
15 of 100
Projections: 75 R, 27 HR, 95 RBI, 1 SB, .296 AVG
There have been some health issues surrounding Morales during spring training. This does hurt his draft status, but when he is healthy he is a very good player.
85) Andres Torres
16 of 100
Projections: 84 R, 14 HR, 53 RBI, 25 SB, .271 AVG
Torres burst onto the scene last season. The big question is if he can sustain the level of production that he had last year.
84) Angel Pagan
17 of 100
Projections: 77 R, 10 HR, 58 RBI, 28 SB, .289 AVG
Pagan is one of those rare players who can help you out in all five categories.
83) Dan Haren
18 of 100
Projections: 15-12, 209 K, 3.52 ERA, 1.18 WHIP
Haren struggled a bit last season. He should return to being a top fantasy pitcher again this year.
82) Geovany Soto
19 of 100
Projections: 56 R, 20 HR, 72 RBI, 0 SB, .276 AVG
If he can stay healthy and get at least 450 at-bats, Soto will be a great choice for fantasy owners.
81) Gio Gonzalez
20 of 100
Projections: 13-10, 212 K, 3.99 ERA, 1.36 WHIP
Gonzalez was one of the more surprising players to make a fantasy impact last year. He won't surprise anyone this season.
80) Michael Bourn
21 of 100
Projections: 89 R, 4 HR, 38 RBI, 51 SB, .267 AVG
As I noted in the opening slide, stolen bases are just as important of a category as home runs. Bourn is a speedster who will help you win the stolen-bases category on a weekly basis.
79) Jonathan Sanchez
22 of 100
Projections: 12-10, 214 K, 3.72 ERA, 1.33 WHIP
Sanchez is arguably the second-best pitcher in the Giants rotation.
78) Matt Cain
23 of 100
Projections: 15-9, 183 K, 3.36 ERA, 1.22 WHIP
Cain is the reason why Sanchez is not the Giants No. 2. The top of the Giants rotation is one of the best in baseball.
77) Hunter Pence
24 of 100
Projections: 87 R, 26 HR, 90 RBI, 16 SB, .285 AVG
Pence always seems to be overlooked by fantasy owners. He shouldn't be.
76) Alexi Ramirez
25 of 100
Projections: 80 R, 18 HR, 78 RBI, 12 SB, .280 AVG
Ramirez is certainly the type of player that can help your team win a championship.
75) Roy Oswalt
26 of 100
Projections: 15-9, 176 K, 3.38 ERA, 1.18 WHIP
Oswalt is the first of four Phillies pitchers that will appear in the top 100.
74) Pedro Alvarez
27 of 100
Projections: 78 R, 27 HR, 103 RBI, 4 SB, .277 AVG
Alvarez will be one of the few bright spots for the Pirates this season.
73) Alex Rios
28 of 100
Projections: 81 R, 18 HR, 77 RBI, 25 SB, .280 AVG.
Rios is the type of player who can help you in all offensive categories.
72) Mat Latos
29 of 100
Projections: 13-8, 185 K, 3.26 ERA, 1.18 WHIP
The Padres' young ace should have another strong season.
71) Shane Victorino
30 of 100
Projections: 97 R, 16 HR, 66 RBI, 30 SB, .279 AVG
The Flyin' Hawaiian has the potential to be a 20/30 player this season.
70) Michael Young
31 of 100
Projections: 89 R, 17 HR, 82 RBI, 5 SB, .293 AVG
Young may not have a set position on the Rangers, but he will get playing time. He may eventually get traded, which could impact his production.
69) Drew Stubbs
32 of 100
Projections: 90 R, 20 HR, 71 RBI, 35 SB, .262 AVG
Stubbs is a big sleeper this year. He has the potential to be a top-15 fantasy outfielder this season.
68) Clay Buchholz
33 of 100
Projections: 14-8, 168 K, 3.54 ERA, 1.28 WHIP
Buchholz will not match his performance from last season but he should have another good year.
67) Brian Wilson
34 of 100
Projections: 5-4, 87 K, 3.04 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 48 SV
If he played in any other division, Wilson would be his division's best closer. The Beard will remain a force in the Giants bullpen.
66) Heath Bell
35 of 100
Projections: 5-3, 80 K, 2.55 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 37 SV
Bell is the reason why Wilson is not the best closer in the NL West.
65) Juan Pierre
36 of 100
Projections: 87 R, 1 HR, 42 RBI, 52 SB, .283 AVG
Pierre is the type of player who can really help you in stolen bases.
64) Corey Hart
37 of 100
Projections: 86 R, 24 HR, 88 RBI, 11 SB, .272 AVG
Corey Hart had a breakout year last season. He is a legitimate power source for your fantasy team.
63) Francisco Liriano
38 of 100
Projections: 13-8, 195 K, 3.69 ERA, 1.30 WHIP
Liriano was a bit unlucky last year, as he had a .331 BABIP. His numbers should improve a bit this season.
62) Brian McCann
39 of 100
Projections: 68, 24, 94, 4, .280
With so few good catchers available, being able to grab someone like McCann is always helpful.
61) Paul Konerko
40 of 100
Projections: 78 R, 32 HR, 96 RBI, 0 SB, .273 AVG
Konerko was outstanding last year. His production should decrease a little, but he will have a good year.
60) Tommy Hanson
41 of 100
Projections: 15-10, 207, 3.41 ERA, 1.19 WHIP
The young pitcher is quickly becoming one of the best in the National League.
59) Rickie Weeks
42 of 100
Projections: 94 R, 21 HR, 64 RBI, 11 SB, .257 AVG
Weeks has never been much of a run producer. However, he does bring a lot of power for a second baseman.
58) Jayson Werth
43 of 100
Projections: 98 R, 25 HR, 91 RBI, 14 SB, .271 AVG
Hitting in the two-hole will certainly hurt Werth's RBI tally.
57) Mike Stanton
44 of 100
Projections: 84 R, 38 HR, 105 RBI, 5 SB, .268 AVG
Stanton's first full season should be very exciting. He could be near the top of the home-run leaderboard.
56) Jason Heyward
45 of 100
Projections: 101 R, 22 HR, 88 RBI, 13 SB, .295 AVG
Heyward showed exactly why he was so hyped up last season. He should have a much better year now that he has a healthy wrist.
55) Justin Upton
46 of 100
Projections: 86 R, 23 HR, 82 RBI, 18 SB, .287 AVG
Upton is another young outfielder who has had early success. He can help fantasy owners in all five categories.
54) Brandon Phillips
47 of 100
Projections: 80 R, 20 HR, 76 RBI, 16 SB, .270 AVG
Phillips is a 20/20 threat. He should be taken in the third or fourth round.
53) Matt Kemp
48 of 100
Projections: 98 R, 27 HR, 95 RBI, 24 SB, .280 AVG
Kemp's batting average should increase from last year. If Kemp cuts down on his strikeouts, he could be a top 30 fantasy player.
52) Carlos Santana
49 of 100
Projections: 83 R, 22 HR, 91 RBI, 7 SB, .280 AVG
Santana is coming back from reconstructive knee surgery. He may get off to a slow start as a result.
51) Chase Utley
50 of 100
Projections: 96 R, 26 HR, 94 RBI, 13 SB, .288 AVG
Utley's injury is a bit of a concern. When he is healthy, Utley is the best second baseman in the National League.
50) Adam Dunn
51 of 100
Projections: 93 R, 44 HR, 105 RBI, 2 SB, .247 AVG
Dunn is one of the best power hitters in the game today. He has hit at least 35 home runs for each of the past seven years.
49) Zack Greinke
52 of 100
Projections: 14-11, 215 K, 3.45 ERA, 1.20 WHIP
The move to the NL should help Greinke out. Potential owners should not be concerned about his rib injury.
48) Chris Carpenter
53 of 100
Projections: 19-8, 183 K, 3.06 ERA, 1.10 WHIP
There will be a lot more pressure for Carpenter to deliver for the Cardinals now that Wainwright is hurt.
47) Shin-Soo Choo
54 of 100
Projections: 88 R, 20 HR, 85 RBI, 19 SB, .299 AVG
Choo is a player who is above average in all five offensive categories. He should be a draft-day target.
46) Cole Hamels
55 of 100
Projections: 15-10, 209 K, 3.45 ERA, 1.17 WHIP
Hamels is another Phillies pitcher who is on this list. They have the best rotation in baseball.
45) Justin Morneau
56 of 100
Projections: 81 R, 27 HR, 101 RBI, 0 SB, .294 AVG
Fantasy owners should look forward to a full season of Morneau this year.
44) Jay Bruce
57 of 100
Projections: 87 R, 31 HR, 83 RBI, 7 SB, .280 AVG
Bruce is the second Reds outfielder in the top 100. He should be in for a great year.
43) Ubaldo Jimenez
58 of 100
Projections: 14-10, 194 K, 3.63 ERA, 1.34 WHIP
Jimenez has shown that pitchers can thrive in hitter-friendly Coors Field. Fantasy owners should not be concerned about his second half in 2010.
42) Justin Verlander
59 of 100
Projections: 15-10, 209 K, 3.46 ERA, 1.24 WHIP
Verlander is usually near the top of the AL strikeout leaders list.
41) Victor Martinez
60 of 100
Projections: 67 R, 21 HR, 86 RBI, 1 SB, .296 AVG
Martinez is one of the few catchers in the majors that can hit .300.
40) Adrian Beltre
61 of 100
Projections: 76 R, 26 HR, 86 RBI, 5 HR, .287 AVG
Beltre should have a lot of protection in the Rangers lineup. This should help his numbers.
39) Dan Uggla
62 of 100
Projections: 92 R, 31 HR, 90 RBI, 3 SB, .256 AVG
Another old face in a new place. Uggla should take advantage of playing in Atlanta.
38) Jacoby Ellsbury
63 of 100
Projections: 102 R, 8 HR, 58 RBI, 59 SB, .300 AVG
It was clear that the Red Sox missed Ellsbury last season. Many fantasy owners missed the speedster as well.
37) Buster Posey
64 of 100
Projections: 74 R, 21 HR, 83 RBI, 1 SB, .308 AVG
Posey is already a star. He could be the top fantasy catcher within a few years too.
36) Jon Lester
65 of 100
Projections: 14-9, 193 K, 3.53 ERA, 1.27 WHIP
The Red Sox ace is coming off of a great season. He should continue to improve this year.
35) Josh Johnson
66 of 100
Projections: 14-7, 174 K, 3.38 ERA, 1.25 WHIP
Johnson is one of the best pitchers in the game. His win total will be hurt by the Marlins offense.
34) CC Sabathia
67 of 100
Projections: 17-9, 202 K, 3.32 ERA, 1.19 WHIP
The Yankees ace should be in for another great season. He should finish the year in the top three of the AL Cy Young voting.
33) Andrew McCutchen
68 of 100
Projections: 99 R, 16 HR, 63 RBI, 33 SB, .287 AVG
The young Pirates outfielder is a budding star. Don't be surprised if he has a 20/20 season.
32) Ichiro Suzuki
69 of 100
Projections: 87 R, 7 HR, 47 RBI, 30 SB, .316 AVG
As a result of the Mariners weak lineup, Ichiro will not score as many runs as fantasy owners would like.
31) Kevin Youkilis
70 of 100
Projections: 103 R, 25 HR, 95 RBI, 5 SB, .294 AVG
Youkilis will have both first base and third base eligibility this season. He is someone who should be targeted late in the second round or early in the third round.
30) Jose Bautista
71 of 100
Projections: 88 R, 34 HR, 90 RBI, 7 SB, .251 AVG
Bautista's power is real, but there is no way that he maintains the .357 ISO (isolated power) that he had last season.
29) Cliff Lee
72 of 100
Projections: 14-10, 170 K, 3.46 ERA, 1.20 WHIP
Lee is the third Phillies pitcher to show up on the list. He should benefit from his return to the National League.
28) Joe Mauer
73 of 100
Projections: 93 R, 15 HR, 87 RBI, 3 SB, .338 AVG
Mauer is the best fantasy catcher. The position is not very deep so grab him if you can.
27) Prince Fielder
74 of 100
Projections: 100 R, 41 HR, 112 RBI, 2 SB, .276 AVG
Fielder should have another 40-plus home run year.
26) Alex Rodriguez
75 of 100
Projections: 95 R, 35 HR, 116 RBI, 10 SB, .284 AVG
It's hard to believe that the last two years have been "down" years for A-Rod from a fantasy perspective. He should see his numbers improve a bit this year.
25) Dustin Pedroia
76 of 100
Projections: 108 R, 17 HR, 77 RBI, 16 SB, .297 AVG
A healthy Pedroia should put up good numbers this year. He has the potential to be a 20/20 player. They are an incredibly valuable commodity in fantasy baseball.
24) Ian Kinsler
77 of 100
Projections: 98 R, 20 HR, 74 RBI, 21 SB, .275 AVG
Kinsler had a down year last year. He should return to form this season.
23) Clayton Kershaw
78 of 100
Projections: 14-10, 221 K, 3.13 ERA, 1.24 WHIP
Kershaw is so valuable because of his ability to strike out hitters.
22) Matt Holliday
79 of 100
Projections: 103 R, 28 HR, 109 RBI, 11 SB, .313 AVG
The Cardinals should score a lot of runs this year and Holliday owners should benefit.
21) Jose Reyes
80 of 100
Projections: 90 R, 11 HR, 55 RBI, 38 SB, .286 AVG
Reyes is in a contract year. He should put up big numbers.
20) Nelson Cruz
81 of 100
Projections: 74 R, 28 HR, 88 RBI, 18 SB, .297 AVG
The projections for Cruz seem a bit low. He could have a 100 RBI year.
19) Ryan Zimmerman
82 of 100
Projections: 94 R, 27 HR, 95 RBI, 4 SB, .291 AVG
Zimmerman is an elite third baseman. He could hit 30 home runs this year.
18) Tim Lincecum
83 of 100
Projections: 16-7, 233 K, 3.00 ERA, 1.17 WHIP
There is a reason why Lincecum is nicknamed The Freak. He should be one of the first pitchers off the draft board.
17) Mark Teixeira
84 of 100
Projections: 106 R, 36 HR, 120 RBI, 1 SB, .282 AVG
It's amazing to find out that Teixeira is not a top-five fantasy first baseman.
16) Ryan Howard
85 of 100
Projections: 98 R, 43 HR, 133 RBI, 2 SB, .276 AVG
Howard gets the slight edge over Teixeira because of his home-run numbers.
15) Felix Hernandez
86 of 100
Projections: 13-12, 204 K, 3.31 ERA, 1.21 WHIP
The ERA and WHIP projections seem high for Hernandez. The ERA projection is above his career average. Felix's ERA should be under 3.00.
14) Adrian Gonzalez
87 of 100
Projections: 113 R, 40 HR, 125 RBI, 0 SB, .312 AVG
The move away from PETCO and into the Red Sox lineup should help Gonzalez's numbers.
13) Roy Halladay
88 of 100
Projections: 18-9, 190 K, 3.16 ERA, 1.11 WHIP
Halladay, the last of the four Phillies pitchers on the list, is the top pitcher in baseball this season.
12) Josh Hamilton
89 of 100
Projections: 80 R, 26 HR, 91 RBI, 7 SB, .324 AVG
Hamilton can easily exceed these numbers if he is able to stay healthy for the whole season.
11) Evan Longoria
90 of 100
Projections: 102 R, 31 HR, 115 RBI, 13 SB, .295 AVG
Longoria is one of the best young third baseman in baseball. He is the best in the American League.
10) David Wright
91 of 100
Projections: 99 R, 27 HR, 104 RBI, 20 SB, .295 AVG
Wright gets the edge over Longoria because of his ability to steal bases. He could bat over .300 if he cuts down on his strikeouts.
9) Ryan Braun
92 of 100
Projections: 108 R, 33 HR, 114 RBI, 15 SB, .310 AVG
Braun is one of the best players in baseball. He will not make it out of the first round of your draft.
8) Joey Votto
93 of 100
Projections: 96 R, 33 HR, 105 RBI, 13 SB, .319 AVG
It is scary to think that Votto, the reigning NL MVP, is not even the best first baseman in his division.
7) Carl Crawford
94 of 100
Projections: 101 R, 14 HR, 77 RBI, 42 SB, .311 AVG
The home run projection for Crawford seems a bit low. He is one of the top outfielders in the game today.
6) Carlos Gonzalez
95 of 100
Projections: 101 R, 28 HR, 101 RBI, 22 SB, .308 AVG
Gonzalez was a sleeper pick last year. Now he is a top 10 player.
5) Robinson Cano
96 of 100
Projections: 95 R, 24 HR, 95 RBI, 3 SB, .308 AVG
Cano is the game's top second baseman. He should be a draft-day target if you have a top-five pick.
4) Troy Tulowitzki
97 of 100
Projections: 103 R, 29 HR, 99 RBI, 12 SB, .296 AVG
Tulowitzki is the best shortstop in baseball. He certainly benefits from playing in Coors Field.
3) Miguel Cabrera
98 of 100
Projections: 105 R, 37 HR, 126 RBI, 4 SB, .322 AVG
Cabrera will continue to be one of the best players in baseball. He can challenge for the AL Triple Crown.
2) Hanley Ramirez
99 of 100
Projections: 108 R, 25 HR, 80 RBI, 33 SB, .312 AVG
Hanley comes in at No. 2 on this list. If he is able to become a 30/40 player, he will be the No. 1 fantasy player next year.
1) Albert Pujols
100 of 100
Projections: 120 R, 43 HR, 126 RBI, 11 SB, .327 AVG
There is nothing more intimidating to pitchers than Albert Pujols in a contract year.
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