2012 Fantasy Baseball Projections
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2012 Fantasy Baseball Projections
This is intended to be a resource for fantasy baseball projections for the upcoming 2012 season. It will be continually updated and full projections will be posted well before the start of the season for use in your fantasy baseball draft.
The system used for the projections led to championships in five out of six fantasy leagues last season, including roto and head-to-head scoring formats that used both auction and snake drafts. Don't waste time with useless projections systems from CBS and ESPN, these are the projections that work!
I will not reveal the methodology of these projections. However, they do factor in position scarcity, injury history, age and recent performance as well as ballpark factors. The projections will be continually updates so be sure to check the "Recent Updates" section to see what was updated.
Be sure to contact me if you have questions or recommendations for these projections.
All players are listed for the positon at which they are most valuable, but any other positions they are eligible for is included next to their names. A player's whose name is in red indicates he is on a new team this season or still a free agent. Be sure to let me know if I've missed any players team changes.
Sorry I've had to put the projections external links, but Squidoo's formatting limitations do not allow tables of the magnitude of these projections.
The system used for the projections led to championships in five out of six fantasy leagues last season, including roto and head-to-head scoring formats that used both auction and snake drafts. Don't waste time with useless projections systems from CBS and ESPN, these are the projections that work!
I will not reveal the methodology of these projections. However, they do factor in position scarcity, injury history, age and recent performance as well as ballpark factors. The projections will be continually updates so be sure to check the "Recent Updates" section to see what was updated.
Be sure to contact me if you have questions or recommendations for these projections.
All players are listed for the positon at which they are most valuable, but any other positions they are eligible for is included next to their names. A player's whose name is in red indicates he is on a new team this season or still a free agent. Be sure to let me know if I've missed any players team changes.
Sorry I've had to put the projections external links, but Squidoo's formatting limitations do not allow tables of the magnitude of these projections.
Recent Updates
Last Update: February 7, 2012
I have posted the preliminary projections for catchers, first basemen, second basemen, shortstops and third basemen. Designated hitters and outfielders will be up shortly.
Players are currently sorted by OPS, not by overall value. This first round is just for the numbers, not for final values.
Players are currently sorted by OPS, not by overall value. This first round is just for the numbers, not for final values.
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Catchers
Don't Draft Em' High .... Ever
Catcher is suddenly not such a shallow positions anymore, which makes it even more foolish to reach for a catcher too early. Nine catchers are currently projected to hit 15 or more homers this season and 10 have a projected OPS of .775 or better. In 10 or 12-team league, you'll be able to draft a catcher after you've filled out your roster and still be OK.
One thing to watch out for, Mike Napoli, Carlos Santana and Joe Mauer have first base eligibility this season, so other owners may pick them for a position other than catcher. That wouldn't make any sense of course, since their value lies at catcher, but it could happen.
Find full catcher projections here
One thing to watch out for, Mike Napoli, Carlos Santana and Joe Mauer have first base eligibility this season, so other owners may pick them for a position other than catcher. That wouldn't make any sense of course, since their value lies at catcher, but it could happen.
Find full catcher projections here
First Basemen
Plenty to Go Around
In a standard 12-team league, everyone will have a pretty good first baseman. The overall rankings factor position scarcity, so there is little reason to reach for a first baseman except in very deep leagues.
This season, there are again a large number of strong first basemen, but this year has a few wrinkles. Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder are changing leagues, Ryan Howard is recovering from a torn Achilles, Miguel Cabrera may be moving the third base and Ike Davis may never survive the perils of the Mets trainers' room.
There is also an exciting young crop of first basemen, including Eric Hosmer, Paul Goldschmidt, Brandon Belt and Freddie Freeman. None are quite yet ready to become dominant in fantasy this season but have tremendous upside.
Find full first baseman projections here
This season, there are again a large number of strong first basemen, but this year has a few wrinkles. Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder are changing leagues, Ryan Howard is recovering from a torn Achilles, Miguel Cabrera may be moving the third base and Ike Davis may never survive the perils of the Mets trainers' room.
There is also an exciting young crop of first basemen, including Eric Hosmer, Paul Goldschmidt, Brandon Belt and Freddie Freeman. None are quite yet ready to become dominant in fantasy this season but have tremendous upside.
Find full first baseman projections here
Second Basemen
Stronger Than You Think
Second base is slightly deeper than it has been in recent seasons due to some welcome additions. Michael Young and his projected .808 OPS has regained second base eligibility this season and Michael Cuddyer is also eligible AND moving to Coors Field. If Chase Utley can regain his health, it can wind up a very productive position.
Find full second baseman projections here
Find full second baseman projections here
Shortstops
It's a Minefield
The golden age of shortstops isn't completely dead, but there is a lot of risk at this position. Outside of Troy Tulowitzki, is a list full of players that are either injury-prone, inconsistent or unlikely to repeat their stellar 2011.
Jose Reyes has switched teams and never stays healthy, Hanley Ramirez had a bad 2011 and may resent having to move from shortstop to third base, Jimmy Rollins is aging, Derek Jeter is aged .... this is a shaky position all around.
It's a telling sign that J.J. Hardy is currently projected to have the second-most homers at the position.
Find full shortstop projections here
Jose Reyes has switched teams and never stays healthy, Hanley Ramirez had a bad 2011 and may resent having to move from shortstop to third base, Jimmy Rollins is aging, Derek Jeter is aged .... this is a shaky position all around.
It's a telling sign that J.J. Hardy is currently projected to have the second-most homers at the position.
Find full shortstop projections here
Third Basemen
Thin is In
Third base used to be a power position but now it is arguable the weakest spot. Thank God for Joey Bats' tenuous third base eligibility (he only played 25 games there last season). Unless A-Rod has a resurgence, this is a pretty sad group. There are so few very good third basemen, it almost makes sense to wait to draft one, because everyone else will be mediocre at the position as well.
The position will receive a boost from Miguel Cabrera and Hanley Ramirez (who I will list at first base and shortstop, respectively, until I hear confirmation that he will gain third-base eligibility early on this season). Michael Young, Omar Infante and Scott Sizemore add a little depth but will have greater value at other positions.
If you can get Bautista, you will so far ahead of your competitors at the position, it's almost not fair.
Find full third baseman projections here
The position will receive a boost from Miguel Cabrera and Hanley Ramirez (who I will list at first base and shortstop, respectively, until I hear confirmation that he will gain third-base eligibility early on this season). Michael Young, Omar Infante and Scott Sizemore add a little depth but will have greater value at other positions.
If you can get Bautista, you will so far ahead of your competitors at the position, it's almost not fair.
Find full third baseman projections here
Outfielders
Where the Treasures Lie
As always, excellent outfielders are in abundance ... for a while. But there are always treasures lying later in the draft that many owners will overlook.
Starting Pitchers
Keys to the Kingdom
The most important part of any fantasy team is starting pitching, no matter what the format. Building a strong staff is paramount, but not at the cost of wasting early picks.
Relief Pitchers
Risk Personified
Usually an afterthought in most drafts, gambling on a closer too early could spell disaster. You never know where the next 40-save season is going to come from.
Designated Hitters
The bane of a fantasy owner's existence because of their lack of positional flexibility, a few select designated hitters can pay off.
New Guestbook Comments
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ChiroAustin
Mar 6, 2012 @ 2:50 am | delete
- great lens...thanks!
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NumbaOne-1
Mar 4, 2012 @ 1:20 pm | delete
- Hey nice lens! I've been putting a lot of work into a lens for the 2012 fantasy baseball pre-rankings and would appreciate it if you could check it out and give me some feedback. Thanks!
http://www.squidoo.com/FantasyBaseball2012
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brando87
Mar 3, 2012 @ 8:29 am | delete
- my draft starts in 30 minutes. Exciting!
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Chip_Westley
Feb 3, 2012 @ 10:08 am | delete
- Even though 1st basemen are plentiful, I've found it a good strategy to load up on these sluggers and bargain with them as the season progresses.
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cdispoto
Feb 4, 2012 @ 2:34 pm | delete
- I have to say I disagree. Drafting players with intention of trading them is risky business, especially when other positions are so short on talent.
Thanks for reading though and I'll have links to my first round of projections up this week! Can't put the entire projections on the page because of Squidoo's formatting limitations.
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Baseball Sites
- Baseball Prospectus Fantasy (subscription required)
- You need a subscription for Baseball Prospectus content, but it's among the best analysis on the internet, despite their poorly designed website.
- RotoGraphs
- My favorite fantasy site to read.
- Daily Baseball Data
- A great resource for checking out the strength of matchups in daily fantasy leagues.
- Baseball America
- An excellent way to keep up on who is tearing up the minors and may earn an imminent Major League promotion.
by cdispoto
A former sports writer and current reigning champion in four fantasy baseball leagues.
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