1. Felix Hernandez (24) – Coming off a 19 win season in 2009 where he finished second in the AL Cy Young voting. Already an elite pitcher with his best years to come. The clear cut No. 1 pitcher on this list.

2. Tommy Hanson (23) -The top pitching prospect in all of baseball failed to disappoint last season after receiving the call to the big leagues in June. He finished with 11 wins and a 2.89 ERA in 21 games and is off to a good start this year. An ace-in-the-making who should contend for the NL Cy Young in the near future.

3. Yovani Gallardo (24) – The ace of the Brewers staff posted the second best K/9 in the NL last year at 9.89 to go along with 13 wins and a sub-4.00 ERA. Off to a 3-2, 3.00 ERA, 10.00 K/9 start in 36 IP this season. Needs to cut down on his career 3.92 BB/9 ratio to become an elite pitcher.

4. Clayton Kershaw (22) – Despite winning only 8 games last season on a first-place team, Kershaw has all the makings of a future ace. He finished in the Top 5 in ERA (2.79) , K/9 (9.74), and H/9 (6.3) last season, while leading the league in opponents AVG (.200). While his control needs to improve as his career 4.82 BB/9 suggests, he has the ability to overpower hitters and dominant on any given night.

5. Jair Jurrjens (24) – Had the 5th-lowest ERA in baseball last year (2.60) and held hitters to a .274 AVG on balls hit in play. Knows how to change speeds and mix his pitches effectively to get batters out. In line to be a top of the rotation starter for many years despite his early ineffectiveness this season, mostly due to injury.

6. David Price (24) – The No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft took the league by storm with a great showing in the Rays’ 2008 postseason run to the World Series. Price possesses overpowering stuff with a mid-90s fastball and a hard breaking slider that can lead to plenty of strikeouts. Like many young pitchers, he has had command issues but also isn’t afraid to challenge hitters. Off to a great start this season and looks to be coming into his own as a pitcher.

7. Phil Hughes (23) – After struggling with injuries his first 2 seasons, Hughes pitched mostly out of the bullpen in 2009 and finished with a 1.40 ERA along with showing good command (5:1 K/BB ratio). After winning the 5th spot in the Yankees rotation this spring, he has proven to be one of the teams best starters as he has gone 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA in 4 starts, including a near no-hitter. Hughes looks to be realizing his immense potential under the bright lights of New York.

8. Rick Porcello (21) – The youngest player in the big leagues last season had a successful rookie campaign for the Tigers. The former 1st round pick went 14-9 with a 3.96 ERA and finished 3rd in the AL Rookie of the Year voting last season. He has good control and a sinker that is conducive for plenty of groundball outs. While he may not be a big strikeout pitcher, his control and quality stuff will make him a tough pitcher to face every time he takes the mound.

9. Brian Matusz (23) – The 4th overall pick in 2008 impressed many in his brief stint in the majors last season with the Orioles by displaying a good command and presence on the mound. His strikeout and walk totals in his 13 career big league starts show his top-of-the-rotation potential. The future is bright for this southpaw and his outlook for 2010 and beyond is sure to catch the eye of plenty of baseball fans.

10. Brett Anderson (22) – Acquired in the trade that sent Dan Haren from Oakland to Arizona, the A’s are ecstatic from what they see in Anderson so far in his brief career. Baseball America’s No. 7 prospect entering the 2009 season posted solid numbers in his rookie season. He finished with a team-leading 11 wins and 150 strikeouts to go along with a respectable 4.06 ERA (3.48 ERA after the All-Star break). Anderson started 2010 on a good note by posting a 2.35 ERA in 4 starts before going on the DL with a forearm strain. Despite this injury, Anderson should be a good starter for many years with his command and ability to strike batters out.

11. Neftali Feliz (21) – Perhaps no one on this list possesses more overpowering stuff than Feliz. Currently serving as the Rangers closer, Feliz has shown the ability to dominant opposing hitters with his upper 90s fastball that has reached triple digits at times. He pitched out of the bullpen after his call-up to the big league club in August and finished with a 1.74 ERA in 31 IP along with 39 K and impressive 0.68 WHIP. The Rangers have bounced around the idea of moving Feliz to the rotation, but feel he is best serve as their closer right now. Whatever role he is in, Feliz is sure to make opposing hitters cringe at the sight of facing him.

12. Wade Davis (24) – Davis joined an impressive young Rays rotation at the end of 2009 and posted good numbers in 6 starts. In those starts, Davis went 2-2 with a 3.72 ERA to go along with 36 strikeouts and a 1.27 WHIP in 36.1 IP. He has picked up where he left off in ’09 to start 3-1 with a 2.79 ERA in 5 starts this season. Despite pitching in a tough AL East, Davis looks to be a good option to post a sub-4.00 ERA with good strikeout numbers this season.

13. Mat Latos (22) -Latos started his rookie campaign in 2009 by allowing no more than 2 earned runs in his first 5 starts. Despite struggling in his last 5 starts, Latos has shown good upside especially pitching in a pitcher friendly PETCO Park. The Padres thought enough of Latos to promote him straight from Double-A and bypass Triple-A altogether. Overall in his minor league career, Latos went 12-8, 2.49 ERA, with a 216:47 K/BB ratio in 185 IP, allowing only 149 hits. If he can translate those impressive numbers to the big leagues, the Padres have a future ace on their hands.

14. Johnny Cueto (24) – Cueto has been plagued my inconsistency since entering the big leagues in 2008. He has shown to be a very good pitcher in the first half of the season, as his 7-4 record with a 2.86 ERA through June in ’09 would suggest. However, Cueto has worn down in the second half and posted an 8.00 ERA in July and August of last season before a DL stint for shoulder inflammation. He possesses a live arm despite his small frame and still has too much upside to be deemed a failure at this point in his career. If Cueto can find some consistency he is arguably one of the best pitchers on this list.

15. Jaime Garcia (23) – After originally making his debut in relief during the 2008 season for the Cardinals, Garcia had to undergo Tommy John surgery in the offseason and miss most of the 2009 season. After winning the 5th spot in rotation this spring, Garcia has been a pleasant surprise for the Cardinals so far this season. In 4 starts, he has been dominating opposing hitters with a 1.04 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP in 26 IP. With a career 9.8 K/9 in the minors and the tutelage of pitching coach Dave Duncan, look for Garcia to maintain his success in the big leagues.

16. Joba Chamberlain (24) – After a great year in 2008 where he appeared in 42 games (12 starts) where he posted an impressive 2.60 ERA and 10.58 K/9, the future looked extremely promising for Joba. However, last year wasn’t as friendly as his first 2 years in the big leagues as his ERA and WHIP numbers increased as a full-time starter. This year, Joba was beat out by Phil Hughes for the 5th spot in the Yankees rotation and is back to the bullpen where his career as a starter is now in question again. Despite this role uncertainty, he is still a quality pitcher and should still provide good value in the bullpen.

17. Mike Leake (22) – The 8th pick in the 2009 draft is the first player since Xavier Nady in 2000 to go straight from the draft to the major leagues. Despite some control issues, Leake has been solid in his first 4 big league starts as he has gone 2-0 with a 3.25 ERA in 27.2 IP. While Leake is sure to run into some rookie struggles this year due to not pitching in the minor leagues, he has shown so far that his more than capable of being an effective big league pitcher.

18. Daniel Bard (24) – The man nicknamed “The Heat” consistently throws a fastball in the 98-99 range and even reached 101 MPH on the radar gun last July against the A’s. The 2006 1st round pick has all the makings of a dominant big league closer as his 11.5 K/9 and 3:1 K/BB ratio with the Red Sox last season would attest. Look for Bard to become a closer somewhere in the near future.

19. Chris Perez – Perez is another hard-throwing right hander who possesses an upper 90s fastball. Perez was acquired by the Indians last season in the trade of Mark DeRosa to the Cardinals and is currently serving as the teams’ closer for the injured Kerry Wood. He was originally selected in the 1st round by the Cardinals in 2006 and served as a closer throughout his minor league career. Look for Perez to stay the Indians closer in the coming years and produce high strikeout totals.

20. Jhoulys Chacin (22) – MLB.com’s No. 44 prospect for 2010 is a current hot topic in baseball discussion after his impressive first start of the 2010 season yesterday. In that start, Chacin only gave up one hit in 7 scoreless IP along with 7 K. While Chacin has moved from starting to the bullpen, his best value is seen in the rotation where he has the potential to be a very good starter. The Rockies are hoping for more outings like yesterday’s from Chacin.

21. Jenrry Mejia (20) – The youngest player on this list has been solid in his first 11 IP out of the Mets bullpen this season by posting a 1.64 ERA. The Mets top pitching prospect sports a fastball with good velocity and movement along with a slider that tends to sweep across the plate. The key for Mejia is find command of his pitches due to his great movement. The jury is out on how good he can be since he is so young, however, he has managed to adjust to the big leagues fairly well so far.

22. Chris Volstad (23) – After an impressive rookie campaign in 2008, Volstad followed it up with the dreaded sophomore slump last season. He finished his sophomore campaign with a 9-13 record and a 5.21 ERA in 159 IP. He also struggled with the long ball as he had an alarming 1.64 HR/9 ratio. The Marlins are hoping the former 1st rounder, who has drawn comparisons to Roy Halladay, recaptures the promise he showed in his rookie season to provide a solid 1-2 punch with Josh Johnson in the future.

23. Homer Bailey (23) – The former highly-touted pitching prospect has had his share of struggles in his big league career. Bailey hasn’t fooled too many hitters as they have hit .287 against him in his career. He has also been plagued by walks (4.43 BB/9) and home runs (1.09 HR/9) in his brief career which has been the main reason for his career 5.52 ERA. However, Bailey showed glimpses of his potential as he allowed 3 runs or less in his last 9 starts last season. The Reds are hoping Bailey can figure things out and live up to his success in the minors.

24. Ryan Perry (23) – Similar to Daniel Bard, Perry projects as a future closer, but currently serves as a middle reliever for the Tigers. While Perry struggled with his command last season, he did strike out 60 batters in 61.2 IP in his rookie season. The 2008 1st round pick should be a good closer in the future, but needs to harness his wildness before becoming a true option to close out games.

25. Franklin Morales (24) – The hard-throwing lefty made his debut with the Rockies back in 2007, where he made 8 starts. After a disappointing 2008 season between the majors and minors, Morales pitched 38 games in relief for the Rockies last season and showed some promise. He currently is filling in for injured closer Huston Street and is 3 for 5 in save chances. While Morales has had his share of struggles in the big leagues, he still possesses decent upside as a back-of-the-rotation starter or lefty specialist out of the bullpen.

1. Evan Longoria (24) – 60 HR and 198 RBI in first 2 seasons. Off to a great start in 2010 and should add an MVP to his collection soon.

2. Justin Upton (22) – 20 HR-20 SB guy last year. Arguably the best athlete in baseball who should reach 30 HR-30 SB in the near future.

3. Pablo Sandoval (23) – .300 hitter with 25-30 HR and 90-100 RBI ability. “Kung Fu Panda” is already a fan favorite and feared hitter.

4. Jason Heyward (20) – 2010 No. 1 prospect has gotten off to a .302, 3 HR, 15 RBI start in 43 big league at-bats at the age of 20. Looks to be the leader of the newest crop of talent from the minor leagues.

5. Matt Wieters (23) – The most-hyped prospect of 2009 has uncanny power and hitting ability from both sides of the plate. Look for Wieters to make huge strides this season and become one of the premier catchers in the near future.

6. Billy Butler (24) – .301 AVG, 21 HR, and 93 RBI in first full season. Set to become a premier slugger with 30 HR-100 RBI not out of the question.

7. Carlos Gonzalez (24) – 5-tool talent that started to showcase those tools last season. Should be a mainstay in the Rockies outfield and top of the order for years to come.

8. Adam Jones (24) – One of the best athletes on this list. Great arm and 20 HR-20 SB talent.

9. Andrew McCutchen (23) – Another 5-tool talent from the leadoff spot. Outstanding speed and developing power. Set to become premier leadoff hitter in the majors.

10. Gordon Beckham (23) – Future All-Star 2B. Made the leap from Double-A to the majors last season and displayed a good hitting prowess. The future of the White Sox.

11. Jay Bruce (23) – Has struggled to hit consistently at the big league level. The former No. 1 overall prospect has arguably the most upside of any hitter on this list and has the potential to become a big run-producer.

12. Delmon Young (24) – Like Bruce, has failed to hit consistently enough to live up to his enormous potential. Still a great talent with good upside who has hit a solid .289 for his career. Entering a make or break year in the big leagues.

13. Chris Coghlan (24) – 2009 NL Rookie of the Year is a scrappy top of the order hitter. Shows good plate discipline and should hit for a high average in his career.

14. Colby Rasmus (23) – Has above-average power and speed from the left side who hit 16 HR for the Cardinals in his rookie campaign last season. Solid defender who should be a premier center fielder within the next few years.

15. Elvis Andrus (21) – Biggest assets are his speed and defense. A future Gold Glover who projects as a leadoff hitter and threat on the basepaths.

16. Cameron Maybin (23) – One of the most talented players on this list. Currently hitting near the top of the Marlins lineup with his great speed, but has the ability to become a middle of the order hitter as he continues to grow into his frame. Looking to put it together in his first full season this year.

17. Dexter Fowler (24) – Had an up and down season at the plate last season with the Rockies as he needs to hit for a higher average. An elite defender and base-stealer (27 SB in ’09) who should be a top of the order threat with Gonzalez in the Rockies outfield.

18. Kyle Blanks (23) – After hitting 10 HR in only 148 AB last season for the Padres, the 6-6/285 lb big man projects as a huge power threat in the near future. Despite his large frame, reminiscent of the “Big Hurt” Frank Thomas, he is athletic enough to play in the outfield, though his natural position is at first base.

19. Austin Jackson (23) – The newest Tiger has gotten off to a solid start (.333 AVG, 5 RBI, 2 SB from the leadoff spot) in his first big league season. Jackson ironically projects similarly to the man he was traded for in Curtis Granderson. Look for him to rise up this list next season.

20. Alcides Escobar (23) – In his first season as the Brewers everyday shortstop. A potential game-changer with both his glove and speed.  Hit .304 in 125 AB with the Brewers last year.

21. Ike Davis (23) – The Mets top prospect made his major league debut last night against the Cubs and didn’t disappoint by going 2 for 4 with an RBI. The 18th overall selection in the 2008 draft hit 20 HR in the minors last year along with a .298 AVG. He projects as a middle of the order threat from the left side of the plate.

22. Ian Desmond (24) – The former 3rd round pick of the Nationals in 2004 is finally starting to put it together. Desmond is a late-bloomer who is starting to hit for contact consistently. He earned the starting nod at short over Cristian Guzman and looks to be the Nationals shortstop of the future.

23. Tyler Colvin (24) – After hitting .468 with 2 HR and 18 RBI in 25 Spring Training games this year, Colvin earned a spot on the Cubs 25 man roster. Currently a part of a 5 man outfield rotation in Chicago, Colvin doesn’t project to provide off the chart numbers this year. However, the former first round pick can swing the bat and also provides above average speed. Look for his name in the coming years.

24. Everth Cabrera (23) – A Rule 5 pick of the Padres last season, Cabrera took the shortstop position as his own by displaying great work with the glove and providing 25 SB in 103 games. Cabrera must hit for a higher average to become an even bigger threat on the basepaths.

25. Asdrubal Cabrera (24) – Has proven to be a solid major league infielder as his bat as caught up to his great defense. In 2009, he hit .308 and provided 68 RBI and 17 SB for the Indians. While he might not reach star status, he should have a long and productive big league career.

Honorable Mention: Julio Borbon (24), Sean Rodriguez (24), Chris Davis (24), Reid Brignac (24)

Andrew Swanson (Evan Longoria) – Evan Longoria is one of the best third basemen around. In just two major league seasons Longoria has averaged 30 HR, .277 BA, and 99 RBI. Of the four guys we are comparing here, Longoria at 24-years-old is the youngest. He is also hitting in the heart of a lineup that will afford him a good deal of protection. There has been talk of shifting him to the clean-up spot and batting Ben Zobrist third but whether it is third or fourth in the lineup, he will have plenty of opportunities to drive in runs. I would expect a .285 BA, 30 HR, and 100 RBI again this year. One word of caution though, Longoria did complain that the turf at Tropicana Field was an issue for his hamstrings causing him to miss six starts toward the beginning of the season in 2009. In other news, Yankee great Yogi Berra said that Longoria reminds him of Joe DiMaggio. How do you beat a comparison like that?

Jason Oleniczak (Mark Reynolds) – Mark Reynolds had an elite fantasy season last year. In fact, he was the best fantasy third basemen, just look at the numbers: 44 HR, 98 R, 102 RBI, 24 SB, and .260 BA. Naysayers will shout, “Look at the low batting average, and the ridiculously high strikeouts (223) that you failed to mention.” Fair enough, the only problem is that Reynolds still posted a .349 OBP and an amazing .338 BABIP. The BABIP was not an aberration either, as Reynolds produced a .323 BABIP in 2008 and a .378  in 2007. The biggest argument you could make against Reynolds being the 2nd best third basemen is the huge jump in production from 2008 to 2009 as he went from ”good to great” (thank Jim Collins). I say it was the 26-year-old Reynolds making the 3rd year jump to being a star and look for more of the same in 2010. Take advantage of Reynolds slipping in drafts due to people overly focusing on his high strikeouts, relatively low batting average, and worrying about his quick ascent into stardom. You may be able to get a bargain on the 2nd best fantasy third basemen.

Ryan Oleniczak (David Wright) – After ARod, your fantasy team could do no wrong with David Wright as your third basemen. As recently as last season, Wright was up for consideration as the possible No. 1 overall fantasy player in baseball as his averages from 2005-2008 will attest. During that period, Wright has averaged season totals of: .311 AVG, 29 HR, 112 RBI, 106 R, and 22 SB. However, last year was unkind to Wright as he posted the worst numbers of his career hitting in an injury-riddled Mets lineup in a new ballpark in Citi Field. Wright saw his HR and RBI totals drop dramatically last season as he failed to hit at least 25 HR and 100 RBI for the first time since 2005. However, potential fantasy owners should be encouraged by Wright’s 5th consecutive season of hitting over .300 in ’09 and expect his power numbers to return in a healthy and powerful Mets middle of the lineup with the addition of Jason Bay. Wright is an ideal bounceback candidate in the NL and his 2009 power numbers should be considered an aberration as Shea Stadium was considered a pitcher’s park much like Citi Field is and Wright’s numbers did not suffer. If your league takes into account defensive statistics, Wright will help you out in that department as well as he has won 2 Gold Glove Awards in his career in 2007 and 2008. Much like Derek Jeter, Wright will also bring the possibility of a cult-like following with the ladies as his former rumored relationship with ESPN reporter Erin Andrews will add a new dimension to your team. Who wouldn’t want the lovely Erin Andrews following their team? If I had my choice, Wright is the one for me.

Jon Heintzelman (Ryan Zimmerman) – If you’re looking at what direction to go early in your draft, shoring up third base is a good idea when you consider the position is top heavy this year. While ARod remains the consensus first pick, once he is gone you are left with some intriguing options. Longoria, Wright, Reynolds, and Zimmerman are all worthy for consideration (with Ramirez and Sandoval not far behind either), but I’ll take Zimmerman over the rest. While Wright is the biggest name, any player with declining power skills entering his prime years makes me wonder. Combine that with the cavernous Citi Field and I’ll pass. Reynolds had great numbers last year but .260 BA is a huge stretch for his 60% contact rate; think more right-handed Adam Dunn with some speed and expect a more realistic .240-.250 BA. I want better BA from my top picks. That leaves Zimmerman and Longoria as options 2 and 2A. Both are line drive power hitters with solid OPS (around .900), 10%+ walk rates, and are entering their prime years (26-27). I’ll give the overall edge to Zimmerman because his slightly higher contact rate and batting eye point toward a potential 10-20 point advantage in BA. Combine that with the potential for Carl Crawford’s pending free agency and contract situation to be a distraction for the Rays, and Zimmerman gets the slight edge.

Scott Oleniczak (Derek Jeter) – 10-time all-star shortstop Derek Jeter is this generation’s “Iron Horse.” Jeter is showing no signs of slowing down playing an average of 153 games over the last three season which ranks him first over Rollins, Tulowitzki, and Reyes. In 2009, Jeter swiped 30 bases showing he still has the ability to get you points in the all important stolen base category. Jeter is not going to win any HR titles, however, his power still needs to be respected as he averaged 14 HR over the last three seasons which ranks him 3rd verses his competition. Jeter excels in OBP and BA over the other shortstops, and falls just slightly behind Tulowitzki for the lead in OPS. The bottom line is Derek Jeter is that solid force you want in your fantasy lineup for his consistent approach to the game. One more thing, if you are looking for a shortstop who can raise the dateability of your entire roster, Jeter is second to none.  Check out this list of past girlfriends, and tell me how cool it would be to have the rest of your fantasy team hanging out with him.

Ryan Oleniczak (Jose Reyes) – Before missing most of the 2009 campaign to injury, Jose Reyes was a mark of durability (no less than 153 games played since 2005) and arguably the most exciting player in all of baseball. Reyes electrified the fans in attendance with his blazing speed and knack for getting on base. In comparison to the other shortstops on this list, Reyes numbers will be skewed due to playing in only 36 games last season. In Reyes last two full seasons, 2007 and 2008, he led all shortstops in runs scored with 232 and also took home the steals crown with an amazing 134 SB. While Reyes does not display the power of a Tulowitzki or Rollins, he helps fantasy owners in OBP (.356 average over the last 3 seasons) and a BA of .285 which is second only to Jeter’s three-year average. The recent news of Reyes diagnosis of hyperthyroidism, which has him reportedly missing anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks of baseball activity, puts his early season production in doubt. This news will scare off many fantasy owners come draft time. While the other three men on this list might be safer options at shortstop for this year, why not take a pass on them and take Reyes later in draft and shore up help at other positions. Many fantasy owners were scared of taking ARod last season with the news that he was scheduled to miss most of April after hip surgery, but he rewarded fantasy owners with his MLB record 13th 30 HR-100 RBI season and at a much lower cost. Why not take that approach with Reyes this year? Even if Reyes misses some or most of April, you can still count on him putting up elite SB and R totals, especially in a Mets’ lineup with David Wright and Jason Bay around him. Guys with Reyes talent are hard to find and a healthy Reyes will bring excitement to your fantasy team.

Jon Heintzelman (Jimmy Rollins) – When looking at the shortstops after Hanley, it can be splitting hairs to decide who’s next best. Arguments can be made for both Tulowitzki (best last year and youngest), and Reyes (best before last year)–sorry Jeter–but for my money the second best investment is none other than J-Roll. Always remember that fantasy drafts are never won in the first few rounds. The fantasy season usually comes down to whose sleepers pan out more, but make no mistake about it, drafts can definitely be lost early on (just ask Jay Oleniczak about last year and buying Jose Reyes). When it comes to early picks it’s all about elite and stable skills, good intangibles, and reliability. Jimmy Rollins brings an elite power/speed skills combo to the shortstop position, and sits atop one of the best line-ups in baseball in a hitter’s park to boot. He has a history of reliability, leading the NL in AB for the past decade. Some may point to his slow first half last year as a sign of decline, but I say blame it on the abnormally low 21% hit rate (on balls in play) and look to his second half rebound as the norm (projected: 30 HR/100 RBI/40 SB/120 R/.290 BA). While he doesn’t walk as much as some may like, he has maintained an elite 90% contact rate which always projects to a near .300 BA.  And while his SB production dipped, his SB opportunities did not change much (still around 30%), so a return to the elite 40-50 steal range is possible if not probable. When it comes to drafting in the first and seconds rounds, do you really want to leverage your season on Reyes’ overactive thyroid (not to mention the tight hamstrings). What about Tulowitzki’s drastic swings in production (look at his 1H/2H splits last season), partially due to his low contact rate (at or below 80%), not to mention his lost 2008 and never before seen or duplicated SB spike? With all due respect, there’s no need to even discuss Mr. Jeter. The smart money is on J-Roll as the #2 fantasy shortstop; you’ll give yourself the best chance to win your league with successful sleepers in the later rounds.

Bryce Carlson (Troy Tulowitzki) – On a team that continues to make me scratch my head, Troy Tulowitzki is a legitimate superstar. He may not stack up against Hanley Ramirez, who is in a class all by himself, but Tulowitzki is definitely the next best thing. The shortstop position for 2010 is pretty thin. There are a lot of big names, but with a disappointing 2009 campaign from Jimmy Rollins and a season plagued with injuries for Jose Reyes, shortstop is a position without much of a bench. Tulowitzki does not have a long major league resume, but barring injury you can expect him to put up similar numbers as last year where he hit .297 with 32 HR, 101 R, 92 RBI, and 20 SB. After Hanley is gone, Tulowitzki is your guy.  Just please don’t jump on the Rockies’ bandwagon when they make the playoffs unless you plan on following them all year… not that I have experienced anyone doing that in Denver. I’m just sayin’…

• Brandon Webb (RHP) Arizona Diamondbacks – The former 2006 NL Cy Young winner made only one appearance last season after experiencing shoulder pain during his Opening Day start. After a few months of rest and rehab, Webb finally decided to undergo arthroscopic right shoulder surgery last August, which ended his season. In his last full season in 2008, Webb almost added his second NL Cy Young Award as he finished the season with a 22-7 record to go along with a 3.30 ERA in 226.2 IP. Webb is currently working his way back into form in camp and is feeling better with every throwing session as he expects to be ready for the start of the season. Fantasy owners should monitor his progress in camp and watch out for possible setbacks. However, in his career Webb has been a workhorse as he has logged at least 208 IP in 5 of his 7 seasons and has not had an ERA higher than 3.59. If  healthy, expect Webb to bounceback in a big way and form a potent 1-2 punch with Dan Haren at the top of the DBacks rotation. Fantasy owners could find an ace in the middle rounds with Webb this upcoming season.

Bill James Projection: 13-7, 3.40 ERA, 180 IP, 143 K (7.15 K/9), 1.24 WHIP

MLB.com Projection: 15-6, 190 IP, 153 K (7.25 K/9), 1.27 WHIP

• Carlos Zambrano (RHP) Chicago Cubs – The colorful, enigmatic pitcher had his most disappointing season in the big leagues in 2009. Zambrano won only 9 games as the supposed ace of the Cubs staff and had some nagging injuries, mostly due to being in poor physical shape. Zambrano also had his yearly tantrum and outbursts that included a run-in with an umpire that led to a suspension last season. Zambrano spent his off season in Chicago where he dedicated himself to a new workout regime at the advice of the Cubs organization. Zambrano reported to Cubs camp 15 pounds lighter and has vowed to put his disappointing 2009 season behind him. He is also said to be ditching the cut fastball from his repertoire of pitches due to a lack of command of the pitch and is focused on keeping his composure on the mound, which often leads to a disappointing performance on the mound. Despite his poor win totals, Zambrano lowered his ERA in 2009 and had a rebound in his strikeout and home run totals. If this is truly a new and improved Carlos Zambrano, fantasy owners could have a real bargain on their hands in the middle of their rotation.

Bill James Projection: 12-8, 3.60 ERA, 180 IP, 151 K (7.55 K/9), 1.31 WHIP

MLB.com Projection: 13-8, 4.17 ERA, 186 IP, 155 K (7.50 K/9), 1.34 WHIP

• Ricky Nolasco (RHP) Florida Marlins – A pick by many last year to be a breakout candidate, Nolasco got off to a horrific start in April and May of last season, which eventually led to a demotion to Triple-A in late May. Tristan Cockcroft of ESPN.com believes a pitchers wins and ERA are not enough to evaluate future performance and that Nolasco might have been the “unluckiest” pitcher in baseball last season. Nolasco helped Cockcroft’s notion by going 11-4 with a 3.82 ERA after his demotion, despite finishing with a 5.06 ERA. Nolasco was a sabermetrics anomaly with great ratios, but unable to get outs. Fantasy owners could find a great buy-low candidate in Nolasco as many fantasy owners will steer clear of Nolasco’s high ERA and negative press. Look for Nolasco to rebound and build off his second half numbers by providing solid win totals along with a good K/9.

Bill James Projections: 13-10, 3.86 ERA, 205 IP, 189 K (8.30 K/9), 1.26 WHIP

MLB.com Projection: 15-8, 3.41 ERA, 209 IP, 212 K (9.13 K/9), 1.18 WHIP

• Corey Hart (OF) Milwaukee Brewers – After posting back-to-back 20 HR-20 SB seasons in 2007 and 2008, Hart was expected to post even bigger numbers last season for fantasy owners. However, Hart had a disappointing season as he finished with a .260 AVG, 12 HR, 48 RBI, and 11 SB in only 115 games due to missing the last two months of the season with appendicitis. Hart reportedly lost 22 pounds this off season and is hoping his weight loss will lead to a healthy season and more steals. Fantasy owners will be alarmed, as they should be, by Hart’s disappointing production when healthy last season. However, Hart is still only 27 years old and should regain close to his 20 HR-20 SB form this season. Hart is another buy-low candidate who should provide fantasy owners solid HR and SB numbers as a 3rd or 4th outfielder. 2010 could be the season fantasy owners were hoping to see from Hart last season and at a much lower cost.

Bill James Projection: .272 AVG, 19 HR, 76 RBI, 78 Runs, 16 SB, .799 OPS

MLB.com Projection: .271 AVG, 20 HR, 80 RBI, 78 Runs, 17 SB, .816 OPS

• David Wright (3B) New York Mets – No one had quite a more peculiar drop off production in power last season than David Wright. Wright saw his HR totals drop from 33 to 10 and his RBI totals drop from 124 to 71 last season. However, Wright still provided fantasy owners with a high AVG (.307) and 27 SB in 2009. Wright reported to camp upbeat and positive about his chances and his team chances to rebound this season after a disappointing season for both parties. One possibility for Wright’s lack of production last season was due to having Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, and Carlos Delgado hurt for most of the season, where Wright saw fewer good pitches and run producing opportunities. With Jose Reyes return and the signing of Jason Bay, look for Wright to have more opportunities to drive in runs and return to his 4 year averages of 29 HR and 112 RBI. While some fantasy owners might be skeptical of taking Wright in the first round this year, he shouldn’t last much longer as he is still an elite power-speed option. Fantasy owners should be confident in a return to form for Wright this season.

Bill James Projection: .302 AVG, 23 HR, 99 RBI, 100 Runs, 24 SB, .892 OPS

MLB.com Projection: .302 AVG, 21 HR, 98 RBI, 102 Runs, 23 SB, .877 OPS

• Jose Reyes (SS) New York Mets – Another Mets player finds his name on this list as he was a victim of the injury bug last season. Previously on the site, we took a look at Reyes fantasy value for this upcoming season, where the chances for a bounceback season are high. Reyes is reportedly running at full speed in camp after leg and hamstring injuries caused him to miss 126 games last season. No one is more important to the Mets offense than Reyes, as he is the catalyst at the top of the lineup with his speed and ability to get on base. While Reyes might not reach 78 SB again like he did in 2007, he is still only 26 with plenty of potential to become a 40-50 SB threat again. Fantasy owners could get a 1st round talent in the 2nd or 3rd round in fantasy drafts this year as Reyes value has dropped since last season. Monitor Reyes progression in camp, but don’t be afraid to take Reyes high this season as he is still an elite talent.

Bill James Projection: .285 AVG, 14 HR, 67 RBI, 113 Runs, 57 SB, .784 OPS

MLB.com Projection: .302 AVG, 15 HR, 65 RBI, 114 Runs, 52 SB, .830 OPS

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Up Next: AL Sleeper Candidates

Philadelphia Phillies: Historically the Phillies are one of the least successful organizations in baseball with dubious honor of being the first to reach 10000 losses. Yet in recent years they have been a force to be reckoned with. They seem to have taken on an American League style offensive attack matched with solid starting pitching. They have reached the World Series in back to back years and successfully won in 2008. They currently are spending $36.35 million on their starting rotation.

• Roy Halladay: He is arguably the best pitcher in baseball. He has been a consistent performer on teams that have not performed well. In 2009 Halladay had 2.79 ERA, 208 K’s, 239 IP and 35 walks. He is earning $15.75 million in 2010
• Cole Hamels: Hamels is a solid young pitcher with A+ stuff. He has had some injury issues that inflated his numbers slightly but their isn’t too much to worry about here. He won’t have the pressure of being the ace on the staff so he should blossom. He posted a 4.32 ERA, 168 K’s, 193.2 IP and 43 BB’s. He will earn $6.65 million in 2010.
• J.A. Happ: Happ exploded onto the scene in Philadelphia this past season. He threw for a 2.93 ERA, 119 K’s, 166 IP and 56 walks. He will make near the minimum for 2010.
• Joe Blanton: Blanton has continued to serve as a solid middle of the rotation pitcher. He threw for a 4.05 ERA, 163 K’s, 195.1 IP and 59 BB. He will earn $7 million in ’10.
• Jamie Moyer: At age 47 Moyer is getting to the point where he is old enough of to be some of his teammates father. Yet, he has been been a serviceable pitcher who will eat up quite a few innings and give you team a chance to win even if he is only topping out at 86 mph on his fastball. He threw for 4.94 ERA, 94 K’s, 162 IP and 43 walks. He will make $6.5 million in 2010.

Florida Marlins: The Marlins are an anomaly is the world of Major League Baseball. They consistently have one of the lowest payrolls year in and year out. Yet, they always find a way to stay competitive and have even won a couple of World Series championships. With the knack of developing good young pitchers that have success at the major league level other small market teams should look at their player development and take notes. The Marlins rotation is costing them $9.7 million.

• Josh Johnson: This young hurler is the aces of the Marlins staff. 2009 was the first season he was injury free and the dividends paid off. He threw for a 3.23 ERA, 191 K’s, 209 IP and 58 walks. Johnson earns $3.75 million in 2010
• Ricky Nolasco: Nolasco had a lot of buzz surrounding him entering the 2009 season but got off to a horrendous start and was options down to the minors. He regain his composure, was called back up and found success. He numbers for 2009 were 5.06 ERA, 195 K’s, 185 IP and 44 BB. He earns $3.8 million in 2010
• Anibal Sanchez: Sanchez has had injuries that has limited him to 49 starts and one relief appearance over the past four seasons but when healthy he has definitely has the stuff to be a success starter. He pitched for a 3.87 ERA, 71 K’s, 86 IP and 46 walks. He makes $1.25 million this season.
• Sean West: West showed a lot of promise in his rookie season. He is sure to have some growing pains having only thrown 167 inning above the Class A level. He posted a 4.79 ERA, 70 K’s, 103.1 IP and 44 walks. West will earn near the minimum in 2010.
• Chris Volstad: Volstad will be looking to rebound after going through a bad sophomore slump. He threw for a 5.21 ERA, 107 K’s, 159 IP and 59 BB. He will earn the minimum this season.

Atlanta Braves: The Braves have always been a team that has been known for pitching. With guys like Warren Spahn, Phil Neikro, Greg Maddux and company the Braves have come to expect a solid rotation year in and year out. This year will be no exception. They are paying $31.467 million in 2010 for these arms.

• Jair Jurrjens: Jurrjens is a work horse that has improved with each year he has been in the majors. He had a little scare with some shoulder soreness but there is nothing serious and he looks to be a leading candidate for the ace position. In 2009 he threw for a 2.60 ERA, 152 K’s, 215 IP and 75 BB’s. He is a steal at near the league minimum for 2010.
• Derek Lowe: Lowe signed a 4 year $60 million deal in 2009 to be the ace of the Braves staff. He did not perform up to their expectation and they subsequently were looking to trade him this off season. He posted a 4.67 ERA, 111 K’s, 194.2 IP and 63 walks. He will earn $15 million this year.
• Tommy Hanson: Hanson wasted no time in dominating the opposition in his rookie season. Look for Hanson to be not only the ace of the Braves staff for years to come but one of the top pitchers in all of baseball. He threw for a 2.89 ERA, 116 K’s, 127.2 IP and 46 walks. He will make near the minimum.
• Tim Hudson: Returning from Tommy John surgery last season Hudson proved that he is still capable of putting up great numbers. He will be a consistent veteran presence on the mound. He pitche for a 3.61 ERA, 30 K’s, 42.1 IP and 13 walks. He earns $9 million in 2010.
• Kenshin Kawakami: Kawakami rounds out the rotation for the Braves in 2010. He put up good numbers in his rookie season and makes for an excellent 5th starter. He threw for a 3.86 ERA, 105 K’s, 156.1 IP and 57 walks. He makes $6.667 million this season.

New York Mets: To say the Mets had a bad season last year is putting it mildly. The wheels feel off due to injuries and a new ball park seemed to effect the power numbers for the hitters. The Mets are biggest spenders in the NL East so are they getting their money’s worth at approximately $38 million for their starting rotation?

• Johan Santana: A perennial Cy Young contender Johan Santana is great arm to have at the top of your rotation. He was one of the many injuries the Mets sustained last year. He is expected to be back at full strength for 2010. He threw for a 3.13 ERA, 146 K’s, 166.2 IP and 46 walks. He earn a whopping $21 million in 2010.
• Mike Pelfrey: Pelfrey was a highly touted prospect in the Mets system. He showed promise in his first full season in ’08 but regressed in his sophomore campaign with a 5.03 ERA, 107 K’s 184.1 IP and 66 BB. He will earn $500 thousand in 2010.
• John Maine: Maine has struggles with the injury bug the past two season. When healthy he is tough to hit even though he can be wild. He threw for a 4.43 ERA 55 K’s, 81.1 IP and 38 BB. He will earn $3.3 million in 2010.
• Oliver Perez: Perez has been a thorn in the side of Omar Minaya and the Mets for quite some time. Notoriously wild with flashes of brilliance just doesn’t seem to be able to put it all together. Last season he threw for a 6.82 ERA, 62 K’s, 66 IP and 58 BB’s. He will make a painful $12 million in 2010.
• Fernando Nieve: Nieve was an effective pitcher for about a month until he went down with a torn right quad. He will be giving a chance at earning a rotation spot in 2010 and Jerry Manuel has indicated he is the favorite. He threw for 2.95 ERA, 23 K’s, 36.2 IP and 19 walks. He earns the minimum for 2010.
• Jon Niese: Niese tore a hamstring in 2009 but performed admirably when he was healthy. He will also compete for a rotation spot. He threw for 4.21 ERA, 18 K’s, 25.2 IP and 17 BB. He will earn the minimum in 2010.
• Hisanori Takahashi: A late comer to the competition Takahashi was signed from Japan where he threw for a 2.94 ERA. He will earn $1 million if he makes the Major League club.

Washington Nationals: While the Nationals are the cellar dwellers in the NL East they have take significant steps in improving their ball club. They have drafted top tier talent and have improved their offense as well. They still have a ways to go but they are by no means complete push over anymore. Their rotation will earn as much as $16 million in 2010.

• Jason Marquis: The Nationals made a splash (albeit small) in the free agent marketing this year by signing Marquis as the ace of their staff. Most places he would be a bottom of the rotation starter but he does provide some stability in a volatile rotation. He threw for 4.04 ERA, 115 K’s, 216 IP and 80 BB last year. He will earn $7.5 million this season.
• Chien-Ming Wang: Wang is just what the Nationals need. He is a consistent pitcher who will keep the ball in the ball park. He has struggled with an injury last season but he as an anchor in the Yankees rotation for years. He threw for 9.64 ERA, 29 K’s, 42 IP and 19 walks. He can earn up to $5 million in performance bonuses in 2010.
• John Lannan: As the aces for the staff last season Lannan performed quite well. He is young and has improved over the last two season. He eats innings and gets outs even if his strike out numbers aren’t stellar. He threw for a 3.88 ERA, 89 K’s, 206.1 IP and 68 BB. He makes near the minimum for this season.
• Scott Olsen: Olsen was once one of the most promising young starters in baseball but his career has been derailed by injury and ineffectiveness. He should be completely recovered from shoulder surgery. He threw for a 6.03 ERA, 42 K’s, 62.2 IP and 25 BB. He will earn $1 million in 2010.
• J.D. Martin: Martin was a serviceable starter for the Nationals last season. He will compete for a rotation spot again this season. He threw for a 4.44 ERA, 37 K’s, 77 IP and 24 walks. Martin makes the minimum.
• Garrett Mock: Mock is a servicable back of the rotation guy for the Nationals. His numbers are expected to improve this season but don’t hold your breath. He threw for a 5.62 ERA, 72 K’s, 91.1 IP and 44 walks. He earns near the minimum.
• Jordan Zimmermann: Zimmermann is one of the brightest prospects the Nationals have. He had to under go Tommy John Surgery in 2009 and doesn’t seem to factor into the rotation until mid season at the absolute earliest. He threw for a 4.63 ERA, 92 K’s, 91.1 IP and 29 BB. He earns near the minimum as well.
• Steven Strasburg: The crown jewel in the Nationals system at the moment Strasburg is a huge question mark. He performed well in the Arizona fall league but who knows how he will stack up against major league talent. He has 100 mph fastball but those can have a tendency to go a long ways if you aren’t fooling anyone. He will earn $2 million in 2010.

There is a lot of talented pitching in the NL East. It is a tough call for me on who is the best. Obviously the Marlins have a lot of talent for cheap but that talent is raw and injury prone. The Phillies and the Braves seem to be in the same ballpark talent wise and payroll wise. I would have to give the edge to the Braves. The have the potential to have 4 aces on their staff with Jurrjens, Hanson, Hudson and Lowe. Plus Kawakami has put up great numbers compared to the 5th starter on any of the other teams. At $31.467 million the Brave get my vote for best rotation in the NL East for 2010.

I found this post the other day as I was browsing through the 2009 World Series stories at MLB.com.  It instantly got me thinking, do MLB general managers really buy teams or is this some ticked off Pirates fan?  Could this possibly be a disgruntled New York Mets fan that isn’t happy because his team didn’t buy the “right” players?  Can teams and championships simply be bought by just shelling out enough money, with a nice trophy as a reward?

I decided I’d get to the bottom of the payroll vs. playoff matter. I pieced together some data from the USA Today regarding the correlation between payroll and playoff teams.  I compiled a list of playoff teams from the past decade and then proceeded to find each playoff team’s total payroll and payroll rank in that given year.

Clearly the top spenders will be the teams in the playoffs, right? It only makes sense because they have a larger talent pool to pull from. There isn’t anyone or anything that is off limits. If you need a big starting pitcher or a guy that can mash in the middle of your lineup, you can just go pick up an over-priced free agent. Isn’t that why we have a class system in high school sports, so the playing field can be level? Everyone knows that if they didn’t have a class system, a small under-populated team and school without a talent pool would never have a chance against the mega-schools. Sure there are once-in-a-century stories like Hoosiers and the Bad News Bears, but that only happens in the movies. This is not Hollywood. Gene Hackman isn’t going to barge through the door and give a motivational speech to elevate the team and pull off the impossible. It just doesn’t happen. We live in a Jerry Maguire world, “Show me the money!”

Major League Baseball is different than every other professional sport.  The way the game is played and the model of consistency that must be established for success is different than any other sport.  Baseball has a grueling schedule and the game takes a toll on one’s body, but in a different way than football or basketball.  The roster has different lengths and different requirements in different months.  The playoff format has eight teams, not 12 or 16.  In baseball numerous players have been traded after the no-trade deadline, which is something you don’t see in football.  Baseball has an intricate network of minor league teams.  The player draft has over 40 rounds and once a year they even draft players that are currently on other teams (Rule 5 Draft). However, arguably the biggest difference is that there is no salary cap.  Even though they impose a luxury tax, teams such as the Yankees are not afraid to pay it because they have all the resources they need to succeed and no salary cap to stop them.

In 2000, the New York Yankees played the New York Mets in the first “Subway Series” since 1956.  The New York Yankees won the series in five games, handedly beating their cross-town rivals. That year the Yankees had the largest payroll in the game at $92.9 million, with the Mets owning the 6th largest payroll at $79.8 million. The average payroll for a playoff team that year was a mere $61.8 million.  Ten years later, the Yankees once again took home the crown with the highest payroll at $201.4 million.  The average payroll for a playoff team that year (2009) was $109.9 million.  In simply ten years the average payroll of a playoff team nearly doubled.

Over the course of the past ten years, the average payroll rank for playoff teams has been 11, with an annual total bill of $91.6 million.  If you want to hoist the trophy, however, your average rank is 9.1 and a payroll of $102.2 million. I heard Bud Selig rave that parity was as great as it has ever been! Twenty-three different teams made the playoffs in the past decade, that’s 76.7% of teams in the league.  Does it really matter that four of those teams only made it once? At least they were there, right?  The truth is that teams have to spend money to win championships anymore, the numbers prove it.  Maybe small market teams should form a different view of success.  Maybe just getting there should be enough. Should the Tampa Bay Rays and Minnesota Twins adopt that philosophy?

Well at least we have the Florida Marlins who beat the “Evil Empire” in 2003 with the 25^th ranked payroll, more than $100 million less than the Yankees. I wonder if Gene Hackman gave them a speech before Game Six?

Reyes let down his fantasy owners last year after missing 4 1/2 months of the 2009 season with hamstring injuries. Prior to 2009, Reyes 3-year average was 16 HR/68 RBI/.292 BA/118 R/66 SB, which resulted in him being a consistent top 10 fantasy player. There is no reason to believe that Jose Reyes will not rebound from his offseason surgery to perform at his pre-2009 numbers; however, early indications are that he is falling into the second round of drafts.  ESPNs Triston Crockcroft’s early 2010 rankings even list Reyes as far down as 24.

Based on the news that Reyes is running pain free at full speed, he should begin to move up draft boards.  Nevertheless, there is a good chance you will be able to grab Reyes in the 10-15 slot range in most drafts.  If you are able to grab him there consider yourself lucky, as his production will most likely return him to top 10 fantasy form.  Below are Reyes 2010 predictions according to Bill James and CHONE.

Bill James: 14 HR/ 67 RBI/.285 BA/113 R/57 SB

CHONE: 13 HR/56 RBI/.296 BA/94 R/46 SB

Jim Thome will be 38 this season and has been limited to exclusively playing designated hitter due to his bad back. However he has been productive at the plate and affords protection to all those around him in the lineup. Thome is a career .277 hitter with 564 home runs and 1565 RBI.

Jermaine Dye who is 36 has been rumored to be in consideration for the fourth outfielder spot on the Chicago Cubs roster. Even though Dye had a horrendous second half last season he isn’t completely washed up and I doubt his talent just shut off completely. Dye is a career .274 hitter with 325 homers and 1072 RBI.

Carlos Delgado at 37 is also having issues finding a job. Delgado was injured last season and has been showing some signs of lingering issues while he has been playing in the Puerto Rican Winter league. It looks as though Delgado will be a DH candidate only. He has hit .280 with 473 homers and 1512 RBI for his career.

Gary Sheffield is also on the market. Though not putting up near the number the previous three candidates have in recent years. The 41 year old Sheffield has and is still a feared hitter when ever he steps to the plate. For his career he has hit .292, 509 homers and 1676 RBI.

There is no question that each one of these men could contribute to any team in baseball but they also pose a great risk to which even team does sign them. Most of them are strictly DH candidates or serious liabilities in the field. Should they consider hanging up their spikes? Will they find a place to contribute regularly or will they be signed to tip the caps to the crowd and pinch for the pitcher on a regular basis? Would you want any of these guys as an intricate part of your team at this stage in their careers?

It is not known exactly how many teams where present for yesterday’s session, but according to those in attendance the list of MLB teams represented was high. The teams rumored to have the best chance of signing Sheets are the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Texas Rangers. Sheets held three separate throwing sessions consisting of 20 pitches each. He was listed as topping out at 92 mph with his fastball and his signature curveball was said to be moving well. Many scouts came away impressed from the session and thought Sheets looked healthy and ready to contribute this season. However, many of the scouts also noted that Sheets looked “gassed” after only 60 pitches as his stamina will need to improve after missing a whole year of pitching. Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog.com reports that Sheets is looking for $10 million, along with incentives and possibly a second year player option in his new deal. However, Sheets is more likely to find a deal similar to the one Brad Penny signed with the St. Louis Cardinals earlier this off season.

The biggest problem for Sheets in his career has been injuries. He has only pitched more than 30 games in 4 of his 8 seasons in the league. In my opinion, his career is very similar to Kerry Wood, as they are both former first round draft picks who have shown flashes of domination, but due to injuries have never won more than 14 games in a season. I feel Sheets will be a good gamble and the potential steal of the free agent market if healthy, but he needs to lessen his rumored current demands for his new deal. A team to watch in the Sheets market is the Seattle Mariners, as GM Jack Zduriencik is the former Director of Scouting for the Milwaukee Brewers and played a key role in the team drafting Sheets out of college. For more info on Sheets and his road to recovery, ESPN.com’s Tim Kurkjian has a good story up on Sheets and what he expects to provide this season.