About.com Baseball fantasy expert Kevin Kleps is in his fourth season poring through the stats to determine a path to domination in 2012.
He's factored in the moves to third base of Miguel Cabrera and Hanley Ramirez.
He's gone back and forth on the Albert Pujols-vs.-Cabrera debate.
And with Ryan Braun's suspension issues cleared up, that's made the outfield situation a little easier to prognosticate.
Some notes before you jump head-first into your draft or auction.
Make sure you know the exact format your league is using, because it will affect the way you should prepare. Some players who are highly ranked in a rotisserie-style format are worth a lot less in a points format.
You can learn more about the different formats here.
Here are his rankings of the best players at each position in standard points formats, along with some eligibility notes and others to watch, along with some strategy tips.
Top 20 catchers: In a weak and banged-up crop of catchers, Indians youngster Carlos Santana could be poised for a breakout third season.
Top 20 first basemen: Albert Pujols should find American League pitching to his liking.
Top 20 second basemen: Robinson Cano is the top choice at a surprisingly deep position.
Top 20 shortstops: It's Troy Tulowitzki's time to be the top shortstop, assuming you can shrug off the injury risks.
Top 20 third basemen: The top two choices -- Miguel Cabrera and Hanley Ramirez -- didn't even play that position last season.
Top 10 designated hitters: Michael Young might be able to help your team at several positions, but he's a default DH.
Top 60 outfielders: With Ryan Braun's suspension avoided, he's the best on the board, just over Jose Bautista.
Top 80 starting pitchers: Where do big-potential starters such as Stephen Strasburg and Yu Darvish fit in?
Top 20 closers: Don't jump on a closer too early in a draft; there are many decent options.
All that's left: Our top 100. Let the arguments begin.
- Albert Pujols, 1B, Angels
- Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Tigers
- Ryan Braun, OF, Brewers
- Jose Bautista, OF, Blue Jays
- Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers
- Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies
- Justin Verlander, SP, Tigers
- Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, Red Sox
- Joey Votto, 1B, Reds
- Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, Red Sox
- Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees
- Prince Fielder, 1B, Tigers
- Clayton Kershaw, SP, Dodgers
- Roy Halladay, SP, Phillies
- Curtis Granderson, OF, Yankees
- Jose Reyes, SS, Marlins
- Hanley Ramirez, 3B, Marlins
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox
- Cliff Lee, SP, Phillies
- Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Rockies
- Justin Upton, OF, Diamondbacks
- Evan Longoria, 3B, Rays
- Tim Lincecum, SP, Giants
- Ian Kinsler, 2B, Rangers
- Jered Weaver, SP, Angels
- Josh Hamilton, OF, Rangers
- Matt Holliday, OF, Cardinals
- Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pirates
- David Wright, 3B, Mets
- Adrian Beltre, 3B, Rangers
- CC Sabathia, SP, Yankees
- Mark Teixeira, 1B, Yankees
- Felix Hernandez, SP, Mariners
- Cole Hamels, SP, Phillies
- Hunter Pence, OF, Phillies
- Giancarlo (Mike) Stanton, OF, Marlins
- Shane Victorino, OF, Phillies
- Ian Kennedy, SP, Diamondbacks
- David Price, SP, Rays
- Dan Haren, SP, Diamondbacks
- Alex Gordon, OF, Royals
- Nelson Cruz, OF, Rangers
- Michael Young, DH, Rangers
- Kevin Youkilis, 3B, Red Sox
- Asdrubal Cabrera, SS, Indians
- Brandon Phillips, 2B, Reds
- Ben Zobrist, 2B, Rays
- Carlos Santana, C, Indians
- Alex Rodriguez, 3B, Yankees
- Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, Nationals
- Brian McCann, C, Braves
- Mike Napoli, C, Rangers
- Jimmy Rollins, SS, Phillies
- Starlin Castro, SS, Cubs
- Dan Uggla, 2B, Braves
- Paul Konerko, 1B, White Sox
- Jay Bruce, OF, Reds
- Buster Posey, C, Giants
- James Shields, SP, Rays
- Jon Lester, SP, Red Sox
- Stephen Strasburg, SP, Nationals
- Craig Kimbrel, RP, Braves
- Pablo Sandoval, 3B, Giants
- Aramis Ramirez, 3B, Brewers
- Zack Greinke, SP, Brewers
- David Ortiz, DH, Red Sox
- Alex Avila, C, Tigers
- Lance Berkman, 1B, Cardinals
- Shin-Soo Choo, OF, Indians
- Elvis Andrus, SS, Rangers
- Michael Bourn, OF, Braves
- Desmond Jennings, OF, Rays
- Carl Crawford, OF, Red Sox
- Jonathan Papelbon, RP, Phillies
- John Axford, RP, Brewers
- C.J. Wilson, SP, Angels
- Yovani Gallardo, SP, Brewers
- Rickie Weeks, 2B, Brewers
- Madison Bumgarner, SP, Giants
- Tommy Hanson, SP, Braves
- Michael Pineda, SP, Yankees
- Mariano Rivera, RP, Yankees
- Michael Morse, OF, Nationals
- Billy Butler, DH, Royals
- Drew Storen, RP, Nationals
- Chris Young, OF, Diamondbacks
- Michael Cuddyer, OF, Rockies
- Jason Heyward, OF, Braves
- Josh Beckett, SP, Red Sox
- Eric Hosmer, 1B, Royals
- Joe Mauer, C, Twins
- Miguel Montero, C, Diamondbacks
- Chris Carpenter, SP, Cardinals
- Carlos Beltran, OF, Cardinals
- Andre Ethier, OF, Dodgers
- Adam Jones, OF, Orioles
- Jeff Francoeur, OF, Royals
- Adam Lind, 1B, Blue Jays
- Brian Wilson, RP, Giants
- Howie Kendrick, 2B, Phillies
Five who just missed the cut: Chase Utley, 2B, Phillies (injury); J.J. Hardy, SS, Orioles; Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees; Jayson Werth, OF, Nationals; Matt Cain, SP, Giants
Top 100 by position: Outfielders 28, starting pitchers 23, third basemen 10, first basemen 9, second basemen 8, catchers 7, shortstops 6, closers 6, designated hitters 3.
More fantasy baseball tips:
- ANALYSIS: How to assign value in rotisserie formats, How to manage your fantasy team in the playoffs
- COMMISSIONERS: How to run a fantasy baseball league
- DRAFTING: Five things you can learn from a mock draft, How to prepare for a draft in one hour, Draft horror stories
- KEEPER LEAGUES: How to choose the best keepers
- SAVES: Should you punt saves in fantasy baseball?
- TRADING: How to make effective trades
- WAIVER WIRE: Five tips on how to manage the waiver wire
Fantasy baseball ballpark analysis
- The Most Hitter-Friendly Parks in Baseball
- Coors Field, the Most Hitter-Friendly Park in Baseball
- The Most Pitcher-Friendly Parks in Baseball
- Petco Park, the Most Pitcher-Friendly Park in Baseball
Need a stat service? There are plenty to choose from.
So you're wanting to take this an extra mile? How about these sabermetrics statistics. If they're good enough for Theo Epstein, then they're good enough for my team, correct?
Yes and no. Read more about using sabermetrics for fantasy baseball.
