2014-2015 Start 'Em Sit 'Em (Week 3)

Start 'Em:

Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears - Cutler has looked extremely impressive so far this year, so you'd expect him to have an absolute field day against the porous Jets' pass defense. Moreover, Cutler's main receiving targets, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, will be further removed from the injuries that they suffered two weeks ago. Simply put, all the stars are aligning for Cutler to have a monstrous game.

Trent Richardson, RB, Indianapolis Colts - For the first time since his rookie season, Richardson looked dominant when carrying the ball, as he was given the ball 21 times and piled up 79 yards. Granted that was against a poor Eagles' rush defense, but this week he gets to go up against an equally bad Jaguars' defense. Some will say that his value is decreased because of the emergence of Ahmad Bradshaw, but, at least for this week, I expect them to be able to coexist.

Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals - Though he has been extraordinarily disappointing for fantasy owners so far this season, Fitzgerald's number of targets last week should have fantasy owners feeling encouraged. Though I don't expect him to put up a huge amount of yards, the Cardinals have looked to him enough in the red zone this year that a touchdown is clearly coming soon. Keep faith in Fitz this week.

Sit 'Em:

Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco 49ers - Kaepernick has been an enigma thus far through the season. He had an extremely impressive opening game against the Cowboys, which he followed up with a 4-turnover game against the Bears. He may have enough fantasy potential to keep him in your starting lineup most weeks, but this week he goes up against a Cardinals defense that is a lot better than the Bears defense (and a whole lot better than the Cowboys defense). If you've got another option at quarterback, I'd recommend letting Kaepernick sit this week out.

Terrance West, RB, Cleveland Browns - After grabbing the Browns starting job and playing well in week one, West was a very popular waiver pickup going into week two. Fantasy owners who started him in week two were awarded for their clever pickup with 68 rushing yards and a touchdown. However, in week three, West will have to go up against a stout Ravens' rush defense that is yet to allow a rushing touchdown this year. I actually have faith that West will be a solid fantasy running back this year, but I don't think he will perform well this week.

Anquan Boldin, WR, San Francisco 49ers - Boldin is a solid wide receiver, there's no doubting that, and he should be a decent WR2 in most league. However, this week everything seems to point to him having a rough game. He will be going up against the Cardinals defense, more specifically, Patrick Peterson, he has had a fairly mellow start to the season, and the 49ers aren't an team that will go out and throw the ball 40 times. Honestly, I'd wait until Boldin finally regains his mojo or has a great matchup until putting him back into your team.

MLB Position Rankings: Third Base

Unlike many of the other positions, third base looks to be very deep in 2014. Does this mean you should wait until later rounds to snatch up a third baseman? Not necessarily. What it does mean is that there's some great value to be found in later rounds as well as the star power that you'd expect to find in the early rounds. Here are our rankings for 3B in 2014. (NOTE- Miguel Cabrera is not included as he is expected to shift back to 1B for the Tigers)

Sleepers- Will Middlebrooks, Nolan Arenado, Matt Dominguez

10- Pedro Alvarez- PIT
Alvarez is a classic one trick pony- he can hit for power, but that's about it. Much like an Adam Dunn, Alvarez will be a cheap source of power but will really hurt your fantasy team in just about every other category.

9- Brett Lawrie- TOR

Brett Lawrie is the perfect "post-hype sleeper" candidate. Just a few years ago he was touted as the one of the best prospects in the MLB but after a few disappointing seasons, many seem to have given up on Lawrie. The intangibles are still there, and 2014 could be the season that Lawrie finally puts it all together.

8- Kyle Seager- SEA
With the exception of Mariners fans, Seagar benefit more than anyone from the Mariners offseason spending. The addition of Robinson Cano to the lineup should not only take a little pressure off Seager, it should also increase his run total and RBIs. Expect a nice increase in production from Seager's 2013 numbers of .260/22/70.

7- Matt Carpenter- STL
Though Carpenter played mostly at 2B in 2013, he will most likely make the shift to 3B in 2014. Carpenter doesn't possess great power of speed, but he hits for average and scores tons of runs in a stacked Cardinals lineup. His .359 BABIP from last year should regress, but Carpenter is a great player to target if you don't want to draft a third baseman in the early rounds.

6- Ryan Zimmerman- WAS

Zimmerman is certainly one of the most talented third baseman in the league, but injuries have plagued nearly every one of his seasons in the MLB. Despite only averaging 133 games per season, Zimmerman has been a near lock for a .275 BA with 25 homers and 85 runs. Expect similar production for this season, but not much more.

5- Manny Machado- BAL
Machado's knee injury from late 2013 should be a slight concern for owners, but not a huge one. Machado is one of the most talented young players in the league and prior to his injury, he had only missed a total of 6 INNINGS of baseball in 212 career games. Should Machado make the opening day lineup, he would probably leap frog Josh Donaldson and David Wright to become the 3rd best third baseman in the league.

4- Josh Donaldson- OAK
2013 was Donaldson's breakout year as he hit .301 with 24 home runs with 93 RBIs. His batting average is a slight anomaly from his career averages so there is a small concern that it could drop a bit, nevertheless Donaldson is a talented player who should be targeted in the early rounds of your drafts.

3- David Wright- NYM

At this point in his career, you know what to expect from Wright. He will hit above .300 and will be a threat for 20/20 while driving in a good amount of runs and scoring them as well. His age could be a factor in the upcoming years but for 2014, Wright should produce like he has in the past.

2- Evan Longoria- TAM
Despite injuries that plagued him earlier in his career, Longoria finally stayed healthy in 2013 and his numbers reflect that. Longoria batted .269, par with his career average, while hitting 32 homers and driving in 88 runs. The Rays lineup was a bit disappointing in 2013 but should rebound in 2014 and with it expect an increase in RBIs for Longoria. Anything after the first or second round and Longoria should be considered a total steal.

1- Adrian Beltre- TEX
Well, did you expect anything else? Beltre has averaged a .312/33/100 batting line over the past three seasons and is the only 3rd baseman over that period to hit over .275 with 25 homers in each of those seasons. Yes, his age could start to become a concern in the coming years, but for 2014 Beltre should produce just like he has in previous years.

MLB Position Rankings: First Base

2014 looks to be a deep year for many positions, but 1B is not one of them. Traditionally a position filled with elite hitters, the quality of talent at first base drops off alarmingly quickly. That being said, there is some good value to be found in the talent pool. Here are the top 10 rankings for first base in 2014. Make sure to check back soon for second base rankings!

Sleeper Picks- Jose Abreu, Ryan Howard, Logan Morrison, Brandon Moss

10- Eric Hosmer

After Hosmer's 2011 rookie campaign, scouts and owners alike were salivating over Hosmer's talent and potential as a hitter. Fast forward 3 years and Hosmer has been unable to replicate the power he showed at the plate during his first season. 2014 will be a pivotal year for Hosmer but we predict that he will continue to put up the mediocre numbers that he did last year.

9- Adrian Gonzalez

Gonzalez is perhaps one of the safest picks in the top 10 for first baseman but he also has one of the lowest upsides. Gonzalez has most likely seen his best years pass, but that doesn't mean he can't still contribute at the plate. He won't hit 40 homers like he did in 2009 but hitting in the cleanup spot for the stacked Dodgers will ensure another solid season for Gonzo.

8- Buster Posey

Yes, Posey plays predominantly as a catcher, but he has 1B eligibility in ESPN fantasy so for the sake of this blog, we will include him in the 1b rankings. Posey had a solid 2013 season in which he hit .294 with 15 home runs and we think he will only improve upon those numbers in 2014.

7- Edwin Encarnacion

Encarnacion is a very interesting player to watch in 2014 and beyond. He seemingly broke out in 2012 out of nowhere and continued his success in 2013 with 36 homers. A closer look at his peripherals, however, suggest that Encarnacion's elite numbers have been the result of luck (and maybe some banned substances?) Be careful with Encarnacion in 2014. 

6- Chris Davis

Davis hit more home runs in 2013 than he had hit in his 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons combined. He's a good first baseman and power hitter, but he's not as good as his 2013 numbers looked. Look for Davis to be a major regression candidate this season.

5- Freddie Freeman

Freeman has a very good 2013 year for the Braves at first base. He finally showed the patience at the plate that scouts had been looking for which helped boost his average to a very impressive .319. What should benefit Freeman most in 2014, however, is the resurgence of the Braves lineup. The Upton brothers both have a lot of room to grow from last season and if they finally start producing like they can, Freeman will benefit greatly in the form of increased runs and RBIs.

4- Prince Fielder

Fielder is another player who has already seen his prime pass but will still contribute in 2014. Something around .280 with 25 homers and 95 RBIs seems realistic for the first baseman's first season with the Rangers.

3- Joey Votto

Votto is about a safe of a pick as you can get in the first round and should be top 5 pick in every league this season. While owners might get slightly frustrated by his lack of RBIs, Votto should continue to hit for power while scoring runs and maintaining a batting average over .300. What else can you ask from your first baseman?

2- Paul Goldschmidt

Goldschmidt had a great 2013 season and finished in the top 5 for ESPN's player rater. He's still only 26 years old and is one of the only first baseman who can contribute in the steals category as well as the power category. Goldschmidt should be a top 5 pick in every league in 2014.

1- Miguel Cabrera

After the departure of Prince Fielder, Cabrera should regain his 1B eligibility just a few weeks into the 2014 season. When he does, he will be far and away the best first baseman in the league. 

Potential Fantasy Baseball Disappointments in 2014

Now that the calendar year has turned to 2014, more and more people are preparing for their upcoming fantasy baseball draft. The goal each draft is to craft the best possible team together. To do so, a person must avoid any potential busts. While it is almost impossible to predict busts, here are a few players who have some alarming numbers that should be considered as red flags.

Mike Napoli
The catcher had a resurgence in 2013 when he hit .259 with 23 home runs. However, looking deeper at his numbers would indicate that he might have been just a little bit lucky all season long. He had a .367 batting average on balls in play (BABIP), which is well above his career average. Yes, it was due to him hitting more line drives, but a regression to the mean seems likely.

Yasiel Puig
All season long in 2013, people were waiting for Puig to drop back down to earth. He did a little bit towards the end of the year, but for the most part he posted great numbers. Do not be surprised if 2014 does not go the same for him. He had the highest BABIP in baseball a season ago, and this was all done while swinging at too many pitches outside of the strike zone and not working counts. If he is going to be a legitimate .300 hitter for his entire career, he needs to fix that approach.

Michael Cuddyer
Cuddyer has always been one of the most professional hitters in baseball, but he had a crazy fantasy baseball season in 2013 for the Colorado Rockies. The right-handed hitter took advantage of Coors Field and some luck with a high .383 BABIP. Guys in their mid-30s, especially post-steroid era, simply do not improve the way he did in 2013. He’s still a productive player, but don’t be sucked into picking him too early on.

Five 2014 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers

As 2014 rolls around, it is officially time for fantasy baseball owners to start thinking about draft day. Sure, it may be 4 months away, but it's not like you're busy with fantasy football anymore.

1. Ryan Howard- 1B, Phillies

People seem to forget that a mere 2 years ago Howard was an all-star with good power and the ability to drive in runs. The past two seasons were injury-filled for Howard and even when he did play, it was evident that he was not 100%. An off season of recovery should benefit Howard and he could be a major steal in 2014.

2. Jackie Bradley JR.- CF, Red Sox

Entering 2013 Bradley was one of the most hyped prospects in baseball. He raked in spring training and amazingly earned a spot on the Sox opening day roster. A woeful April led Bradley to be demoted again before a few brief stints in the majors. After the departure of Jacoby Ellsbury, Bradley should have a starting spot on the Sox and will prove that 2013 was a fluke.

3. BJ Upton- CF, Braves

To be blunt about it, Upton sucked in 2013. He was truly one of the worst players in the MLB but people are quick to forget that this is the same player who almost went 30/30 in 2012. A closer look at the peripherals suggest that 2013 was an anomaly for Upton and he should definitely be targeted by owners in the late rounds of 2014 drafts.

4. Josh Johnson- SP, Blue Jays

Josh Johnson's 2013 season is the perfect example of how luck plays a major role in professional sports. His BABIP against was an astonishing .361, meaning opposing batters reached base on 36% of all balls they put in play. Compare that to Johnson's career average of .307 and it is easy to see how he struggled so much in 2013. Even his xFIP, or expected ERA with an average defense behind him and a league average HR/Fly ball rate, was 3.68, well below his actual ERA of 6.20. Even if Johnson's peripherals can come back to near his career averages in 2014, he should have a bounce back season and provide major value for owners.

5. George Springer- CF, Houston Astros

Springer is truly one of the most exciting players in baseball. In 2013 he played 135 games between AA and AAA and ALMOST went 40/40. Yes, you read that correctly, a 24 year old prospect almost went 40/40 last year AND he plays for the Astros. We aren't quite sure why Springer isn't getting more hype (he was recently rated the 58th best prospect in the MLB) but he certainly deserves it. We expect Springer to go at least 20/20 this season and in a few years, don't be surprised if Springer joins the elite 40/40 club.

Start 'Em, Sit 'Em (Week 16)

Start 'Em:
Bobby Rainey, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rainey has been frustratingly hit-or-miss through the last few weeks, but the pattern would suggest that this week will be a good one.  He consistently gets enough carries to make an impact, it is just a matter of whether he is able to turn those carries into good production.  This week he will have a good chance to produce, as he is going up against the weak Rams run defense.

Mike Wallace, WR, Miami Dolphins
Wallace is doing his best to recover from a very underwhelming start, recording more than 14 fantasy points in three of the past four weeks.  This week, you would expect that trend to continue with Wallace going up against a Bills pass defense that is 29th in allowing fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.

Jay Cutler, QB, Bears
Last week the Eagles defense allowed 28 fantasy points to Matt Cassel - surely Cutler should do just as well against them.  Cutler will have his full cast of targets including Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jefferey, and Matt Forte, a group that is much more dangerous than the tandem of Matt Asiata and Greg Jennings that tore up the Eagles defense last week.

Sit 'Em:
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Arizona Cardinals
Mendenhall is on fire right now, but it is more than likely that the stout Seahawks defense will be able to put out that fire this week.  It doesn't help that Mendenhall will also have to share carries with Andre Ellington, who has also put in some impressive outings recently.

Larry Fitzgerald, RB, Arizona Cardinals
I'm sorry to you Cardinals fans out there for recommending that you sit two Cardinals players, but the reality is that the Seahawks defense is just too good.  It doesn't help that Fitzgerald is coming off a concussion and will likely be blanketed by Richard Sherman.

Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
This week, Matty Ice gets the other outstanding defense in the NFC west - the 49ers defense.  Ryan, who has not been very productive as of late, should not be expected to put up big numbers against a defense that is second in allowing points to opposing quarterbacks.

2014 Fantasy Baseball Rankings- 21-50

Here are our 21-50 rankings for the 2014 Fantasy Baseball Season! You can find 1-10 here and 11-20 here. Check back in a few days for 51-100!

21- Felix Hernandez- 2013 Stats (12-10, 3.04 ERA, 216 SO)
The Mariners' aggressive offseason spending could really benefit Hernandez, as Cano will provide increased run support for the starter and the possible addition of David Price would also ease a little pressure at the top of the rotation.

22- David Wright- 2013 Stats (.307, 18 HR, 58 RBI)
Wright still produced All Star numbers despite having an injury-shortened 2013 campaign. He should only improve on those numbers in 2014. 

23- Jose Fernandez- 2013 Stats (12-6, 2.19 ERA, 187 SO)
Fernandez is one of baseball's brightest young stars and should post even stronger numbers in his 2nd full season. Don't be surprised if Fernandez is the best pitcher in fantasy baseball by the end of the year.

24- Adam Wainwright- 2013 Stats (19-9, 2.94 ERA, 219 SO)
Wainwright was one of the league's best pitchers in 2013 and isn't showing any signs of slowing down. 

25- Edwin Encarnacion- 2013 Stats (.272, 36 HR, 102 RBI)
The 3rd round is pretty late for someone who has 50 HR potential so owner's should be ecstatic if he drops to 25.

26. David Price- 2013 Stats (10-8, 3.33 ERA, 151 SO)
Price's value depends on who he ends up signing with. The current front runner is the Mariners and if Price does end up signing with them, he could be worth a top 20 pick.

27. Madison Bumgarner- 2013 Stats (13-9, 2.77 ERA, 199 SO)
Bumgarner is often overlooked but he has an incredible amount of talent and is playing in a relatively weak NL West division. These two facts make for a great pick in the late 3rd round.

28. Freddie Freeman- 2013 Stats (.319, 19 HR, 109 RBI)
Freeman is an RBI machine, due in part to the Braves potent lineup. Expect numbers similar to those of his 2013 season.

29. Bryce Harper- 2013 Stats (.274, 20 HR, 58 RBI)
Harper struggled with injuries in 2013 but for someone who is 21 years old he still put up incredible numbers. He should only improve in 2014.

30. Max Scherzer- 2013 Stats (21-3, 2.90 ERA, 240 SO)
Scherzer had a Cy-Young campaign in 2013 but a closer look at the peripherals reveal some troubling statistics. Scherzer should still have a great 2014 season, but expect some digression from his 2013 numbers.

31. Yasiel Puig- 2013 Stats (.319, 19 HR, 42 RBI)

After being called up in June, Puig put together one of the best second half's in baseball. If he can continue producing at that level, Puig will be an absolute steal in the 4th round.

32. Carlos Gomez- 2013 Stats (.284, 24 HR, 73 RBI)
The "other" Cargo finally broke out in 2014 after years of over-hype. Only time will tell if he can maintain these excellent numbers.

33. Zack Greinke- 2013 Stats (15-4, 2.63 ERA, 148 SO)
A change of scenery proved beneficial to Greinke as he put together a stellar 2013 season with the Dodgers. A strong lineup and rotation should ensure that Greinke has another great season in 2014.

34. Matt Kemp- 2013 Stats (.270, 6 HR, 33 RBI)
Kemp is one of the toughest values to determine in the 2014 draft. We know what he can do what he's healthy, but, well, he's never healthy. Can he finally finish a season without any serious injuries? If he does in 2014, he could put up top 5 numbers.

35. Cliff Lee- 2013 Stats (14-8, 2.87 ERA, 222 SO)
After 14 seasons in the MLB, Lee is showing no signs of slowing down. 2014 should be another strong year for the ace.

36. Dustin Pedroia- 2013 Stats (.301, 9 HR, 84 RBI)
While the lack of HRs is slightly concerning, Pedroia has shown what he can do at Fenway and there is no reason not to believe that his numbers will rebound after a slightly disappointing 2013 season.

37. Jason Kipnis- 2013 Stats (.284, 17 HR, 84 RBI)
Kipnis is one of the most exciting young players in the league and should give Pedroia a run for his money as the second best 2nd baseman in the league.

38. Cole Hamels- 2013 Stats (8-14, 3.60, 202 SO)
Hamels is the classic example of why wins are a horrible way to measure a pitchers talent. Despite putting up great numbers in 2013, he had a 8-14 record due to weak run support and bad luck. Expect a bump in wins this year and with it, increased value in fantasy.

39. Justin Upton- 2013 Stats (.263, 27 HR, 70 RBI)
Just last year Upton was considered a borderline 1st round draft pick. He has the talent but has yet to put together the season that analysts know he can. Will 2014 be the year?

40. Buster Posey- 2013 Stats (.294, 15 HR, 72 RBI)
Posey was hurt for much of 2013 and as a result his numbers suffer. There is a dearth at the catching position this year, which only boosts Posey's value.

41. Justin Verlander- 2013 Stats (13-12, 3.46 ERA, 217 SO)
After a string of Cy-Young quality seasons, Verlander regressed a bit in 2013. While his 2013 numbers aren't representative of how we feel he will pitch this year, don't expect numbers like he posted in 2011.

42. Jay Bruce- 2013 Stats (.262, 30 HR, 109 RBI)
Bruce is a cheap source of power for the 5th round. He is also one of the safest picks of the draft which is why owners will be salivating over him come 5th round.

43. Eric Hosmer- 2013 Stats (.302, 17 HR, 79 RBI)
Hosmer had a strong 2013 season but it was not quite what owners were expecting. 2014 could be the year where he finally gets there.

44. David Ortiz- 2013 Stats (.309, 30 HR, 109 RBI)
Ortiz is one of the most remarkable players in the MLB. At 38 years old he is still putting up MVP numbers and hasn't shown any signs of slowing down. Only being eligible at DH hurts his stock a little bit, but Ortiz is still a great value for the 5th round.

45. Jean Segura- 2013 Stats (.294, 12 HR, 49 RBI)
Segura is ranked 45 because we believe his first half was a better representation of his abilities than his atrocious 2nd half. If he can maintain the numbers he had for the first few months of 2013, he will be one of the most valuable players in fantasy.

46. Jose Bautista- 2013 Stats (.259, 28 HR, 73 RBI)
Joey Bats proved in 2013 that his 2010 and 2011 seasons were outliers. Sure, he still has tremendous power, but don't expect more than 30 or so home runs this season.

47. Chris Sale- 2013 Stats (11-14, 3.07 ERA, 226 SO)
Sale had a great 2013 campaign and should only improve on those numbers in 2014. A weak lineup is the only thing holding him back from being a truly great fantasy baseball pitcher.

48. Jose Reyes- 2013 Stats (.296, 10 HR, 37 RBI)
Much like Matt Kemp, Reyes' value fluctuates with his health. If he can remain healthy he can put up top 20 numbers but if he gets hurt again, owners will be sorely disappointed that they wasted a 5th rounder on him.

49. Albert Pujols- 2013 Stats (.258, 17 HR, 64 RBI)
Whether Pujols regressed in 2013 because he was injured or because he's getting older is tough to determine. Fantasy owners should hope it's the first because if that was the reason, he should be a major rebound candidate in 2013 and a steal in the 5th round.

50. Yoenis Cespedes- 2013 Stats (.240, 26 HR, 80 RBI)
Cespedes has the talent of an all star but the eye of a little leaguer. Unless he can significantly improve his patience at the plate, his value will be limited in fantasy baseball.

2014 Fantasy Baseball Rankings- 11-20

For rankings 1-10, click here. Check back in a few days for rankings 20-50! Comment which rankings you agree with and what changes you would make.

11. Ryan Braun
Had Braun not been suspended for steroid use in 2013, he most likely would have been on the way to another MVP caliber season. Though there is reason to be concerned about the effects of his steroid use, his peripherals are slightly more concerning. In his short-lived 2013 season, he batted .298 with a .360 BABIP, 19 points above his career average. We predict that Braun's numbers will regress slightly from career averages in 2014 though he will still provide excellent value as a late first round pick or early second rounder.

12. Chris Davis
Davis is arguably the biggest candidate to be a bust in 2014. We know he has power, but players do not typically break out at age 27 after 8 full years in the MLB. 2013 was also the first season in which Davis played more than 140 games, just another concern for Davis. We predict Davis to regress in 2013, and numbers of .270/35/100 seem realistic for the first baseman.

13- Adam Jones
Prior to 2012, Jones had been seen as a constant disappointment for fantasy owners. Each season he was touted a "breakout" candidate, but he never had that big season. Things changed in 2012, however, when he blasted 32 home runs, stole 16 bases and scored 103 runs. He put up nearly identical numbers in 2013, good for 10th on ESPN's player rater. Expect Jones to maintain his numbers in 2014, which should fall around .285/30/100.

14. Joey Votto
Votto is one of the most consistent players you can draft in the first couple rounds. He has never batted below .300 in a season, he has hit 24 or more home runs in 5 of the past 6 seasons and he has stayed healthy for nearly all of his career, playing all 162 games in 2013. If Votto drops to 14, consider yourself lucky.

15. Prince Fielder
After a disappointing 2013 campaign, Fielder is a prime candidate for a bounce back season in 2014. The Rangers ballpark is far superior to Comerica park for left handed hitters and it certainly won't hurt that he will be batting clean-up for one of the best offenses in the AL. If Fielder can keep his contact rate up, he should be in for a huge season, providing 1st round value for a 2nd round pick.

16. Adrian Beltre
It is pretty miraculous for Beltre to be putting up the numbers he did in his 16th season in the MLB. Since 2010 Beltre has put together a string of all-star seasons, batting an average of .313 with 126 home runs, an average of nearly 32 per season. Beltre should also benefit from the arrival of Prince Fielder who adds a serious weapon to the already strong Rangers offense.


17. Stephen Strasburg
Strasburg has all the tools to be the 2nd best pitcher in baseball behind Clayton Kershaw, he just has yet to put them all together. Had Strasburg not been shut down in 2013, he more than likely would have improved on his already impressive numbers. A down year for the Nationals and some of the worst run support in the MLB left Strasburg out of luck in terms of wins, as he garnered just 8 over the course of the season. Look for Strasburg to have a tremendous 2014 campaign.

18. Evan Longoria
Longoria had a puzzling 2013 season. Though his fly ball rate was over 2% higher than his career average, his line drive rate dropped which led to a drop in batting average. One interesting stat to watch for Longoria in 2014 will be his K rate. In 2013, it rose to 23.4 from his 20.5 career average. Longoria should put together another strong season in 2014, with an average near .280 to go along with 35 HR and 100 RBI.

19. Giancarlo Stanton
Stanton has the most raw power in the MLB. With a career ISO (Isolated Power) of .270, Stanton should contribute upwards of 40 HRs this season. Increased patience at the plate (his BB rate was 3 points above his career average in 2013 and his K rate dropped a full point in 2013 from his career average) should also help boost his fantasy value.

20. Yu Darvish
Unlike fellow Japanese-native Daisuke Matsuzaka, who proved to be a bust after just 1 successful season, Yu Darvish proved in 2013 that he has the stuff to remain an elite starter in the MLB for years to come. Darvish struck out an astounding 277 batters in 2013 to go along with a sub 3 ERA and should produce similar stats in 2014. 

2014 Fantasy Baseball Player Rankings- 1-10

Baseball may have just ended but that can only mean one thing, fantasy baseball season is just beginning! Below is our current rankings for the top 10 players. Make sure to check back for more rankings, advice and tips that will help you win your 2014 Fantasy Baseball league!

1. Miguel Cabrera
While in years past Cabrera has been a lock for the first pick, this year is different. Cabrera's numbers certainly make him worthy of the pick but it will be interesting to see how his injuries are addressed this off season. If he doesn't progress at a reasonable pace, Mike Trout will most likely slip into this spot.

2. Mike Trout
Trout is the definition of a 5 tool player. He also contributes in a major way in nearly every statistical category in fantasy baseball. In 2013 Trout finished 2nd on ESPN's player rater and the 2014 season might be the year in which he overtakes Cabrera.

3. Andrew McCutchen
After 1 and 2, things start to get tricky. In his MVP 2013 season, McCutchen hit .317 while hitting 21 homers with 27 SB, putting him 6th on ESPN's player rater. While other players are certainly worthy of the 3rd spot, we feel that McCutchen should improve upon his numbers in 2014, making him a solid choice for 3rd overall.

4. Clayton Kershaw
Every year people advise not to take pitchers in the first round and every year they are proven wrong. Kershaw is as good as it gets; he won 16 games in 2013, striking out 232 batters while maintaining a sub-2 ERA. Kershaw should put up similar numbers this season, making him a solid top-5 choice.

5. Paul Goldschmidt
Goldschmidt's breakout 2013 season was not a surprise for those who have followed his ascent. Goldschmidt has incredible power and he showed it off during 2013, smashing 36 home runs, most in the NL while driving in 125 RBI's, best in the MLB. His 300+ batting average and Gold-Glove caliber defense certainly don't hurt either. Goldschmidt makes a strong case for a top-5 pick.

6. Robinson Cano
It will be interesting how Cano's fantasy value is affected after he signs a new contract this weekend. If he remains a Yankee, expect to see similar numbers as he has put up in past years- 300+ batting average, 30 homers and 100 RBIs. If he signs with a new team, however, his stock could rise or decline slightly depending on the caliber of the lineup he will play with, the division he will play against and the park he is in. Either way, Cano is a surefire first round pick.

7. Carlos Gonzalez
Gonzalez poses the biggest risk in the 1st round for fantasy owners, yet he also has as much potential as any other player being taken in the 1st round. Injuries have plagued Cargo during his career but if he can finally finish a season without a trip to the DL, he has top-3 potential. Despite only playing 110 games in 2013, Cargo hit 26 homers along with 21 steals. In a full season, Cargo could be a true 40-40 threat with a high batting average and 100 RBIs. If you're looking for a high-risk high-reward player, Cargo is your guy.

8. Hanley Ramirez
Another high-risk high-reward player is Hanley Ramirez. Much like Carlos Gonzalez, Hanley has been plagued by injuries for his whole career, though he has proven that he has the talent to put up top-5 caliber numbers. In 2013, Hanley only played 86 games but if you project his numbers (.345 BA, 20 HR, 10 steals, 57 RBI) over a full season, you're looking at MVP caliber numbers at a valuable position. Though Ramirez might not be a good pick in the top 5, he has the ability to produce those kinds of numbers.

9. Troy Tulowitzki
Tulowitzki makes a good case for the title of best SS in the league. With an 162 game average during his career of .295/29/103, Tulowitzki clearly has first round talent. Despite this, he has only managed to put together 2 seasons of over 150 games. Anything above a late first round pick for Tulowitzki is too high.

10. Jacoby Ellsbury
Much like Robinson Cano, Ellsbury's value will depend on where he ends up after this offseason. Although it remains to be seen whether his 2011 campaign, in which he hit 32 home runs, was a fluke, Ellsbury has shown the signs of being a true 5 tool player. Should he end up in weak division with a solid lineup around him, Ellsbury could be in for a huge 2014 season.

Check back in over the next few days for our 11-20 rankings!