Kuzul

For those who cannot survive on Top 40 rankings alone, here is a compilation of the next 40 outfielders to target in mixed- and league-specific drafts.

41. Carlos Lee, Astros
Skinny: Lee posted better numbers in hits, triples, RBI, steals, walks and batting average last year, compared to 2010. The biggest omission of the Top 40 outfielders.

42. Andre Ethier, Dodgers
Skinny: Coming off a sluggish campaign, Ethier is a good bet for modest across-the-board improvements in 2012. Targets: 17 HRs, 72 RBI, 69 runs, 1 steal and .292 average.

43. Jeff Francoeur, Royals
Skinny: This pedestrian ranking is based on the assumption Francoeur won’t collect 601 at-bats again, while vying for space in the Royals’ crowded outfield.

44. Nick Swisher, Yankees
Skinny: Fantasy owners will appreciate Swisher’s latest comfort zone in the draft’s latter rounds. Targets: 22 HRs, 86 RBIs, 77 runs, .257 average.

45. Logan Morrison, Marlins
Skinny: Better plate discipline could easily vault the 24-year-old Morrison into the Top 40, sooner than later. Targets: 24 HRs, 75 RBI, 59 runs, 4 steals, .268 average.

46. Josh Willingham, Twins
Skinny: An underrated two-category force, look for Willingham to take a slight dip in HRs and RBIs…but raise his average to approximately.265.

47. Carlos Quentin, Padres
Skinny: Quentin may never replicate his MVP-caliber season from 2008 (36/100/.288), but he’s still a reasonable play for 25 HRs, 82 RBI and .261 average.

48. Austin Jackson, Tigers
Skinny: It’s rare to find a two-category machine at this point in the countdown. Assuming he bats leadoff for most of 2012, A-Jax could tally 100 runs and 30 steals.

49. Martin Prado, Braves
Skinny: Prado is a respectable four-category contributor to those who have forgotten the 15-HR/100-runs/.300 expectations of last March.

50. Brennan Boesch, Tigers
Skinny: The planets may be aligned for Boesch to finally enjoy a season of relatively good health and fruitful fantasy numbers: Targets: 17 HRs, 70 RBI, 82 runs, 6 steals, .287 average.

51. Matt Joyce, Rays
Skinny: A productive player with some inescapable red flags from last year: two months of sub-.200 hitting…and three months of two homers or less.

52. Peter Bourjos, Angels
Skinny: Bourjos should be a four-category factor this year (excluding RBI)…assuming he logs 500 at-bats for the Angels.

53. Angel Pagan, Giants
Skinny: Like Bourjos, Pagan should be a four-category success in roto and head-to-head leagues, and bonus…30 steals is now the baseline of reasonable expectations.

54. Alex Rios, White Sox
Skinny: Rios may not register stats worthy of the 54th outfielder. But his age (31) and intriguing physical tools will nonetheless prompt fantasy GMs to take a later-round flier on the former star.

55. Brandon Belt, Giants
Skinny: Forget last year’s pedestrian stats (9 HRs, 18 RBI, 21 runs, .225 BA). Belt has the tools and superb minor-league track record to be a four-category factor in his second season.

56. Colby Rasmus, Blue Jays
Skinny: It’s time for Rasmus to take a big leap in his development, while avoiding the wild highs and lows of seasons past. Targets: 22 HRs, 67 RBI, 84 runs, 9 steals, .274 average.

57. Emilio Bonifacio, Marlins
Skinny: A two-category whirlwind (runs, steals) who needs to prove last year’s .296 BA wasn’t a fluke.

58. Dexter Fowler, Rockies
Skinny: A potential National League clone of Austin Jackson, Fowler might approach 90 runs and 25-30 steals for the hot-and-cold Rockies.

59. Mitch Moreland, Rangers
Skinny: Moreland’s hearty supporters might find fault with this conservative ranking. But for 2012, Moreland’s upside likely doesn’t extend past 21 HRs and 67 RBI.

60. Jason Kubel, Diamondbacks
Skinny: With 140 games and 500 at-bats, Kubel can recapture his 20-HR mojo from 2008-10. But that may be a tall order, given the Diamondbacks’ packed outfield and absence of a DH during National League play.

61. Lucas Duda, Mets
Skinny: Duda has the physical tools to be a four-category contributor in his age-26 season. Targets: 16 HRs, 58 RBI, 59 runs, .284 average.

62. Alfonso Soriano, Cubs
Skinny: Soriano makes for a productive fifth or sixth outfielder in 12-team leagues, especially for owners in need of 20-plus homers and 80 RBI.

63. J.D. Martinez, Astros
Skinny: A .342 hitter in the minors, Martinez has the skill set to be a four-category factor in his second MLB season. This leap-of-faith ranking will look even better in May.

64. Michael Brantley, Indians
Skinny: Brantley posted across-the-board gains in his second MLB season (7 HRs, 46 RBI, 63 runs, 13 steals, .266 average). Expect another season of modest improvement.

65. Vernon Wells, Angels
Skinny: With this outfield ranking, fantasy owners probably wouldn’t mind a repeat of Wells’ 2011 numbers (25 HRs, 66 RBI, 60 runs, 9 steals)—minus the deflating .218 average.

66. Delmon Young, Tigers
Skinny: Fantasy owners shouldn’t expect a homer every five games from Young—his admirable pace with the Tigers last season. But he’s still a respectable four-category contributor.

67. Ben Revere, Twins
Skinny: Revere will be a high late-round priority for owners needing cheap speed, and the fleet-footed Twin is a lock for 42-45 steals in 2012.

68. Juan Pierre, Phillies
Skinny: The 34 year old may be in the twilight of his career, but he’s still a threat for 40 steals and 80 runs when given adequate playing time. An ideal late-round flier.

69. Jason Bay, Mets
Skinny: Bay’s numbers have obviously dipped since that coup de grace season of 2009 with Boston (36 HRs, 119 RBI, 103 runs). But as a healthy Met, he’s still a good play for 16 HRs, 70 RBI and 11 steals.

70. Ryan Raburn, Tigers
Skinny: Opportunity knocks for the OF-eligible Rayburn, who has a clear shot at winning the Tigers’ job at second base and posting numbers of 15 HRs, 58 RBI, 61 runs and .282 average.

71. Jose Tabata, Pirates
Skinny: The next five players in this countdown could all make big jumps in 2012. Tabata is a reasonable candidate for 12 HRs, 34 steals and .279 average.

72. Eric Thames, Blue Jays
Skinny: Thames has down-the-road power potential of 25 HRs and 90 RBI. He could be a last-round gem for upside-loving owners.

73. Jerry Sands, Dodgers
Skinny: Sands would probably rate higher if he had a spot sewn up in the Dodgers’ outfield. Hopefully, owners will have more clarity with Sands in April or May.

74. Lorenzo Cain, Royals
Skinny: Cain was a four-category factor in the minors. Hopefully, that status will transition into big-league success for 2012. A solid late-round flier.

75. Yoenis Cespedes, Athletics
Skinny: You’ve seen the video of Cespedes running, jumping and P90X-ing his way into the hearts of MLB scouts and general managers. But is he ready to play in the bigs?

76. Seth Smith, Athletics
Skinny: It’s hard to guess how Oakland’s outfield situation will shake out by season’s end, but Smith has respectable potential in all five categories. A late-round coup in any format.

77. Travis Snider, Blue Jays
Skinny: A red-hot spring start has fueled the notion that Snider will put it all together in 2012. Here’s the rub: Toronto’s outfield is stacked right now.

78. Yonder Alonso, Padres
Skinny: The Reds took a big gamble on Joey Votto (beyond 2013) when they traded Alonso, a future star at first base, to the Padres. For Alonso, anything above 14 HRs, 63 RBI and .270 BA would be welcome.

79. Mike Carp, Mariners
Skinny: Carp may finally be getting the requisite playing time to become a productive fantasy asset. Targets: 18 HRs and .282 average.

80. Denard Span, Twins
Skinny: The 80th ranking is more ceremonial than a punitive judgment against Span, who tallied 182 runs and 49 steals in 2009-10. With a productive spring, thus erasing last year’s disappointment, Span could vault 14-17 slots before Opening Day.

80a. Bryce Harper, Nationals
Skinny: It might not matter if the Nationals send Harper down for more minor-league seasoning before Opening Day. Fantasy owners won’t hesitate to take a Round 20 flier on one of the most touted hitting prospects of the last 20 years. Expect a June 1 call-up.

80b. Mike Trout, Angels
Skinny: A springtime illness has effectively curtailed Trout’s chances of making the parent club on Opening Day. Nevertheless, he’s a stealth last-round flier and a can’t-miss prospect for the long term.

80c. Alex Presley, Pirates
Skinny: With an outfield of Andrew McCutchen, Tabata and Presley, the Pirates can afford to be patient with Starling Marte. A .291 hitter in the minors, Presley could develop into a four-category factor.

80d. Allen Craig, Cardinals
Skinny: Like so many prospects at this stage of the countdown, Craig’s fantasy potential is directly proportional to the number of at-bats he’ll accrue in his first full season.

80e. Alejandro De Aza, White Sox
Skinny: A poor man’s (or undiscovered) version of Emilio Bonifacio. In the right setting, De Aza could hit .300 and notch 30-35 steals.

Jay Clemons can be reached on Twitter, day or night, at @ATL_JayClemons.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

To counterbalance our own Spring Training positional rankings for starting pitchers, beginning with the Top 40 and then secondary Top 40 (Nos. 41-80), here are the current average draft positional values at Mock Draft Central.

Rounds 1-4

Justin Verlander, Tigers (7th overall)
Roy Halladay, Phillies (15th overall)
Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers (17th overall)
Cliff Lee, Phillies (21st overall)
Tim Lincecum, Giants (25th overall)
Felix Hernandez, Mariners (28th overall)
CC Sabathia, Yankees (29th overall)
Cole Hamels, Phillies (30th overall)
Jered Weaver, Angels (34th overall)
David Price, Rays (36th overall)
Dan Haren, Angels (42nd overall)
Zack Greinke, Brewers (45th overall)
Yovani Gallardo, Brewers (46th overall)

Breakdown

1. It’s hardly a shock that Verlander and Halladay were the first ones off most boards. Verlander is coming off a Cy Young/MVP season—setting the bar impossibly high—and Halladay has been the most dominant real-world and fantasy pitcher over the last five seasons.

2. Kershaw is my top-ranked pitcher in mixed roto leagues, so obviously, I would support a No. 17 value. However, it’s imperative that prepared fantasy owners have a game plan for the later rounds, if they’re going to splurge on a high-end pitcher in the first three picks. My general rule for the first eight rounds of 12-team drafts: Six formidable hitters and two starting pitchers with a high capacity for strikeouts and WHIP.

3. I would be thrilled to land either Hamels or Weaver midway through Round 3, provided they’re the ace of the fantasy rotation. As stated above, it’s wonderful to have elite pitching early on, but the later rounds are full of great values with starting pitching—not the case for third base, shortstop or leagues that require five starting outfield spots.

4. To be honest, I would rather draft a hitter at 46, or a pitcher like Matt Cain, Jon Lester or Ian Kennedy. But I’m nitpicking here.

Rounds 5-8

Jon Lester, Red Sox (50th overall)
Matt Cain, Giants (59th overall)
Stephen Strasburg, Nationals (65th overall)
James Shields, Rays (66th overall)
Ian Kennedy, Diamondbacks (69th overall)
Mat Latos, Reds (70th overall)
Madison Bumgarner, Giants (74th overall)
C.J. Wilson, Rangers (83rd overall)
Daniel Hudson, Diamondbacks (85th overall)
Ricky Romero, Blue Jays (86th overall)
Josh Beckett, Red Sox (90th overall)
Tommy Hanson, Braves (92nd overall)

Breakdown

1. I realize Strasburg is only 18 months removed from Tommy John surgery, but when fully healthy, his track record for excellence in ERA, WHIP, strikeouts, K/9, BB/9—and any other stat you can find—resembles that of a top-5 pitcher. In other words, I would happily risk a Round 6 pick for a potential monster.

2. Matt Cain also has stellar value in the middle rounds. In six full seasons with the Giants, he’s had very few peaks and valleys—a quality prized by roto-league gurus. Cain’s only drawback is he has yet to earn 15 victories in a given year. That hurdle will hopefully be cleared in 2012.

3. It shouldn’t hurt Wilson’s cause that he signed with the deep and talented Angels, giving him a reasonable chance to match last year’s 16 wins, 2.94 ERA and 206 strikeouts. And yet, the 83rd pick may be a half-round too high, especially with Matt Garza, Gio Gonzalez, Michael Pineda and Adam Wainwright still available for public consumption. All in all, not too bad.

Rounds 9-12

Michael Pineda, Yankees (98th overall)
Josh Johnson, Marlins (100th overall)
Matt Moore, Rays (104th overall)
Adam Wainwright, Cardinals (107th overall)
Gio Gonzalez, Nationals (108th overall)
Matt Garza, Cubs (109th overall)
Johnny Cueto, Reds (112th overall)
Brandon Beachy, Braves (114th overall)
Jordan Zimmermann, Nationals (117th overall)
Yu Darvish, Rangers (124th overall)
Chris Carpenter, Cardinals (125th overall)
Jeremy Hellickson, Rays (127th overall)
Anibal Sanchez, Marlins (129th overall)
Cory Luebke, Padres (135th overall)
Tim Hudson, Braves (136th overall)

Breakdown

1. Hellickson and Luebke stand as ideal values for Round 11 and 12, respectively. The only aspects precluding Hellickson from greatness are 1) more major-league seasoning, and 2) cutting down on walks (it seems that No. 1 will eventually take care of No. 2). As for Luebke, he has thrown more strikeouts than innings at nearly every level of pro ball. He could easily be the Padres’ ace by season’s end.

2. As mentioned in the Top 40 starters preview, Wainwright may only be on a short-term respite from baseball’s elite pitchers. When fully healthy, he’s a top-10 fantasy talent and thus, a superb flier pick anywhere past 100. The hype for Darvish will be high throughout March, not unlike that of Daisuke Matsuzaka in his first year with the Red Sox. But I’m OK with that, since Darvish had a long-standing track record of ERA, WHIP and strikeout excellence in Japan. Let’s hope the adjustment period to North and South American hitters is relatively quick.

3. Zimmermann has the physical tools to be a formidable fantasy pitcher, but 117th may be 10-15 slots too high. He likely needs more time to unlock his vast potential.

Rounds 13-16

Shaun Marcum, Brewers (146th overall)
Max Scherzer, Tigers (147th overall)
Ervin Santana, Angels (150th overall)
Ubaldo Jimenez, Indians (154th overall)
Derek Holland, Rangers (167th overall)
Wandy Rodriguez, Astros (170th overall)
Hiroki Kuroda, Yankees (172nd overall)
Jaime Garcia, Cardinals (177th overall)
Trevor Cahill, Diamondbacks (179th overall)
Brandon Morrow, Blue Jays (180th overall)
Doug Fister, Tigers (185th overall)
John Danks, White Sox (191st overall)

Breakdown

1. Holland has solid long-term prospects, but I’m not buying a guy with a 1.35 WHIP for 16 wins in consecutive seasons. Yes, he’ll get a ton of run support, but his range for the year is probably 13-15 victories. That said, Round 14 is decent value.

2. I would dance a 20-minute jig around my condo upon landing Jimenez at some point in Round 13. He’s only two years removed from a dominant campaign with the Rockies (19 wins, 2.88 ERA, 214 strikeouts, 1.16 WHIP) and was traded to a club (the Indians) that should contend for the second AL wild-card spot. Unless Jimenez has a dead arm or a balky elbow, he’s a good bet to recapture his old mojo.

3. A highly touted prospect with the Athletics, Cahill has plenty of time to right the ship with his new team, the Diamondbacks. First order of business: Limiting his walks. That alone should satisfy the owners who draft Cahill in Round 15.

4. If Fister resembles anything close to last year’s production with the Tigers (8 wins in 11 starts, 1.79 ERA, 57 strikeouts in 70 innings, 0.84 WHIP), his Round 16 acquisition would classify as an absolute heist. Fister is the 2012 version of the ultimate no-brainer flier pick!

Jay Clemons can be reached on Twitter, day or night, at @ATL_JayClemons.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The Missing Links

Need a Hamburger Helper-like hand with your research for the upcoming baseball drafts? Are you curious to find out why the Kansas City Royals, led by Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Lorenzo Cain and Billy Butler, could be the Next Big Thing in baseball? Check out these great supplemental sites for background information:

• Baseball America

• Baseball America’s 2012 Top Prospects

• Rotowire Player Search Database

• Minor League Baseball Stats Page

• Baseball Reference

• Baseball Prospectus

• Accuscore.com
  

• Retrosheet

• FanGraphs.com

• Baseball Headquarters

• Beyond The Box Score

• MLB.com Stats Page

Depth Of Knowledge
There is no greater resource for mixed and league-specific drafts than the official depth charts for each MLB club. In no particular order…

National League
East
Marlins | Braves | Mets | Phillies | Nationals

Central
Reds | Pirates | Cubs | Brewers | Cardinals | Astros

West
Dodgers | Diamondbacks | Padres | Rockies | Giants

American League
East
Red Sox | Orioles | Rays | Yankees | Blue Jays

Central
White Sox | Tigers | Indians | Royals | Twins

West
Rangers | Angels | Athletics | Mariners

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Here’s the first dry run of draft expectations when holding the No. 1 pick in a 12-team mixed roto league, specifically working off the Average Draft Position report from our friends at Mock Draft Central. It goes without saying: It’s imperative to nail the first three picks (1, 24, 25), and for the sake of brevity, we’ll stop at Round 17:

Round 1, Pick 1 overall: Motive: Best overall player

First option: 1B Miguel Cabrera, Tigers

Second option: 1B Albert Pujols, Angels

Third option: OF Matt Kemp, Dodgers

Round 2, Pick 24 overall: Motive: Best outfielder or starting pitcher

First option: OF Mike Stanton, Marlins

Second option: SP Jered Weaver, Angels

Third option: SP Felix Hernandez, Mariners

Round 3, Pick 25 overall: Motive: Best starting pitcher or top prospect available

First option: SP Jered Weaver, Angels

Second option: OF Andrew McCutchen, Pirates

Third option: SP Felix Hernandez, Mariners

Round 4, Pick 48 overall: Motive: Best corner infielder or starting pitcher

First option: 1B Eric Hosmer, Royals

Second option: SP Matt Cain, Giants

Third option: 3B Brett Lawrie, Blue Jays

Round 5, Pick 49: Motive: Best third baseman or starting pitcher

First option: 3B Brett Lawrie, Blue Jays

Second option: SP Matt Cain, Giants

Third option: OF Michael Bourn, Braves

Round 6, Pick 72 overall: Motive: Best middle infielder or catching prospect

First option: SS Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians

Second option: 2B Rickie Weeks, Brewers

Third option: C Joe Mauer, Twins

Round 7, Pick 73 overall: Motive: Best middle infielder

First option: 2B Rickie Weeks, Brewers

Second option: 2B Chase Utley, Phillies

Third option: C Joe Mauer, Twins

Round 8, Pick 96 overall: Motive: Outfielder with greatest upside

First option: OF Jason Heyward, Braves

Second option: OF Jayson Werth, Nationals

Third option: OF Cameron Maybin, Padres

Round 9, Pick 97 overall: Motive: Best pitcher or outfielder available

First option: SP Matt Garza, Rays

Second option: OF Jayson Werth, Nationals

Third option: SP Josh Johnson, Marlins

Round 10, Pick 120 overall: Motive: Best outfielder or high-end pitcher available

First option: OF Chris Young, Diamondbacks

Second option: SP Chris Carpenter, Cardinals

Third option: OF Nick Markakis, Orioles

Round 11, Pick 121: Motive: Best player available

First option: SP Chris Carpenter, Cardinals

Second option: SP Jeremy Hellickson, Rays

Third option: OF Nick Markakis, Orioles

Round 12, Pick 144: Motive: Best starting pitcher or middle infielder

First option: SP Ubaldo Jimenez, Indians

Second option: SP Max Scherzer, Tigers

Third option: SS Alexei Ramirez, White Sox

Round 13, Pick 145: Motive: Best catcher or starting pitcher available

First option: C Jesus Montero, Mariners

Second option: SP Max Scherzer, Tigers

Third option: SS Alexei Ramirez, White Sox

Round 14, Pick 168: Motive: Best starting pitcher or speed-power hitting option

First option: SP Brandon Morrow, Blue Jays

Second option: 2B/3B Ryan Roberts, Diamondbacks

Third option: SP Wandy Rodriguez, Astros

Round 15, Pick 169: Motive: Best closer available

First option: RP Huston Street, Padres

Second option: RP Joakim Soria, Royals

Third option: RP Joe Nathan, Rangers

Round 16, Pick 192: Motive: Best player available

First option: 2B/3B Ryan Roberts, Diamondbacks

Second option: OF Josh Willingham, Twins

Third option: 3B Mike Moustakas, Royals

Round 17, Pick 193: Motive: Best closer or power-hitting prospect

First option: RP Javy Guerra, Dodgers

Second option: OF Josh Willingham, Twins

Third option: 3B Mike Moustakas, Royals

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

To counterbalance our own Spring Training positional rankings for Catcher and First Base or Second Base and Shortstop, here are the current Average Draft Positional rankings at Mock Draft Central.

Catchers
Carlos Santana, Indians (35th overall)
Mike Napoli, Rangers (45th overall)
Brian McCann, Braves (50th overall)
Buster Posey, Giants (58th overall)
Joe Mauer, Twins (81st overall)
Matt Wieters, Orioles (95th overall)
Miguel Montero, Diamondbacks (102nd overall)
Alex Avila, Tigers (111th overall)
Yadier Molina, Cardinals (177th overall)
J.P. Arencibia, Blue Jays (180th overall)
Wilson Ramos, Nationals (214th overall)
Geovany Soto, Cubs (245th overall)

First Base
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers (2nd overall)
Albert Pujols, Angels (3rd overall)
Joey Votto, Reds (10th overall)
Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox (11th overall)
Prince Fielder, Tigers (16th overall)
Mark Teixeira, Yankees (27th overall)
Carlos Santana, Indians (35th overall)
Mike Napoli, Rangers (45th overall)
Paul Konerko, White Sox (49th overall)
Eric Hosmer, Royals (52nd overall)
Michael Morse, Nationals (82nd overall)
Freddie Freeman, Braves (118th overall)
Mark Trumbo, Angels (138th overall)
Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks (140th overall)
Adam Lind, Blue Jays (143rd overall)
Justin Morneau, Twins (155th overall)
Ryan Howard, Phillies (159th overall)
Ike Davis, Mets (176th overall)
Gaby Sanchez, Marlins (196th overall)
Kendrys Morales, Angels (220th overall)
Carlos Pena, Rays (222nd overall)
Justin Smoak, Mariners (270th overall)

Second Base
Robinson Cano, Yankees (12th overall)
Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox (18th overall)
Ian Kinsler, Rangers (23rd overall)
Dan Uggla, Braves (54th overall)
Brandon Phillips, Reds (60th overall)
Chase Utley, Phillies (76th overall)
Ben Zobrist, Rays (77th overall)
Rickie Weeks, Brewers (78th overall)
Howard Kendrick, Angels (105th overall)
Dustin Ackley, Mariners (133rd overall)
Neil Walker, Pirates (137th overall)
Danny Espinosa, Nationals (145th overall)
Jemile Weeks, Athletics (149th overall)
Jason Kipnis, Indians (162nd overall)
Aaron Hill, Diamondbacks (236th overall)

Shortstop
Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies (5th overall)
Hanley Ramirez, Marlins (20th overall)
Jose Reyes, Marlins (22nd overall)
Starlin Castro, Cubs (41st overall)
Elvis Andrus, Rangers (44th overall)
Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians (74th overall)
Jimmy Rollins, Phillies (89th overall)
Derek Jeter, Yankees (120th overall)
J.J. Hardy, Orioles (131st overall)
Dee Gordon, Dodgers (141st overall)
Erick Aybar, Angels (142nd overall)
Stephen Drew, Diamondbacks (148th overall)
Alexei Ramirez, White Sox (157th overall)
Emilio Bonifacio, Marlins (172nd overall)
Jhonny Peralta, Tigers (173rd overall)
Yunel Escobar, Blue Jays (211st overall)
Ian Desmond, Nationals (319th overall)
Marco Scutaro, Rockies (334th overall)

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

It would be misleading to characterize second base as a position of scarcity in 2012.

Yes, there are no certifiable facsimiles of Robinson Cano, Ian Kinsler, Dustin Pedroia, Rickie Weeks, Chase Utley, Ben Zobrist, Brandon Phillips or Dan Uggla after the first 60 picks of a 12-team, mixed-league draft.

But the entire Top 30 list is also chock-full of 25-and-under potential dynamos (Dustin Ackley, Jemile Weeks, Jason Kipnis, Jose Altuve, Gordon Beckham) and veteran stalwarts (Aaron Hill, Neil Walker, Kelly Johnson, Marco Scutaro, Sean Rodriguez) who are still in their prime years—and could break out with just a little good fortune, here and there.

1. Robinson Cano, Yankees 
Skinny: A lead-pipe cinch for 25 HRs/100 runs/105 RBIs/.305 BA over the next five seasons.

2. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
Skinny: The reasonable choice for fantasy owners who value power, speed AND high batting average.

3. Ian Kinsler, Rangers
Skinny: My personal favorite for this position—and that was before he racked up 121 runs last season.

4. Dan Uggla, Braves
Skinny: Fantasy owners in Round 4 are praying for 30 homers…and anything above .260 in hitting. 

5. Rickie Weeks, Brewers
Skinny: Let’s assume his 2010 numbers (29 HRs/83 RBIs/11 steals) are a baseline measure of production.

6. Chase Utley, Phillies
Skinny: A reputation pick here, and one that might look ambitious with Ryan Howard sidelined for a while.

7. Ben Zobrist, Rays
Skinny: The quietest 20-HR/100-run/20-steal potential of all middle infielders…and Big Z has OF eligibility.

8. Brandon Phillips, Reds
Skinny: A top-7 candidate for all five categories. Just don’t expect career marks in HRs or RBIs.

9. Ryan Roberts, Diamondbacks
Skinny: Don’t be surprised if Roberts passes the 20-20 threshold at age 31. A great addition at Round 12.

10. Dustin Ackley, Mariners
Skinny: Ackley, who possesses the highest upside of anyone outside the top 8, has 15-40-.310 potential.

11. Howard Kendrick, Angels
Skinny: A slightly unfair ranking, given his solid 2011 campaign. Needs to crack 70 RBIs this season.

12. Jason Kipnis, Indians
Skinny: Kipnis is more Pedroia or Phillips than Uggla or Utley. Either way, he’s a long-term keeper.

13. Jemile Weeks, Athletics
Skinny: A dark-horse candidate for 85 runs/.310 average at age 25. Power numbers may never be there.

14. Marco Scutaro, Rockies
Skinny: Scutaro’s value will get a nice bounce around April 10, when he secures 2B/SS eligibility.

15. Neil Walker, Pirates
Skinny: The wild swings in batting average and run production can be frustrating. Don’t reach on Draft Day. 

16. Kelly Johnson, Blue Jays
Skinny: Two full seasons of middling batting average have diluted Johnson’s respectable power potential.

17. Gordon Beckham, White Sox
Skinny: Beckham has too many physical gifts to be this average in his prime. A solid late-round flier.

18. Aaron Hill, Diamondbacks
Skinny: Went on a hitting tear last year after being traded…but the odds of batting .300 for the season are long.

19. Danny Espinosa, Nationals
Skinny: Anything above a pedestrian batting average would boost him into the top 15—he’s that close.

20. Sean Rodriguez, Rays
Skinny: The 2B-SS-3B versatility opens doors for S-Rod. Can he be a steady 15-15 producer?

21. Jose Altuve, Astros
Skinny: A late-season find for the anemic Astros in 2011. Can he amass 30-35 steals in Year 2 of his development?

22. Ryan Raburn, Tigers
Skinny: Raburn needs a hot start to ward off slick fielders Brandon Inge and Ramon Santiago at the 4-spot.

23. Johnny Giavotella, Royals
Skinny: Could make a modest leap in this countdown with a productive spring. Intriguing prospect.

24. Daniel Murphy, Mets
Skinny: An under-the-radar talent who’ll bring modest value to all five categories—especially hitting.

25. Omar Infante, Marlins
Skinny: Expect a noticeable bump in runs…and then hope the versatile Infante flirts with .300 again.

26. Brian Roberts, Orioles
Skinny: In the realm of minor miracles, I’d be thrilled with 10 HRs, 75 runs and 20 steals.

27. Mark Ellis, Dodgers
Skinny: Ellis has 15-15 potential in the Senior Circuit, even at the ripened age of 34.

28. Orlando Hudson, Padres
Skinny: A nice deep-sleeper option for steals and runs—if the Padres get aggressive on the basepaths.

29. Mike Aviles, Red Sox
Skinny: The preferred fantasy placeholder over Nick Punto, while Jose Iglesias gets more seasoning in the minors.

30a. Darwin Barney, Cubs
Skinny: A last-round sleeper for the 2B/SS slot in NL-only and 14-team mixed leagues.

30b. Justin Turner, Mets
Skinny: Good minor-league numbers suggest a mini-breakout in the bigs. Could rise up the ranks during Grapefruit League play.

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