Our 2011 fantasy baseball projections will be released one-by-one until the top 100 players have been revealed. These rankings consider past achievements, current performance and expected future results based on standard 5×5 H2H settings.

From 2005 to 2009, Brian Roberts established himself as one of the most reliable and productive second basemen in fantasy baseball, posting an average season of: 598 at-bats, 99 runs, 13 HRs, 64 RBI, 37 steals, and a .294 batting average.

In 2010, Roberts was limited to just 59 games due to neck and back injuries, effectively destroying Baltimore’s offensive fantasy value.

Roberts made his spring debut last Tuesday, and appears ready to go. Given a full season atop Baltimore’s revamped lineup, the 33-year-old could be in for a big season. At least seven Orioles starters have the ability to hit 20 HRs this season, while Guerrero, Reynolds and Scott are all expected to push for 30. Furthermore, six of Baltimore’s projected nine starting hitters have either a career batting average above .280 or hit at least that last season.

Bottom line: Roberts should score a whole bunch of runs. In addition to his solid average, double-digit power and 30-steal wheels, he should re-emerge as a valuable fantasy asset. Fortunately, others have yet to notice. Roberts’ current ADP on Mock Draft Central is 129, and he ranked just outside the top 100 according to Yahoo! composite rankings. Get him now, before the rest of the fantasy baseball world realizes his true fantasy value.

  PA R HR RBI SB AVG
2010 stats 261 28 4 15 12 .278
3-year average 561 82 10 50 27 .288
2011 FBI Forecast 660 95 13 55 25 .280

 

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