Los Angeles Angels third baseman Brandon Wood has the inside track at a starting job, according to the Los Angeles Times. Manager Mike Scioscia admitted that the organization would like to see Wood get the first opportunity at third base and for veteran Maicer Izturis to begin the year in a utility role.

With Wood, who has a .192 career average in the big leagues, playing time is only half the battle. The other half is in his performance, which, like teammate Kendry Morales last season, could improve drastically with a little job security. The upside is certainly there for Wood, who has averaged 23 homers over the course of seven minor league seasons. Read more »

We will be rolling out plenty of 2010 fantasy baseball coverage in the coming days, weeks and months, but let’s start right here with player-by-player profiles of our rough top 100 preseason rankings. Stay tuned to the site for more player profiles, draft kit information, rankings, sleepers, busts, etc. as the regular season approaches.

Michael Bourn, OF, Houston Astros
Overview: Sparkplug who made the leap into fantasy stardom last season with his National League-best 61 stolen bases … has the look of a hitter who has figured out to use his speed … after hitting a lowly .229 in ‘08, managed a respectable .285 average last season … with next to no power or run production, speed and run-scoring are his lone fantasy offerings.
2009 numbers: .285 avg., 3 HRs, 35 RBIs, 97 runs, 61 SBs in 157 games
Key splits and trends: Made significant improvements in a number of areas, including the way he handled left-handed pitching, last season … hit 97 points better against lefties (.190 to .287) in ‘09 … hit .255 in the second half of ‘08 and carried that progress into last season … stolen base percentage improved after the All-Star break last year, which is a rare feat among active base stealers.
Strengths: Speed, speed, speed … is one of the game’s best, most active base stealers … is on the short list of candidates to lead Major League Baseball in SBs.
Weaknesses: Is a one-trick pony in fantasy … is weak in home runs and RBIs, even for a leadoff hitter … need a bigger sample size to determine his ability to handle the bat, whether he’s closer to the .229 hitter in ‘08 or the .285 hitter in ‘09.
Bold prediction for 2010: Batting average dips into the .260-.270 range, but stays active with another 60-SB season.

We will be rolling out plenty of 2010 fantasy baseball coverage in the coming days, weeks and months, but let’s start right here with player-by-player profiles of our rough top 100 preseason rankings. Stay tuned to the site for more player profiles, draft kit information, rankings, sleepers, busts, etc. as the regular season approaches.

Jon Lester, SP, Boston Red Sox
Overview: One of the game’s best, brightest young pitchers … his story is inspiring, too, having survived cancer in 2006 to become a back-to-back 15-game winner in Boston … has steadily improved his fantasy game, adding premium strikeouts to the mix last season … is widely expected to take the torch from RHP Josh Beckett as the Red Sox ace this season.
2009 numbers: 15-8, 3.41 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 225 Ks in 203.1 IP.
Key splits and trends: His BABIP (.323) rose to a career-worst level last season and still managed his best season as a pro … is historically a slow starter, including last season when he went 3-5 with a 6.07 ERA in his first 10 starts … has a career 7-7 record in April and May, compared to a 35-9 mark in all other months.
Strengths: His makeup and demeanor are certainly pluses, even if they don’t show up in a box score … is a consistent winner who gets premium run support from his team’s lineup … is also a good bet to reach 200 Ks, something just 10 pitchers did last season.
Weaknesses: Still hasn’t proven he can be a dominator in ERA or WHIP … until a sub-3.00 ERA becomes reality, owners are paying for potential in drafts.
Bold prediction for 2010: Improved defense works wonders as he sets career-highs in wins (18) and ERA (2.90).

We will be rolling out plenty of 2010 fantasy baseball coverage in the coming days, weeks and months, but let’s start right here with player-by-player profiles of our rough top 100 preseason rankings. Stay tuned to the site for more player profiles, draft kit information, rankings, sleepers, busts, etc. as the regular season approaches.

Kendry Morales, 1B, Los Angeles Angels
Overview: Broke out after finally earning the faith of the Angels’ organization and manager Mike Scioscia … filled in beautifully for Mark Teixeira, who was lost to free agency in the off-season, and finished fifth in American League MVP voting … was one of baseball’s best hitters in the second half of last season and made a consistent debut as a Major League starter … with good health, is a virtual lock for 30 HRs and 100 RBIs.
2009 numbers: .306 BA, 34 HRs, 108 RBI, 86 runs, 3 SBs in 152 games.
Key splits and trends: Consistently produced throughout the season until going on a tear in the summer … hit .330 and led Major League Baseball with 19 HRs and 59 RBIs (tie) after the All-Star break.
Strengths: Is rare in his ability to hit for both power and average … was one of eight full-time first basemen to post a .300 batting average … time is on his side and could still have some untapped potential in fantasy.
Weaknesses: Has just one season of production under his belt … plays one of fantasy’s deepest, most productive positions, so his numbers are overshadowed … is a typical slugger in that he makes few, if any, contributions in stolen bases.
Bold prediction for 2010: Look for another step in the right direction after his breakout season; we like him to hit 38 HRs with 110 RBIs.

We will be rolling out plenty of 2010 fantasy baseball coverage in the coming days, weeks and months, but let’s start right here with player-by-player profiles of our rough top 100 preseason rankings. Stay tuned to the site for more player profiles, draft kit information, rankings, sleepers, busts, etc. as the regular season approaches.

Lance Berkman, 1B, Houston Astros
Overview: The Big Puma has been one of the most productive hitters in the decade, but his production declined last season and his status for Opening Day is in question … got the Big Puma nickname from teammates for his combination of size and agility … is 34 years old and could be approaching the twilight of his career … missed 18 games due to a calf injury last season.
2009 numbers: .274 BA, 25 HRs, 80 RBIs, 73 runs, 7 SBs in 136 games
Key splits and trends: Injury caused power numbers to drop significantly in the second half … switch-hitter fared 60 points better against right-handed pitching (.291/.231) … season-to-season numbers have been known to fluctuate, but now has two seasons with a sub-.280 batting average in his last three.
Strengths: Is the picture of a complete Major League hitter … hits for power and average (.299 career BA), commands the strike zone, drives in runs and can run the bases … chips in with stolen bases, though his 18 steals in ‘08 are a clear outlier in his career numbers.
Weaknesses: Age and injury question marks are the biggest knocks … home run numbers have declined in three straight seasons … lineup support is questionable, so RBI opportunities could be scarce.
Bold prediction for 2010: Berkman misses Opening Day and shows his age, but still produces a solid .285-28-90 stat line.

Young Oakland A’s slugger Chris Carter ‘has a chance to be a great all-around hitter,’ A’s assistant general manager David Forst told the Oakland Tribune. Carter is vying for a spot on the A’s 25-man roster, but is more likely to be shipped back down to Triple-A Sacramento for more seasoning. Still, mediocre Daric Barton and oft-injured Eric Chavez are the only two guys standing in Carter’s way for a full-time job. By season’s end, we like his odds of being called up for good. Read more »

We will be rolling out plenty of 2010 fantasy baseball coverage in the coming days, weeks and months, but let’s start right here with player-by-player profiles of our rough top 100 preseason rankings. Stay tuned to the site for more player profiles, draft kit information, rankings, sleepers, busts, etc. as the regular season approaches.

Curtis Granderson, OF, New York Yankees
Overview: Five-tool player moving from Detroit to New York, where he joins the most potent offense in the AL … is still in the running for the valuable No. 2 spot in the Yankees’ lineup … has four productive, albeit slightly imperfect, seasons under his belt … power numbers spiked while his average plummeted in ‘09 … is two years removed from becoming one of four players with at least 20 doubles, triples, homeruns and stolen bases in a season.
2009 numbers: .249 avg., 30 HRs, 71 RBIs, 91 runs, 20 SBs in 160 games
Key splits and trends: Average has declined in each of the last two seasons, bottoming out at .249 in ‘09 … warrants benching against left-handed starters, putting up a .183 BA with only 2 HRs and 9 RBIs last season … hit for much better numbers across the board away in 2009; 20 HR, .267 BA.
Strengths: Main strength is his versatility and ability to produce in almost every category … move to the friendly confines of Yankee Stadium will be a benefit to power and run production numbers … has 20/20 potential, perhaps more if his power trends continue.
Weaknesses: Is unpredictable when it comes to making contact … swing gets long, so he’s prone to strikeouts and a low batting average … fantasy owners must work off the assumption he’ll hit in the .250 range … is a man without a lineup spot; could hit as high as second or as low as seventh or eighth in the Yankees’ order.
Bold prediction for 2010: A well-protected lineup breeds more fastballs and a better average along with more runs scored: .280 BA, 30 HRs, 80 RBIs, 100+ runs scored.

Colorado Rockies outfielders Carlos Gonzalez and Dexter Fowler have gotten the green light on the basepaths this spring, according to the Denver Post. Good news for both players as they start the season as Colorado’s Nos. 1 and 2 hitters, respectively.

Neither young player is established as a fantasy star, but both could realistically make the jump THIS season. The fact that manager Jim Tracy is building an offense around his two young table setters should mean that Fowler and Gonzalez offer at least one premium contribution in fantasy with their steals. Read more »

We will be rolling out plenty of 2010 fantasy baseball coverage in the coming days, weeks and months, but let’s start right here with player-by-player profiles of our rough top 100 preseason rankings. Stay tuned to the site for more player profiles, draft kit information, rankings, sleepers, busts, etc. as the regular season approaches.

Javier Vazquez, SP, New York Yankees
Overview: Rejoins the Yankees, where he had a 4.91 ERA in 2004 … is coming off arguably his best season, posting a 2.87 ERA in his lone season with the Braves to finish fourth in the NL Cy Young voting … was traded to New York in a four-player deal this offseason … has long been one of fantasy’s most reliable strikeout artists, but has posted a sub-4.00 ERA just twice in the last six seasons.
2009 numbers: 15-10, 2.87 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 238 Ks in 219.1 IP.
Key splits and trends: Stayed consistent throughout the season, never posting an ERA higher than 3.76 in any month … shut opponents down with a 1.27 ERA in his 15 victories … 34.8 percent fly ball ratio was his lowest since 2002; any rise could cause an increase in HRs at Yankee Stadium … is a workhorse with 30+ starts and 198+ IP in each of the last 10 seasons.
Strengths: Durability and consistency are valuable; know what to expect from him in fantasy … strikeouts are another premium contribution; he averages 8.1 Ks per 9 thorughout his career.
Weaknesses: Solid work has never yielded impressive numbers in wins or ERA … move to the American League and hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium almost assures a significant rise in his ERA, probably into the neighborhood of his career 4.17 mark.
Bold prediction for 2010: Run support may rise, but so will numbers in all major pitching categories: 15-12, 3.70 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 220 Ks.

We will be rolling out plenty of 2010 fantasy baseball coverage in the coming days, weeks and months, but let’s start right here with player-by-player profiles of our rough top 100 preseason rankings. Stay tuned to the site for more player profiles, draft kit information, rankings, sleepers, busts, etc. as the regular season approaches.

Aramis Ramirez, 3B, Chicago Cubs
Overview: Longtime contributor at third base after making his Major League debut as a 19-year-old in Pittsburgh … has dealt with injuries in his career with Chicago, including a left shoulder injury that limited him to 82 games last season … when healthy, is one of the game’s most consistent RBI guys … has six 100-RBI seasons and four with at least 30 HRs.
2009 numbers: .317 avg, 15 HRs, 65 RBIs, 46 runs, 2 SBs in 82 games
Key splits and trends: After a run of three straight 30-homer seasons, has fallen short of that mark in each of the last three … has fallen short of 140 games played in three of the last five campaigns … was as good as ever after coming off the disabled list in July … hit .310 with 11 HRs in the second half of the season.
Strengths: Is a prototypical run producer with 120-RBI upside … has good power and calls a hitter-friendly ballpark home … is also a rarity in that he can add a .300+ average to the 30 HR-100 RBI package.
Weaknesses: Is more prone to injury than your average third baseman … hard to rely on 150+ games, so it’s hard to pencil him in for .300-30-100 … home run total is iffy; hasn’t hit the 30-HR mark since ‘06.
Bold prediction for 2010: Power and injury trends continue; hits .300 with 21 HRs and 85 RBIs in 125 games.