Some of the usual suspects are among the National League’s most productive hitters this season, but a few newbies have also made their presence known. That’s not to say Joey Votto, Carlos Gonzalez and Chris Young are new to the fantasy scene; they’re just new to the upper echelon of the league’s hitters.

Let’s take a look at the top 10 thus far. Rankings are based solely on current numbers, not projections for the remainder of the season.

1. Albert Pujols, 1B, STL: Even in ‘down season’ is competing for NL Triple Crown
2. Joey Votto, 1B, CIN: Arrives on big stage with eerily similar season to Pujols
3. Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL: CarGo is on pace for .300-30-100-100-20 benchmarks
4. Ryan Howard, 1B, PHI: Ankle injury threatens to derail usual 2nd half hot streak
5. David Wright, 3B, NYM: Big rebound in power; vying for 3rd career .300-25-20 season
6. Chris Young, OF, ARI: Unlikely All-Star is picking up SB pace; has 18 in last 52 games
7. Rickie Weeks, 2B, MIL: Finally healthy, ranks among top 3 2B in HRs, RBIs, runs
8. Adam Dunn, 1B, WSH: Staying put in D.C. (for now), again on 40 HR, 100 RBI pace
9. Dan Uggla, 2B, FLA: Flying under the radar with usual power, uptick in AVG (.281)
10. Corey Hart, OF, MIL: Returning to form after wrist injury; has 5 August RBIs

After releasing our Top 25 rookie rankings last week, we’ve decided to throw a few fantasy baseball type lists each week. This one is our top 10 “unexpected difference makers,” guys who have made deep impacts without costing arms or legs on draft day.

These rankings are hardly scientific, just a simple process of weighing a player’s overall impact vs. buzz and expectations for him in the preseason.

1. Jose Bautista, 3B, TOR: HR leader keeps going; hitting .362-8-26 after the break
2. Ubaldo Jimenez, SP, COL: Has struggled of late, but remains on pace for 24 Ws
3. Alex Rios, OF, CHW: Strength in balance; 1 of 3 members of 15 HR, 20 SB club
4. Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL: On pace for impressive .321-34-110-109-24 season
5. Mat Latos, SP, SD: True dominance for a 22-year-old with 88 hits in 123.2 IP
6. Adrian Beltre, 3B, BOS: Afterthought acquisition has arguably been Sox’ best hitter
7. Corey Hart, OF, MIL: Speed has deteriorated, but re-emerged as solid MLB hitter
8. Scott Podsednik, OF, LAD: 32 SBs are nice; also on his way to career-high RBIs
9. Aubrey Huff, 1B, BAL: Hit-or-miss veteran combines power, run production, high AVG
10. Angel Pagan, OF, NYM: Developing into speed threat with across-the-board abilities

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 »

1.) Which starting pitcher(s) is undervalued in drafts thus far?
Dustin Hockensmith: Each season, it’s a good practice to identify mid-round starters ready to take the next step. There are always some exciting young arms in that group, but this season’s class is particularly deep. Oakland’s Brett Anderson, Tampa Bay’s David Price, Boston’s Clay Buchholz and Detroit’s Rick Porcello are all premium talents with enough Major League experience to make a leap.

Anthony Barton: Besides the names mentioned above, add San Francisco’s Jonathan Sanchez to the list of sleeper candidates. His high strikeout rate has always been helpful, but the high ERA has always been a problem. That said, take a look at his numbers after the All Star break, and there are improvements across the board. Sanchez is worth a flier to see if he has finally figured it out.

Jared Shanker: He has been around for a while, but Jon Garland is a middle-of-the-rotation starter ready to bounce back. He has two 18-win seasons to his name but has been under .500 two of the last three years. Pitching in San Diego, Garland will be in arguably the most pitcher-friendly park in baseball. Kevin Slowey is another starter you can grab in the late rounds. In an eight-start stretch between May 12 and June 19, Slowey had seven quality starts (6 IP, 3 ER). His season ended two weeks later. 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 Spring Training approaches.

Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Colorado Rockies
Overview: An immensely talented, five-tool type player who is back on the radar after joining his third organization in two seasons … showed star potential in the second half of the 2009 season, but struggled in his previous stint in the majors … had also developed a reputation for having a poor attitude.
2009 numbers: .284 avg., 13 HRs, 29 RBIs, 53 runs, 16 SBs in 89 games
Key splits and trends: Was a .320 hitter after the All-Star break, compared to .202 average before it … hit 12 of his 13 home runs in the last 44 games of the season … handled both left-handed and right-handed pitching … slugged .582 at Coors Field and .467 on the road.
Strengths: Chief strength is a power/speed combination that should, at the very least, yield 20 homers and 20 steals this season … is a dynamic, exciting player who gets a nice boost from the Coors Field factor.
Weaknesses: Plate discipline is an issue; he has 41 walks and 151 strikeouts in 174 Major League games … run production will also be weak as a pure leadoff hitter who hasn’t thrived when given RBI opportunities (.185 avg. with RISP).
Bold prediction for 2010: Gonzalez bursts onto the scene for good with 25 home runs and 25 steals.

What do we make of Colorado Rockies’ outfielder Carlos Gonzalez in 2010? He’s a pedigree player who put it all together at the end of last season, but he’s got a short resume of Major League production and would require something of a stretch to keep over other, more qualified candidates.

But, oh my, the short resume is a good one. Read more »

Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Colorado Rockies
Status: Making the most of an opportunity
Basics: .285 AVG, 6 HRs, 16 RBIs, 8 SBs in 51 games
Key Stats: Hitting .400 with 4 HRs in 45 August at-bats
What to Watch For: Playing time in crowded Rox’ outfield
Other Notes: Came to Colorado last season from Oakland in a deal for closer Huston Street … was sent to Oakland the previous offseason in a deal for pitcher Dan Haren … series of trades and struggles in Oakland had many mistakenly writing him off … arrives in a hitter’s haven in Colorado having hit .339 at Triple-A Colorado Springs … has five-tool skills that could come to life in a big way in the thin Colorado air
Verdict: Swing for the fences if desperate for a boost; has five-category potential

As you get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving in a few weeks, please take a moment to think of John Lackey, because his worst nightmare just came true.

The 30-year-old righty, who posted a 12-5 record with a 3.75 ERA this past regular season, was probably licking his chops at the idea of feasting on feeble AL West lineups in 2009, boosting his numbers before hitting the market as a free agent in 2010. Read more »

Although the 2008 MLB free agency period has yet to set sail, one of the off-season’s biggest fish is already swimming towards the west coast.

The Oakland Athletics acquired outfielder Matt Holliday from the Colorado Rockies on Monday. In exchange, the Athletics are sending closer Huston Street, outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and pitcher Greg Smith a mile high. Read more »

The time is nearing to buy up shares of Oakland A’s outfielder Carlos Gonzalez. The season numbers are still a little light to help a fantasy team, but there are plenty of reasons to think he’s turning it around. Gonzalez is one of the game’s best hitting prospects, and he’s showing a veteran’s poise in clutch situations.

The prototype for an A’s offensive player, Gonzalez came to Oakland in the preseason trade for right-hander Dan Haren. While other acquisitions Dana Eveland and Greg Smith have been more solid contributors in 2008, Gonzalez was the crown jewel of the deal. He has the body of a young Carlos Beltran and is an excellent five-tool athlete. Read more »