Fantasy Relevance ‘10 is a breakdown of each M.L.B. team that shows the players with fantasy value from each respective team. There are four categories the players will be broken down into and they are as follows: Studs, Role Players, Keepers and Sleepers. Hopefully this will help you in your quest for Fantasy Baseball dominance.

Studs:

Manny Ramírez- It seems as though Manny will spend his last year in Dodger blue this season so this is where we will discuss his attributes, even though he might not finish the season here.  Manny is a phenomenal hitter that will produce in any lineup.  He is playing for a new contract this year, and we all know that money motivates the hell out of Manny. Either way, he will be a very solid fantasy player this year.

Matt Kemp- Mark my words, Matt Kemp will be a fantasy stud this year.   Most people would say that he had a breakout season last year, but I’m going to say that he will have an even better year this year.  His numbers should increase across the board from HR to BA to SB. I would not be surprised to see him hit .310 with 30+ HR, 40+ SB and 100+ RBI/Runs.  You may think I’m crazy but I have a feeling that he will have a tremendous season, especially if the Dodgers do get Manny back and can hit Kemp in the 3 hole in front of Manny.

Role Players:

Russell Martin- He might look like Turtle from HBO’s “Entourage” but he sure doesn’t run like one (at least for a catcher).  A catcher that can get you 20+ steals is fantastic.  Add 3B eligibility and the fact that he will be playing some 3B to give him some rest just adds to his value.   Now if he can only get back to that kind of production.  Expect a big turn around from him this year with stats around .290 BA, 20 HR, 80+ RBI/Runs and 20+ SB.

Andre Ethier- He’s like Matt Kemp without the SB/RBI potential. He’ll hit around .300 with 20+ HR potential if he hits in the 2 hole which he is best suited for. His Runs should go up to maybe around the 75-85 range but his RBI won’t go much higher than 50-60 unless he is moved into a run producing spot in the lineup such as the 5 or 6 hole. He will be a solid source of BA and a decent source of power but that will be it.

Jonathan Broxton- He will most likely be one of the top closers taken in your draft this year and for good reasons.  The Dodgers have a solid bullpen and a strong starting rotation that should be able to give Broxton ample opportunities for Save chances.

Keepers:

Chad Billingsley- 16-10, 3.14 ERA, 201 K, 1.34 WHIP all in 200.2 IP.  Those were his numbers from ‘08.  His numbers from ‘09 weren’t so hot.   There is a really good chance that Billingsley will bring himself back  into the ranks of fantasy stud.    He had a breakout season two years ago and there is no reason to believe that he won’t continue to pitch at a very high level.  He is now the Dodgers #1 SP and he has earned it. He didn’t have the veteran presence of Brad Penny or Derek Lowe to help him through rough patches last year but he is a very resilliant player and should be one of the better fantasy producing pitchers this year.  He has learned from his mistakes last year.

Clayton Kershaw-  This guy is going to win a CY Young Award someday.  It probably won’t be this year but if he can reproduce the numbers he put up last year, he will be competing for the award.  I have a strong feeling about Kershaw this year and I will be targeting him in all of my leagues.  I truly expect big things from him.

Sleepers:

Hiroki Kuroda-  He went 5-2 last year with a 2.98 ERA after returning from that horrendous line drive off his forehead.  He could be a nice bargain late in the draft if someone else doesn’t pick him up before you.