Winning your fantasy baseball season is all about finding those diamonds in the rough that is about to have a breakout year. Nick Markakis, the young Baltimore Oriole that just signed on long term, is a perfect example of a good value pick. What makes Nick Markakis a good bargain? Lets take a look:
Markakis plays for a team that is on the rise offensively, and is in prime position to be a large contributor. Last season, he hit .306, with 20 HRs and 87 RBIs. He stole 10 bases, and scored 106 runs. Additionally, he had 182 hits. Certainly these numbers are pretty solid, but you must look closer.

Markakis is young at only 25 years of age. He actually had an off year last year at first glance. His homers went down from the previous season, as well as RBIs and steals. This is a flag for many fantasy owners that do not pay close attention. Markakis did move backwards in these areas, but it was not because he had a bad year. He became much more selective at the plate, and actually raised his slugging percentage and average. This translates into a huge breakout year this season as Markakis will start to put it all together.

Is this plan iron clad? Of course not, but all the signs are there. 25 is about the right age where the stars begin to truly insert the big seasons into their baseball resume, and the production is solid already. Also, Markakis just signed a long term deal with the Orioles so his place in the lineup is secure and he can relax. The best part of this whole scenario for fantasy baseball owners is that you will likely be able to steal Markakis or acquire him for very little if you get him before the season starts.

Markakis is what is often referred to as a pinball player. He seems to put up something every single time he plays in the way of fantasy baseball points and value. He rarely puts out a goose egg, and he plays really hard. If you want a fantasy baseball steal, then put Markakis on your board just a few notches higher on your cheat sheet. You can thank me at the end of the baseball season.

David Wright – Wright has been percolating for a couple of years now, and seems to be just about ready to explode. Some would argue that he already has, but I say he has more to offer than he has already given. Wright is going to have a huge year, and will only benefit from the improvement that is blossoming around the team. Wright will be huge this season.

Hanley Ramirez – Ramirez really grew on me last year. I picked him with the number one pick a year ago, and was a bit disappointed at midseason. Then, he caught fire in every category and the rest of the year his numbers were like pinball points. He is one fun stat line to read each morning, and very deserving of being drafted anywhere you please. He is surely a number one potential pick, and rightfully so.

Albert Pujols – Pujols is the guy that everybody wants, and expects huge numbers from year after year. The difference with Pujols is, you end up with even more than you hoped for most of the time. Usually there is a letdown, but not with Pujols. He is apparently healthy going into this season, and should be ready to go when the rawhide starts flying. Look out National League pitching.

Jose Reyes – Reyes is one of the best players in the game and is so fast that he seems like he is on ice skates. The guy can hit too, which makes him a multi-category threat like all the others on this list. This season I think Reyes moves up a slot or two due to maturity, and a better approach at the plate. He seems like he has something to prove as well.

Alex Rodriguez – A-roid has slid a bit on the list this year, but he is still a powerful force. The arrival of Teixiera can only help Rodriguez as far as getting good pitches and pressure relief, but A-rod has really shot himself in the tail with stress. Nobody can sit under those bright New York Yankee lights and not eventually crack under the glare. A-rod brought this Yankee pressure on himself. A great start to the year would do wonders to dim those lights a bit.

Ryan Braun – Anybody that followed baseball last year knows the potential that this guy has. During the nightly Sportscenter, it seemed that Braun would be on there hitting a light tower home run every single night. This guy is fun to watch, and will be a great fantasy ball player this year.

Grady Sizemore – Sizemore makes this spot simply based on the fact that he is entering the prime of his career, and can do it all. He showed last year that he was not a one year wonder. Sizemore is going to be even better this year with a bit of confidence behind him. He knows that he is among the best, and now he will take another step up the fantasy baseball points ladder.

Mark Teixiera – Of all the American League first basemen, Teixiera is the best hitter. He is going to produce some serious runs in the midst of that powerful Yankee lineup. Hitting alongside Alex Rodriguez does that for even an average hitter. Tex is far from average, and is capable of having the once in a lifetime fantasy baseball season that owners are hoping for when they draft him. Teixiera will be very very good in New York. Feel comfortable drafting him very high.

Miguel Cabrera – Cabrera is a picture of consistant excellence. He puts up serious numbers every single year, and you can pretty much pencil in the same for this year. Since his entry into the Major Leagues, he has been one of the best producers in fantasy baseball. He is getting a bit older, but nobody can tell. He is that good.

Justin Morneau – Morneau is one of those hitters that you just know is better than he is showing. He always hovers on the edge of greatness, and one of these years he will cross that line. Justin is going to give you slow, steady results and make you comfortable about that first base position. If he continues on the same path, however, he will not blow you away. He will just give you the usual production, without fireworks. Many owners are quite happy with that and look for the fireworks elsewhere.

Kevin Youkillis – What a season this guy had last year. Unfortunately, I do not see this happening again this year. The guy played a bit out of his mind last season, and a small drop off is to be expected for Youkillis this year. Still, he is better than most first base options out there, and would make a fine draft pick at the position.

Paul Kornerko – Kornerko is kind of the opposite of Youkallis in my opinion. He had a rough year last year, and should be available cheap this year. If you can steal this guy in your fantasy baseball draft, by all means do it. He will return to form this year, which likely means top shelf first basemen numbers like always. He is one of the more steady first basemen in the league much like Morneau.

1. Grady Sizemore – Sizemore finally stepped up and had the type of fantasy baseball season everyone had been projecting for him in 2008. The speedy Sizemore is capable of giving you points in every category, and tends to give them to you in large bunches. Streaky at times, the overall picture is still exactly what any fantasy owner would be looking for. Grab Sizemore right away if you get the chance.

2. Josh Hamilton – Hamilton was easily the feel good story of the year both on a personal level and on a fantasy level. Those that took a chance with Hamilton last season were rewarded in a big way with one of the best statistical seasons they could ever have hoped for. Hamilton is no flash in the pan. He is multitalented, and the the ceiling has not been reached yet.

3. Carlos Quentin – Quentin also seemed to come out of nowhere last season, and his power numbers were absolutely insane. The former Diamondback really came into his own in the Windy City, and fantasy owners everywhere were scrambling to try to acquire him. He will not come as cheaply this season, however, as the word is out in fantasy circles. Quentin is a fantastic fantasy outfielder.

4. Matt Holliday – Holliday being signed by the Oakland A’s was one of the more important signings in the offseason. The A’s struggled to score runs at times last season, and Holliday should help a ton. The RBI opportunities may not be quite as good in Oakland, however, so that is why Holliday slides in at number four and not higher. Still, you can expect the usual production from this young superstar.

5. Nick Markakis – Markakis was absolutely a fantasy beast in 08 and he is far from being done. The Orioles young star is going to be even better this season as he will get the chance to bat in a prime spot in the lineup. Also, I would bet that his power numbers will increase as well. Markakis is not going to win your fantasy league singlehandedly, but it will seem as though he is trying. He gives you fantasy points every single game. That is consistency.

1. Alex Rodriguez – The crown jewel of most any fantasy baseball team, Rodriguez is quite simply one of the few sure things in the world of fantasy baseball. Year in and year out, Rodriguez gives you every single category. Home runs, RBIs, Runs, Steals, On Base Percentage, and Avg. He does it all in the world of fantasy sports. If you get the opportunity to draft him, do not hesitate to pull the trigger. He is the number one option out there.

2. David Wright – Wright is quickly becoming the heir apparent to Rodriguez. This guy is simply one of the sweetest hitters on the planet with a stroke that is poetry in motion. When he hits, it does not even seem like he is swinging that hard. He just simply mashes the ball all over the park. Wright is also one of the more intelligent hitters in the league and will give a nice jolt to every category.

3. Evan Longoria – Longoria showed that age is only a number last year in his debut season. He went to the World Series with his Rays teammates and they nearly won the whole shooting match. Longoria was one of the biggest reasons they were there with that incredible natural power, and knack for getting key hits. This guy is a fantasy points machine that any team would be lucky to have.

4. Aramis Ramirez – The “Rodney Dangerfield” of fantasy baseball is quite simply never given the respect that he deserves. This guy puts up the numbers every single year and barely gets a mention. He is usually drafted in a high spot, but nobody seems to really notice just how good he is. He is the perfect guy to go after in a trade after the draft. You should be able to steal him from someone that wants a more “popular” pick.

5. Chipper Jones – Another old faithful that did his best Ted Williams imitation in 2008. Chipper came about as close to hitting .400 as anyone this side of Tony Gwynn, and came up a little short in the end. Still, along the way, he put up one heck of a fantasy season. This was despite missing some time with injury like he seems to do every year. The bottom line with Chipper is that you get consistent production that overcomes the injuries that he suffers through.

These are the top five fantasy third basemen for the year 2009. Draft them and you will be very happy come draft day.

1. Mark Teixeira – This guy batting in the New York Yankee lineup is really scary. Not only will he make the other Yankees better, but he should get better as well. Can you imagine him batting between say, Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter? This may be the season that the all time runs scored record could be broken. This line up is scary and Teixeira is a large part of the reason why.

2. Miguel Cabrera – Miguel is the most consistent option on the board and will get you plenty of points in all the major categories save for steals. The slugger is only getting better as the years go by, and this might be his best season ever. If you need power, and RBIs, then this is your guy. He will produce and stays relatively healthy on the whole.

3. Justin Morneau – Without a doubt, Morneau came into his own in 2008. That label of “budding fantasy star” was shed and he instead became one of the guys that no team would part with. The potential for this season is sky high for Justin as he will have a better lineup around him to protect that red hot bat. Also, he should have a few more ducks on the pond to add to his RBIs.

4. Aubrey Huff – Huff kind of came from nowhere last season to show that he is not going to fade into the “failed prospect” status that many had labeled him with. The guy was a beast with the rest of the American League and he showed that he is a star in the making. Though he will not blow you away with any one statistic, he is an across the board difference maker. This is particularly so in head to head leagues.

5. Kevin Youkilis – Youkilis is a guy that will give you the big hit when you need it, while at the same time being completely invisible to most baseball fans. This is the type of guy you want to target at your draft. He flys low under the radar, and you can sometimes steal him later in drafts. After the season that Youkilis had last year, you may not be able to steal him at all. This guy was absolutely a monster last season and teamed with Pedroia to give Boston a potent offense all year long. Expect an instant reply in the 2009 baseball season.

Even with hot young talents starting to work their way into the big leagues, the upper echelon of the fantasy baseball world for catchers has not changed very much. There is still a clear line between the haves and the have nots, and the names are pretty much a familiar bunch.
Here are the top five catchers to draft in fantasy baseball and why they are among the best:

1. Joe Mauer – 2008 saw a return to the upper echelon among catchers for Mauer due in large part to the left handed stroke that he is known for. Mauer scorched his way through the season with a sweet .328 average in a year when he stayed healthy all season. His 80+ RBI total marked a return to the 2006 year that put him on the map in the first place as well. As a bonus, Mauer contributed 98 runs scored as well. When healthy, Mauer is the best hitting catcher in the game, bar none. Mauer is healthy going into 2009 and should be near the top of most draft lists at the catcher position.

2. Geovany Soto – Soto is a bonafide superstar in the making in the windy city, and his NL Rookie of the Year Award proves it. He burst onto the scene and never really let up in 2008. The final tally is impressive to be sure. He hit 23 homers and knocked home 86 RBIs for the Cubs, and did so while hitting a respectable .285. The most impressive part of these numbers is the fact that they were produced by a rookie player. Expect nothing but improvements across the board for Soto in 2009.

3. Russell Martin – Martin brings what very few catchers actually can. Speed. That is the big calling card for Martin, but he is also quite beneficial in other categories as well. 2008 saw him steal 18 bases, score 87 runs, hit 13 homers, and drive in 69 runners. Not bad numbers across the board though his homer total was a bit lower than some fantasy owners had hoped. Martin also hit only .280 last season which might bring his value down a bit. Take advantage of that fact and try to steal him at your draft.

4. Brian McCann – McCann is the wildcard in the bunch as he could very well end up near the top of the bunch. Many people do not realize just how good his numbers were in 2008. Not only did he hit .300, but he also hit 23 long balls, drove in 89 runs, and even threw in 5 steals for good measure. He does not score a ton of runs, but that may change with an improved lineup this year. As he continues his steady growth, McCann may just end up as the fantasy catcher everybody wants to have on their team. As it is now, he is among those potential catchers.

5. Victor Martinez – 2008 was a complete abberation for the Indians and Martinez. This guy is a machine at the plate that is capable of huge numbers as shown in 2007. 2008 was spent recovering from injuries and Martinez never even got started. This makes Martinez the most likely candidate to rebound huge this season as he is still in his prime. The end of last season saw his skills coming back, and he should be quite a bargain on most draft boards this year.