Ryan Braun, 3B, MIL (RotoRank = 58; ADP = 15)
Braun may hit 35+ Homeruns in 2008, but for him to reach the value of a top 15 pick, he will need to smack 45 or more.  With a position switch to the outfield, and the specter of a “Sophomore Slump” looming, I’d rather draft a more proven commodity.

2008 Projection: 511AB, .288BA, 34HR, 91R, 97RBI, 15SB

Derrek Lee, 1B, CHC (RotoRank = 113; ADP = 37)
Lee is 2 years removed from his career year in 2006.  Many owners and draft guides expect a bounce in 2008, but how high will it be?  At 113, I may have him a little low at this point, but I want to see what he looks like in Spring Training before moving him up the line.  If he slides to pick 50-60, I’d be more comfortable with taking Lee.

2008 Projection: 577AB, .314BA, 22HR, 91R, 82RBI, 6SB

Brian McCann, C, ATL (RotoRank =124; ADP = 50)
McCann is a player in the scarcest position, so it is no surprise that many fantasy owners would select him a little early.  If he stays healthy, he should easily hit his 2008 projections, but don’t expect Victor Martinez numbers from him.

2008 Projection: 498AB, .285BA, 19HR, 56R, 92RBI, 0SB

Hunter Pence, OF, HOU (RotoRank =160; ADP = 60)
Pence had great output with limited at-bats in 2007; unfortunately, you can just project that pace onto a 650 at-bat season and make him into a superstar.  There will be a lot of closers and start pitchers available near pick 60, so its hard for me to bank on potential.  If you think he will get 600AB, then his Average Draft Pick of 60 is likely accurate.

2008 Projection: 468AB, .318BA, 17HR, 57R, 69RBI, 11SB

Ian Kinsler, 2B, TEX (RotoRank =166; ADP = 64)
Kinsler has a lot of potential, but injuries have kept him from reaching it.  Since 2B is a scarce position, I can see Kinsler moving up into my top 100 by March 15, but that will depend on his Spring Training performances to date.

2008 Projection: 468AB, .270BA, 17HR, 80R, 58RBI, 17SB

Nick Swisher, 1B/OF, CWS (RotoRank =183; ADP = 86)
I really like Nick Swisher.  A power hitter who qualifies at 1B and OF is a valuable commodity in fantasy baseball, but his Batting Average concerns me.  A move to the White Sox should improve his numbers, but with all of the good AL Central pitching he will be facing, don’t expect him to hit .300

2008 Projection: 557AB, .255BA, 28HR, 95R, 86RBI, 2SB

Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS (RotoRank =184; ADP = 89)
Zimmerman is not a total reach at pick 84, but he carries a lot of risk.  To earn a Top 100 pick, he needs to hit 30 homeruns, and I’d like to see how he performs in Spring training before granting him a pass on his disappointing 2007 season.

2008 Projection: 643AB, .274BA, 22HR, 91R, 100RBI, 7SB

Carlos Delgado, 1B, NYM (RotoRank =200; ADP = 125)
Delgado had a rough 2007, and he is one of the key reasons why the Mets did not make the playoffs last year.  Delgado still has some possible upside, if he inspired by the Johan Santana deal.  In the heart of the Mets lineup, he will have to try hard not to get 100 Runs Batted In.  If he looks good in Spring training, I may bum up his Batting Average and Homeruns enough to make him a Top 150 Pick.

2008 Projection: 541AB, .259BA, 31HR, 80R, 100RBI, 2SB

Adrian Beltre, 3B, SEA (RotoRank =211; ADP = 107)
The last time Beltre was in a contract walk year, he had his best season.  Don’t expect him to hit 35+ homeruns in 2008.  If I needed a third baseman and Beltre was on the board at pick 150, I might consider him.  I’d rather go with a younger player with upside at pick 107.

2008 Projection: 627AB, .265BA, 25HR, 87R, 94RBI, 8SB

Javier Vazquez, SP, CWS (RotoRank =248; ADP = 104)
Vazquez has an Average Draft Pick near 100 because of his impressive strikeout total in 2007; however, there are a lot safer picks near his Average Draft Pick.  RotoRank usually ranks pitchers favorably, but the AL Central will be tougher to pitch in than in 2007, so its hard for me to project more than 12 Wins for him.  I think I’ll go with a comparable NL Pitcher in a weaker division for 2008.

2008 Projection: 212IP, 196K, 12W, 4.330ERA, 1.226WHIP, 0SV

Dustin Pedroia, 2B, BOS (RotoRank =253; ADP = 169)
Pedroia had a very nice rookie season, and he is in one of the top offenses in baseball, but he isn’t going to post Top 100 statistics any time soon.  At pick 170, I’m looking for someone who has more upside potential.  If you need a second baseman though, he isn’t a bad choice near pick 185.

2008 Projection: 530AB, .313BA, 8HR, 86R, 50RBI, 7SB