Pitchers -
Clayton Kershaw - SP Los Angeles Dodgers
Clayton is the emerging ace of the Dodgers along with Chad Billingsley, and in his 4th season is prepared to break out. At the age of 21, his 9.3 K/9 is already among the league leaders. Target Kershaw early, at the bottom of the tier one aces just following Jon Lester and Cliff Lee. For auction leagues, I would be ok spending $20 and having him as my 1 or 2.
Daniel Hudson - SP Arizona Diamondbacks
The main piece that AZ received for sending Edwin Jackson to Chicago, Hudson has shown flashes of why he was such a highly regarded prospect in the White Sox system. His 2010 ERA of 2.46 shows that he might be ready to be a solid number two at the major league level. With a 7.93 K/9 and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3:1, he would be a good get on draft day. You can target him as a semi-late sleeper with an auction value of $11-12.
John Axford - RP Milwaukee Brewers
Axford took over for Trevor Hoffman as the closer for the Brew Crew in much of 2010. Although he shared reps over the last month of the season, he still ended up with 8 wins and 24 saves. He struck out batters at a tremendous rate, K'ing 11 per nine. With the addition of Zack Greinke and a commitment to win today, he may have the opportunity for plenty of save chances in 2011.
Position Players-
Andrew McCutchen - OF Pittsburgh Pirates
The Dread Pirate is one player that I will be targeting to man center field. He is definitely capable of breaking out in 2011, and I expect him to have a very solid season. The Pirates, even with their pitching difficulties, should be able to score some runs. Last season in 570 ABs, McCutchen hit 16 homeruns which is great production for a leadoff hitter. In 2011, he has the potential to end the year as a top-ten OF. Target him in the early-to-middle rounds, and pay in the $20-25 range.
Drew Stubbs - OF Cincinnati Reds
Stubbs is another outfielder that has the potential to have a breakout season. The second year player will be batting in a lineup with last year's breakout player, Joey Votto. Stubbs could be a 25-25 guy, but he won't give you a high average, as he is striking out 33% of the time. But the cheap power and speed, coupled with a little luck, could make him a late round steal. You can probably get him in the later rounds, but be willing to pay $16-18.
Elvis Andrus - SS Texas Rangers
Andrus will likely begin the season leading off for the Rangers, and their offense should be just as potent as it was last season. He may have Beltre, Young, Kinsler, Hamilton and Cruz batting behind him, so he should see a lot of hittable pitches this year. I'd look for him to score 100 runs and steal 30 bases, making him a solid starter at a weak position. He won't provide the power, but few SS's in the league can. I would target him in the middle rounds and pay around $18-20. He could finish the season as the 4th SS.
Edwin Encarnacion - 3B - Toronto Blue Jays
This is a high-risk, high-reward type player. By no means would I plug him in as the starting third baseman for my team, but I sure want his upside smoldering on my bench. His huge HR potential on a free-swinging team could reap huge benefits. Last season he hit 21 homeruns - if he gets 500 ABs, that could give him a total in the 30s by the end of the season. You can get him in the last round, or for $1.. not much to lose.
