Understand How To Seperate Yourself From The Rest Of The Pack

I've always been disappointed with the lack of risk fantasy publications take when projecting numbers for the upcoming year. While you can certainly understand the position they have to take, it makes a lot of the information indifferent. At the same time, I would absolutely agree that to be able to successfully project such numbers for the entire baseball universe would fall under the category of impossible. I do believe this is where the separation begins between the consistent winners and the consistent losers. Granted any given period there are other factors involved, i.e. luck, random events, it's the ability to make more 'better' decisions then your opponents that will give you the best chance into the winner’s circle.

I reiterate my mom could have told you Pujols was automatic for 100-40-100. Given steady conditions, almost anyone can accurately gauge the statistics for the established players. If you took a guess at what their numbers would be at the end of the season, give or take 15 to 20 runs/rbis, 7/9 plus or minus homers, the general population would be able to hit the general range. Even if you were disappointed when drafting Mark Teixeira in 2006, who was projected to hit 40 bombs, to go with 115 runs and rbis, his actual 33 homers, 99 runs and 110 rbis still contributed to your cause. As long as you have a good general knowledge of the first 4 rounds talent value, you will be okay either way.

For those of you, whose primary focus is to win, focus your time and research on the lesser knowns. The real difference makers are the draft day steals that no one else can have because there are only a small group of guys after the top 70 or so, that can produce at a high level.

I pulled out my fantasy baseball magazine I had purchased for 2006 and below are the studs for 2006 ranked under 70. Weren’t you annoyed every time one of these players were producing well, for someone else's team.

In order of actual 2006 performance:
#088. Ron Howard
#142. Brandon Webb
#074. Matt Holiday
#193. Jermaine Dye
#136. Garrett Atkins
unrk. Bronson Arroyo
#363. Mike Mussina
#268. Aaron Harang
#289. Justin Morneau
unrk. Hanley Ramirez
#143. Francisco Lirano
#084. Vernon Wells
#207. C.C. Sabathia
#199. Jim Thome
#350. John Lackey
#158. Raul Ibanez