Fantasy Baseball

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First Round Fantasy Baseball Picks in 2013 Meyer divulges his first round fantasy baseball draft picks for 2013. /fantasy/baseball/gallery/top-12-first-rounders-in-2013-01282013 http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2013/01/28/012813-MLB-Mike-Trout-FIRST-ROUNDERS-DG-PI_20130128185904413_136_102.JPG
First Round Fantasy Baseball Picks in 2013 Meyer divulges his first round fantasy baseball draft picks for 2013. /fantasy/baseball/gallery/top-12-first-rounders-in-2013-01282013 http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2013/01/28/012813-MLB-Mike-Trout-FIRST-ROUNDERS-DG-PI_20130128185904413_136_102.JPG
First Round Fantasy Baseball Picks in 2013 Meyer divulges his first round fantasy baseball draft picks for 2013. /fantasy/baseball/gallery/top-12-first-rounders-in-2013-01282013 http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2013/01/28/012813-MLB-Mike-Trout-FIRST-ROUNDERS-DG-PI_20130128185904413_136_102.JPG
First Round Fantasy Baseball Picks in 2013 Meyer divulges his first round fantasy baseball draft picks for 2013. /fantasy/baseball/gallery/top-12-first-rounders-in-2013-01282013 http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2013/01/28/012813-MLB-Mike-Trout-FIRST-ROUNDERS-DG-PI_20130128185904413_136_102.JPG
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Fantasy Baseball 2187 8 First Round Fantasy Baseball Picks in 2013 31564172 No. 1 - Mike Trout No.+1+-+Mike+Trout Fantasy Baseball

It is extremely rare to find a player whose strength is EVERY statistical category on offense. In his rookie debut Trout scored 129 runs (first overall), hit .326 (fourth overall), 30 home runs, 83 RBI, and stole 49 bases (first overall). He isn't even the highest paid Angel in the outfield (had to say that). Josh Hamilton joins a stacked lineup that had the best batting average in baseball last year (.274) and scored the fourth-most runs (767). Haters are going to say, "He can't keep that pace" or "He'll probably slump after such a great season," but couldn't you make that argument with any player? I've seen what he's capable of and I'm selecting him based on that potential (Trout didn't play in 23 games). - Adam Meyer

 

*These draft picks apply in head-to-head and rotisserie league settings

 

**Normally, we countdown to No. 1, but in this gallery I will provide you with a game plan and advice on who to select as the picks are made.

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Fantasy Baseball 2187 8 First Round Fantasy Baseball Picks in 2013 31564170 No. 2 - Miguel Cabrera No.+2+-+Miguel+Cabrera Fantasy Baseball

The person with the first overall draft choice will make this decision for you. If King Miggy gets taken number one, just copy and paste Mike Trout here. If not, enjoy the 2012 Triple Crown winner. In the past two years Cabrera missed only two games and averages 158 games per season over the last nine years. Though he improved in nearly every category from 2011 to 2012, he dipped in average from .344 to .330 while also reducing his walks (130 to 83) and increasing his strikeouts (89 to 98). But, I'll take the over-anxious hitter as long as he continues to boost his power numbers. - Adam Meyer


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2013 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers: C | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP | RP

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Fantasy Baseball 2187 8 First Round Fantasy Baseball Picks in 2013 31564168 No. 3 - Ryan Braun No.+3+-+Ryan+Braun Fantasy Baseball

Typically, the further down the list, the tougher the decisions. That is not the case with selection No. 3. I'll go out on a limb and say that no other player has won the MVP, gone on to hit more home runs and RBI, and not win the award again. Although he was in the midst of a steroid scandal he responded with 41 HRs (fifth overall), 112 RBI (fourth overall), .319 AVG (sixth overall), and 30 SBs. Braun may not have Fielder hitting behind him, but he did have Aramis Ramirez and Jonathan Lucroy both bat over .300, something Fielder couldn't do in Milwaukee. - Adam Meyer


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2013 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers: C | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP | RP

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Fantasy Baseball 2187 8 First Round Fantasy Baseball Picks in 2013 31561404 No. 4 - Prince Fielder No.+4+-+Prince+Fielder Fantasy Baseball

When a player takes part in all 162 games, they immediately move up my draft board. Fielder has only missed one game in four years. Looking for more dependability? He's hit at least 30 HRs for six straight years. After his first year in Motown, Fielder set career-highs in hits (182) and batting average (.313), while setting a career-low in strikeouts (84). If that isn't enough for you to draft baseball royalty at No. 4, consider the notion that Victor Martinez will most likely hit behind Fielder, giving him even more looks at better pitches. - Adam Meyer


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2013 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers: C | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP | RP

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Fantasy Baseball 2187 8 First Round Fantasy Baseball Picks in 2013 31564135 No. 5 - Andrew McCutchen No.+5+-+Andrew+McCutchen Fantasy Baseball

Avast, ye matey! The cover athlete for MLB 13: The Show is coming off of a career year. In 2012, McCutchen hit .327 (third in MLB), 31 HRs (eighth in NL), and 96 RBI, all personal bests for him (Shiver me timbers!). He practically puts Pittsburgh on his back and improves not only his stats, but the team's record year after year. From 2010-2012, he's help raise the Jolly Roger an extra 22 times (57 wins to 79). In the three season that "Cutch" has been captain of the Buccos he's averaged over 156 games played, 96 runs, 23 HRs, 80 RBI, and 25 SBs. Great balance for a roto league and can also be the difference maker in head-to-head matchups. - Adam Meyer


2013 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers: C | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP | RP

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Fantasy Baseball 2187 8 First Round Fantasy Baseball Picks in 2013 31561369 No. 6 - Albert Pujols No.+6+-+Albert+Pujols Fantasy Baseball

They don't call him "The Machine" for nothing. Pujols has hit at least 30 HRs and 99 RBI each season in his 12-year career. However, last season was a struggle as he tallied the fewest home runs (30), runs scored (85), walks (68), and the lowest batting average (.285). In 2013, the pressure is now off thanks to the arrival of Josh Hamilton and advent of Mike Trout, meaning Pujols should be back to his old self. - Adam Meyer


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2013 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers: C | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP | RP

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Fantasy Baseball 2187 8 First Round Fantasy Baseball Picks in 2013 31561368 No. 7 - Robinson Cano No.+7+-+Robinson+Cano Fantasy Baseball

Drafting a second baseman is the equivalent of drafting a tight end in fantasy football: you don't want to reach and you only need one. To push the analogy further, Cano would be Rob Gronkowski and a legitimate selection in the first round. He's hit over .300 four years in a row along with 25 homers, 40 doubles, and 85 RBI. If you decide to draft Cano with your first pick, I would advise you to take an outfielder or first baseman in the second round (also, take a starting pitcher in the third). - Adam Meyer


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2013 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers: C | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP | RP

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Fantasy Baseball 2187 8 First Round Fantasy Baseball Picks in 2013 31561367 No. 8 - Joey Votto No.+8+-+Joey+Votto Fantasy Baseball

Now we get to the great players with injuries in their past. Votto can be a top three draft choice, but falls to eighth on my list following a year where he recovered from a torn meniscus in his left knee. His stats may have been low, but his averages were high. In only 374 at-bats, he finished with a career-high .337 batting average and .474 OBP (both would've been tops in baseball in 2012 if he qualified). There's a reason Cincinnati shelled out over $250 million for this guy. - Adam Meyer


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2013 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers: C | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP | RP

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Fantasy Baseball 2187 8 First Round Fantasy Baseball Picks in 2013 31564133 No. 9 - Matt Kemp No.+9+-+Matt+Kemp Fantasy Baseball

Last year, Kemp was the highest-drafted player according to FOXSports.com, but failed to live up to expectations when he landed on the disabled list three times, twice with hamstring issues and once after slamming into the wall. Despite the DL stints, he still led his team in home runs (23), batting average (.303), and slugging percentage (.538). In case you read over that last sentence too quickly, let me reiterate: Kemp led the Dodgers in home runs while only taking 403 at-bats (106 games). He had shoulder surgery in the offseason and is pushing for an Opening Day return. He's still worthy of a first-round pick. - Adam Meyer


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2013 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers: C | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP | RP

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Fantasy Baseball 2187 8 First Round Fantasy Baseball Picks in 2013 31564128 No. 10 - Giancarlo Stanton No.+10+-+Giancarlo+Stanton Fantasy Baseball

In Stanton's third season, he impressed with his stats (37 HRs, 86 RBI, and .290 AVG) and in the manner in which he accrued said stats (Jamie Moyer still has whiplash after Stanton crushed a 462-foot grand slam that broke part of the scoreboard in Miami). However, knee surgery caused him to miss some games and no one is really sure if the Marlins are going to build around him or trade him. With that much uncertainty, I'll waiver a little bit in his ranks, but not much. - Adam Meyer


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2013 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers: C | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP | RP

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Fantasy Baseball 2187 8 First Round Fantasy Baseball Picks in 2013 31564119 No. 11 - Jose Bautista No.+11+-+Jose+Bautista Fantasy Baseball

Joey Bats launched onto the fantasy baseball radar in 2010 (54 HRs, 124 RBI) and has decreased every year after. Last year it was a left wrist injury that hindered Bautista's value (27 HRs, 65 RBI, and .241 AVG). He had surgery to repair the problem and now insists that he's ready for 2013. That's great for Toronto since they seem to be all-in after acquiring Melky Cabrera, Jose Reyes, and Emilio Bonifacio to bolster the lineup. Pitchers may have to face "the Melkman", Bautista, and Edwin Encarnacion in order. - Adam Meyer


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2013 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers: C | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP | RP

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Fantasy Baseball 2187 8 First Round Fantasy Baseball Picks in 2013 31564116 No. 12 - Justin Verlander No.+12+-+Justin+Verlander Fantasy Baseball

Verlander has gone back-to-back seasons with an ERA under 2.70 and over 230 strikeouts. Now, depending on how risky you are, it will be very tempting to draft a second pitcher with your 13th overall selection (possibly Clayton Kershaw or Stephen Strasburg) and just dominate the pitching stats. However, imagine how painful it's going to be watching 22 more players come off the board before you make your first pick on offense. If you pay attention to your team on a daily basis and are a hawk with free agent pickups, you can get away with the high risk/high reward move. - Adam Meyer


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2013 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers: C | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP | RP

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