Although less popular than its brother, fantasy football, fantasy baseball is an excellent way for passionate baseball fans to develop a stronger knowledge of the players throughout the sport and become more personally engaged in the various games played.  It takes a committed fan to set his or her lineup each day and manage a team through a 162 game season, but the rewarding feeling of a championship captured in fantasy baseball is a testament to the dedication of a diehard fan. 

Of the many fans that play fantasy baseball, the overwhelming majority of drafts will occur during the next two weeks leading up the Opening Day.  In an effort to help everyone capture a fantasy title and bragging rights with their friends, here is Part-1 of the NatsGM Fantasy Baseball Preview, in which I highlight batters I like more or less than the general consensus. 

Bats I Like More Than Consensus

Brian McCann                    New York Yankees Catcher

The catching position feels reasonably deep this year, especially when players like Miguel Montero and Carlos Ruiz go undrafted in many 10 team leagues.  That said McCann appears poised for a monster season in New York this year, and I have seen him drafted in the Round 8-10 in leagues so far.  When compared with Buster Posey, who is going in Rounds 3-4, McCann appears to be a screaming bargain this season. 

Jose Abreu                         Chicago White Sox 1B

In his rookie season from Cuba, Abreu provides the savvy fantasy player the opportunity to take advantage of most people’s lack of familiarity with him to find a bargain in the later rounds.  Abreu is going after Round 10 in most leagues, and should post similar numbers to many first basemen drafted several rounds earlier.  Draft Abreu, and gleefully watch him post a .275/25/85 type season (or better) for the White Sox in 2014. 

Xander Bogaerts              Boston Red Sox SS/3B

Not the typical player I would put on this list, but I am completed infatuated with Bogaerts’ talent like a teenage boy with his first crush.  I have seen Bogaerts going outside of the Top 125 picks in many drafts, but he will not last past pick #100 in any draft in which I am involved.  I am predicting a .280/15/75 type season for Bogaerts, with significant upside for more from the precocious youngster.

Nelson Cruz                       Baltimore Orioles OF

A poor defensive player with injury concerns, signed to a 1-year, prove it contract and expected to play designated hitter – this is a recipe for a under the radar monster fantasy seasons.  Let others make “steroid” puns and joke about his injury history, slyly smile at them and count on Cruz hitting 25+ home runs and driving in 80+ runs this year in Camden Yards, with a handful of steals an added bonus from this underrated fantasy outfielder. 

Bats I Like Less Than Consensus

Buster Posey                     San Francisco Giants Catcher

This choice is less a reflection on Posey, a consistent, quality-hitting catcher, and more of a statement toward the depth of this position this season.  As good as Posey should be this season (.290/15/75), there are several catchers, such as Jonathan LuCroy and Salvador Perez, who should post similar numbers many rounds later.  Wait on catcher this season, and look for bargains in the middle rounds of your draft. 

Brandon Phillips              Cincinnati Reds 2B

A consistent middle infielder who at 32-years-old has now entered the decline phase of his career, Phillips should post another quality season, with numbers around .270/17/80 with a handful of steals; certainly not a bad option but Phillips is being overdrafted in Rounds 6-8.  I would prefer to select more promising players at other positions, and wait for younger second base options like Jedd Gyorko, Jurickson Profar, or Anthony Rendon.

Hunter Pence                    San Francisco Giants OF

A consistently, reliable veteran, Hunter Pence is coming off a career season at age 30 for San Francisco in 2013 with 27 home runs and 22 stolen bases.  While I expect another solid season from Pence in 2014 (.285/22/10SBs), let your fellow owner overpay for Pence on draft day, and look at similar options with greater upside such as Jason Heyward, Desmond Jennings, or Wil Myers.