The season is upon us once again - time to get ready for another year of fantasy baseball.  It's that wonderful time when baseball fanatics are thrust into the role of virtual GM.  Wasted hours hacking away at the keyboard trying to convince other fantasy managers that a Matt Murton for Albert Pujols trade is a win-win situation.

What could be better?

The Sales Pitch

For those of you that don't play fantasy baseball, I highly recommend that you give it a try.  I've heard some people say they choose not to play because it ruins their perception of the sport by focusing on individual stats rather than team chemistry.  But I say that it actually enhances the way you follow the game.  By trying to field a competitive fantasy team, you learn about little-known players and prospects...you pay attention to lower-rung teams...and you also get a closer look at superstar players and what makes them successful.  If ever you needed fodder to support your "he's overrated/underrated" discussion...fantasy baseball is it.

Play Ball

Just a few hours ago, I participated in my first fantasy draft of the season.  By most standards, this may be a bit early to draft a team.  Generally, one should wait until a few Spring Training reports are in before setting their roster.  But I've found that if you do a little homework, an early draft is a perfect way to get a jump on the competition.

En Vogue

Not that anyone should be interested in hearing about my draft...but I thought I would use it as an example to explain certain trends:

Closers & relief pitchers are always overvalued.  The average fantasy baseball league will have about 5 pitching categories, and closers are only useful for one of those (saves).  But it never fails, every time you will see closers taken ahead of valuable starters and position players.  It isn't wise to totally neglect relief pitchers, but the smart money says you will still have options later in the draft.  And since closers are flipped around more than Paris Hilton at a frat party, you can easily add relievers shortly after the season begins.

Stolen base specialists are about as valuable as a pair of Rosie O'Donnell's used underwear.  5-tool players are hard to come by (Carlos Beltran, Alfonso Soriano), but that doesn't mean you should waste an early pick just for stolen bases.  Losing ground in the other offensive categories can sink your team in a hurry.  Best to concentrate on the important stats - batting average, runs scored, RBI's, and home runs.

This isn't the place to show off your team loyalty.  I've been playing fantasy baseball since 2000, and every single league I've been in features a manager obsessed with drafting players from their favorite team.  One year, there was even a team that drafted the entire Chicago Cubs roster (perhaps that was smoketheblowfish).  OK, so the world now knows you're a Cubs fan.  Big deal!  You're in last place, and your pitching staff has less balance than Kirstie Alley on a high-wire.

Shooting Stars

One of the best ways to impress your peers in fantasy baseball is to find a prospect on the verge of stardom.  For this season, here are a few of my suggestions:

Anibal "The Cannibal" Sanchez - SP, Florida Marlins:  This youngster (turns 23 in just a couple of days) throws in the mid-90's and has excellent control.  In just 17 starts with the Marlins last year, he picked up 10 wins and 72 strikeouts.  His ERA was an unbelievable 2.83, which shows that his pitching savvy has matured beyond his age.  The only red-flag is that Sanchez has been battling some shoulder soreness in Spring Training.  Which any former Kerry Wood owner will tell you is scary business.  If he can remain healthy, expect 15 or more wins.  

Nick Markakis - OF, Baltimore Orioles:  The word is out on this guy, and he has been a popular pick in most leagues.  He put a solid season together in his rookie campaign, racking up 16 home runs in 491 at-bats.  His .291 batting average proves that he has good plate discipline, and the stage is set for a breakout season this year.  I took a risk and nabbed him in the 13th round of my draft, hopefully it pays off.

Ian Kinsler - 2B, Texas Rangers:  Kinsler is another second year player with loads of potential.  In 120 games last season, he displayed 5-tool potential (.286 BA, 14 HR, 55 RBI, 11 SB, 65 R).  Expect his numbers to improve in the middle of a solid Rangers lineup.

Joel Zumaya - RP, Detroit Tigers:  He hasn't been given the closer job just yet, but with a 100-MPH fastball...it's only a matter of time.  Zumaya was simply unhittable last year, with a 1.94 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 83 innings of work.  He was a big part of the Tigers' playoff run...and I expect nothing but good things from this flame-thrower.

Other notables:  Conor Jackson (1B - Arizona Diamondbacks), Chuck James (SP - Atlanta Braves), Chris Duncan (OF/1B - St. Louis Cardinals), Ryan Shealy (1B - Kansas City Royals), Josh Johnson (SP - Florida Marlins)

So there you have it, a little glimpse into the realm of fantasy baseball.  Oh, just one more piece of advice - if you have too many Pirates on your ship, it will definitely sink...