FDH Fantasy Newsletter: Volume IV, Issue VIII

Welcome to our 121st edition of the FDH Fantasy Newsletter, as we continue to bring you weekly fantasy sports updates in addition to our usual content on FantasyDrafthelp.com. Our archive of past editions is available right here on The FantasyDrafthelp.com Blog and specific links to past editions are available at FantasyDrafthelp.com.

This week, we bring you the best fantasy baseball players of 2010.

Ranking Baseball’s Best in 2010

FantasyDrafthelp.com utilizes cutting-edge statistical methods in pursuit of fantasy sports value. Specifically, we use a statistic – our Ultimate Quantitative Baseline (UQB) – for baseball, football, basketball, hockey, golf, drag racing and NASCAR based on the concept of standard deviation from the mean. The linked explanation of the concept in Wikipedia is a bit complicated, but we include it to show the intellectual foundation of our work. What does it mean in simpler terms? Imagine, if you will, a spectrum from left to right, with zero in the middle of the spectrum. Numbers to the left of zero are negative, while numbers to the right of zero are positive. For each commonly utilized fantasy statistical category in a given sport (i.e. home runs in baseball), we calculate this standard deviation from the mean number, and then add up the numbers from all of the categories (making necessary adjustment) to find a composite score. In so doing, we measure production on a per-at bat or per-innings pitched basis in baseball or per-game or per-race basis in the other sports and NASCAR. This statistic allows you to measure proportionately how much some players help you in some categories (i.e. Carlos Pena’s home runs or Ichiro’s batting average) and exactly how much some players hurt you in some categories (i.e. Carlos Pena’s batting average or Ichiro’s home runs). While nothing that happens the previous season is a completely reliable predictor for the next season, this statistic offers the most accurate baseline possible in terms of measuring productivity.

These numbers represent the production of every player in 2010 to post a UQB number north of 300 – which is the benchmark of very good production on this system – with the exception of players with very small sample sizes. 750 is a perfect score on the UQB system for baseball.

TOP TIER

1T Jose Bautista 750

1T Miguel Cabrera 750

1T Carlos Gonzalez 750

1T Josh Hamilton 750

1T Troy Tulowitzki 750

1T Joey Votto 750

7 Albert Pujols 697

SECOND TIER

8 Justin Morneau 665

9 Brett Gardner 649

10 Kevin Youkilis 640

11 Joe Mauer 627

THIRD TIER

12 Carlos Marmol 529

13 Carl Crawford 528

14 Nelson Cruz 522

15 Alex Rodriguez 515

16 Robinson Cano 510

17 Paul Konerko 508

18 Dan Uggla 506

FOURTH TIER

19 Joakim Soria 466

20 Andrew Bailey 463

21 Heath Bell 462

22 Brian Wilson 458

FIFTH TIER

23 Jayson Werth 415

24 Hanley Ramirez 406

25 Rafael Furcal 405

26 Buster Posey 404

27 Josh Johnson 401

28 Felix Hernandez 392

29 Mark Teixeira 390

30 Rajai Davis 389

31 Ian Kinsler 388

32 John Jaso 384

33 Evan Longoria 378

34 Chase Utley 376

35 Daniel Hudson 372

36 Adam Wainwright 371 *** OUT FOR THE 2011 SEASON

37 Delmon Young 365

38 Mariano Rivera 361

39T Roy Halladay 359

39T Corey Hart 359

39T Victor Martinez 359

42T Magglio Ordonez 352

42T Juan Pierre 352

44 Dustin Pedroia 350

45 Clay Buchholz 349

46 Billy Butler 343

47T Matt Holliday 337

47T BJ Upton 337

49 Ryan Braun 334

50 Ryan Howard 325

51 Colby Rasmus 322

52T Mike Napoli 319

52T Juan Uribe 319

54T Carlos Ruiz 315

54T Rickie Weeks 315

56T Aubrey Huff 314

56T Geovany Soto 314

58 Ryan Zimmerman 312

59T Martin Prado 310

59T Drew Stubbs 310

61 David Ortiz 309

62 Adam Dunn 308

63 Carlos Quentin 307

64T Roy Oswalt 306

64T Will Venable 306

66 Omar Infante 305

67 Matt Latos 304

68 Adrian Beltre 301

FDH Fantasy Newsletter: Volume IV, Issue VIII

Welcome to our 121st edition of the FDH Fantasy Newsletter, as we continue to bring you weekly fantasy sports updates in addition to our usual content on FantasyDrafthelp.com. Our archive of past editions is available right here on The FantasyDrafthelp.com Blog and specific links to past editions are available at FantasyDrafthelp.com.

This week, we bring you the best fantasy baseball players of 2010.

Ranking Baseball’s Best in 2010

FantasyDrafthelp.com utilizes cutting-edge statistical methods in pursuit of fantasy sports value. Specifically, we use a statistic – our Ultimate Quantitative Baseline (UQB) – for baseball, football, basketball, hockey, golf, drag racing and NASCAR based on the concept of standard deviation from the mean. The linked explanation of the concept in Wikipedia is a bit complicated, but we include it to show the intellectual foundation of our work. What does it mean in simpler terms? Imagine, if you will, a spectrum from left to right, with zero in the middle of the spectrum. Numbers to the left of zero are negative, while numbers to the right of zero are positive. For each commonly utilized fantasy statistical category in a given sport (i.e. home runs in baseball), we calculate this standard deviation from the mean number, and then add up the numbers from all of the categories (making necessary adjustment) to find a composite score. In so doing, we measure production on a per-at bat or per-innings pitched basis in baseball or per-game or per-race basis in the other sports and NASCAR. This statistic allows you to measure proportionately how much some players help you in some categories (i.e. Carlos Pena’s home runs or Ichiro’s batting average) and exactly how much some players hurt you in some categories (i.e. Carlos Pena’s batting average or Ichiro’s home runs). While nothing that happens the previous season is a completely reliable predictor for the next season, this statistic offers the most accurate baseline possible in terms of measuring productivity.

These numbers represent the production of every player in 2010 to post a UQB number north of 300 – which is the benchmark of very good production on this system – with the exception of players with very small sample sizes. 750 is a perfect score on the UQB system for baseball.

TOP TIER

1T Jose Bautista 750

1T Miguel Cabrera 750

1T Carlos Gonzalez 750

1T Josh Hamilton 750

1T Troy Tulowitzki 750

1T Joey Votto 750

7 Albert Pujols 697

SECOND TIER

8 Justin Morneau 665

9 Brett Gardner 649

10 Kevin Youkilis 640

11 Joe Mauer 627

THIRD TIER

12 Carlos Marmol 529

13 Carl Crawford 528

14 Nelson Cruz 522

15 Alex Rodriguez 515

16 Robinson Cano 510

17 Paul Konerko 508

18 Dan Uggla 506

FOURTH TIER

19 Joakim Soria 466

20 Andrew Bailey 463

21 Heath Bell 462

22 Brian Wilson 458

FIFTH TIER

23 Jayson Werth 415

24 Hanley Ramirez 406

25 Rafael Furcal 405

26 Buster Posey 404

27 Josh Johnson 401

28 Felix Hernandez 392

29 Mark Teixeira 390

30 Rajai Davis 389

31 Ian Kinsler 388

32 John Jaso 384

33 Evan Longoria 378

34 Chase Utley 376

35 Daniel Hudson 372

36 Adam Wainwright 371 *** OUT FOR THE 2011 SEASON

37 Delmon Young 365

38 Mariano Rivera 361

39T Roy Halladay 359

39T Corey Hart 359

39T Victor Martinez 359

42T Magglio Ordonez 352

42T Juan Pierre 352

44 Dustin Pedroia 350

45 Clay Buchholz 349

46 Billy Butler 343

47T Matt Holliday 337

47T BJ Upton 337

49 Ryan Braun 334

50 Ryan Howard 325

51 Colby Rasmus 322

52T Mike Napoli 319

52T Juan Uribe 319

54T Carlos Ruiz 315

54T Rickie Weeks 315

56T Aubrey Huff 314

56T Geovany Soto 314

58 Ryan Zimmerman 312

59T Martin Prado 310

59T Drew Stubbs 310

61 David Ortiz 309

62 Adam Dunn 308

63 Carlos Quentin 307

64T Roy Oswalt 306

64T Will Venable 306

66 Omar Infante 305

67 Matt Latos 304

68 Adrian Beltre 301

FDH Fantasy Newsletter: Volume IV, Issue VII

Welcome to our 120th edition of the FDH Fantasy Newsletter, as we continue to bring you weekly fantasy sports updates in addition to our usual content on FantasyDrafthelp.com. Our archive of past editions is available right here on The FantasyDrafthelp.com Blog and specific links to past editions are available at FantasyDrafthelp.com.

This week, we bring you our final fantasy football notes from 2010.

Final Fantasy Football Notes for 2010

^ Beware the installation of new systems in the NFL in 2011 with a looming lockout likely to imperil at least some of the lead-up to the next season. Keep in mind how much everyone speaks of the league being on a year-round basis these days, with minicamps and offseason workouts and training sessions. Now consider that players may be missing all of these learning opportunities, as well as part or all of training camp itself – by far the most important of all educational sessions. Skill-position players being asked to learn new schemes and nomenclature this season face the odds of being way behind their peers who have the fortune to be in a more stable situation presently.

^ While the league has been moving away from the concept of a dominant lead back on most teams since at least about 2005, the increasing viability of two RB starters from the same team (i.e. LT/Greene, Charles/TJ, Bradshaw/Jacobs) really took off in 2010. Pairing two of these together is inadvisable under all but the most extreme circumstances, but you may find yourself on an increasing basis playing one team’s back and facing an opponent starting that RB’s counterpart.

^ While it is still wise to fear having a star WR who gets double-teamed because his fellow receivers are quite lame, the examples of R White and Bowe this year show that the fear can be overblown.

^ Many new WRs presented themselves in 2010 as viable starters in 2-WR leagues: S Johnson, Lloyd, Nicks, Maclin, M Williams-TB.

^ What looked to be the best fantasy year for tight ends perhaps in NFL history proved to be quite disappointing, as some failed to live up to expectations due to injury (Clark and Finley) and others just fell off the map in terms of their place in the offense (Celek). Only M. Lewis stepped up to offset this unfortunate trend.

FDH Fantasy Newsletter: Volume IV, Issue VI

Welcome to our 119th edition of the FDH Fantasy Newsletter, as we continue to bring you weekly fantasy sports updates in addition to our usual content on FantasyDrafthelp.com. Our archive of past editions is available right here on The FantasyDrafthelp.com Blog and specific links to past editions are available at FantasyDrafthelp.com.

This week, we bring you our notes from a conversation we had with CBS Sports Fantasy Football Columnist Dave Richard.

Conversation Notes with Dave Richard of CBS Sports

The following observations from CBS Sports Fantasy Football Columnist Dave Richard were offered on THE FANTASYDRAFTHELP.COM INSIDER on January 11, our fantasy sports show-within-a-show which airs in the last half hour of the all-topics web TV show THE FDH LOUNGE (Tuesdays, 7-10 PM EST on SportsTalkNetwork.com).

^ QB depth is growing more all the time, and thus, the more top passers are around, the less they are worth collectively. Players like Schaub, Romo, Rivers and Freeman are examples of players just below the very top level who can be had fairly cheap in 2011 relative to their production level. The difference between Vick/Rogers and Manning/Brady could be minimal and the difference between Manning/Brady and Brees/Rivers could be minimal and the difference between Brees/Rivers and Romo/Schaub could be minimal. There is great value on starting QBs in 10-12 team leagues; it’s a bit different in 14-team leagues or 2-starting-QB leagues.

^ Speaking of QBs, audibles are more prevalent in the league because of the value demonstrated by smart passers like Peyton/Brady/Brees. The league is placing great value on smart QBs – empowering guys like Sam Bradford to have a big impact in their first year. In many cases, QBs are calling audibles to exploit mismatches w/receivers & DBs, like Brady did with Gronkowski all year long. Offensively, it’s becoming a passing league, period – and that affects fantasy value all the way around the board.

^ Running back depth is very good heading into 2011 also, with potentially 15-20 decent ones available. The emergence of players such as Foster/Hillis/McFadden/Charles/Forte has solidified the position. Nevertheless, you have to be opposing a defense like Denver circa ’10 to justify starting two RB from the same team – even on a bye week.

^ Teams will run scatbacks into the ground if they become the lead guy because NFL coaches don’t place a lot of emphasis on how they will hold up late in the season. Actually, the way the Browns utilized Hillis proved that teams will even run bigger backs into the ground if they feel it is the best move in the short term – and due to questions about how much Hardesty will be moved into a combo with Hillis next year, he (shockingly to some) does not have first-round value heading into the season and may not even have second-round value). This factor may or may not be a reason that there will be a lot of buyer’s remorse next year with C. Johnson, who was excellent in 2010, but failed to separate himself from the pack like he did in ’09. Rice is a back who does get used in prudent doses by his coach, and as such his tendency to get vultured on the goal line causes some owners and fantasy sports sources to downgrade him – but it should be noted that he’ll have a much easier schedule in 2011 against the AFC South and NFC West.

^ On a fantasy “deep sleeper” note, Pat Shurmur will do an excellent job installing the West Coast Offense in Cleveland and could be similar to Mike Smith in terms of a low-profile coach succeeding early.

Fantasy NASCAR Draftology 2011

Our big annual draft guide Fantasy NASCAR Draftology 2011 has now been released! The features are truly outstanding, including:

^ The FDH Draft Board, with additional notes from FDH Chief NASCAR Correspondent Mike Ptak

^ Overvalued and Undervalued Drivers of 2011

^ Breakout Drivers of 2011

^ Don’t Be That Guy

^ Suggested League Guidelines

^ 2011 Press Pass Racing Cards Overview

Download it now, enjoy it for the fantasy and non-fantasy content and dominate your league in 2011!

FDH Fantasy Newsletter: Volume IV, Issue V

Welcome to our 118th edition of the FDH Fantasy Newsletter, as we continue to bring you weekly fantasy sports updates in addition to our usual content on FantasyDrafthelp.com. Our archive of past editions is available right here on The FantasyDrafthelp.com Blog and specific links to past editions are available at FantasyDrafthelp.com.

This week, we bring you our NASCAR Draft Rankings for 2011 in a preview of our forthcoming FANTASY NASCAR DRAFTOLOGY 2011 guide.

NASCAR Draft Rankings for 2011

TOP TIER

1 Jimmie Johnson

2 Kevin Harvick

3 Denny Hamlin

4 Kyle Busch

5 Carl Edwards

6 Jeff Gordon

7 Matt Kenseth

8 Tony Stewart

9 Clint Bowyer

10 Greg Biffle

11 Mark Martin

12 Jeff Burton

SECOND TIER

13 Joey Logano

14 Kurt Busch

15 Ryan Newman

16 Jamie McMurray

17 Brian Vickers

18 Juan Pablo Montoya

THIRD TIER

19 Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

20 David Reutimann

21 Kasey Kahne

FOURTH TIER

22 Martin Truex, Jr.

23 Brad Keselowski

24 AJ Allmendinger

25 Paul Menard

FIFTH TIER

26 Marcos Ambrose

27 David Ragan

28 Regan Smith

29 Bobby Labonte

30 David Gilliland

31 Travis Kvapil