[FREE] There are players who we like and players who we don't like. There are also players who we really don't like.

The PIT spring training camp has featured PT battles at several positions, including one corner OF spot, and both IF corners. Presumed 1B and LF frontrunners Garrett Jones and Alex Presley, have seized the opportunity with their hot hitting in early Grapefruit League action.

This week we continue our annual review of the top prospects in baseball by position, this time with top 3B prospects. On the surface, there doesn't appear to be any prospect assured of significant playing time in 2012. There aren't many openings at present, though a few prospects could take advantage of minor injuries or the lack of depth. The lack of major league-ready 3B shouldn't be any indication, however, of the quality of prospects at that position.

While there aren’t any major injury situations, injuries to veterans like Youkilis, Rolen, Polanco, Alex Rodriguez and Chipper Jones signals that this group is aging and fast.

[FREE] BHQ Publisher and Founder RON SHANDLER discusses draft strategy and tactics, some "Draft Radar" batters and pitchers, and answers reader questions about Logan Morrison and others...

Concerns over the health of Scott Baker's (RHP, MIN) right elbow surfaced again this week, as the pitcher was taken off his scheduled Thursday appearance. He had trouble getting loose in his previous start on March 10, and subsequently surrendered six runs on six hits in 1.1 IP. His velocity, normally around 91 mph, dropped to 83-86 in that outing.

Coming off of an MVP season in which he took his team to the World Series in 2010, there were questions about whether Josh Hamilton (OF, TEX) could stay healthy long enough to produce a solid encore performance. Despite missing six weeks early in the season with a shoulder injury, the answer was a resounding yes.

Teams that win fantasy titles often have players on their rosters that deliver more value than either their draft round or their auction price would predict. Often these are players who have breakouts in one or more scoring categories that weren't anticipated. Three players who exceeded expectations in SBs last year were Emilio Bonafacio (SS, MIA), Jason Bourgeois (OF, HOU), and Ben Revere (OF, MIN). We can target players in drafts who have a possibility of returning significant profit in the SB category by developing a profile of players who have had a SB breakout in the past.

We run into trouble every year when we ground future expectations in past realities. If we look at each season as a blank slate, we immediately open up more possibilities.

Right out of the starting gate, draft and hold leagues, such as the 50-round draft/no pickups format offered through the National Fantasy Baseball Championship (NFBC), present some interesting strategic choices. Because draft and hold leagues do not allow for in-season transactions, such as add/drops or trades, getting off on the right foot is essential.

Salvador Perez (C, KC) will need surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee sustained during warm-ups Tuesday. There has been no announcement about how much time he'll miss, but it seems almost certain that Brayan Pena (C, KC) will open the season as the Royals starting catcher. Does Pena have any skills that might make him useful on a fantasy roster? Here is what he's shown us in his past two full seasons in the majors.