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Here are some lock down selections to help you win your fantasy baseball league this year.  Some may be a stretch, some maybe sure locks, but you can’t afford to look elsewhere.  Without further ado, here are my top picks for every position for this years 2010 Fantasy Baseball Draft.

Best overall fantasy player:

Albert Pujols – 1B STL – Pujols is far and above any player in MLB right now.  He is going to have a full season with Matt Holliday and his pitching staff has improved.  The Cardinals in my mind will run away with the NL Central this year, sorry to any Cubs fans I offended.  Pujols might hit 50 home runs this year, and who knew that he stole 16 bases last year.  You can expect 120 plus runs, 40 or more doubles, and possibly 140 RBIs from this massive slugger in the 2010 season.

Catcher:

Joe Mauer – C MIN – The M&M boys in Minnesota will have then in contention until the end of the regulation season because of how they play the game.  (Mauer and Morneau) Joe Mauer is in a class with himself, especially with a huge new contract to start the 2010 season.  I am curious on how the new ballpark in Minnesota will play like.  Will it be hitter or pitcher friendly?  No matter where Mauer plays, he will hit the ball, just look at his .365 average last season.  There will be a buzz in the air in Minnesota for two reasons, a new stadium, and finally spending money on a player to stay in their organization.

First Baseman:

Mark Teixeria – 1B NYY- Teixeria was everything and more the Yankees hoped for when they signed him to the enormous contract a year ago.  I think his RBI totals will increase this year by having Curtis Granderson at the top of their lineup.  It is hard to imagine him improving on the 122 that he had last year, but he could push 150 with the way the Yankee lineup is shaping up, it also doesn’t help to play in the homer box, known as the house that George built.

Second Baseman:

Ian Kinsler – 2B TEX – Ian Kinsler will begin the season on the injured list, I know this is something that might scare some people off, but you have to be able to project what he should be able to do over the course of a 162 game schedule.  Kinsler and Chase Utley’s home run totals, RBIs, and runs are all in close proximity of one another.  The factor that puts Kinsler above Utley is his 31 steals against 23 last year for Utley.  Both lineups are stacked with insane amount of power, but I have to give the advantage to the Rangers, with the ability to use the DH.

Third Baseman:

Alex Rodriguez – 3B NYY– This was a tough call to make between A-Rod and Longoria.  But their numbers were similar, even with A-Rod missing the first month of the season last year.  A full season of A-Rod, with controversy behind him, will produce a mammoth season from this slugger.  I took A-Rod third in my draft, which is where he should normally go; I don’t see Longoria cracking that number three draft position.  It is possible that Rodriguez can crack the twenty steal plateau as well this year, based on him getting 14 last year.  Stolen bases can make or break your team in a league with a head to head format.

Shortstop:

Hanley Ramirez – SS FLA - This selection has been the easiest by far.  There is no other player that can hit the ball out of the ballpark, hit for a high average, and steal bases the way H-Ram does.  Hanley Ramirez has been taken first or even second in many drafts, you can’t go wrong with either selection.  Florida finally has some pitching that they did last year, I know, it is weird that a fire sale in Florida didn’t happen.  Who knows how long the current players will stay in Florida, but ride the wave while you can.  It will be interesting to see how Cameron Maybin and Chris Coglan, my projected first and second place hitters, get on base for Ramirez.  If they are anywhere near a .400 OBP, that could create a huge leap in Hanley’s RBI totals. Look for another huge year for this elite shortstop.

Outfielders:

Matt Kemp – OF LAD – Kemp could easily become a 30/30 guy this year.  He came close last year with 26 home runs and 34 steals.  Kemp will have a full season of Manny Ramirez to drive him in, and he will continue to grow as a hitter at the MLB level.  I could also see Kemp hitting for .300 this year as well.  Look for his numbers to improve and be a great asset to your team.

Editors Note:  Yes, we are talking about that Matt Kemp, the Matt Kemp that has been seen all over LA with Rihanna.

Ryan Braun – OF MIL – He will continue to mash on the ball at Miller Park, with his fellow basher, Prince Fielder.  Carlos Gomez will be a nice addition in centerfield, if he can get on base consistently, for these two players.  Braun’s number will only continue to grow and outperform each previous season.  He is one of the best hitters in the game, and you can’t argue with a legitimate home run hitter that can hit .320.

Grady Sizemore – OF CLE – I know that I am reaching a bit here, but I am hoping Grady turns back the clock to the player he was in the 2008 season.  About the only thing that he has going for him in Cleveland is the fans known as, Grady’s Ladies.  Sizemore should have every opportunity to steal, hit, and do what he is known to do.  In 2008 he stole 38 bases, knocked 33 balls out of the park, and got 101 runs.  If he gets anywhere close to this for this upcoming year, he will be a top five outfielder by far.

Sleeper Pick:

Rickie Weeks – 2B MIL – Ken Macha has no choice but to play Weeks this year.  I know everyone read into the hype years before, and it wasn’t his fault that he got hurt last year.  Weeks has been tearing the cover off the ball in spring training this year.  Second base is a weak position, as always, and you can get great value by picking up Weeks late in the draft.  He will be the steal of this year’s draft in my opinion.

Harrison Ellman writes exclusively for CloudFantasy.  Email him here