The American League has its stalwarts at the top of the rankings, and a few reliable veterans. But, for the most part, the American League relief pitchers are a mixture of uncertainty and plain awfulness. The top closers are as good as it gets, and there is some promising young talent scattered across American League bullpens. However, there is a general lack of depth amongst them.

We all know that the reliever position is the most tumultuous in baseball. There is more turnover among bullpens annually than any other position. One year, a player looks like the best closer or setup man in the game, and the next year they find themselves on the scrap heap. Many fantasy owners don’t invest much in the way of relief pitchers because of this fact. However, the closer is just as important as any other position in fantasy baseball. It doesn’t hurt to have one or two good setup men on your team as well. The good ones help to lower your ERA and WHIP. Keep in mind that at any time throughout the season, the setup can quickly become the closer.

Even the worst closer on the worst team has fantasy value, which can’t be said about any other position. Every setup man is either coveted or is on the forefront of every owner’s watch list. No matter how you feel about relief pitchers, it can’t be denied that they are integral to a fantasy owner’s success. We will run down the most important relievers that the National League has to offer, and hopefully open your mind to the importance of the position.

NL Potential Closers and Set Up Men 

One of the most valuable setup men this year will be Ryan Madson of the Phillies. With Brad Lidge being as unpredictable as he is, Madson could get a good number of saves in 2010. Madson himself can be a bit sketchy as times, but has good strikeout numbers and will get at least a handful of saves.

While the Matt Hollidays and Ryan Brauns are found in the senior circuit, the talent in the American League outfield is deeper than in the NL. Sure, the first-round, five-category stud is not available, but there is something special regarding the balance of players moving up and down the rankings. It is exactly this balance that brings some intriguing names to the top of the list, and it is the abundance of speed that sets many apart.

When constructing a fantasy team the outfield position is unique in that it holds many possibilities. It can be constructed for speed or for run production. It could consist of high priced superstars, cheap gambles, or a mix. Acquiring several high-end outfielders can make a team look spectacular through the early draft rounds but can lead to holes appearing in the later going. You have maximum flexibility, but need to have a plan.

The kid has a head of hair that would make an early ‘80’s Scott Baio envious. Fortunately for the Chicago White Sox and your fantasy team his impressive attributes don’t end there. After being the eighth overall selection in the 2008 amateur draft, Beckham rose quickly through the White Sox organization spending a grand total of just 59 games in the minors between stops at Single A Kannapolis, AA Birmingham and AAA Charlotte. He went on to play in nearly double that many games for Chicago last season and held his own against even the best AL pitchers. His stat line of .270/.347/.460 may not be all that impressive on the surface but factor in the 14 HRs, 63 RBI and 7 stolen bases all while learning a new position and you begin to see what kind of talent we are looking at here.

While the top American League starters are as good, if not better, than the National League starters, the AL lacks the overall depth at this position that the NL possesses.   The lack of proven depth in the AL will definitely change the way people will draft in AL-only leagues, but won’t necessarily affect the way you would draft in mixed leagues. We will break down the many tiers and types of pitchers in the AL. We will also give you the young pitchers that you need to look out for in 2010, and the ones you need to get to know.

A look at the 2010 AL Starting Pitchers

The catching market always varies year by year, and it’s safe to say that this year is no different. There has been very little consistency in the catching department in the past three years, so it is vital to take your time when deciding on which catcher you want to grab. Let’s get to the players.

Last year, third base was the red-headed step-child of the power positions for fantasy baseball.  Four of our top 10 third basemen last year were people who played first base primarily but who logged at least 20 games at third to qualify at the position.  And even with that boost, it was considered markedly inferior to the talent both across the diamond and that available from outfield corners.

Like Joe Mauer at catcher, one player has ruled over second base over the past few years, standing more or less in a tier of his own, and far outstripping the production of other players. At second that player is Chase Utley, and as you know from his virtuoso performance at the World Series, he is in his top form. Though he underwent hip surgery following the 2008 season, Utley was apparently slowed none by the recovery, and in 2009 he proved again that he belongs at the top of the position.