Ian Kennedy followed up a strong first season in Arizona with an eye-opening 2011. He notched 21 wins, compiled a league-best winning percentage (.840) with a sub-3.00 ERA and finished fourth in the NL Cy Young voting. He's a no-brainer atop the Diamondbacks rotation, but does he have the skills to be a true fantasy ace?

Expectations were high for Adrian Gonzalez (1B, BOS) after he joined the Red Sox prior to the 2011 season. The transition to the AL East and the pressure of playing in Boston did not seem to phase Gonzalez as all he did was post the best all-around season of his career thus far...

Freddie Freeman (1B, ATL) led all National League Rookies in BA (.282), hits (161), doubles (32), HR (21), RBI (76), OBA (.346) and SLG (.448) in 2011 ... what can he do for an encore?

Adrian Beltre is coming off the most productive back-to-back seasons of his career. Does this new level represent a plateau, or is he more likely to revert to pre-2010?

Neil Walker (2B, PIT) proved to a good power-average combination for a middle infielder during his 2010 rookie season, going .296-12-66 in 426 ABs. But the average fell last season, and it took another 170 ABs to manage the same HR output. Yet he did swipe nine bases. The question now is, can he put it all together?

In the “not exactly shocking news” category, NYY manager Joe Girardi has declared that CC Sabathia (LHP, NYY) will be his Opening Day starter. In an effort to stay strong throughout the year, Sabathia came into camp with a bit less weight that he was carrying last season.

While everyone knows that a near-$50 season is next to impossible to repeat, many still held a shred of hope for Carlos Gonzalez (OF, COL) heading into 2011. And sure enough, he wasn't able to live up to his stupendous performance in 2010. But those who use the word "rebound" in anticipation of 2012 are asking the wrong question.

After an injury plagued and ineffective 2010, Josh Beckett (RHP, BOS) found himself at something of a career crossroads at the outset of the 2011 season. Beckett answered the bell and then some, anchoring the Boston rotation and posting excellent numbers across the board...

2011 was a tale of two seasons for Andre Ethier (OF, LA). After starting the season with a 30-game hitting streak, Ethier tailed off due in large part to knee issues that led to season-ending arthroscopic surgery in early September. The Dodgers signed Ethier to a one-year $10.95M deal (plus incentives), a relative bargain following his hot start in 2011. Will Ethier be a bargain at our draft tables as well?

Evan Longoria is coming off a season of reduced value, having lost nearly a month of 2011 with an early-season oblique injury. He also failed to fully translate his skills into production. Can Longoria rebound in 2012?

Brandon Beachy (RHP, ATL) was more than just the latest talented young pitcher to surface in Atlanta over the past two decades. He became the rock in an otherwise fragile Braves starting rotation. But as with any rookie sensation, we're left to wonder if he can improve, sustain—or will he take a step back?