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?

It looks like Carl Crawford (OF, BOS) will have to wait a bit to prove that his first season in Boston was a fluke. After arthroscopic wrist surgery in January, he’s likely to miss the first few weeks of the season. It's really no mystery why Crawford's 2011 performance dropped off.

The Cardinals caught a lot of flack last off-season after signing the then 35-year-old Lance Berkman (1B/OF, STL) to play the OF. His durability and production had come into question after a down 2010, but Berkman stayed on the field (including 126 games in the OF) and proved the critics wrong.

Amid the high-profile influx of big name first basemen into the American League, Mark Teixeira (1B, NYY) has become somewhat of a forgotten man in the discussion of elite players at the position. It doesn't help matters that Teixeira is coming off two productive but uneven seasons.

Hanley Ramirez (3B, MIA) would like to forget his 2011 season. A .243 BA with 10 HR and 45 RBI isn't exactly the kind of production we have grown to expect from Ramirez. So what can we expect in 2012?