Consider these bold fantasy baseball predictions before your draft and/or league start:

1. Carlos Carrasco will become the second Cleveland Indians pitcher in three years to win the American League Cy Young Award and finally fulfill the prophecy as fantasy’s next big breakout ace. New nickname: Neo?

2. In fact, the Tribe’s trio of Carrasco, Corey Kluber and Danny Salazar will outperform the New York Mets’ threesome of Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard. The AL’s big three will all finish in the top 10 in ERA and K/9 among qualified starting pitchers.

3. Speaking of pitchers victimized by a bloated ERA last year, New York Yankees starter Michael Pineda will post a 3.20 ERA and win 18 games as one of the Cy runners-up.

More predictions: Steve Gardner | Keith Hernandez

4. Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco will finish among the top 10 major leaguers in home runs. Let’s say 33 big flies for the middle-rounds breakout candidate.

5. A trio of middle-round or later catchers — the Indians’ Yan Gomes, the Reds’ Devin Mesoraco and the Dodgers’ Yasmani Grandal — outperform Cubs hype machine Kyle Schwarber in the home run column.

6. Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager will post a line quite similar to division rival Brandon Crawford’s despite the big difference in their draft-day prices.

7. San Diego Padres 1B/OF Wil Myers will finally cash in on long-lost hype at age 25, swatting 24 home runs, stealing 20 bases and driving in 85 runs.

8. Detroit Tigers third baseman Nick Castellanos will find similar breakout success with his own 20-tater season while hitting .290.

9. Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Raisel Iglesias will defy his dangerous home park on his way to a sub-3.50 ERA, with 14 wins and a 9.2 K/9.

10. Reliever Tony Zych will emerge as the Seattle Mariners’ closer, saving 24 games and striking out around 13 batters per nine innings.

Use our Draft Guide to start your bold path to a trophy