With a big power breakout last year, Carlos Santana (C, CLE) was the top catcher in many 2012 drafts. A sluggish first half had many fanalytic owners questioning that selection.

With a power surge in the second half of 2011, Billy Butler (DH, KC) was on many breakout lists going into this season. Sure enough, with over two months left, he’s close to matching his career high in HRs.

By taming the Red Sox last weekend with his fourth-straight PQS-5 performance, David Price (LHP, TAM) became the first 12-game winner in the AL. Price “stumbled” a bit in 2011 with a 12-13 record, but he seems to have recovered the form that led to a 19-6 record and second place finish in the Cy Young race in 2010.

Baseball royalty arrived in Detroit this past offseason when Prince Fielder (1B, DET) signed with the Tigers. With a starting gig in the All Star game, Fielder is clearly popular with the fans; he’s certainly added a solid bat to the Tigers’ lineup.

With 16 wins and an ERA slightly north of 3.00, Dan Haren (RHP, LAA) had a successful year in 2011. Much was expected going into this season, but he’s not met those expectations.

Back in the halcyon days of 2010, it was often noted that if Curtis Granderson (OF, NYY) could only hit left-handed pitching, he would break out with a banner campaign. That happened in 2011, and Granderson’s power onslaught continues this year.

When Andy Pettitte (LHP, NYY) walked into the sunset after the 2010 season, it looked like he had ended his career with 240 wins. But retirement apparently didn’t set well with Pettitte, who returned to the mound this spring. Even with a year off, he hasn’t skipped a beat.

With the sluggish start that Brett Lawrie (3B, TOR) has had, it’s not surprising that he had a helmet-throwing temper tantrum a couple of weeks ago. After a strong rookie year (nine HR, seven SB in 150 AB), much was expected of the 22-year old Lawrie.

After the distractions of last fall, Jon Lester (LHP, BOS) probably couldn’t wait for the new season to begin. But between a new manager and a rough start to the year, there’s still plenty of consternation going around Boston. While the Red Sox struggle to reach .500, Lester has also hit some bumps in the road.

2011 was quite a season for Justin Verlander (RHP, DET) - Cy Young award, Most Valuable Player, found the cure for cancer. OK, the last part didn’t happen, but after a year like that, what could he possibly do for an encore?

Jose Bautista’s (OF, TOR) “black swan” moment began in September, 2009. From the beginning of that month to the end of last year, he hit 107 home runs. Fast forward to 2012, and it looks like Bautista’s plumage is beginning to fade.