By Andrew Mooney, Boston.com Correspondent

In February, Baseball Think Factory released its annual ZiPS player projections for 2012, computer-based forecasts compiled using players' past few seasons of performance and playing time, league factors, and the effects of aging. Below is a look at the ZiPS projections for players who will figure most prominently in the Red Sox offense, along with some brief commentary on each.

Adrian Gonzalez

.297/.384/.526, 153 G, 582 AB, 88 R, 173 H, 36 2B, 31 HR, 104 RBI, 79 BB

After a resoundingly successful first season in Boston, Gonzalez is due for a bit of a regression. His .338 batting average last season, a career high by 34 points, was inflated by a .380 BABIP, tied with Matt Kemp for the highest in the majors among those who qualified for the batting title. Still, that projected line is good enough to put him among the top three-hitters in the American League.

Kevin Youkilis

.268/.374/.477, 116 G, 421 AB, 63 R, 113 H, 28 2B, 18 HR, 67 RBI, 62 BB

Who remembers that Youk was an All-Star last year? With an injury-prone .199/.314/.346 line after the break, you could be excused for forgetting. Given how much time he's missed the last two seasons, ZiPS projects him to play in only 116 games, depressing his raw numbers significantly. I'm not convinced. Now healthy (and domesticated), I expect Youkilis to get back to what he does best: draw walks and rake.

David Ortiz

.266/.357/.498, 127 G, 462 AB, 61 R, 123 H, 30 2B, 25 HR, 78 RBI, 65 BB