Top Ten Fantasy Baseball Sleepers for 2012 (1/2)
By Adam McGill
Fantasy baseball drafts are being scheduled all over the country and keepers will be due in a matter of weeks. With all of the research and page flipping owners will be doing, one of the most valuable commodities is without a doubt the sleeper. The next month is the most critical time to research any and every player that will wear a baseball jersey this spring. Every owner should have a vast list of sleepers to target on draft day. To help fill that list, here is my latest compilation of sleepers for the 2012 fantasy baseball season:
10. SP Matt Latos, CIN – The Reds’ new ace was brought over from San Diego in the Anthony Rizzo trade and joins a team in desperate need of a dominant righty. Latos finished last year with an uninspiring 9-14 record, but his 1.18 WHIP and 3.47 ERA are certainly positive signs from a kid who is still paying full price for car insurance. Latos finished the year by posting at least 8 strikeouts in all five of his starts in September and boasting a 3-1 record with 1.96 ERA during that time. He will not be picked in the top 20 arms in most leagues and can end up being a great third starter in deeper leagues.
9. RP Jose Valverde, DET – It is not often that the closer who led the majors with 49 saves is considered a sleeper heading into the next season, but Valverde is exactly that. He is currently being picked as the fifth or sixth closer in fantasy leagues, which considering the team around him is just insulting. Detroit boasts one of the best lineups in the game and the addition of the power hitting Prince Fielder will certainly cause Valverde’s value to go up even higher. Do not shy away from this veteran because of his age, as he can easily eclipse the 40-save plateau in 2012.
8. OF Desmond Jennings, TB – After being called up to be groomed as Carl Crawford’s replacement in center field, Jennings quickly helped Rays’ fans forget about the four-time All-Star. Jennings hit 10 home runs in 63 games, and has the best combination of power and raw speed since Ricky Henderson. Jennings will now have the advantage of beginning the year as the starter and will also get to lead off for one of the up and coming teams in the AL. Many owners are still scared of him due to the limited window to see him in last year, but he is without a doubt a true star. Jennings is a steal after the seventh round, and is a must have in dynasty leagues that start multiple outfielders.
7. C/ DH Jesus Montero, SEA – The Yankees’ shipped their prized catching prospect over to Seattle, ironically for their prized pitching prospect, Michael Pineda. Montero will immediately be the team’s designated hitter to get at-bats and will provide starting catcher, Miguel Olivo, will a very capable backup. Montero is already very polished at the plate and the fact that he will not be behind the plate catching as much, can only help keep him stay fresh in the long-run.
6. 2B Danny Espinosa, WSH – Espinosa was one of the most unknown players heading into the start of last year in all of fantasy, but he still walked into opening day with a spot in the lineup. The rookie has always had an outstanding glove, but nobody expected him to develop into a 20HR/2O SB guy. He finished the 2011 season with 21 home runs and17 stolen bases, giving him outstanding value at a thin second base position. He did strikeout an alarming 166 times, but the kid’s eye will improve as he sees more big league pitches. Espinosa will be much higher on fantasy lists this spring, but many owners are still in the dark about his amazing roto-league potential. He is certainly worth taking in the middle of any draft, and will be an anchor at the position down the road.
Check back for my 1-5 ranked sleepers later in the day.
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