Fantasy Baseball

Opening Day 2010 is less than 72 hours away, which means most fantasy drafts have been completed. Judging by average draft positions on Mock Draft Central , fantasy owners are allowing certain sleeper candidates to go undrafted. One of those guys is Drew Stubbs , who has a current average draft position of 311.40.

<!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-sour

If you’re a die-hard fantasy geek, then you’ll know that more often than not, leagues are won by the sleeper picks and late draft selections that pan out.

In particular, those mid-to-late round picks often feature potential comeback of the year candidates. Here’s a top ten list of predictions for fantasy players that either struggled last year or dealt with injuries – and could easily have a bounceback year in a big way.

Begin Slideshow

The MLB regular season starts Sunday night when the New York Yankees travel to Boston and take on the Red Sox.

For all the nitty gritty, nuts-and-bolts of what to expect from shortstops and your upcoming fantasy baseball draft, you can check out our extensive shortstop composite and ADP rankings.

However, we know how valuable your time is. The significant other has a springtime honey-do list a mile long, and the MLB season is fast approaching. Don't worry, we have your back.

It happens every year.

An established veteran suffers from injuries or a heralded youngster isn't up to the task at hand. An overlooked rookie or a career benchwarmer gets some at-bats at the starter's expense and suddenly finds his groove.

A good game becomes two good games, and a few days later is labelled a bona fide hot streak. By the end of the week, he appears on fantasy rosters nationwide, and every baseball fan in the country knows the name "Ben Zobrist" or "Andrew Bailey."

There's no way to predict where the next big fantasy sleeper will come from.

Since being drafted as the seventh overall selection of the 2008 draft out of the University of Miami, there have been rumblings as to how the Reds would fit both Yonder Alonso and Joey Votto into their lineup. 

Would Votto move to the outfield?  Could Alonso transition to another position?

Before the debate is settled, Alonso needs to prove that he can perform in the professional game.  

Picking players in the first round is always a hot topic. And while your first round selections WILL NOT make your team, it is those players who are on the cusp of being first rounders that could significantly impact your team’s performance.

J.A. Happ is one of those players.

Last year Happ enjoyed a very promising season going 12-4 for "Dem Phightin Phils" while posting a 2.93 ERA.

If you are unfamiliar with Baltimore Orioles left fielder Nolan Reimold , listen up.

In 2009, Baseball America ranked Reimold as Baltimore’s fifth best prospect, saying the Bowling Green State alum possesses “the raw power to compare with just about anyone in the minors, rating a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale.” They also acknowledged his potential to “be an average overall hitter if he continues to make adjustments.”

These starting pitchers could have a hard time matching their 2009 production.

Joe Blanton, Philadelphia Phillies
Blanton’s numbers are misleading. He had a solid ERA of 4.05, but gave up 30 HRs. If he’s giving up that many long balls, his peripherals will likely rise. Also, his strikeout total of 163 isn’t on par with he he’s done for the rest of his career.