Everyone knows players like Troy Tulowitzki and Miguel Cabrera are among the automatic selections in fantasy if you can get them, but finding sleepers in baseball is a tough task.
Opening Day in the major leagues is Sunday, and most fantasy baseball owners have already participated in at least one draft. If you're like me, you're likely open to joining a couple more leagues, even though you probably shouldn't.
This stuff is addictive.
Scanning Baseball-Reference.com and other sources has proved fruitful for me in the past, as has watching statistical trends.
I've pinpointed three players you should definitely keep your eye on this fantasy season.
Yasmani Grandal
I know he has to serve a 50-game suspension for using a banned substance, per USA Today, but this kid can hit.
In just 60 games in 2012, the 24-year-old switch-hitting catcher hit .297 with eight home runs and 36 RBI. Hitting from both sides of the plate is always a plus because he should get more at-bats.
Many will shy away from him because he probably won't play until late May. But were it not for the suspension, he'd be one of the hottest young players in baseball.
Something tells me his quick admission of guilt and acceptance of his punishment will allow him to move on with his career without a major hiccup.
I wouldn't take him early, but if I had the opportunity to grab him as a second catcher, I'd do it.
Allen Craig
Craig is not one of the major names that people mention when the best offensive first basemen are mentioned, but if you look at what he's done over the last two seasons, it is clear he is on the upswing.
His numbers have improved in every season he's been in the major leagues. In 2012, he hit .307 with 22 home runs and 92 RBI. At 28 years old he is reaching his peak.
If Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder aren't available, you won't find a better first basemen from a fantasy standpoint.
Tyler Flowers
Flowers isn't going to challenge for a batting title, but he does have significant power potential. A.J. Pierzynski is gone and Flowers will get the bulk of the time behind the plate for the Chicago White Sox.
He only hit .213 in 2012, but he did hit seven home runs in just 74 at-bats. If you stretch that out to a full season, it is logical to think Flowers could hit 20 or more long balls in 2013.
With the pickings so slim at catcher, a player with 20-HR potential is like gold.
Follow me, I write cool stuff
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com
- Login to post comments