Every MLB fantasy season there are sleepers that many people are totally unaware of. These players go unselected until the end of most drafts, where those fantasy owners that do indeed draft them, usually end up winning their entire league.
Last season Pittsburgh Pirates out-fielder Nate McLouth was a total no name going into the start of the season. During the first two months of the MLB season he hit .305 with 12 home runs. McLouth ended the year with a total of 23 home runs, 85 RBI, 101 runs, and 23 stolen bases.
Fantasy owners that drafted McLouth last season with no intentions of ever starting him really got a smack in the face with his outstanding fantasy numbers.
The one question you have to ask yourself is...how do I know which player will breakout and become one of the biggest fantasy sleepers this year?
The answer is rather simple...it is called researching.
You cannot expect to draft a player and just pray to the fantasy gods for him to breakout like McLouth did last season.
You need to research, research, and then do another twenty hours of research (Just so you know each and every player inside and out).
Because I am the biggest fantasy nerd, I have already done my weeks of intense research.
Since I am so nice, below is a list of who will be this seasons biggest fantasy sleepers.
Yovani Gallardo (SP, MIL)
During Gallardo's rookie season, he pitched 110 innings, winning nine times with an ERA of 3.68 and 101 Ks. Last season he spent most of the year on the sidelines due to knee surgery.
This year Gallardo will be the Brewers ace pitcher and has immense potential to put up serious fantasy numbers.
Gallardo should be drafted just after the first 25-30 starting pitchers are selected. He will be a great sleeper this season.
Cameron Maybin (OF, FLA)
Maybin will finally get the opportunity to enjoy a starting MLB job this season. He has extreme upside to post excellent fantasy numbers this season, especially as a lead-off hitter for the Marlins.
Because Maybin has never played a full MLB season, his possibilities are practically endless. Expect the speedy base-runner to grab around 30-40 bases this season with a decent batting average, and 10-15 home runs, 60 RBI to go with it.
Maybin could be drafted in the late rounds of your draft and will end the year as an everyday starter on your fantasy team.
Elvis Andrus (SS, TEX)
This 20-year-old shortstop has lots of hype coming into this season. It has been reported that the Rangers are moving Michael Young to third-base, giving Andrus the starting job at shortstop.
If he can become an everyday starter, Andrus could be ranked among the top 10 SS by the end of the fantasy year.
Andrus is currently in the minor leagues but could get a call up rather soon, making him worthy of being drafted in the last rounds of your draft as a mega sleeper this season.
Jeremy Hermida (OF, FLA)
Now that Hermida's expectations to produce are not as high as when he first entered the league, I truly believe he will have a career season this year.
Hermida has potential to put up home runs, runs, RBI, and a great batting average to go with it. He is not ranked too high and could be drafted during the mid-rounds of your draft, with upside to produce much more than that.
Edwin Encarnacion (3B, CIN)
After hitting a career-high 26 home runs last season you would expect Encarnacion's fantasy value to increase tremendously this season...right?
Wrong.
Encarnacion is ranked as the 15th best third-basemen going into this season and is projected to hit 25 homers.
The one problem that most people have when drafting fantasy players is that they listen to the rankings too much. They notice that a player like Ryan Zimmerman or Chone Figgins are ranked much higher than Edwin Encarnacion and stupidly draft them ahead of him.
Do not—I repeat, do not—be one of those fantasy owners this season. Encarnacion will hit 30 plus homers and post a great batting average to go with it. Draft him and you will be smiling all season long.
Ian Stewart (3B, COL)
Stewart will get a chance to start everyday this season and has potential to put up consistent fantasy numbers.
He will not go drafted until the late rounds of any draft and could really help as a backup starting the season off. Once his batting averages settles in around .300 and he begins to show some pop in his bat, fantasy owners will be glad they selected Stewart on draft day. He may have second base eligibility in your league and will likely spend the majority of his time in left field during the season, so his potential versatility could also be a plus.
Those are some fantasy sleepers that you should draft onto your squad this season. While those are just a few of the potential break-out players, researching up on others could not hurt you.
Any questions? E-mail me at reebokforthree@aol.com or just post a comment and I will be sure to reply back!
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