2012 Fantasy Baseball Breakout Players are based on a standard single season redraft mixed AL/NL fantasy baseball league for the 2012 season. Scoring settings include: runs scored, home runs, RBI, stolen bases, and batting average – (R, HR, RBI, SB, AVG). ( ) = players age.
Fantasy Baseball Breakout Players are based on players who have the potential to post a significant increase in offensive statistics during the 2012 season. Breakout Players are players to consider drafting a round or two earlier in your fantasy baseball draft, based on their offensive stat potential likely being greater than what their fantasy baseball draft position is to begin the 2012 season.
These breakout players are NOT SLEEPERS, they are established players who offer a ton of upside, and for example: from being drafted in the 5th round to begin the season, to finishing the season as a 2nd round pick. Think VALUE with these players, and be willing to draft them a round or two earlier than what their ranking says they should be drafted.
2012 Fantasy Baseball: Breakout Players – Top 10
Desmond Jennings – TB – OF (25)
Finally getting an opportunity to start and play everyday for the Tampa Bay Rays last season, Jennings made his season debut at the end of July and immediately made an impact as an offensive force. Posting an exceptional 20 stolen bases and 10 stolen bases over just 247 at bats as a rookie last season, Jennings is easily a 20 home run and 40 stolen base threat in 2012. Offering outstanding upside in all major stat scoring categories, Jennings is one player that I would definitely be willing to draft earlier than what his fantasy baseball ranking determines he should be drafted.
Average Fantasy Baseball Draft Ranking: ESPN – #61 overall
2011 Minor League Triple A Stats: 338 AB, 68 R, 12 HR, 39 RBI, 17 SB, .275 AVG
2011 Major League Stats: 247 AB, 44 R, 10 HR, 25 RBI, 20 SB, .259 AVG
2012 Stat Projections: 100 R, 18 HR, 80 RBI, 45 SB, .270 AVG
Brett Lawrie – Tor – 3B (22)
Making his major league debut in August of last season, Lawrie immediately lived up to his offensive potential as an everyday starter in the Blue Jays lineup. With the third base job his for the taking in Toronto, Lawrie is poised for a breakout season that could easily have him finishing the year as a top 5 scoring fantasy baseball third baseman in 2012. Anything in the range of 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases is easily within reach for Lawrie in 2012.
Average Fantasy Baseball Draft Ranking: ESPN – #114 overall
2011 Minor League Triple A Stats: 292 AB, 64 R, 18 HR, 61 RBI, 13 SB, .353 AVG
2011 Major League Stats: 150 AB, 26 R, 9 HR, 25 RBI, 7 SB, .293 AVG
2012 Stat Projections: 85 R, 25 HR, 85 RBI, 20 SB, .280 AVG
Jason Heyward – Atl – OF (22)
Coming off of a very successful rookie season in 2010 as a full time starter in the Braves lineup, Heyward was expected to become one of the Braves top run producers during the 2011 season. Unfortunately Heyward struggled mightily during his sophomore season in the majors in 2011, and now entering the 2012 season, Heyward’s expectations have dropped significantly. However, Heyward is just 22 years old and is poised to reclaim is star status in 2012. Don’t pass his potential up in your fantasy baseball draft this year.
Average Fantasy Baseball Draft Ranking: ESPN – #112 overall
2011 Major League Stats: 396 AB, 50 R, 14 HR, 42 RBI, 9 SB, .227 AVG
2012 Stat Projections: 85 R, 25 HR, 90 RBI, 12 SB, .275 AVG
Buster Posey – SF – C/1B (25)
Entering the 2011 season with the potential to become the top scoring catcher in fantasy baseball leagues last year, Posey’s 2011 season lasted just 45 games, as he was forced to miss the remainder of the 2011 season after breaking his leg in May. With his health expected to be back to 100% to begin the 2012 season, Posey could easily tally stats to make him a top 3 scoring catcher in fantasy baseball leagues in 2012. A breakout season of 20 plus home runs, 80 rbi, and a .300 batting batting is easily within reach for Posey in 2012.
Average Fantasy Baseball Draft Ranking: ESPN – #121 overall
2011 Major League Stats: 162 AB, 17 R, 4 HR, 21 RBI, 3 SB, .284 AVG
2012 Stat Projections: 90 R, 20 HR, 90 RBI, 5 SB, .300 AVG
Eric Hosmer – KC – 1B (22)
After a very successful rookie season in 2011, Hosmer who is just 22 years old, is poised to become a top 5 scoring first baseman in fantasy baseball leagues in 2012. Offering 25-30 home run hitting ability, to go along with 10-15 stolen base potential, and a .300 batting average, Hosmer could be considered a younger mini version of Joey Votto entering the 2012 season. A breakout season is definitely and very likely for Hosmer in 2012.
Average Fantasy Baseball Draft Ranking: ESPN – #56 overall
2011 Minor League Triple A Stats: 98 AB, 21 R, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 3 SB, .439 AVG
2011 Major League Stats: 523 AB, 66 R, 19 HR, 78 RBI, 11 SB, .293 AVG
2012 Stat Projections: 85 R, 28 HR, 95 RBI, 12 SB, .300 AVG
Freddie Freeman – Atl – 1B (22)
Taking over as the Braves everyday starting first baseman in 2011, Freeman posted an exceptional rookie season that included 21 home runs and 76 rbi, to go along with a .282 batting average. At just age 22, Freeman should continue to develop his power hitting ability, and anything in the range of 25-30 home runs and 80-100 rbi is possible for this young up and coming first baseman.
Average Fantasy Baseball Draft Ranking: ESPN – #109 overall
2011 Major League Stats: 571 AB, 67 R, 21 HR, 76 RBI, 4 SB, .282 AVG
2012 Stat Projections: 75 R, 28 HR, 90 RBI, 3 SB, .285 AVG
Dustin Ackley – Sea – 2B (24)
Considered one of the top pure hitters in the minor leagues to begin the 2011 season, Ackley received his major league debut in the middle of June last year, and took over as the Mariners everyday starting second baseman. Offering a solid combination of power hitting ability and speed, Ackley should easily finish the 2012 season as a top 10 scoring fantasy baseball second baseman, with upside to finish in the top 5.
Average Fantasy Baseball Draft Ranking: ESPN – #150 overall
2011 Minor League Triple A Stats: 271 AB, 57 R, 9 HR, 35 RBI, 7 SB, .303 AVG
2011 Major League Stats: 333 AB, 39 R, 6 HR, 36 RBI, 6 SB, .273 AVG
2012 Stat Projections: 90 R, 12 HR, 75 RBI, 15 SB, .285 AVG
Brandon Belt – SF – OF (23)
After earning an opening day roster spot to begin the 2011 season with the Giants, Belt struggled offensively over the first month of the season, and he was eventually sent back to the minors in late April. However after a mid July call up back to the majors, Belt received near everyday playing time while switching between first base and left field in the Giants lineup. With a full time starting spot Belt’s for the taking in left field to begin the 2012 season, there is plenty of reason to believe that Belt will have a breakout season in 2012.
Average Fantasy Baseball Draft Ranking: ESPN – not ranked in the top 250
2011 Minor League Triple A Stats: 165 AB, 32 R, 8 HR, 32 RBI, 4 SB, .309 AVG
2011 Major League Stats: 187 AB, 21 R, 9 HR, 18 RBI, 3 SB, .225 AVG
2012 Stat Projections: 85 R, 25 HR, 85 RBI, 10 SB, .280 AVG
Starlin Castro – ChC – SS (22)
During his second season in the majors in 2011, you could easily say that Castro was a breakout player last year and not this year. However, even after tallying 10 home runs and 22 stolen bases to go along with an impressive .307 batting average as the Cubs lead off hitter during the 2011 season, Castro enters the 2012 season often ranked around the #70 overall spot in fantasy baseball drafts. If you ask me, a shortstop who has the potential to tally 10 home runs, 30 stolen bases, 100 runs scored, 60 rbi, and a .300 batting average, definitely needs to be drafted as a top 50 overall player in fantasy baseball leagues. In other words, feel free to draft Castro a round or two earlier in your fantasy baseball draft. You will likely be extremely happy to have him on your roster at a scarce shortstop position this season.
Average Fantasy Baseball Draft Ranking: ESPN – #73 overall
2011 Major League Stats: 674 AB, 91 R, 10 HR, 66 RBI, 22 SB, .307 AVG
2012 Stat Projections: 95 R, 10 HR, 70 RBI, 30 SB, .300 AVG
Colby Rasmus – Tor – OF (25)
Considered a young up and coming potential all-star outfielder after the 2010 season, Rasmus took a huge step backwards as he struggled to have any consistency at the plate during the 2011 season. However, Rasmus is still only 25 years old entering the 2012 season, and he is already a proven 20 plus home run hitter in the majors. If Rasmus can finally put all his talent to use, he has the potential to tally 25 home runs and 15 stolen bases. Entering the 2012 season with a fantasy baseball ranking well after the top 150, Rasmus is an excellent high upside player to target in your fantasy baseball draft this season.
Average Fantasy Baseball Draft Ranking: ESPN – #186 overall
2011 Major League Stats: 471 AB, 75 R, 14 HR, 53 RBI, 5 SB, .225 AVG
2012 Stat Projections: 80 R, 22 HR, 80 RBI, 12 SB, .270 AVG
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