When it comes to ferreting out good sleeper picks for your Fantasy Baseball Draft, the game becomes as much an art as a science. A lot of guess work goes into taking players who either are coming off a bad season, or who have yet to live up to their potential. Here then is a list of 10 potential sleeper picks to consider prior to your 2012 Fantasy Baseball Draft.
Dee Gordon (Dodgers) SS
This 23 year old shortstop will not give you good power numbers, but he will hit for average, score runs, and most of all steal bases for you. Last year limited to 56 games as a rookie, Gordon hit .303 and stole 24 bases. This was on par with what the son of former major leaguer Tom Gordon did throughout his minor league career. In 397 minor league games, Gordon hit .303 with 176 stolen bases. Look for Gordon to steal at least 40 bases this year and for his hitting to continue to improve.
Lucas Duda (Mets) RF
If he gets a full time starting position this season and takes off where he left off last season (.322 with 10 homers after the All-Star game), Duda would be a great late round acquisition with plenty of upside. With Ike Davis back at first base, look for Duda to take over the right field slot for the Mets, and for the 255 lbs hitter to deliver at least 20 homers this season while keeping his batting average up.
Dustin Ackley (Mariners ) 2B
There is a reason that Ackley was the second pick overall in 2009, so don’t let his modest 2011 numbers scare you into writing him off this year, especially since he plays second base. Sure he hit a lot better on the road than at home (.300 to .245) but there is plenty of fantasy upside to Ackley, which makes him a great sleeper pick in any league. On the low end he will get you at least 15 homers and 15 steals while maintaining a decent average. So take a flyer on him, he won’t disappoint.
Jason Heyward (Braves) RF
Forget Jason’s injury plagued 2011 season when his batting average dropped to a platy .227 and he hit only 14 homers. Chances are that the Braves golden boy of 2010 will be back on track in 2012. Most likely he will still struggle a bit against lefties since he’s only a .227 career hitter against them. Other than that, look for Hayward’s numbers to drastically improve this year. Despite being overhyped a year ago, Jason will be good for a 20-20 season this year.
Brandon Belt (Giants) 1B
If you took a gamble on the Giant’s rookie last season and were hugely disappointed, chances are you will avoid drafting him this year. However, the 23 year old still comes with a tremendous upside. A career +.340 hitter in the minors with legitimate power, Belt is capable of putting together +25 homers, +80 RBIs, and a +.280 average in 2012. So why not add him to your sleeper list?
Gordon Beckham (White Sox) 2B
Yes he was over hyped coming into the league. Yes his numbers have dipped three years in a row and he is no longer on your radar. Still, he is only 25 this year and still has the potential to put it all together and be a +300 hitter with modest home run capabilities. So if a late round flyer is what you are looking for, and you are weak at the position, Beckham may be worth a look.
Zach Britton (Orioles) SP
Don’t let the 4.61 ERA fool you, Britton has a lot of upside to him and the left hander did just fine at home posting 6 wins and a 3.09 ERA. While he may still be a few years away from becoming a reliable fantasy starter, in keeper leagues he can be a late round steal. Take a chance on Britton, and he will deliver at least a 13-15 win season for you.
Chris Sale (White Sox) SP
If Chicago follows through on making him a permanent part of the starting rotation, then Sale’s is a bona fide sleeper pick. The 6-6 Sales comes with a high K/IP ratio and most likely will help you across the boards in all categories. So make Sale one to watch in the spring and draft him accordingly. If he is not part of the starting rotation, he will not make for a decent sleeper pick and you should look elsewhere.
Ike Davis (Mets) 1B
With New York’s Citi Fields becoming more hitter friendly and Davis bouncing back from the injury that sidelined him for most of the 2011 season, the stage is set for a breakout year by the Met’s first baseman. Look for Davis to continue where he left off and give you numbers in the +20, +80, +.280 range, which would make him an ideal sleeper this year.
Anibal Sanchez (Marlins) SP
Forget the dismal 8-9 record in 2011 and past arm troubles, Sanchez has the makings of a top 20 pitcher in any Fantasy Baseball league. Sanchez had 202 strikeouts last season and his ERA has been under 4.00 the last three seasons in a row. So if he drops in your league based on his win-loss totals last season, go ahead and grab him as early as you can.