2012 Fantasy Baseball Shortstop (SS) Sleepers 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
Shortstop (SS) Sleepers are based on players who have the potential to make a significant statistical impact during the 2012 season, and are typically ranked and drafted lower in fantasy baseball leagues than what their potential stats warrant for the 2012 season.
2012 Sleepers: C — 1B — 2B — 3B — SS — OF — SP — RP — Printable Cheat Sheet
2012 Deep Sleepers: C — 1B — 2B — 3B — SS — OF — SP — RP
2012 Shortstop (SS) Sleepers
Dee Gordon – LAD – SS (23)
A proven stolen base threat with plenty of speed to burn, Gordon enters the 2012 season as one of the top base stealing players in the entire majors leagues. With the starting shortstop position his for the taking in Los Angeles, Gordon who racked up an excellent .304 batting average and 24 stolen bases over 224 at bats with the Dodgers as a rookie last season, will look to continue on his success in 2012. As the Dodgers everyday leadoff hitter, there is plenty of potential for Gordon to rack up at least 40 stolen bases this season.
2011 Minor League Triple A Stats: 288 AB, 51 R, 0 HR, 24 RBI, 30 SB, .333 AVG
2011 Major League Stats: 224 AB, 34 R, 0 HR, 11 RBI, 24 SB, .304 AVG
2012 Stat Projections: 90 R, 2 HR, 35 RBI, 40 SB, .290 AVG
Alcides Escobar – KC – SS (25)
After entering the 2010 as a rookie with high expectations to become one of the top young shortstops in the majors, Escobar has been simply ordinary over the past two seasons. And while he did not make a big name for himself in Kansas City in 2011, Escobar was able to make a significant improvement as a base stealer last season. With continued improvement expected from Escobar in 2012, mixed with his roll in an up and coming run producing Royals offensive lineup, Escobar could find himself notching 30 stolen bases while also improving upon his run scored and batting average during the 2012 season.
2011 Major League Stats: 548 AB, 69 R, 4 HR, 46 RBI, 26 SB, .254 AVG
2012 Stat Projections: 80 R, 5 HR, 55 RBI, 30 SB, .265 AVG
Zack Cozart – Cin – SS (26)
Entering the 2011 season as a duel threat offensive player who was coming off of a 2010 minor league season at Triple A that resulted in 17 home runs and 30 stolen bases, it only seemed reasonable to expect Cozart to be given an opportunity to make his major league debut and eventually start in the Reds lineup at some point during the 2011 season. Finally getting the call in early July, Cozart took over as the Reds starting shortstop and immediately made his presence felt at the plate as he racked up 2 home runs to go along with a .324 batting average over just 37 at bats. Unfortunately his major league showcase was cut short as he endured a freak injury that caused him to undergo elbow surgery and miss the remainder of the 2011 season. Now entering the 2012 season, Cozart is positioned to take over as the Reds everyday starting shortstop, and he should provide a solid combination of power and speed in the Reds lineup as a rookie this year.
2011 Minor League Triple A Stats: 323 AB, 57 R, 7 HR, 32 RBI, 9 SB, .310 AVG
2011 Major League Stats: 37 AB, 6 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 0 SB, .324 AVG
2012 Stat Projections: 80 R, 15 HR, 60 RBI, 10 SB, .280 AVG
Others to Keep an Eye on
Marco Scutaro – Col – SS (36)
Jed Lowrie – Hou – SS/2B/3B (27)
Tyler Greene – StL – SS/2B/OF (28)
Reid Brignac – TB – SS
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