2012 Fantasy Baseball: Deep Sleepers – Top 10

2012 Fantasy Baseball Deep 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.

Deep Sleepers are based on players who are flying under the radar to begin the 2012 season. Deep Sleepers are players to consider drafting with one of your final picks in your fantasy baseball draft to begin the 2012 season, or simply keep an eye on to begin the season and consider picking up off the waiver wire if needed.

2012 Fantasy Baseball Deep Sleepers – Top 10

Kyle Seager – Sea – 3B/SS (24)

Breaking out as one of the Seattle Mariners top prospects in 2010, Seager made the leap from being a Double A minor league player to begin the 2011 season, to major league starter in the Mariners lineup to finish the 2011 season. With the ability to play both third base and shortstop, Seager who played in 53 games with the Mariners last season, is poised to become an everyday player in the Mariners lineup during the 2012 season. Offering a good mixture of power and speed as an offensive option, Seager could easily become a 15 home run and 15 stolen base threat in 2012.

2011 Minor League Double A Stats: 266 AB, 33 R, 4 HR, 37 RBI, 8 SB, .312 AVG

2011 Minor League Triple A Stats: 106 AB, 24 R, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 3 SB, .387 AVG

2011 Major League Stats: 182 AB, 22 R, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 3 SB, .258 AVG

2012 Stat Projections: 70 R, 12 HR, 60 RBI, 15 SB, .280 AVG

Anthony Rizzo – ChC – 1B (22)

After a huge breakout showing at the plate to begin the 2011 season at Triple-A, Rizzo seemed like a guaranteed bet to succeed whenever he would get the call to the majors to make his debut. Unfortunately when Rizzo did make his major league debut in early June for the Padres last season, he struggled mightily to adjust to major league pitching. Entering the 2012 season having been traded to the Chicago Cubs, Rizzo is the clear first baseman of the future in Chicago. However at just age 22, Rizzo may begin the 2012 season in the minors rather than in the Cubs everyday lineup. Yet based on Rizzo’s power hitting and run producing potential, the rebuilding Cubs will likely want to give their potential franchise player plenty of playing time at some point during the 2012 season.

2011 Minor League Triple A Stats: 356 AB, 64 R, 26 HR, 101 RBI, 7 SB, .331 AVG

2011 Major League Stats: 128 AB, 9 R, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 2 SB, .141 AVG

2012 Stat Projections: 45 R, 12 HR, 50 RBI, 5 SB, .265 AVG

Wilin Rosario – Col – C (23)

One of the top power hitting young catchers in the minors during the 2010 and 2011 seasons, Rosario made his major league debut with the Rockies in September last season, and immediately showcased his power hitting ability as he belted out 3 home run in just 54 at bats in the Rockies lineup. With a clear path for playing as a rookie during the 2012 season, Rosario has plenty of upside to put up between 15-20 home runs in 2012. If you want a potential player comparison, Rosario’s stat line as a rookie in 2012 could look similar to what JP Arencibia’s rookie stat line was in 2011. High power hitting and run producing ability, to go along with a possible below standard batting average.

2011 Minor League Double A Stats: 405 AB, 52 R, 21 HR, 48 RBI, 1 SB, .249 AVG

2011 Major League Stats: 54 AB, 6 R, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 0 SB, .204 AVG

2012 Stat Projections: 45 R, 16 HR, 55 RBI, 0 SB, .260 AVG

Tyler Pastornicky – Atl – SS (22)

After a breakout season in 2011 while playing at both Double A and Triple A, Pastornicky enters the 2012 season with an excellent opportunity to claim the Braves starting shortstop job. Having yet to make his major league debut, Pastornicky is still considered major league ready and will be relied upon to contribute significantly in the Braves offensive lineup in 2012. Offering 30 stolen base potential and excellent on base skills, Pastornicky could become a solid run scoring option as an ideal #2 hitter in the Braves lineup.

2011 Minor League Double A Stats: 355 AB, 50 R, 6 HR, 36 RBI, 20 SB, .299 AVG

2011 Minor League Triple A Stats: 104 AB, 15 R, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 7 SB, .365 AVG

2011 Major League Stats: NA

2012 Stat Projections: 80 R, 8 HR, 55 RBI, 25 SB, .275 AVG

Jerry Sands – LAD – OF (24)

As one of the premiere power hitting prospects in the minor leagues during the 2010 and 2011 seasons, Sands made his major league debut with the Dodgers in April of last season. With a starting outfield spot his for the taking, Sands was unable to bring his minor league hitting success to the majors, as he struggled to get on track at the plate facing major league pitching for the first time. However after being sent back down to Triple A in June 2011, Sands earned a September call up and immediately showcased his tremendous offensive ability as he racked up a .342 batting average over 73 at bats during the month of September. With the Dodgers starting left field spot open for the taking to begin the 2012 season, Sands could easily claim the everyday starting job. 20-30 home runs is definitely within reach for the power hitting Sands in 2012.

2011 Minor League Triple A Stats: 370 AB, 78 R, 29 HR, 88 RBI, 3 SB, .278 AVG

2011 Major League Stats: 198 AB, 20 R, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 3 SB, .253 AVG

2012 Stat Projections: 75 R, 25 HR, 85 RBI, 5 SB, .280 AVG

JD Martinez – Hou – OF (24)

A beneficiary of the Astros trading Hunter Pence during the middle of the season last year, Martinez immediately took over as the Astros everyday starting left fielder to begin the month of August. Possessing a good eye at the plate and a solid overall hitting approach, Martinez adjusted quickly to major league pitching and settled in as the Astros #3 hitter in the lineup. With increasing power hitting ability, Martinez has the potential to tally 20 home runs and 80 RBI to go along with a .280 plus batting average as one of the Astros primary offensive run producers during the 2012 season.

2011 Minor League Double A Stats: 317 AB, 50 R, 13 HR, 72 RBI, 1 SB, .338 AVG

2011 Major League Stats: 208 AB, 29 R, 6 HR, 35 RBI, 0 SB, .274 AVG

2012 Stat Projections: 75 R, 20 HR, 85 RBI, 3 SB, .285 AVG

Johnny Giavotella – KC – 2B (24)

After getting called up from the minors in early August to make his major league debut with the Royals in 2011, Giavotella immediately took over as the Royals everyday starting second baseman to finish out the season. With a youth movement taking place in Kansas City, the 24 year old Giavotella who has plenty of minor league experience and success under his belt, is poised to become the cornerstone at second base for the Royals in 2012.

2011 Minor League Triple A Stats: 453 AB, 67 R, 9 HR, 72 RBI, 9 SB, .338 AVG

2011 Major League Stats: 178 AB, 20 R, 2 HR, 21 RBI, 5 SB, .247 AVG

2012 Stat Projections: 70 R, 10 HR, 65 RBI, 15 SB, .270 AVG

Dayan Viciedo – CWS – OF (22)

After a successful showing at Triple A during the 2011 season, Viciedo earned a September call up with the White Sox to finish out the year. Showcasing his ability to play solid defense in right field, the position change from third base to outfield appears to be a successful one heading into the 2012 season. With the starting right field spot Viciedo’s for the taking to begin the 2012 season, there is plenty of reason to believe that Viciedo will become a solid power hitting run producer as the #5 hitter in the White Sox lineup in 2012. 20-30 home runs and 70-100 RBI are a definite possibility for Viciedo in 2012.

2011 Minor League Triple A Stats: 452 AB, 60 R, 20 HR, 76 RBI, 2 SB, .296 AVG

2011 Major League Stats: 102 AB, 11 R, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 1 SB, .255 AVG

2012 Stat Projections: 70 R, 25 HR, 85 RBI, 5 SB, .280 AVG

Jimmy Paredes – Hou – 3B (23)

With a youth movement taking place in Houston during the second half of the 2011 season, Paredes made his major league debut in August last season, and immediately took over as the Astros starting third baseman. Offering a lot more speed than power at this point in his career, Paredes is a proven 40 stolen base threat during his time in the minors. As an everyday starting third baseman in the majors, Paredes has the potential to tally a stat line that includes 30 stolen bases and 10 home runs during the 2012 season.

2011 Minor League Double A Stats: 384 AB, 68 R, 9 HR, 39 RBI, 29 SB, .266 AVG

2011 Major League Stats: 168 AB, 16 R, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 5 SB, .286 AVG

2012 Stat Projections: 60 R, 10 HR, 65 RBI, 30 SB, .275 AVG

Steve Lombardozzi – Was – 2B/3B/SS (23)

Zipping through the minor leagues in 2010 and 2011, Lombardozzi went from playing at Single A to begin the 2010 season, to finishing the 2011 season on the Washington Nationals major league roster. Displaying offensive success at every level he has played at in the minors, Lombardozzi has shown that he is major league ready entering the 2012 season. Unfortunately for Lombardozzi, major league playing time is just not available in Washington right now, as the Nationals already have two solid starters at both second base and shortstop in Danny Espinosa and Ian Desmond. So until playing time becomes available for Lombardozzi in the majors, he will likely have to bid some time in the minors to begin the 2012 season. However, when Lombardozzi does get a starting job in the majors, he could instantly become a top 15 second basemen in fantasy baseball leagues.

2011 Minor League Double A Stats: 262 AB, 40 R, 4 HR, 24 RBI, 16 SB, .313 AVG

2011 Minor League Triple A Stats: 294 AB, 46 R, 4 HR, 29 RBI, 14 SB, .310 AVG

2011 Major League Stats: 31 AB, 3 R, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB, .194 AVG

2012 Stat Projections: 45 R, 5 HR, 35 RBI, 15 SB, .275 AVG


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