The term "sleepers" in fantasy baseball can be relatively broad. An owner in an AL-only league could fall in love with a rookie that an owner in mixed leagues wouldn't think twice about. We'll breakdown different types of sleepers throughout Spring Training. In the meantime, this is our pre-Spring Training All Sleeper Team. Questions? Hit me up on Twitter @briansflood
Catcher
Mike Zunino, Mariners - Zunino did nothing to warrant a spot on the pre-Spring Training All Sleeper Team in 2013. He was horrible in limited plate appearances and missed time with a fractured hand, but none of that matters in 2014. The third overall pick in the 2012 Draft has been a stud at every level since high school and it won't take long for his skills to translate in the majors.
First Baseman
Jonathan Singleton, Astros - Never heard of Singleton? The Astros first baseman of the future has 35-home run pop and should win the job with a decent spring. Singleton is my early favorite for American League Rookie of the Year honors.
Second Base
Jedd Gyorko, Padres - It's hard to call someone who blasted 23 home runs in 2013 as a sleeper, but Gyorko could get much better very soon. In fact, Gyorko has the tools to be an elite fantasy player with only a slight improvement. He should be a first-round selection in mock drafts this time next season.
Short Stop
Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox - Bogaerts has similar upside to Manny Machado, but don't expect 51 doubles from the Red Sox shortstop. Bogaerts showed what he's capable of by hitting .296/.412/.481 in the 2013 postseason. He is Boston's next superstar.
Third Base
Pablo Sandoval, Giants - Kung Fu Panda has all the essentials heading into 2014. He's in excellent shape after vigorous offseason conditioning, he's 27 years old (known to be a fantasy player's prime) and he's in a contract year. That, right there, is the triple crown of sleeper potential. Sandoval won't confirm reports, but he's rumored to have lost close to 40 pounds since last season. He's probably too good to be considered a sleeper, but he should far exceed his draft day value.
Outfield
Adam Eaton, White Sox - The White Sox coveted Eaton badly, and eventually landed him from Arizona in a three-team trade with the Diamondbacks and Angels. White Sox GM Rick Hahn calls Eaton a true "dirt bag" type player, and we think that's a good thing. Regardless, Eaton's power and speed combo will result in very nice fantasy numbers in Chicago.
Marcell Ozuna, Marlins - Ozuna was rushed to the majors in 2013 out of desperation and still managed to hit .265/.303/.389 with 24 extra-base hits, five steals and 32 RBI in 70 games. He played through some nagging injuries and appears ready for Opening Day. He should emerge as a nice option for fantasy purposes.
Billy Hamilton, Reds - Hamilton is your man if you need steals late on draft day. Hamilton stole 88 bases last season between the minors and majors. He might not be able to hit much, but that doesn't matter in some fantasy formats. You're paying for steals, and only steals, with Hamilton.
Starting pitchers
Taijuan Walker, Mariners - Looking for this season's Jose Fernandez? You found him.
Zack Wheeler, Mets - If you ask a random Mets fan about Wheeler, they'll be quick to tell you that he has the potential to be as good as Matt Harvey was in the first half of last season. While it's not realistic to compare him to Harvey's pre-injury success, Wheeler has all the tools to emerge as a fantasy ace in 2014.
Sonny Gray, Athletics - Gray is the type of pitcher that could sneak up on the baseball world and finagle a Cy Young Award in his sophomore season. The former No. 1 pick posted a 2.67 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over 10 starts last season and will continue to improve. Don't let news on his offseason thumb surgery scare you, as it was on his non-throwing hand.
Martin Perez, Rangers - The young lefty finished his rookie season with a 3.62 ERA and 1.34 WHIP over 124.1 innings. Perez flashed brilliance on the mound in stretches and could take another step forward in 2014.
Tony Cingrani, Reds - A back issue ended Cingrani's 2013 season early, but he should be healthy for Spring Training and has the tools of a future fantasy ace.
Closer
Jesse Crain, Astros - Crain has been waiting to close out games for years and his time might finally come in Houston. He missed the last three months of 2013 with shoulder issues but was having a career season before the injury, with a 0.74 ERA.
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
