Fantasy Baseball Sleepers ?

marioh · 02-28-2003, 03:54 PM

We all know Vlad, A-Rod, Pedro (when healthy) will put up great fantasy baseball numbers, like they do just about every year.

But what about this year's sleepers ? Players who are finally ready to break out and have big seasons. Rookies who'll compete for rookie of the year honors.

Thoughts ?

Riverdawg · 02-28-2003, 04:56 PM

Hampton. It may take a while, but by the end of the season, I think you'll see him using the Mazzone system to full effect. He'll be back to his norms this season.

Dxgarnett · 02-28-2003, 08:41 PM

Kevin Millar. Matt Clement. Michael Tejera.

The last 2 are my 2 favorite pitchers, so I'm kinda biased. Wow, just noticed that all three have been Marlins at one point in their career.

twins15 · 02-28-2003, 11:03 PM

This was said in the other thread, but I think Michael Cuddyer will have a big year. I think Matt Lecroy should be solid as well.

Dxgarnett · 03-02-2003, 10:50 AM

^ Obviously a Twins Fan. I hate when fans of a certain team mention about 5-10 sleepers and half of them are from their favorite team. I have a friend that's a die hard Phillies fan, and he's talking about how David Bell, Marlon Byrd, Duckworht, etc etc are the sleepers.

ill16ca · 03-02-2003, 12:44 PM

Vernon Wells, even though he did have 100 RBI's last season.
Brad Wilkerson.
David Ortiz?
Mo Vaughn, again.
Matt Clement.
Tony Armas.

SmoothLikeNick · 03-04-2003, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dxgarnett
^ Obviously a Twins Fan. I hate when fans of a certain team mention about 5-10 sleepers and half of them are from their favorite team. I have a friend that's a die hard Phillies fan, and he's talking about how David Bell, Marlon Byrd, Duckworht, etc etc are the sleepers.

Yeah, I don't know which is funnier.. the fact that your friend names all the Phillies as potential sleepers or the fact that YOU consider Matt Clement a "sleeper"... hehe

LivnLegend · 03-04-2003, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dxgarnett
Kevin Millar. Matt Clement. Michael Tejera.

Clement? How is a guy who consistently finishes among the league leaders in walks and has posted an ERA under four and a half only once considered a sleeper?
And Michael Tejera? You'd have to be asleep to draft this guy!

sixto · 03-04-2003, 03:32 PM

yes, it's sleepers, not "asleepers."

some "asleepers" include rey ordonez, chris carpenter, carlos hernandez (the pitcher) and rusty greer.

jittokufoundling · 03-05-2003, 12:10 PM

I hate the Yankees, but Nick Johnson - .300-25-110, unless he gets traded in which case he'll immediately break his wrist or come down with some extremely rare disease or something.

SmoothLikeNick · 03-05-2003, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jittokufoundling
I hate the Yankees, but Nick Johnson - .300-25-110, unless he gets traded in which case he'll immediately break his wrist or come down with some extremely rare disease or something.

Wrong.. he will never get enough at bats to obtain those lofty projections.. he has Rondell White and Todd Zeile to contend with on a daily basis for DH at-bats. He will probably only have 300-400 ABs... posting modest numbers, worth next to nothing in a fantasy league.

twins15 · 03-05-2003, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dxgarnett
^ Obviously a Twins Fan. I hate when fans of a certain team mention about 5-10 sleepers and half of them are from their favorite team. I have a friend that's a die hard Phillies fan, and he's talking about how David Bell, Marlon Byrd, Duckworht, etc etc are the sleepers.

This may also be because they know more about the teams, espc. the young players.

sixto · 03-05-2003, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dxgarnett
^ Obviously a Twins Fan. I hate when fans of a certain team mention about 5-10 sleepers and half of them are from their favorite team. I have a friend that's a die hard Phillies fan, and he's talking about how David Bell, Marlon Byrd, Duckworht, etc etc are the sleepers.

Duckworth is a sleeper.

jittokufoundling · 03-05-2003, 11:59 PM

Duckworth is an excellent sleeper. David Bell is the opposite of a sleeper - a guy who could end up with a line like .241-11-43.

Dwolfson20 · 03-06-2003, 12:09 AM

I'd say Mike MacDougal/Ryan Bukvich/Jeff Austin, but closing for the Royals won't exactly earn a lot of fantasy points.

DiMaggio5CF · 03-06-2003, 04:04 PM

As far as sleepers go, I really like Josh Phelps. I am in several leagues, and in the two that have already drafted, Phelps was unpicked. He displayed a ton of power in his short stint with the Blue Jays last year. He doesn't have a fixed position, but he should move around enough to get the at-bats he needs to put together a very solid season.

Juan Rivera is a very good sleeper, but only if the Yankees are able to trade Raul Mondesi. If Mondesi stays in the Bronx, he'll get the at-bats and Rivera will stay at AAA.

I don't know if you can consider Jose Contreras and Hideki Matsui sleepers. Ironically, I think that Contreras is much better than Matsui, but I think that Matsui is a much better fantasy pick. The reason for this is that while Matsui won't do as well as he did in Japan, he will definitely play everyday. Contreras, meanwhile, will most likely start the season in the bullpen. The Yankees just have too many pitchers. Personally, I think that Jeff Weaver should be the odd-man-out, but Joe Torre has insisted that Weaver will be in the rotation. If Contreras gets into the rotation, pick him up. But right now, Matsui looks like a safer pick. Just don't expect him to hit .330 with 50 homeruns like he did in Japan.

I also think that Carl Crawford should have a pretty decent year for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He won't hit for much power, but he should hit very close to .300 and the steals alone should be worth it.

Also playing for Tampa Bay is relief pitcher Jesus Colome. He's in the running for the closer job, now that Esteban Yan is gone. Colome's numbers haven't been very good so far, and he's not currently leading the running. Control has been his biggest problem, but he throws smoke and has electric stuff. If he can harness some of that power, he'll be the new closer before long.

Also in the closer role, I'd keep an eye on Ramiro Mendoza. As of right now, the Red Sox are going with a closer-by-committee. But history has told us that that probably won't last very long. Mendoza might be a starter, but he might also emerge as the closer. Mendoza is either very on, or very off, and I don't think that he'll be a particulary great closer. He'll blow a lot of games, but as far as closers go, as long as a guy has a decent ERA and WHIP, and as long as he can rack up the saves, he's quality. And Mendoza will do that. I'd also keep an eye on Chad Fox. He's a huge longshot, but he's got good stuff. He's been very very injury-plagued throughout his career, but in the few seasons that he's pitched regularly, he's put up very good numbers. But I'd look for Mendoza to win the job first.

I also like John Lackey, the starting pitcher of the Anaheim Angels. He showed a lot in the postseason last year, and I think that he should have a very good year as part of that staff.

Other guys that you should watch are not really sleepers, but they can be lumped into that category. Ken Griffey, Jr. and Ivan Rodriguez have scared a lot of people off because of many injuries over the past few years. But both should be very healthy and should put up very very good numbers this year. Really the only downside to the both of them is that they both play in the National League, so if they do run into a small injury, they can't hide in the DH role. But both should still have extremely solid years. Mike Hampton can also be lumped into this category, even though his troubles have been caused by a climate rather than injuries. He'll rebound being part of that great Atlanta staff, and that good offense will bail him out of some jams. He'll have a good year.

As with all sleepers, it really depends on how deep your league is. If you have 20 teams, then some these guys are probably worth a late-round pick on draft day. But if you're in a small league, you should probably draft sure-fire producers and just keep an eye on these guys.

And by the way, the Nick Johnson will get the majority of the at-bats. The Yankees will try to move Rondell White and/or Raul Mondesi during Spring Training. But if they can't, Mondesi will start in right field, and Nick Johnson will be the DH. White will DH instead of Johnson only against left-handed pitchers. Todd Zeile, meanwhile, will play third base instead of Robin Ventura against left-handed pitchers. Other than that, White will play the outfield only to give players a rest. Unless an injury occurs, this is how it will be for the Yankees in 2003. Nick Johnson will play.

SmoothLikeNick · 03-07-2003, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dwolfson20
I'd say Mike MacDougal/Ryan Bukvich/Jeff Austin, but closing for the Royals won't exactly earn a lot of fantasy points.

Well, you can eliminate Austin from that picture.. he was dealt to the Reds in a 4-player minor league swap.

jmaness84 · 03-09-2003, 12:29 PM

Preston Wilson--- Coors Field

Mrexbaseball · 03-09-2003, 01:02 PM

Travis Hafner, 1B - Cleveland

JL47_DB55 · 03-10-2003, 02:08 PM

I am a Braves fan and the sleepers on the Braves are the following...

Marcus Giles
Russ Ortiz
Mike Hampton

I think that the guy that will have a bad year is the Dirty Byrd, but who knows. Sleeper Ortiz?? you may say, I think he's gonna go past 20 wins. Hampton is confortable finally, and the worst thing that could happen to him is an injury, anything he does this year will be better than his last 2!

02-28-2003, 03:54 PM	#1
marioh All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: NYC Posts: 1,162	Fantasy Baseball Sleepers ? We all know Vlad, A-Rod, Pedro (when healthy) will put up great fantasy baseball numbers, like they do just about every year. But what about this year's sleepers ? Players who are finally ready to break out and have big seasons. Rookies who'll compete for rookie of the year honors. Thoughts ?

02-28-2003, 04:56 PM	#2
Riverdawg Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodstock...not NY Posts: 198	Hampton. It may take a while, but by the end of the season, I think you'll see him using the Mazzone system to full effect. He'll be back to his norms this season. __________________ "The ball didn't do its job. I did my job. The ball didn't do its job," - Coca Crisp comments after he dropped a routine fly ball during a home opener for the Cleveland Indians on April 12, 2004.

02-28-2003, 08:41 PM	#3
Dxgarnett All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston Posts: 614	Kevin Millar. Matt Clement. Michael Tejera. The last 2 are my 2 favorite pitchers, so I'm kinda biased. Wow, just noticed that all three have been Marlins at one point in their career. __________________ Buckcheeks was here.

02-28-2003, 11:03 PM	#4
twins15 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Area 51 Posts: 4,792	This was said in the other thread, but I think Michael Cuddyer will have a big year. I think Matt Lecroy should be solid as well. __________________ "Ah man we're just hungry man" - Dovonte Edwards Bismarck Boy Scouts of the OTBL - league yes-man Ross Gload at baseball-reference.com Book Quotes and Book Lists

03-02-2003, 10:50 AM	#5
Dxgarnett All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston Posts: 614	^ Obviously a Twins Fan. I hate when fans of a certain team mention about 5-10 sleepers and half of them are from their favorite team. I have a friend that's a die hard Phillies fan, and he's talking about how David Bell, Marlon Byrd, Duckworht, etc etc are the sleepers. __________________ Buckcheeks was here.

03-02-2003, 12:44 PM	#6
ill16ca All Star Reserve Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Montreal Posts: 690	Vernon Wells, even though he did have 100 RBI's last season. Brad Wilkerson. David Ortiz? Mo Vaughn, again. Matt Clement. Tony Armas.

03-04-2003, 03:32 PM	#9
sixto Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 2,262	yes, it's sleepers, not "asleepers." some "asleepers" include rey ordonez, chris carpenter, carlos hernandez (the pitcher) and rusty greer.

03-05-2003, 12:10 PM	#10
jittokufoundling Bat Boy Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 10	I hate the Yankees, but Nick Johnson - .300-25-110, unless he gets traded in which case he'll immediately break his wrist or come down with some extremely rare disease or something.

03-05-2003, 11:59 PM	#14
jittokufoundling Bat Boy Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 10	Duckworth is an excellent sleeper. David Bell is the opposite of a sleeper - a guy who could end up with a line like .241-11-43.

03-06-2003, 12:09 AM	#15
Dwolfson20 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Not St. Louis Posts: 2,872	I'd say Mike MacDougal/Ryan Bukvich/Jeff Austin, but closing for the Royals won't exactly earn a lot of fantasy points. __________________

03-06-2003, 04:04 PM	#16
DiMaggio5CF All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 921	As far as sleepers go, I really like Josh Phelps. I am in several leagues, and in the two that have already drafted, Phelps was unpicked. He displayed a ton of power in his short stint with the Blue Jays last year. He doesn't have a fixed position, but he should move around enough to get the at-bats he needs to put together a very solid season. Juan Rivera is a very good sleeper, but only if the Yankees are able to trade Raul Mondesi. If Mondesi stays in the Bronx, he'll get the at-bats and Rivera will stay at AAA. I don't know if you can consider Jose Contreras and Hideki Matsui sleepers. Ironically, I think that Contreras is much better than Matsui, but I think that Matsui is a much better fantasy pick. The reason for this is that while Matsui won't do as well as he did in Japan, he will definitely play everyday. Contreras, meanwhile, will most likely start the season in the bullpen. The Yankees just have too many pitchers. Personally, I think that Jeff Weaver should be the odd-man-out, but Joe Torre has insisted that Weaver will be in the rotation. If Contreras gets into the rotation, pick him up. But right now, Matsui looks like a safer pick. Just don't expect him to hit .330 with 50 homeruns like he did in Japan. I also think that Carl Crawford should have a pretty decent year for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He won't hit for much power, but he should hit very close to .300 and the steals alone should be worth it. Also playing for Tampa Bay is relief pitcher Jesus Colome. He's in the running for the closer job, now that Esteban Yan is gone. Colome's numbers haven't been very good so far, and he's not currently leading the running. Control has been his biggest problem, but he throws smoke and has electric stuff. If he can harness some of that power, he'll be the new closer before long. Also in the closer role, I'd keep an eye on Ramiro Mendoza. As of right now, the Red Sox are going with a closer-by-committee. But history has told us that that probably won't last very long. Mendoza might be a starter, but he might also emerge as the closer. Mendoza is either very on, or very off, and I don't think that he'll be a particulary great closer. He'll blow a lot of games, but as far as closers go, as long as a guy has a decent ERA and WHIP, and as long as he can rack up the saves, he's quality. And Mendoza will do that. I'd also keep an eye on Chad Fox. He's a huge longshot, but he's got good stuff. He's been very very injury-plagued throughout his career, but in the few seasons that he's pitched regularly, he's put up very good numbers. But I'd look for Mendoza to win the job first. I also like John Lackey, the starting pitcher of the Anaheim Angels. He showed a lot in the postseason last year, and I think that he should have a very good year as part of that staff. Other guys that you should watch are not really sleepers, but they can be lumped into that category. Ken Griffey, Jr. and Ivan Rodriguez have scared a lot of people off because of many injuries over the past few years. But both should be very healthy and should put up very very good numbers this year. Really the only downside to the both of them is that they both play in the National League, so if they do run into a small injury, they can't hide in the DH role. But both should still have extremely solid years. Mike Hampton can also be lumped into this category, even though his troubles have been caused by a climate rather than injuries. He'll rebound being part of that great Atlanta staff, and that good offense will bail him out of some jams. He'll have a good year. As with all sleepers, it really depends on how deep your league is. If you have 20 teams, then some these guys are probably worth a late-round pick on draft day. But if you're in a small league, you should probably draft sure-fire producers and just keep an eye on these guys. And by the way, the Nick Johnson will get the majority of the at-bats. The Yankees will try to move Rondell White and/or Raul Mondesi during Spring Training. But if they can't, Mondesi will start in right field, and Nick Johnson will be the DH. White will DH instead of Johnson only against left-handed pitchers. Todd Zeile, meanwhile, will play third base instead of Robin Ventura against left-handed pitchers. Other than that, White will play the outfield only to give players a rest. Unless an injury occurs, this is how it will be for the Yankees in 2003. Nick Johnson will play.

03-09-2003, 12:29 PM	#18
jmaness84 All Star Starter Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,685	Preston Wilson--- Coors Field

03-09-2003, 01:02 PM	#19
Mrexbaseball Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 471 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	Travis Hafner, 1B - Cleveland

03-10-2003, 02:08 PM	#20
JL47_DB55 Bat Boy Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 7	I am a Braves fan and the sleepers on the Braves are the following... Marcus Giles Russ Ortiz Mike Hampton I think that the guy that will have a bad year is the Dirty Byrd, but who knows. Sleeper Ortiz?? you may say, I think he's gonna go past 20 wins. Hampton is confortable finally, and the worst thing that could happen to him is an injury, anything he does this year will be better than his last 2!