Post by bobroberts on Sept 2, 2009 10:57:29 GMT -5
With the 09 season winding down, next year is right around the corner. So who are your early predictions for sleepers next year? By sleepers, I mean a player who is drafted in the late rounds, but produces like an early round draft pick, i.e. Zach Grenkie, Nelson Cruz, Kendre Moranlas, etc. were all great sleeper picks last year.
My early guesses
Rajai Davis OF Oakland As
Davis got off to a slow start to being this season, but he's turning it on as of late. For the year he's batting .293 and has stolen 30 bases so far. There's not much power to Davis's game, but he is a leadoff hitter who should give you a .300 average, 35-40 SB and 60 runs. Draft him as a 5th outfielder and you'll get great value from him.
Clay Buchholz SP Boston Redsox
Buchholz has great stuff and will have a great offensive behide him. He's been off and on this year, but I see him putting it together next year and becoming Boston's number 2 starter. He already has a MB no-hitter under his belt, so the stuff in there. My only fear about Buchholz is that fantasy pundits will tout him as a sleeper, thus not making him a sleeper at all. If you can get Buchholz in round 12 or later, jump all over it.
Brian Matusz SP Baltimore Os
Matusz has 4 plus pitches and is pretty much guarteed a spot in the Os rotation next year. I'd avoid drafting him in 12 team leagues, but keep an eye on him if you're in deeper leagues. And if you're in a deep keeper league and Matusz is available, pick him up immediately.
Travis Snider OF Toronto Blue Jays
Snider has struggled at the MLB level this season, but he destroyed minor league pitching and had a successful MLB cup of coffee late last year. As with Buchholz, I fear fantasy pundits will be high on Snider as a sleeper next year, so he may be drafted higher then I would project him to be.
Juan Gutierez RP Arizona Diamondbacks
Another guy who shouldn't be drafted in 12 team leagues, but you should still keep an eye on this guy. He's being groomed as the D-Backs future closer and if you're like me and never draft closers, Gutierez could be a great mid-season pickup next year. Chad Quills has been okay this year, but Gutierez should take over the closing duties next year.
My early guesses
Rajai Davis OF Oakland As
Davis got off to a slow start to being this season, but he's turning it on as of late. For the year he's batting .293 and has stolen 30 bases so far. There's not much power to Davis's game, but he is a leadoff hitter who should give you a .300 average, 35-40 SB and 60 runs. Draft him as a 5th outfielder and you'll get great value from him.
Clay Buchholz SP Boston Redsox
Buchholz has great stuff and will have a great offensive behide him. He's been off and on this year, but I see him putting it together next year and becoming Boston's number 2 starter. He already has a MB no-hitter under his belt, so the stuff in there. My only fear about Buchholz is that fantasy pundits will tout him as a sleeper, thus not making him a sleeper at all. If you can get Buchholz in round 12 or later, jump all over it.
Brian Matusz SP Baltimore Os
Matusz has 4 plus pitches and is pretty much guarteed a spot in the Os rotation next year. I'd avoid drafting him in 12 team leagues, but keep an eye on him if you're in deeper leagues. And if you're in a deep keeper league and Matusz is available, pick him up immediately.
Travis Snider OF Toronto Blue Jays
Snider has struggled at the MLB level this season, but he destroyed minor league pitching and had a successful MLB cup of coffee late last year. As with Buchholz, I fear fantasy pundits will be high on Snider as a sleeper next year, so he may be drafted higher then I would project him to be.
Juan Gutierez RP Arizona Diamondbacks
Another guy who shouldn't be drafted in 12 team leagues, but you should still keep an eye on this guy. He's being groomed as the D-Backs future closer and if you're like me and never draft closers, Gutierez could be a great mid-season pickup next year. Chad Quills has been okay this year, but Gutierez should take over the closing duties next year.
