Fantasy Baseball Draft Strategy: Best Late-Round Bets for Cheap Steals

In a fantasy baseball world where home runs and RBI are (always) all the rage, it can be easy to overlook the value of the stolen base.

But, if you want to be the Billy Beane of fantasy sports, then you'd be wise to exploit the inefficiencies in the market around guys who swipe bags like it's their job...because it is.

Picking up any one of these MLB speed demons would be an excellent step in that direction.

Emilio Bonifacio

The Miami Marlins should be among the most steal-happy teams in the Major Leagues this season now that they have Jose Reyes atop the lineup and Ozzie Guillen calling the shots from the dugout.

But if you're looking for a real steal on South Beach, then check out Emilio Bonifacio. The 27-year-old centerfield snagged 40 bags, hit .296 and scored 78 runs last season.

He'll have plenty more opportunities to run, run and run some more while hitting behind Reyes and ahead of Hanley Ramirez and (the newly-renamed) Giancarlo Stanton in a stacked lineup.

Dee Gordon

Not so keen to add an established star? How about Dee Gordon then?

The son of former star closer Tom "Flash" Gordon established himself as the Dodgers' starting shortstop of the future last season when he hit .304 and stole 24 bases in just 233 plate appearances.

"Flash Jr." doesn't walk much, though he's hardly one to strike out (27 K's in 2011) and is always a threat to leg out a weak grounder or a bunt for an infield hit.

And once Gordon's on the basepaths, he has the sort of world-class speed to wreak havoc on the way to home plate.

Jason Bourgeois

Speed is the name of the game for Jason Bourgeois. The 30-year-old utility player racked up 31 steals in 252 trips to the plate with the Houston Astros last season and is off to a flying start in spring training with the Kansas City Royals, for whom he's already snagged five bags.

Bourgeois' ability to play in the outfield and at second base should allow him to sneak his way into the lineup more often than not, even with Lorenzo Cain as the hot new name in center and Chris Getz and Yuniesky Betancourt vying for time in the infield.

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