2011 MLB Sleepers: From Arizona To Minnesota To New York and Beyond

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NEW YORK - AUGUST 01: Daniel Hudson #41 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the New York Mets at Citi Field on August 1, 2010 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Nick Laham/Getty Images

The 2011 baseball season is fast approaching.

Need a quick head start come draft day?

Here are five potential sleepers that could light a fire under your team and launch you into first place before you know it.

From pitchers to catchers to shortstops, wherever there's a hole in your team, this list can fill it.

SP Daniel Hudson, Arizona Diamondbacks

Nick Laham/Getty Images

Acquired from the White Sox in the Edwin Jackson deal, Daniel Hudson quickly established himself as one of the games rising stars, albeit quietly.

He posted a 1.69 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 11 starts with Arizona.

In his first full season with the Diamondbacks, expect Hudson to get to at least 15 wins.

SS Tsuyoshi Nishioka, Minnesota Twins

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 18: Tsuyoshi Nishioka # of the Minnesota Twins puts on his first Twins jersey during a press conference on December 18, 2010 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien /Getty Images)

Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

Nishioka, at 26-years-old, is the latest Japanese import to hit Major League Baseball.

In 2010, he hit .346 with 11 home runs and 59 RBI, while stealing 22 bases.

In eight seasons in Japan, Nishioka had a .293 career batting average and had 911 hits to his credit.

A supremely talented defensive shortstop, watch out for Nishioka to secure a starting spot in the vaunted Twins lineup. This will provide him with numerous opportunities not only to get on base, but to drive people in.

SP Jeremy Hellickson, Tampa Bay Rays

OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 20: Jeremy Hellickson #58 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on August 20, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

With Carl Crawford gone, the Rays are going to have to center their game around pitching.

Who better than Jeremy Hellickson?

Hellickson came up late last year and proved to be an instant spark to the team. Through his first 14 innings, Hellickson had 13 strikeouts, gave up two walks and only two earned runs against the Tigers and the Twins.

If given the chance, he can be the Rays version of Stephen Strasburg.

SP Ivan Nova, New York Yankees

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 25: Ivan Nova #47 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Boston Red Sox during their game on September 25, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

From the Dominican Republic, Ivan Nova came up with the Yankees last year and gave them innings when they needed them most.

He has been dominating winter ball and if given the opportunity to make the rotation for the Yankees, he should garner at least 10 wins behind the powerful Yankees offense.

LF/1B Logan Morrison, Florida Marlins

SAN FRANCISCO - JULY 29: Logan Morrison #20 of the Florida Marlins bats against the San Francisco Giants during an MLB game at AT&T Park on July 29, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Morrison quietly bursted onto the scene last season with the Marlins.

In 62 games, Morrison hit .283 with two home runs, 18 RBI, 20 doubles and three triples. However, he is deceptively quick not only with his feet, but with his bat as well.

He should make the Opening Day roster and hopefully can learn how to steal bases this year, maybe 30 doubles and 20 stolen bases?

Doesn't seem so far-fetched with this young, talented player that Florida is lucky to have.

At only 23-years-old, Morrison is on track to become one of the games brightest young stars.

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