Fantasy Baseball Sleepers 2012: Undervalued Hitters That Will Dominate

Drafting sluggers in the early rounds can serve as the foundation of a good fantasy baseball team, but it's the gems in the middle rounds that put a team into championship contention. Finding those blue-chip players is the difference between the haves and the have-nots.

Here are three players who will greatly exceed their preseason value, putting you on the road to fantasy glory in 2012.

Jason Heyward—Atlanta Braves

Heyward became a household name among sports fans when he hit a home run in his first career at-bat on Opening Day two years ago. He proceeded to have a rock-solid rookie season, which led many owners to take him early in 2011, only to watch him struggle mightily at the plate.

A nagging shoulder injury caused him to change his swing mechanics, and the results weren't pretty. His numbers dropped across the board, including some drastic downfalls in the 5x5 categories. Those issues have him dropped him a long way down the outfield rankings heading into this season.

That's why smart owners will bet on a bounce back campaign. He's nearing full health and still has a boatload of potential if he can stay on the field consistently. Look for him to put up numbers closer to what everybody was expecting last year, including more than 20 home runs.

And if he can stay healthy, that projection will end up on the low side.

Adam Dunn—Chicago White Sox

Last season was a complete disaster for Dunn, there's no way around that fact. He hit an astonishingly bad .159, and none of his supporting numbers were any prettier. He was previously a lock for at least 30 home runs, but finished with just 11.

Due to those extraordinary struggles, it's no surprise he's being treated like the plague in early drafts. Nobody wants to take on a chance on a player who couldn't make contact if his life depended on it at times last year.

This presents a terrific opportunity for owners who are willing to look at the big picture. Dunn averaged nearly 40 home runs in his previous seven full seasons and will still be playing half his games in one of MLB's top HR parks.

A mid-draft flier will pay huge dividends for those who take a chance Dunn.

Matt Wieters—Baltimore Orioles

A lot of people reading this article have probably been burned in the past by Wieters. He's been touted as the next big-hitting catcher since he debuted three years ago, but he hasn't lived up to the hype. That means he falls into the post-hype sleepers category for 2012.

The talent experts have been talking about is still there, but he's finally ready to take his game to the next level. He hit 14 home runs in 61 games after the All-Star break last season, and he should be able to parlay that late success into his first truly dominant season at the plate.

He's listed in the muddled middle of most catcher rankings, but don't be surprised when he puts it all together and finishes inside the top five at year's end. Instead of targeting an elite catcher, wait on Wieters and reap the benefits.

Even if you've been fooled by him in the past, give Wieters another chance this year. He'll make it worth your while.