Fantasy Baseball Sleepers 2012: Under-the-Radar Youngsters Sure to Shine in 2012

One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a fantasy baseball owner is believing your team’s success hinges on where you pick in the draft. 

Sure, Albert Pujols and Matt Kemp will probably be gone by the time you pick at number 11 or 12, but let’s be honest: your first-round pick won’t win or lose you the championship. 

The big names are rarely worth the hype—just ask anyone who picked Hanley Ramirez or Carl Crawford in the top five last year.  It’s the subtle, under the radar guys, who hold the keys to your fantasy success.  Here are a few of these “other guys” I’m referring to:

Brett Lawrie, 3B, Toronto Blue Jays: This kid may not be under the radar for long.  The 22-year-old destroyed AL pitching (.293, 9 HR, 25 RBI) during his two months in the big leagues last season.  Now that he’s carved out a spot in the majors as Toronto’s starting third basemen, expect Lawrie to put up 20 to 25 homers with an average near .300 in his first full season.  Lawrie, who swiped 20 bags between his time in the majors and the minors last season, should be a consistent source for stolen bases as well.

Mike Stanton, OF Miami Marlins: Saying Stanton has “pop” is an understatement.  Stanton is a season away from being baseball’s new King Kong.  After a sophomore season that produced 34 homers in 150 games, the 22-year-old right fielder should have a chance to reach 40 homers in 2012.

Eric Hosmer, 1B, Kansas City Royals: Hosmer’s steady 2011 season (.293, 19 HR, 78 RBI) was a pleasant surprise for fantasy owners fortunate enough to pick him up midseason.  As the Royals young lineup continues to grow, Hosmer should get more and more opportunities to drive in runs out of the cleanup spot.  Pencil Hosmer in for a 90-RBI campaign this season and 20-plus homers.

Matt Moore, SP, Tampa Bay Rays: Moore made his major league debut on Sept. 14 against Baltimore.  Three weeks later he was starting Game 1 of the ALDS.  If that doesn’t tell you all you need to know about Moore, just know that he had a 1.92 ERA and 210 strikeouts in 155 innings in the minors last year.  Moore is here to stay.  Don’t be surprised to see the 22-year-old on the AL All-Star roster this July.

Jordan Walden, RP, Los Angeles Angels: Walden was quietly one of the better closers in baseball last year, tallying 32 saves in his first season in the majors.  With Jered Weaver, C.J. Wilson and Dan Haren in the fold, Walden should get plenty of opportunities to close out games for Los Angeles.  If Walden can cut down on the blown saves (10 in 2011), he could be a top-10 closer this year.