Fantasy Baseball Sleepers 2012: Underrated Sluggers to Steal Late in Drafts

Spring training officially got underway over the weekend, which means it's time to starting preparing for fantasy baseball drafts. Everybody knows the usual suspects that will dominate the first handful of rounds, but it's the sleepers selected later on who are the keys to a championship team.

Here are three undervalued hitters worth picking in the middle or late rounds who will provide tremendous value to any fantasy team.

Adam Lind

Lind doesn't get nearly enough respect, mostly because he plays a first base position where there are so many power hits. Still, he has hit at least 23 home runs in three straight seasons, including 35 during his breakout 2009 campaign.

His batting average has left a lot to be desired over the past couple years, but there's reason for optimism in that department because bad luck played a key role in his struggles. A low BABIP has translated into an average well below what it really should be.

If he's able to get some more lucky bounces, like he did earlier in his career, his average should rebound toward more respectable levels. Paired with his usual pop, he'll be an inexpensive option at first base who will produce like an early-round pick.

Jeff Francoeur

It shouldn't be a surprise Francoeur's 20-20 season didn't make waves last season since he plays for the lowly Kansas City Royals. That said, when drafting a fantasy team that doesn't matter in the least. He's coming off the most complete season of his career and is still just 28.

His average likely won't continue to hover around .285, but the rest of his numbers are sustainable. He's remarkably durable, which means more often than not he'll be out there producing something every single week. It's not something to overlook in fantasy leagues.

Since the Royals lack depth, he will play a prominent role in the offense and should hit in a marquee spot in the order. People still connect him to some poor seasons in Atlanta, but he's a completely different player now—one worth drafting in the late rounds.

Geovany Soto

The catcher position is always tough to prepare for because if you miss out on the top names, there's a lot of uncertainty. That's why it's important to focus in on a player who can at least help in one category, whether it be average or home runs.

In Soto's case, you can rely on his power. He has hit at least 17 long balls in three of the past four years despite a myriad of injuries. If he could ever put together a complete season, 25 home runs would be completely within reason.

Unlikely previous seasons there isn't much hype surrounding him, likely because owners have grown tired of his injury woes. That provides an opportunity for savvy owners to sneak him onto their roster late. Since the position is so weak, the payoff should be enormous.