Fantasy Baseball Sleepers 2012: 3 Relievers-Turned-Starters Who Will Shine

I had the best rotation in my fantasy league last year, and it wasn't just because I snagged Jered Weaver and Cole Hamels after the first wave of pitchers were taken, or because I hosed one of my buddies and landed Justin Verlander via a trade early in the year.

It wasn't just because I found gems like Michael Pineda and Justin Masterson via waivers early on.

No, it was also because a guy many people had never heard of, Alexi Ogando, gave me quality starts all year, and all it took to get him was an early-season waiver claim.

Ogando made the transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation last year, finishing 13-8 with a 3.51 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 126 strikeouts. As a sixth starter on my fantasy team, he was a valuable contributor.

So which relievers-turned-starters can help your team this year?

Let's take a look.

Neftali Feliz, Texas Rangers

Feliz has the stuff to be an excellent starting pitcher and could be an excellent middle-round option for your fantasy team.

The closer last year, Feliz has found a spot in the rotation with C.J. Wilson departing and Joe Nathan signed to take over closer duties.

Plus, if there were ever a team that knows how to handle the reliever-to-start transition, it is Texas. Feliz will give you limited innings but should offer a high strikeout rate and solid ERA, WHIP and win totals. Snag him late for the bottom of your fantasy rotation and reap the rewards.

Daniel Bard, Red Sox

The setup man for the Sox last year, Bard has a repertoire of four pitches—led by an excellent fastball and developing changeup—that should serve him well as a starter.

Like Feliz, he isn't a player you want to draft anywhere but in the later rounds, but he could be an absolute steal if he continues to progress as a starter. The one area Bard could potentially help your team is in the wins category, given the Red Sox dynamic offense.

Bard's upside as a converted starter is C.J. Wilson. He's worth a look if he makes the Red Sox rotation.

Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox

Sale's transition to a starting role has been understandably inconsistent. He's gotten hit around in some starts, but he also showed his potential as a starter, holding the Reds to only two hits and no runs in a six-inning outing a week ago.

With a fastball in the mid-90s, a very good slider and a solid changeup, Sales has starter's stuff and could provide your team with a lot of strikeouts, even in the to-be-expected limited innings he'll get transitioning to the rotation.

Sale has a stud's ceiling at a scrub's price. Take a chance on him.

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