Fantasy Baseball Sleepers 2012: Undervalued Stars Guaranteed to Dominate

Some players just don't get the respect they deserve when it comes to what they can bring to the table for a fantasy baseball team.

Everyone knows the fantasy stars, but you need more than one or two stars to win a fantasy baseball league. The trick is to seek out the players who are being overlooked for various reasons.

If you get them, you've done well. If you get lucky, you'll win.

If you want to know which undervalued stars you should be looking for, you've come to the right place. I've got a list of five guys who absolutely have to be on your radar.

5. Anibal Sanchez, SP, Miami Marlins

Anibal Sanchez will be overlooked in your fantasy draft because he went 8-9 with an unspectacular ERA and a high WHIP last season.

Never mind that stuff. What matters when it comes to Sanchez is his strikeout potential. He had a career-high 9.26 K/9 last season. Believe it or not, that was also the fourth-highest K/9 in the league last year. Sanchez struck out hitters at a better rate than guys like Cliff Lee and Tim Lincecum.

Now look at what Sanchez is dealing with this season. He'll be pitching with a much-improved offense at his back, and he'll be pitching in an NL East that features a couple really weak lineups.

So if Sanchez did exactly what he did in 2011 again in 2012, he's a lock for right about 15 wins and 200 strikeouts, and his ERA won't climb any higher than the mid 3.00s. You'll be able to get him as a No. 3 or a No. 4 starter, but those numbers will make him a No. 2.

4. Freddie Freeman, 1B, Atlanta Braves

Freddie Freeman is widely regarded as nothing more than a backup first base option. At best, he's a utility player, and not a very good one at that.

You can see why this is the perception when it comes to Freeman. He had a decent rookie season in 2011, but 21 home runs and 76 RBI are only worth so much in fantasy.

What people are ignoring is the fact that Freeman hasn't peaked yet. He hit for average and power in the minors, and he has the goods to hit for average and power in the majors.

Freeman will have to be more selective this season, as he didn't walk enough and he struck out too often in 2011. However, he was money when he put the ball in play, posting a .339 BABIP.

If Freeman waits for his pitches this season, he'll hit the 30-homer plateau with ease, and he'll drive in 100-plus runs. You'll be able to draft him as a backup, but he has the potential to be a starting first baseman.

3. Emilio Bonifacio, 3B/SS/OF, Miami Marlins

Very quietly, Emilio Bonifacio was one of the most valuable players in fantasy last season, as he hit over .300 and stole 40 bases with eligibility at several different positions.

Bonifacio still has multi-position eligibility, and that's certainly a huge asset. Beyond that, it's a good bet that Bonifacio will be able to repeat what he did last season, and he could be even better.

Bonifacio is going to bat second in Miami's lineup in between Jose Reyes and Hanley Ramirez. He's therefore going to have more RBI opportunities than he ever did in 2011, and Ramirez will give him the protection he needs to hit like he did last season. Once he gets on base, Bonifacio will have the green light.

So in Bonifacio, you're looking at a guy with unparalleled versatility who will produce in every category but home runs. 

2. Desmond Jennings, OF, Tampa Bay Rays

Desmond Jennings has been a bit banged up this spring, but I wouldn't worry about that. He has a sore right arm, yet the latest report from the Rays' official site made it sound like it was nothing serious.

Jennings was on the radar of fantasy owners everywhere for a couple seasons, and he finally got the call to play full time in 2011. He responded by hitting 10 home runs and stealing 20 bases in just 63 games.

Jennings has a skill set similar to that of Carl Crawford, except with more power potential. He made that much clear when he hit .333 with seven home runs last August. Jennings won't stay that hot all season, but he's a legit candidate to finish the season with a solid batting average, 25 home runs and roughly 40 stolen bases.

If you're in a keeper league, Jennings should be one of the first guys on your wish list. He's going to be great in 2012, but the best will be yet to come.

1. Madison Bumgarner, SP, San Francisco Giants

You get the sense that Madison Bumgarner is being viewed as a solid No. 3 fantasy starter. 

He's not. He's a No. 1. 

Bumgarner had an unspectacular 13-13 record last season with a decent 3.21 ERA, but he has it in him to be much better than that. His FIP of 2.67 was the fourth-best mark in the league, and he also had a K/9 of 8.40 and a BB/9 of 2.02. Numbers like those put him in ace territory.

All Bumgarner needs in 2012 is better luck. When he gets it, he'll be the best starting pitcher on the Giants, and one of the top starters in the National League.