Fantasy Baseball Sleepers 2012: First Basemen Who Will Surpass Expectations

These first basemen are ready to explode into big-time sluggers. That means they will never be a better value in fantasy drafts than they are right now.

Here are three sleepers at first base who will pay big dividends. 

Eric Hosmer, 1B, Royals

The 22-year-old Hosmer is a natural born hitter. He has solid power, good bat control and excellent plate coverage.  

He started last year in Triple-A and fit right in when he got the call-up. In 523 major league at-bats he hit .293 with 78 RBI and 18 homers.

Hosmer has looked fantastic in spring training. It is realistic to expect a .300 average and 20-25 home runs for Hosmer.

Freddie Freeman, 1B, Atlanta Braves

Freeman turned in a solid rookie campaign with the Braves last season. He hit .282, jacked 21 home runs and drove in 76 RBI.

He did have a bit of an issue of whiffing, though. He struck out 142 times. That is a number you expect to improve as he acclimates to major league pitching. 

Freeman warmed up as spring training progressed, and he clearly looks like he is ready to go. He should be ready for a solid year, and a .290 avg., 25-30 home run and 100 RBI year is a realistic expectation. 

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks 

The 24-year-old Goldschmidt is the least major league tested player on this list.  

He had just 156 major league at-bats last season. In those plate appearances he hit .250, belted eight home runs and had 26 RBI. He also scored 28 runs. 

These are solid numbers for a player getting their first taste of major league pitching. And they will improve as he plays everyday. The guy can hit. 

Before his call-up, he was torching Double-A pitching to the tune of .306, 30 home runs and an OPS of 1.061.

Goldschmidt will undoubtedly suffer some slumps and growing pains this year, but he will put up some numbers in the process. A .270 average with 25-30 home runs is well within reach.