Fantasy Baseball Sleepers 2012: Trendy Pitchers You Should Avoid at All Costs

The fantasy baseball season has just begun, and there is still time to get rid of some trendy players who will tank in order to have the best team in your league.

In many leagues, pitchers put up the most points on a nightly basis, which makes it crucial to have the right pitchers and just as important to avoid the bad ones.

Pitchers are somewhat similar to quarterbacks during the draft process, in that people reach to get a certain pitcher.

The strategy proves to be risky and can either help you win your league or lose it.

Injuries, new teams or just a bad year all occur every season and plagues fantasy owners who must decide to either be patient or cut bait.

Ultimately, there will be busts in 2012. Fantasy owners should be wary of pitchers who could have Josh Johnson or Francisco Liriano 2011-type seasons.

To win your league, avoid these pitchers who show signs of being a bust.

C.J. Wilson

C.J. Wilson proved his worth to the Texas Rangers during the last two regular seasons and postseasons.

Wilson recorded two straight seasons of 15 or more wins while starting over 30 games and posting an ERA under 3.50.

He's also won his first two starts in 2012.

Why then does he make the list?

Wilson's pitching over the last few years earned him a smooth 5-year $77.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim over the offseason.

There are more examples of pitchers coming off a huge contract that bust like Barry Zito, Mike Hampton and Johan Santana than guys like Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee who have been virtually unhittable in Philadelphia.

Wilson also moved from Arlington, TX to Los Angeles. Media attention and fan scrutiny will be more severe in Los Angeles which will be an adjustment for Wilson.

The Angels have gotten off to a rough start, and fans will be expecting results from the team shortly.

Look for the new team and increased pressure to affect Wilson in the 2012 season.

Matt Moore

Matt Moore burst on the scene in 2011 when he pitched seven shutout innings of two-hit ball to earn a win in his first career playoff start.

Moore features a blazing fastball and a disappearing curveball to make him a prototypical strikeout pitcher.

However, Moore started just one game at the major league level in 2011.

He's dominated the minor leagues but has not proven it at the highest level yet.

Moore will face an adjustment period now as teams will have film to prepare for the lefty. He's going to just have to get used to the daily procedures of being an MLB player.

Moore's been shaky in his first two starts. He only allowed two runs in his first start but also walked five batters. In his second start he allowed six earned runs and walked four more batters.

People expecting a David Price-type season from Moore should be hesitant and realize it's going to take the kid some time before he becomes worth drafting.

Jair Jurrjens

Jair Jurrjens got off to a brilliant start in the first half of 2011. His ERA was below two, and he made his first appearance in the All-Star Game.

The second half of 2012 was much rougher on Jurrjens, physically and mentally. He dealt with a knee injury which affected him when he pushed off the mound.

He rushed himself back multiple times and didn't have the same movement or location on his pitches.

The reviews coming out of spring training pointed towards him being fully healthy, so fans are selecting Jurrjens mid-rounds.

However, Jurrjens lacks a strikeout pitch, so he has to be nearly perfect with his placement. He also pitches to contact and his ERA has ballooned to eight as a result.

People are betting on Jurrjens to have an entire season like his first half last year.

However, he is not a dominant pitcher and struggles to put away batters. It adds up on his pitch count and mentally wears the pitcher down.

Stephen Strasburg

The pitchers so far have been risky due to a new contract/new team, an unproven rookie and a pitcher that lacks dominance.

Stephen Strasburg is solely on this list because of his injury risk.

Everyone knows that Strasburg's stuff is unlike any other pitcher in baseball. The ceiling for Strasburg is enormous, and fans of the game hope he can stay healthy.

It's a big if though.

Strasburg is coming off Tommy John surgery which caused him to miss the entire 2011 season. He throws at such a high velocity and snaps his curveball with such force that he puts an incredible amount of pressure on his right arm.

Strasburg came into the major leagues and relied on his curveball too much. He has a great fastball and should utilize it.

This could help him stay away from the disabled lists, but Strasburg is too risky of a player to base your fantasy season on.