Top 10 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers

It's that time again. Time to take out the trusty pen and pad for a long preparation for that fantasy baseball draft.

Of course, the usual guys that everyone wants will be gone in the first few rounds: Albert Pujols, Tim Lincecum, CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, Brandon Webb, and Chipper Jones, just to name a few.

But what do you do when your in the latter rounds when the choices aren't so obvious and you got a few critical holes that you neglected to address? Here are some sleeper choices to consider.

1) Matt Cain

Playing in a very weak NL West, its hard not to pick a pitcher from this division. Ballparks are huge and offenses constantly struggle. Matt Cain's 3.76 ERA in 2008 deserves some merit despite the 8-14 record.

Giants' new faster and younger offense should bode well and will help Cain put up more wins.

2) Ryan Zimmerman

The Nationals' third baseman's picked up right where he left off after his brilliant sophomore campaign. His injury last season hampered what could have been a career year. However, there is no reason he shouldn't dazzle with the stick this season. He now has some protection in the Giant, formerly known as Adam Dunn.

He will slip down quite a bit just because there are other options which people can't pass on, namely Evan Longoria, Chipper Jones, David Wright, and Troy Glaus.

Count on Zimmerman to drive in a good amount of runs and hit close to as many home runs as these top 3B.

3) Nick Markakis

The right fielder for the Orioles is one of the few bright spots on the squad. He should benefit from the Orioles signing Brian Roberts to an extension. He is the future of the franchise, and what a bright future he has. He's got power, speed, and hits for average.

He hit 20 or more homers each of the last two seasons while posting .300 or better averages the last two seasons. There are a number of other OF options that will most likely go ahead of him in the draft. 

Markakis is an excellent OF option for his 5 tool capability. He is primed and ready for a breakout year.

4) John Danks

Although Danks only collected 12 wins in 2008, he has shown a lot of heart in his rookie campaign and has great stuff. He's not a true ace but a pitcher who will help you in multiple categories and can handle the grind of a 30-32 start season. Look for him to log at least 200 innings in his 3rd season in the bigs.

To top that, he's got a great offense which should equal plenty of wins in 2009.

5) Jon Lester

Surprising how late Lester was around. In my league, he slipped down to round eight where I ended up taking him. People seem to have forgotten he is a lefty pitching in Fenway Park where the big monster keeps a lot in.

That is coupled with the fact that he's got one of the best offenses to back him up. He won 16 last year and is an early personal favorite to win the Cy Young this season.

6) Stephen Drew

One of the best young shortstops who doesn't get a lot of attention. He is the healthier of the Drew brothers. Sweet swinging Stephen Drew hits for pop, had 20 homers last season, and there's no reason to believe he can't do that again this season.

He slipped to about the ninth round in my league, so he will be around once all the other shortstops are gone, since there are a lot of them...Jimmy Rollins, Hanley Ramirez, Yunel Escobar, Michael Young, Jhonny Peralta, and Derek Jeter to name a few.

7) Josh Anderson

You need speed? He will be your man. He probably won't get picked in the draft so you can pick him up later. He is most likely to get the starting job in Atlanta with Gregor Blanco struggling and failing to provide leadoff type numbers.

Furthermore the Braves need speed, and Anderson has the potential to put up Jacoby Ellsbury-like numbers. Anderson will get the nod unless he absolutely stinks in the spring. He's a guy to keep an eye on throughout spring training.

8) Max Scherzer

Mad Max is definitely a pickup in the late rounds. He is sure to get a spot in the Diamondbacks rotation and many will be hesitant to pick him up because of the lack of innings.

However, even if babied, he should get at least 20-25 starts this season, and with his stuff, that equals lots of strikeouts.

9) Brian Wilson

He is sure to be around in the late rounds. With a young pitching staff and an offense which likely won't score six runs a game, there will be a lot of save opportunities. Wilson notched 41 saves last season.

The earliest he'll go is the 13th or 14th round. In my league, he went 17th. He holds tremendous value as far as closers go.

10) Joakim Soria

While others are hurrying away and drafting top closers like Jonathan Papelbon, JJ Putz, Brad Lidge, Mariano Rivera, etc. you can relax and address your other needs first as Soria should be around well into the 10th round or even later.

He, like Brian Wilson is another closer who is very underrated. He pitches for the Royals so he won't get a lot when it comes to saves, but the ones that he does get he is almost automatic, not to metion he was an All-Star in 2008 and rightfully so.

If the Royals don't contend by the deadline, he will more than likely get shipped off for players to contenders needing to strengthen their bullpen. This will only help his value. Great potential here.

So there you have it. All of these guys hold great value. Most of them will be around in the 10th or later rounds in most leagues. Draft with confidence.