Low Risk, High Reward: Fantasy Baseball Sleepers

Well, opening day has finally come and passed, thankfully it's a long season and with the MLB comes fantasy baseball. Personally I favor Yahoo Leagues and if you favor them as well then there should be plenty of oppurtunities to strengthen your team.

Impact Rookies:

Evan Longoria(3B, TB): If you haven't heard of him then start checking him out. Expected by many to be the next big deal he had an awesome spring(1.002 OPS, 3 HRs) and should hit the bigs sometime in May. Keep your eye open for his debut and if you can snatch him up it could be a low risk, high reward oppurtunity for any fantasy team.

Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, and Ian Kennedy(NY, Pitchers): The Big Three, as my friends over at River Ave. Blues love to call them. Why break them down? Chances are Joba and Phil are already taken, but if they're not grab them, both are highly touted and projected to be #1 pitchers at best and #3 at worst. Joba starts the year in the pen but sticking him in as a reliever won't hurt because he strikes out tons of batters and barely lets up a hit. Ian Kennedy gets the least amount of plublicity to say the least but he will probably be aloud to pitch close to 200 innings this year and is probably the most composed pitcher of the three. If these kids can live up to their expectations and pitch close to what their small samplings were last season they should be nothing but successful with the Yankees destructive line-up there to back them up.

The Vets:

Nick Johnson (1B, WAS): After a year's hiatus due to a broken leg Johnson iss back and we can expect him to make an impact after beating out Dmitri Young for the starting first base job. Johnson is already off to a great start and I expect him to keep chugging along. If he stays hot/healthy he should be good for a .300-20-100 season and he bats in the heart of a lineup thats only getting better.

Frank Thomas (DH, TOR): The Big Hurt. The guys getting old but he's still got it and will probably drive in a lot of runs for the Jays this year. He's worth the risk if you're desperate for some power.

Kerry Wood (CL, CHI/NL): Once counted among the best but career destroyed by injuries. If he can stay healthy and handle the pressure of being a closer this guy has the stuff to rake.

Mark Prior (SP, SD): This guy was supposed to be great and for a while it looked like he was, and for all anybody can tell he could still be great but only time will tell. He has a chance to prove his worth this year and should be joining a phenomenal rotation by June. Injuries to SPs happen and chances are your fantasy team has suffered because of them in the past, if you need a guy to fill a spot, take a chance on Prior when he comes back.

Shelley Duncan (1B/OF, NYY): Chances are Jason Giambi won't stay healthy and if he falters, and I think he will, Duncan will have the chance to prove his worth. In 74 ABs last season Shelley had 7 HRs and 17 RBIs. This guys a high intensity player who could get 500 ABs this season and don't be surprised if he belts 25-30 HRs if he does. Pay attention and if he gets a chance then he could add power to a needy fantasy roster.

Kevin Kouzmanoff (3B, SD): .317-11-37 after the All-Star Break last year, should bat 3rd in the lineup and his numbers should continue to go up.

That's all I've got for now. Keep you're eyes open and you may be able to turn your mediocre team into your leagues envy.