Fantasy Baseball 2012: 15 Sleeper Picks to Keep an Eye on During the Draft

As the great Billy Joel once said, "Every drunk must have his drink." In borrowing Mr. Joel's lingo, I'm going to say that every baseball nut must have his fantasy baseball fix, as it is a game that has little impact on reality, though some people (myself included) go nuts over it.

Seriously, folks. I have no shame in saying it. I LOVE FANTASY BASEBALL. From the trash-talking to the obsessive stat-checking, fantasy baseball brings out a joy so great that I may or may not already be scouting players to draft for this coming season's team.

I could go on and on about which superstars to pick or which players to avoid, but I want to talk about the little-known players that get picked and then go on to have monster seasons. That's right, I'm talking about sleeper picks, or obscure players whose great seasons could have a tremendous impact in the fantasy world. One big sleeper pick going into next season will be Jesus Montero of the New York Yankees, whose spectacular September turned a lot of heads.

Thus, let's give all the fantasy nuts their fix and look at 15 sleeper picks you should consider going into next year's draft.

15. Neil Walker, 2B, Pittsburgh Pirates

After hitting .296 with 12 home runs and 66 RBI in 110 games in 2010, Neil Walker slumped a bit during his first full season in 2011. He matched the home run total and had 83 RBI; but his batting average dipped to .273 and he struck out 112 times. However, don't count the man out just yet.

He may play for a team that is hit or miss when it comes to offense, but Walker has great sleeper potential seeing as how his Pittsburgh Pirates do seem to be on the road to improvement. More importantly, he is a switch-hitter who is patient at the plate.

With the pop in his bat and his ability at the plate, Walker is definitely someone who could be a solid pick if your draft is entering the middle rounds and you need some infield depth.

14. Jemile Weeks, 2B, Oakland A's

I'm going to make a bold statement right now, so anyone who disagrees may now get their hate mail pen ready. Jemile Weeks will lead the American League in steals in 2012.

The young second baseman hit .303 with 22 steals in 97 games last season, and his future as Oakland's switch-hitting leadoff man looks bright. Yet, his impatience at the plate could scare off some people in the draft room.

Still, Weeks is a player who could be due for a breakout year. He isn't a power hitter and won't get many runs batted in, but he has the potential to be a stolen base machine. If you need steals in the middle rounds of your draft, taking Weeks to shore up a utility spot may be a good idea.

13. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks

In 48 games for the Diamondbacks last season, Paul Goldschmidt hit .250 with eight home runs and 26 RBI.  Even if he did strike out a lot, expect nothing but big things for this kid in 2012. Why? Well, how about the fact that he has never played above Double-A ball?

Goldschmidt appeared in 103 games for Double-A Mobile last season and hit .306 with 30 home runs and 94 RBI while registering a .435 OBP. Whether or not he'll start at first base next season is unclear now that Arizona has re-signed Lyle Overbay, but the veteran will surely be a great mentor to this young phenom no matter who is starting at first.

If you need some power off the bench or even a first baseman, Goldschmidt could be your man.

12. Adam Lind, 1B/DH, Toronto Blue Jays

Adam Lind appeared to be on the rebound from his atrocious 2010 season, but went into a tailspin following last year's All-Star Break. In 125 games, the powerful lefty bat hit .251 with 26 home runs and 87 RBI. Those numbers are respectable but lose some luster due to his .295 OBP.

Still, as long as he stays healthy, Lind could be a great sleeper pick for any team. His home run swing is one of the best in the game, and fantasy managers looking for power could easily use a pick on him in the mid-to-late rounds. Yet those who do draft Lind should be prepared to take a hit on batting average and thus draft accordingly.

11. Jose Tabata, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates

Were it not for injuries, Jose Tabata would have been one of the NL's elite speedsters last season. In just 91 games, the 23-year-old stole 16 bases while batting .266 with a remarkable OBP of .349.

That being said, Tabata should only be drafted for two reasons: if you need steals or if you desperately need to shore up your outfield. He is a big risk to take, but if he stays healthy, his stats will pay great dividends in fantasy baseball.

10. Jason Kipnis, 2B, Cleveland Indians

If there's one man due for a breakout year in 2012, it's Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis. He appeared in 36 games last year and hit .272 with seven home runs and 19 RBI, not to mention five steals. In 92 games at Triple-A Columbus, the lefty batter hit .280 with 12 home runs, 55 RBI and 12 steals, cementing his status as a top prospect.

With the Indians looking to capitalize on last year's first-half successes, look for Kipnis to be the man that brings a jolt to the lineup. He'll hit for a good average, hit maybe 15 to 20 home runs and drive in 75 RBI.

Still, the fact remains that he's a young player, so tread softly when scouting this sleeper.

9. Brett Lawrie, 3B, Toronto Blue Jays

Brett Lawrie only appeared in 43 games for Toronto last season, but hit .293 with nine home runs and 25 RBI. Now let's take a look at his minor league statline of 2011: .347 batting average, 18 home runs, 62 RBI and 13 steals in a season mostly spent at Triple-A Las Vegas.

Given that, I think it's safe to say that Lawrie could be the sleeper of the draft for a team who needs help with, well, everything! The man is simply that good. Given how the Blue Jays' approach at the plate relies heavily on extra-base hits and home runs, Lawrie could find himself in line for a phenomenal season.

8. Allen Craig, RF, St. Louis Cardinals

First off, any fantasy owner that drafts Allen Craig should be ready to be patient. The World Series hero had knee surgery before Thanksgiving and is expected to be in recovery for four to six months. Still, he is due many at-bats upon his return as Lance Berkman is moving from right field to first base in the wake of Albert Pujols' departure.

In just 75 games last year, Craig hit .315 with 11 home runs and 40 RBI. Can you imagine what that would translate to in a full season's (or close to it) work? Either way, if his recovery goes all right, Craig could easily be a solid early-middle-round pick for teams needing both batting average and outfield depth.

7. Jesus Montero, C/DH, New York Yankees

It may seem premature to put Montero on this list, seeing as how he only has 18 major league games under his belt and is constantly brought up in trade talks. Yet, in those 18 games, Montero hit .328 with four home runs and 12 RBI and practically guaranteed himself a future with the team.

Just what Montero's role with the club will be remains to be seen, but it looks as though he will be the full-time DH for now. That being said, take Montero in the later rounds to round out your starting lineup and add some extra home runs to your stats.

6. Adam Wainwright, P, St. Louis Cardinals

Adam Wainwright had the misfortune of missing all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, so his fantasy stock naturally went down as a result. Still, I'm anticipating that Wainwright will come back with a vengeance.

Keep in mind, in the two years preceding his surgery, Wainwright went 39-19 with a 2.53 ERA and was a Cy Young Award finalist twice. That being said, I have a feeling that the tall righty will be even stronger upon his return in 2012 and when it comes time to draft, he can be a surprising late-round pickup.

5. Adam Dunn, DH/1B, Chicago White Sox

Out of all the players named on this list, Adam Dunn is the only one I expect to go undrafted. If he is drafted, he'll be taken in the very last round. Why such low stock? Well, in his first season in Chicago, Dunn had the worst season of his career, hitting .159 with 11 home runs and 42 RBI, all for the price of $14 million.

Still, I'm convinced that 2011 was just a fluke and that this year, Dunn will rise again and be smacking home runs left and right in U.S. Cellular Field. He has 40 home run power, and we all know that just doesn't disappear overnight, especially someone who has never been linked to steroids.

Thus, for home run power and nothing more, turn to Adam Dunn in 2012.

4. Mike Trout, OF, Los Angeles Angels

Angels top prospect Mike Trout came to the majors for a 40-game cup of coffee and hit .220 with five home runs and 16 RBI. That may not seem impressive, but his numbers from Double-A Arkansas show just how much potential the scrappy outfielder has.

In 91 games, Trout hit .326 with 11 home runs, 38 RBI and 33 steals and should be ready to crack the big league roster with a little help in spring training. The Angels really need a leadoff man, and Trout could be that and so much more.

Thus, if you need speed and feel like gambling on other offensive categories, Trout could be your man when it comes to the early middle rounds of your draft.

3. Ivan Nova, P, New York Yankees

For the second half of last season, it seemed as though Ivan Nova was unstoppable. On the year, he went 16-4 with a 3.70 ERA, and the only stat that left something to be desired was his WHIP, which was 1.33.

That being said, with his new approach, everything appears to be working in Nova's favor. He isn't an elite pitcher yet, but 2012 could very well be a Cy Young-caliber year for the Yankees' tall right-hander. I'm anticipating a run at 20 wins and lots of pats on the back after clutch starts.

As I said before, he isn't an elite pitcher. Yet, his popularity among Yankees fans ups his stock to the point where he could be taken at any point in the draft. If you want him badly, snag him early before the vultures can get to him.

2. Matt Moore, P, Tampa Bay Rays

If there's one sleeper who'll be taken early this year, it's Rays left-hander Matt Moore. He only appeared in three regular season games and posted a 1-0 record with a 2.89 ERA and 1.29 WHIP, but his stellar postseason start forever put him in the annals of team history. In that game, Game 1 of the ALDS against C.J. Wilson and a dangerous Rangers lineup, Moore threw seven shutout innings of two-hit ball while striking out six. The Rays won 9-0 in Texas and Moore was rewarded with a five-year, $14 million extension.

Moore isn't a conventional sleeper, but his limited MLB experience makes him one. As long as the Rays manage to keep it up on the offensive front, then Moore could be in line for a great first full-season. If your pitching rotation needs a lefty, grab Moore, and fast.

1. Bryce Harper, OF, Washington Nationals

Only patient fantasy owners need draft Bryce Harper, as his MLB debut date has yet to be announced or been determined. Still, the kid did so well down in the minors that it's hard to justify keeping him there for another season. He's only 19, but could be ready to make the big league roster by midseason.

That being said, if you're a fantasy manager that truly believes Harper will make his MLB debut in 2012, I would suggest putting off drafting him for as long as you can. In fantasy sports, the sad truth is that owners want players who are ready to go out and play immediately, not spend some time in the minors before being called up.

In this case, however, the Nationals may make an exception. Harper is simply too talented to pass up in both fantasy and reality drafts so if you owners out there don't mind a big powerful bat sitting on your bench inactive for a couple of months, then by all means draft Harper. Just remember what I said: no drafting him in the early or middle rounds.