Fantasy Baseball: 5 MLB Sleeper/Breakout Players

Here are some sleeper and breakout players for you to consider before entering your 2012 drafts. We will have more for you to add to your cheat sheets before the regular season begins… 

1. Paul Goldschmidt-1B-Diamondbacks- The 6′ 3″ 245 lb. 23 year old has enormous potential and his power makes him a sleeper candidate this season. After being called up last August, his home runs averaged 419′. This is his brief major league line after the August call-up: 156 AB, 28 R, 8 HR, 26 RBI, 4 SB, .250 AVG. And this is his 2011 Minor League Double A Stats: 366 AB, 84 R, 30 HR, 94 RBI, 9 SB, .306 AVG. He’s been going at around 140-150 ADP in mock drafts so he’s getting noticed already.

#44 1B Paul Goldschmidt's upside is limitless in the upcoming season. Look for 90-30-90-15 when all is said and done. Photo: Matt Kartozian, US Presswire

2. Dee Gordon-SS-Dodgers- Arguably the fastest man in Baseball, Gordon, the Dodgers lead off hitter this season, flashed his dazzling speed after he was called up to the Majors with 24 stolen bases in just 224 AB. He had 30 thefts in the minor leagues (triple A) in 288 AB and in both leagues batted over .300. He’s poised to  steal close to 50 bags this season and with that amount of upside, has been going in the 4th to 5th rounds in Mock Drafts. If you don’t snag him that early, don’t panic, there’s another serviceable speedster in Elvis Andrus.

#9 Dee Gordon has a chance to be among the league leaders in steals and triples this season. Photo: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

3. Lucas Duda-OF/1B-Mets- Having dual position eligibility, Duda, Carlos Beltran’s replacement, is a quiet sleeper-in-waiting. He was the 26th ranked outfielder post All-Star break last year. If you take his numbers over a whole season, he would have had 26 home runs and over 100 RBI’s. His home run total is destined to climb higher as the fences at Citi Field are coming in this season. He’s currently going at around 230 ADP.

Look for #21 Lucas Duda to pick up where he left off last season and finish with 25-30 HR's. Photo: Michael G. Baron

4. Matt Moore-SP-Rays- This 23 year old relief pitcher started two games last year and won them both! He had the daunting task of starting his first major league game against the mighty N.Y. Yankees and pitched a 5 inning gem, striking out 11, walking 1, and not allowing a run. His 2nd game was in the first game of the ALDS vs the Texas Rangers. He pitched a 7 inning- 2 hit shut-out  striking out 6. A sleeper in every sense of the word, you’ll need to be mindful that Moore will be working on an inning cap of between 150-170. He’s going at 100 ADP.

#55 Tampa Bay Rays lefty sleeper SP Matt Moore has tremendous potential to become a pitching stud this season. Photo: Tony Gutierrez/associated press

5. Jason Motte-RP-Cardinals-  Motte finished the season as the Cardinals closer and in September and October, (including the playoffs), he had 13 saves, 2 W, and just one lone BS. He finished the season with almost a strikeout per inning (63K’s in 68 IP) to go along with a 2.25 era and a 0.96 WHIP. In his career he has 188 K’s in 187 innings so we know his control is consistent. The Cards may not score as many runs this year without superstar Albert Pujols in the lineup, but they’ll still win their share of games. We have Motte finishing the season with around 25-30 saves.

#30 Cardinals closer Jason Motte (trying to emulate S.F. closer Brian Wilson's beard), should have a breakout season in '12. Photo: Reuters/Ray Stubblebine

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Written by the Fantasy Furnace, Content Partner

Writer and editor at fantasyfurnace.com. Sports and fantasy sports; profiles, analysis and advice, including tips for managing winning leagues.
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