2009 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers: Part I: American League

Do you ever get the feeling that you begin every sports season searching high and low to find the next Tim Lincecum, Steve Slaton, Carlos Quentin, and the countless other sleepers just to find out on draft day that everyone else in your league read the same 20 articles about the same fantasy sleepers? Sometimes these sleepers get so much hype they end up not being sleepers because you have to fight with everyone else to snag them before some legitimate fantasy studs come off the board.  Well so goes the dating world, everyone hopes to find that cute girl that may have that one flaw that keeps the other drooling men in the club from approaching her leaving her wide open for you...but think again fellas all guys think the same. Your approaching this girl after everyone else and more than likely using the same line complimenting that flaw. Hey, what can you do? NOTHING! 

Sometimes you have to just hope this is the one no one else believes it, or the one someone else skipped over. With that said I am going to attempt to compile a list of potential 2009 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers for you to steal in the later rounds on draft day that I think can turn into fantasy starters and potential studs. I will try my best to give you the best options while also naming players you won't hear of on other sites. 

But I can't promise you this article can help you score your next girlfriend although I can link you to something that can: "What Guys Do Wrong". Before we get started let's check in on my 2008 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers:

Called it: Jacoby Ellsbury, Evan Longoria, Josh Hamilton, Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, Ervin Santana, BJ Ryan, Brandon Lyon

Not So Much: Clay Buchholz, Ian Kennedy, Daric Barton, Jeff Clement 

Chris Davis, 22 - Texas Rangers (First Base + Third Base)

2008 By The Numbers: .284 avg, 17 HRs, 55 RBIs with 295 plate appearances

Davis was called up by the Rangers in June and started going bonkers hitting 10 home runs in his first 89 plate appearances. His age should be a concern as you can expect some bumps in the road with such a young player when it comes to 

plate discipline and consistency. The good news is he is playing in a very hitters friendly park. He could turn into a top 10 option at either corner infield spot as soon as

 this season. This isn't someone who is going to slip too far from where he is projected in the middle rounds but he may go unnoticed due to the depth at his position.

2009 Projected Stats: .265 avg, 28 HRs, 95 RBIs

Travis Snider, 20 - Toronto Blue Jays (Left Field)

2008 By The Numbers: .301 avg, 2 HRs, 13 RBIs with 73 plate appearances

Toronto called up Snider, their 2006 first-round pick, before he turned 21. Sometimes that means a team was so desperate they call up the nest in line or it means the player is too good to be in the minors. He began 2008 in Class A and finished in the big leagues. You can expect the strikeouts and inconsistent periods from the rookie but if he earns the starting job in left field come Spring Training this is a guy you can steal in the late rounds that can pay off huge.

2009 Projected Stats: .270 avg, 16 HRs, 70 RBIs

Frank Francisco, 29 - Texas Rangers (Relief Pitcher)

2008 By The Numbers: 3.13 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 5 Saves, 83 Ks in 63 innings

Francisco worked his way from the setup man role to the closer in 2008 striking out 83 batters in only 63 innings. In September he went 1-0 with 3 saves and a 0.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. He is the leading candidate to close for the Rangers barring a trade or signing of another closer. C.J. Wilson could still steal his closing role back as well. The Rangers have a great offense and he will get a decent number of save chances.

2009 Projected Stats: 3.50 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 27 Saves

Nelson Cruz, 28 - Texas Rangers (Right Field)

2008 By The Numbers: .330 avg, 7 HRs, 26 RBIs in 115 plate appearances

While in Triple-A Cruz hit .342 with 37 home runs, 24 steals, .429 OBP, and a .695 slugging percentage. During that span he struck out 87 times. When Cruz got the call to come up to the big club his hot bat didn't stop. Hit 7 home runs in 31 games and has been tearing up the Dominican Winter League. Said it before about another Ranger player, but Cruz hits in one of the best hitter parks in baseball. He is projected to hit cleanup behind Josh Hamilton so he will see his share of good pitches and if Chris Davis emerges like I predict he will be sitting in between two great hitters.

2009 Projected Stats: .260 avg, 25 HRs, 80 RBIs

Mike Aviles, 28 - Kansas City Royals (Second Base + Shortstop)

2008 By The Numbers: .324 avg, 10 HRs, 51 RBIs with 419 plate appearances

Some wouldn't consider Aviles a sleeper due to his 2008 performance but I place him here for the simple fact that the shortstop position is super thin this year and most people will rush to grab a shortstop while I think you can let that run pass and grab Aviles later in the draft and can see similar numbers to some of the shortstops taken early in the draft. Consider his month by month batting averages: June .330, July .330, August .339, September .308. You have to also consider getting double digit homers out of a middle infielder is not so easy to come by. His duel eligibility gives you some much needed flexibility in the middle infield.

2009 Projected Stats: .300 avg, 11 HRs, 70 RBIs

Kendry Morales, 25 - Los Angeles Angels (First Base + Left Field)

2008 By The Numbers: .213 avg, 3 HRs, 8 RBIs in 61 plate appearances

You can thank the NY Yankees for Morales' chance in the spot light. With Big Tex out of LA Morales slides right into the starting role. Morales hit .341 with 15 home runs in Triple-A. He qualifies in Left Field as well. If Morales plays up to his potential he showed in Cuba he could be a viable option.

2009 Projected Stats: .260 avg, 8 HRs, 40 RBIs

Also Consider: Matt Joyce, Brandon Wood, and Adam Lind

Coming Soon: 

2009 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers: Part II: National League

2009 Fantasy Baseball Rookie Report

2009 MLB Predictions