This list highlights the top ten sleepers at shortstop for the 2013 MLB season. My fantasy sleeper lists contain players that I believe will strongly outperform expectations and are worth considering during your fantasy baseball draft. Although all of the players on this list will not be worthy of a draft pick, players may prove their value after the season has started and may be a smart waiver wire acquisition for your team. View my list for top ten sleepers regardless of position for the 2013 season here on Yahoo! Voices.
#10. Tyler Pastornicky – Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves shortstop had a rough rookie season over 76 games. Tyler Pastornicky had a batting average of .243 with 13 RBI, two home runs, 10 walks and 32 strikeouts. Pastornicky is set to be a backup infielder unless an injury propels him back into the starting lineup. He is a deep sleeper, but keep him on your radar if the Braves infield suffers several injuries.
#9. Pete Kozma – St. Louis Cardinals
In 26 games last season, St. Louis Cardinals’ infielder Pete Kozma had a .333 batting average with 14 RBI and two steals in 26 games. Kozma will battle with 35 year-old Rafael Furcal for the starting position at shortstop and should come out on top. The 24 year-old Kozma had an impressive OPS last season at .952, with a slugging percentage of .569. His uncertainty of earning the starting position keeps him near the bottom of this list, but Kozma could be one of the breakout stars this season.
#8. Didi Gregorius – Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks made a trade to acquire shortstop prospect Didi Gregorius in the offseason. Gregorius has just 20 Major League at-bats, but is a highly touted young player who will contend for the starting shortstop spot for the Diamondbacks. At only 23, he may not be ready to breakout as a star in 2013, but he get an opportunity to contribute to the Diamondbacks and is a great sleeper to consider.
#7. Jean Segura – Milwaukee Brewers
22 year-old Jean Segura is the top shortstop on the Milwaukee Brewers depth chart for this season. Although he had a slow start last season over 45 games, getting to play an entire season on the major league roster should help him to find his groove. Segura had 14 RBI and 7 steals with a batting average of .258 last season. Segura is worthy of the last pick in your fantasy draft if you need someone who can add steals to your team, or as a backup in case of an injury.
#6. Kevin Frandsen – Philadelphia Phillies
Although Kevin Frandsen is primarily a shortstop, he may get his shot at third base for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2013. He batted an impressive .338 with 66 hits in 55 games. Although he made his first appearance in MLB back in 2006 with the San Francisco Giants, the 30 year old infielder has yet to make his mark in the majors. Expect Frandsen to get his chance at third thanks to the departure of Placido Polanco and his strong performance in limited action last season. He should have availability to play SS and 3B for your fantasy team, giving him extra value.
#5. Zack Cozart – Cincinnati Reds
Zack Cozart is one of the many of young players that the Cincinnati Reds have developed through their farm system. Cozart played in 138 games last year and had a batting average of .246, 15 home runs, 35 RBI, 4 stolen bases and 72 runs. Cozart will be the Reds starting Shortstop and should be able to improve on his rookie statistics and put together a quality fantasy season.
#4. Dee Gordon – Los Angeles Dodgers
Dee Gordon played in 87 games last season and showed his excellent speed by stealing 32 bases. Gordon still has a lot to work on as he had a .228 batting average and was caught stealing 10 times. Gordon is a good sleeper candidate this season, but he needs to improve his batting average and increase his on base percentage, which was .280.
#3. Everth Cabrera – San Diego Padres
Despite his .246 batting average, Everth Cabrera had a very impressive 2012 MLB season for the San Diego Padres. In 115 games, Cabrera had 98 hits, 44 walks, and an extremely impressive 44 steals while only getting caught four times. Cabrera is your answer for steals on your fantasy teams, he should lead the league in this category in 2013.
#2. Andrelton Simmons – Atlanta Braves
Andrelton Simmons had a very impressive showing over 49 games last season with 48 hits, 3 home runs, 19 RBI, and a .289 batting average. Simmons will get a chance to be the leadoff hitter for the Atlanta Braves, which means although he won’t have many RBI opportunities, he should be able to accumulate steals and runs. Simmons is a solid pick at shortstop and should put up a solid number of hits, runs, and a batting average near .300.
#1. Jurickson Profar – Texas Rangers
Jurickson Profar is currently only 19 and is one of the hottest prospects in all of baseball. He played in 9 regular season games last year and had one at bat in the Texas Rangers postseason loss. Although he is a hot prospect bound to breakout as a young star, Profar is currently second on the depth chart at several positions, but should get his chance to prove his worth sometime this season. Profar is worth drafting near the end of your draft.
*All statistics from MLB via MLB.com
