Drafting your fantasy baseball team during the first few rounds is easy, but who you draft in the last few rounds can be just as important. Finding that one gem at the end of the draft or even during the first few weeks of the season through the waiver wire can propel your team to victory. This article looks at the top 10 sleepers for the 2013 MLB season. This sleeper top ten is not a list of unknowns or players who are not likely to make a team this season, but a list of players who are underrated and will outperform expectations.
#10. Kris Medlen – Atlanta Braves SP
Kris Medlen made a switch mid last season from bullpen to the rotation and he put up incredible numbers. Medlen started 12 games and won 10 of them. In the last two months of the season, Medlen had 8 wins and a ridiculous ERA of 1.09. Medlen will get a lot of attention on your fantasy draft day, so don’t let him get away. Medlen could be one of the top starting pitchers for the 2013 season.
#9. Norichika Aoki – Milwaukee Brewers RF
Norichika Aoki had his rookie season in MLB this past year at the age of 30. Aoki had an average of .288 with 30 steals, 10 home runs, and 50 RBI. Aoki batted lead-off for the Brewers and started to heat up in the last full month of the season with 18 RBI, 4 home runs, and an average of .295. Aoki should settle in for a solid second season and should increase his numbers next season to be a solid piece on your fantasy team.
#8. Jeremy Horst – Philadelphia Phillies Left-Handed RP
The left handed reliever Jeremy Horst only appeared in 32 games last year, but that was enough to see his potential and cement his place in the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen. In only 31.1 innings, Horst had 40 strikeouts, an ERA of 1.15, and only gave up 14 walks. Horst will get plenty of chances next season and should pickup several holds and saves. Take Horst at the end of your draft for one of your reliever spots.
#7. Jordan Pacheco – Colorado Rockies 1B/3B
Jordan Pacheco had a good rookie with a .309 batting average, five home runs, and 54 RBI. Pacheco added to this seven steals, 32 doubles, and three triples. Although his power numbers weren’t impressive, his overall performance for a full rookie season is something to take a second look at. His .309 average was good enough to lead all National League rookies. He might not get a lot of attention yet, but consider taking Pacheco late in your draft.
Check Availability– Pacheco not only played 1st base and 3rd base in 2012, he played limited time at catcher. If Pacheco is listed as a catcher in your league or can fill in at that spot, his value increases significantly.
#6. Lucas Harrell – Houston Astros SP
In his first full season as a starting pitcher, Lucas Harrell had a solid but not overly impressive year with 11 wins and 11 losses. Harrell had a 3.76 ERA and 140 strikeouts. Harrell won’t contend for a NL Cy Young anytime soon, but near the end of your draft when you need another starting pitcher, take Harrell. In his second full season and with the Astros bound to improve, expect an even better performance from Harrell.
#5. Jose Altuve – Houston Astros 2B
Astros second basemen Jose Altuve had a very productive first full season in the Majors. Jose had a .290 average with 33 stolen bases, seven home runs, 37 RBI, and 80 runs on 167 hits. Altuve led all second basemen in steals and will have an increase in runs and RBI. Altuve should be a top five second baseman in statistics and you should be able to get him late in the draft.
#4. Victor Martinez – Detroit Tigers DH
A year off due to an injury has made many sports fans and fantasy players forget about Victor Martinez. He comes back in 2013 to a much better lineup and as the everyday DH. Looking at his 2011 statistics, Martinez had 103 RBI and a .330 batting average. He may start off slow after a year off, but expect Martinez to have a very solid year.
#3. Allen Craig – St. Louis Cardinals 1B
Allen Craig played 119 games for the St. Louis Cardinals last season and proved that he is a star in the making. Craig had a .307 batting average with 22 home runs and 92 RBI. He won’t be a surprise to anyone, but I believe Craig will outlive expectations and put together a very productive season with over 30 home runs and 110 RBI.
#2. Salvador Perez – Kansas City Royals C
Many writers had Salvador Perez as a sleeper in 2012, and while he did play very well, Perez played in less than half of the season with a total of 76 games. Perez batted .301 with 11 home runs and 39 RBI. This will be Perez’ first full season in the majors and he should be able to put up big numbers for the Royals. Make sure not to overlook Perez during your fantasy draft.
#1. Jurickson Profar – Texas Rangers SS
Jurickson Profar is known as one of the top prospects in all of baseball, but there is some question to whether he will crack through the Rangers starting lineup this year or whether he will be packaged in a trade to another team. Despite these questions, Profar has a great chance to breakout as one of the top hitting shortstops in the game.
Profar played in nine games for the Rangers in 2012, and although he had a home run in his first at bat, he had only 3 hits in 17 at bats. Expect him to get a real shot to start for the Rangers at shortstop, a position on your fantasy team that you may be able to take a chance on considering the low production that comes with most shortstops. Watch the news of Profar the week leading up to your draft. If it does seem likely that Profar will begin the season as the starter at shortstop for the Rangers, draft him in the late-middle rounds of the draft. Even if Profar is not starting the season as the top candidate for shortstop, I would take him with your last pick and hold on to him as he is sure to get a real chance at making an impact in 2013.
Other Potential Sleepers: Kyle Seager – Seattle Mariners 3B, Josh Reddick – Oakland A’s RF, Jake Odorizzi – Kansas City Royals SP
Sources
MLB.com
Baseball Reference
*Michael Luchies has been covering fantasy sports since 2008 as a freelance journalist and has been playing fantasy sports for the past 12 years.
