This list highlights the top ten sleepers at the outfield positions 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 of the overall Top 10 Outfielders to Draft here .
#10. Desmond Jennings – Tampa Bay Rays
Desmond Jennings saw action in 132 games last season for the Tampa Bay Rays. Jennings had 31 steals, 13 home runs, and 47 RBI while batting .246. Jennings will be a highly sought after fantasy prospect, but you should still be able to draft him in the middle of your fantasy draft. Look for Jennings to increase his output in his second full year in MLB.
#9. Jon Jay – St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals’ outfielder Jon Jay is a familiar name to many fantasy players, but he struggled with injuries in 2012 and played in only 117 games. In those games Jay batted .305 with 40 RBI and 19 steals. Jay should be able to play the entire season and should be a solid produced of steals and consistent hits to your fantasy team.
#8. Shane Victorino – Boston Red Sox
Shane Victorino has been a solid fantasy option for nearly a decade, so why is he a sleeper candidate? Victorino has a change of scenery that should benefit his offensive numbers. The switch hitter is headed to Fenway Park as a new member of the Boston Red Sox. He had 39 steals last season and 55 RBI. Victorino will be second in the lineup in front of Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz, which should give him plenty of opportunities and pitches to hit. Don’t be surprised if his power numbers improve this upcoming season.
#7. Lorenzo Cain – Kansas City Royals
Lorenzo Cain will start the year at center field for the Kansas City Royals. Cain showed his power and speed over 61 games last season with 7 home runs, 31 RBI, 10 steals and a batting average of .266. It is clear that Cain hit his stride at the end of last season with a September batting average of .308. Take Cain at the end of your fantasy draft and look for him to start the season off hot with the Royals.
#6. Josh Reddick – Oakland A’s
The 2012 Oakland A’s were a surprise team, and had many surprise players that stepped up during the season. One of those players was outfielder Josh Reddick. The 25 year-old Reddick played his first full season for the A’s and had impressive numbers including 32 home runs, 85 RBI, 11 steals, and 5 triples. He will start his second full season in the outfield and should be able to produce similar numbers if not improve. Reddick is someone to seriously consider to draft during your fantasy draft day.
#5. Michael Saunders – Seattle Mariners
Michael Saunders finally earned a starting spot in the Seattle Mariners outfield after playing in a limited number of games over the past four seasons. In 2012, Saunders had 19 home runs, 57 RBI, 21 stolen bases and had a batting average of .247. Saunders is a solid prospect for your fantasy baseball team and should get additional opportunities this season to improve on his numbers. For an outfielder, Saunders will give you a good mix of steals and power numbers, and should improve his batting average in 2013 as well.
#4. Justin Ruggiano – Miami Marlins
In 91 games last season, Justin Ruggiano solidified himself on the Miami Marlins roster and will be the starting center fielder in 2013. Ruggiano had a batting average of .313, 14 steals, 13 home runs and 36 RBI. He is a solid late round pickup for his steals and a solid batting average. Draft Ruggiano to fill in a utility position or use him throughout the season when needed to replace a starting outfielder on your roster.
#3. Quintin Berry – Detroit Tigers
Outfielder Quintin Berry looked fantastic during his rookie season in MLB. In 94 games last season, Berry batted .258 with 29 RBI, 6 triples, and 21 steals on 21 attempts. Berry is now stuck on a loaded roster and will not be a starter unless an injury takes out one of the Tigers’ starting outfielders, or if there is an opening as a designated hitter. If he becomes a starter at any time during the season, Berry is a great pickup off of the waiver wire and someone who can help your team in several different ways.
#2. Brett Gardner – New York Yankees
Brett Gardner will come into 2013 as the starting outfielder in either left or center field for the New York Yankees. Gardner played in only 16 regular season games in 2012, but did appear in the playoffs and is fully healthy after having elbow surgery. In 2010 and 2011, Gardner had 47 and 49 steals respectively. Gardner is a great sleeper prospect and should come up huge for the Yankees this upcoming season.
#1. Norichika Aoki – Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are expecting a strong 2nd season from 31 year old Norichika Aoki after a solid rookie campaign in 2012. Aoki had 10 home runs, 50 RBI, 30 stolen bases, and batted .288. Aoki should settle in this season as he gets used to playing MLB and will breakout as a valuable fantasy baseball outfielder. He is the #1 outfield sleeper, and worth drafting in the middle to late rounds.
*All Statistics from MLB via MLB.com
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