A fantasy baseball sleeper can be defined in a number of different ways. What it really comes down to is the ability to draft a player at a lower position than they should be positioned. In other words, a fantasy baseball sleeper is any player who will perform significantly better than other players drafted in or around the same round.
So, how does a player slip past the other fantasy baseball owners on draft day? Generally, if a player has a significantly poor season statistically, or if they experience a serious injury, then that player may be deemed to have decreased in perceived value. Sometimes, a player has in fact dropped in value. Other times however, a player may have simply had an ‘off year' or may be able to bounce back from injury to perform at previous levels. The key is to identify who these players are and which may in fact be ‘sleepers' heading into next year.
Here are some candidates who may be some nice fantasy baseball sleepers in 2012. In other words, your fellow owners may devalue them enough to allow these baseball players to slip in the draft and be picked up by you, the enlightened drafter:
Ubaldo Jimenez (CLE) –
A little over a year ago, Jimenez was the talk of the baseball world. He entered the All Star break in 2010 with a record of 15-1, 2.20 ERA and was limiting opposing hitters to a .198 BA. He regressed slightly in the second half of that season but still ended up with a great season. In 2011, he didn't fare
Quite as well and a move out of Colorado didn't help as much as expected. Although he has seen a dip in his velocity, it hasn't been an alarming drop so he should rebound with an off season of adjustments. Chalk it up to a poor year and expect him to drop to a favourable position at the draft table in 2012.
