Sleepers

Over the next couple of weeks leading to opening day, we will take a look at the always sexy “sleeper” picks of the draft. As opposed to years past, the sleepers have kind of evolved from the players nobody knows about, to simply which players will bring the most value in the late rounds, perhaps in spite of what prognosticators predict. There is too much information out there for fantasy owners to not know who somebody is. The following is TPFS’ “sleepers” at 1B….

Ryan Shealy- Shealy wasn’t going to get out from behind Helton’s shadow in Colorado, and 25-85-.280 isn’t out of the realm of possibility (if anybody in that Royals lineup can get on base before him!)

Ryan Garko- Garko still has some maturing to do, but could prove useful if he comes out of the gate with a good start. If not, look for Casey Blake to perhaps steal some AB’s at 1B.

Wes Helms- Helms is slated to be the everyday 3b for the Phils, but qualifies at 1B, so there’s my loophole. If this guy can get regular at bats in that little league park in Philly, this guy can be an absolute animal. Guess who one of our 3B sleepers will be?

Scott Thorman- With the departure of Adam Laroche to Pittsburgh, first base is wide open in what was once known as “Hotlanta”. Time to put up or shut up, with veteran Craig Wilson looking to steal plate appearances from anybody who will give them up. If I wanted to straddle the fence, id tell you to keep an eye on Craig Wilson. (keep an eye on Craig Wilson)

Rich Aurilia- Whether or not he plays 1B, a man with his versatility can’t be left off this list. HR’s may drop a little, but batting average and RBI should stay on par. He is so versatile, you may see him selling hot dogs or popcorn in SF on off days to keep loose.

In the next couple of days, look out for sleepers at 2B……

WHERE THEY PLAYIN?

As many of you know the free agent filing period has begun. Instead of going over who filed and who didn't then speculating on where individuals might end up, I prefer to look at things in a more "general" manner. Meaning that where a player plays 81 games as a major effect on that players fantasy output/value. (For those of you might doubt this we humbly submit the names Neifi Perez in his Colorado days or Preston Wilson in his Houston/Colorado days.) In other words look over a players strengths and weaknesses and how they are effected by the new place he calls home, and don't for a minute believe a player actually uses his head and thinks things like this through on his own (Millwood in Texas ring a bell?) so the theory of players left to own devices will sign where they can be most effective is pretty much garbage. (It's all about the greenery to the majority of these guys)

Some generic examples of a win/win would be a fly ball type pitcher in San Francisco, Seattle, or Detroit. Jarrod Washburn in Seattle is an example of a player going to a place that would allow him to maximize his abilities-such as they may be (although 2006 didn't bear this out). Any player who is going to get 450 or more AB's and can hit the ball out of the infield, that signs with Houston, Philadelphia or Cincinnati would be another example of a player enhancing his fantasy value.

The trick is to know the environment a player is to be playing in (dimensions of the ballpark, left or right field wall in relation to a left or right handed batter), and stacking them against that environment. Obviously, there are players who will be fantasy gods no matter where they play, and conversely players that are going to be of little value no matter where they call home.

Specifically you think Aramis Ramirez’ value might be affected one way or the other if he was to sign in Colorado as opposed to, lets say, San Francisco? YOU BET IT WOULD.

On a non-fantasy related note, congrats to the Cardinals who once again proved the best single word that can be used to describe baseball is "You never know!"

Baseball Blogs Coming Soon

Stay Tuned...