Many things have changed since December when we kicked off the 2011 fantasy baseball sleeper posts. For one, the date. For two, some of these guys are no longer that sleepery. For three, hut-hut-hike! As long as you don’t reach too far, sleepers can make all the difference on your team. You’re not grabbing a sleeper in the first round. You’re not like, “Hey, Swiggy Cabrera, you go threaten death on the shot girl, I’m going with Juan Miranda.” You should have a solid foundation in the first eight to ten rounds, then mix some sleepers in after that. If you click on the names for these players, there’s entire posts about some of them with their 2011 projections. It’s magical! Anyway, here’s some sleepers for 2011 fantasy baseball:
Shaun Marcum – Member back in December when he was first traded and I started raving about him? We were younger back then and you had more hair. Also, Marcum was still sleepery then. Now? Not so much. Seems like everywhere I look people are abuzz with excitement over Marcum. Assuming you don’t pay too high of a price, he can still have value.
J.P. Arencibia – When I say punt catcher, you say Arencibia… Punt catcher… Arencibia… Punt catcher… Arencibia… Punt middle infielder… Arencibia… Gotcha.
Chris Iannetta – I refuse to write a sleeper post on him for fear it might jinx him, but I will continue to talk about how I won’t write a sleeper post on him for fear it might jinx him hoping that doesn’t jinx him. All aboard as the logic train is leaving the station!
Mike Minor – Wanna hear me make an outlandish prediction? Of course you do, you love when I sound like a damn fool. Minor will be a top 20 starter this year. If I’m right you win, if I’m wrong you win. You’re welcome.
Tim Stauffer – I love me some hodgepadres. (I also love telling girls who are walking dogs on the street, “You have a really nice poochie,” but I mumble poochie like I’m Sling Blade so they think I’m saying something else. So, ya know, you might want to think twice about listening to me.)
Edwin Jackson – Here’s the limb, here’s me out on it with Edwin Jackson. Don’t too many of youse come out too, shizz ain’t that sturdy.
Daniel Hudson – Here’s another one of those examples of guys that I was touting at the end of last year as a potential sleeper for 2011 and now we have a bunch of company. Hey, use a coaster!
Edinson Volquez – I’m anticipating a ton of comments after Edinson’s first blow up about dropping him. He walks people, you have to remain patient.
Sean Rodriguez – He’s either going to break out in the non-acne way or he’s going to go between ownable and non-ownable in most mixed leagues. Honestly, I’m not sure yet which one it’ll be and anyone that does know is a time traveler or Mayan.
Ryan Raburn – Father, I have a confession. I wish Raburn stole 7-10 bases so I could label him Mini Mini Mini Donkey. But he can’t carry that torch and, besides, who needs him to have that baggage? If Raburn has 2nd base eligibility in your league, go all-in check raising to the bettor.
Alcides Escobar – Last year, Willie Mays Hayes without the steals. This year, steals.
Ian Desmond – It’s pretty odd when you have a guy you label a sleeper last year perform and he still ends up a sleeper the following year. Are the Nats that bad to invest in? Probably, but you can put away your checkbook and just draft Desmond.
Aaron Hill – Practicing my best Saberhagenmetrics, I think Hill is going to make his owners this year happy and really piss off everyone who owned him last year.
Brandon Morrow – I hate that he’s on Rudy’s risky pitcher post, but it seemed like a given. Morrow is not the bill of good, consistent health. He’s probably one injury away from being a Bennis Carpensheeter. But his stuff is nasty.
Justin Smoak – Another guy that is probably waiver wire fodder in most mixed leagues. I’m okay with that, I’ll write the Buy/Sells every Friday like usual and tell you to pick him up when he’s hitting.
Peter Bourjos – I imagine the only trueheads that will be drafting Bourjos are those in AL-Only leagues. That’s okay, I guarantee he’ll be ownable in your mixed league too.
Drew Stubbs – Guy has a real basebally sounding name, huh? Drew Stubbs plays baseball; that’s what Drew Stubbs does. To preemptively strike against at least four comments, Stubbs is being drafted 156th at MDC. A) That’s too late. B) That’s why he’s a sleeper. C) What C?
