2005 MLB AL/NL Sleepers
Provided
by Tony Finn of ProFantasySport.com
2004
FSRU “FSIC” American League Champion
Updated
02-01-2005
Look for more
updates later in February
The
term ‘sleeper’ is subjective in description, and one owners sleeper is another
man’s keeper. This early season slumbering haut monde won’t have the obvious
slam dunk prospects that showed themselves during much of the 2004 season, but
more of an interesting read of who could be undervalued in 2005, especially by
the fantasy patriarch that have participated in baseballs intravenous simulated
management since it‘s inception.
The
term ‘sleeper’ typically offers a false appearance of being or intending to be
the Savior that will turn an average rotisserie-roster into a league champion.
I beg of you not to look upon my appointed in that light. If a fantasy
championship were that easy to organize or prognosticate I would have been a
best selling author and national fantasy champion thirty-times over.
To
those with a more relaxed demeanor and realistic outlook on what fantasy
baseball actually is, enjoy the read and reserve your comments on my 2005 list
of ‘most likely to surprise’ for someone
who actually cares.
Good
luck this season,
Tony
Finn
Catcher
Yadier Molina
C STL
NL-only catcher
rank (12th)
Mike Matheny's move to San Francisco practically hands the starting backstop
job in St. Louis to Molina. He hit .267 with two homeruns and 15 RBI in 135
at-bats as a rookie last season. Cardinals manager Tony LaRusa will at times
during the 2005 season still desire Matheny‘s gold glove in bases-loaded
situations, but Molina offers a solid upside for fantasy owners not overly
concerned about production from the catching position. For fantasy owners
participating in NL-only leagues that require two catchers, Molina offers value
in the middle to late rounds of the draft.
First Baseman
Justin Morneau
1B MIN
AL-only first
base rank (6th)
Just the mention of Justin Morneau might be considered a contradiction to my
opening monologue, but you still find many fantasy experts who don’t consider
this kid worthy of a Top-100 mixed league ranking. Even I have him ranked 118th
overall in mixed formats, but his name will be first and foremost when owners
talk about studs at the end of the 2005 season. If Justin can find a way to
muster 550 at bats this year he could very well hit 35 plus homeruns and
register more than 110 RBI. These numbers are representative of what is
expected from players like Mark Teixeira and Jim Thome, players that are early
round locks in all fantasy formats.
Second Baseman
Omar Infante
2B/SS/3B DET
AL-only second
base rank (12th)
At
the ripe age of 23, Infante closed out the 2004 season with a bang. If he can
cut down on his 100 plus strike outs then his speed will allow him to raise his
.264 batting average of last year. In 2004 he did however offer his fantasy
faithful 16 homeruns in just over 500 at bats, a number that is sure to
increase as he matures. Entering ‘Fantasy 2005’ Infante could play a major role
in mixed league formats, especially with his position versatility and the lack
of quality depth at second base.
Third Baseman
Michael
Cuddyer 1B/2B/3B/OF MIN
AL-only third
base rank (14th)
The fact that third base is such a deep position gives fantasy owners in
re-draft leagues that one position to ignore, so-to-say, at least until the
late rounds. What position Cuddyer will play this year is still a mystery. The
Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that Cuddyer would enter spring training as
the favorite to start at second base, but PFSi sources say he is likely to
start the season at third base in place of the departed Cory Koskie. The Twins
second baseman Luis Rivas is as consistent as an unbalanced yo-yo, and no
matter what position Cuddyer lands this season he will have an opportunity to
play fulltime. Fantasy owners of Cuddyer
get the benefit of his qualifying for multiple positions; and 20 homeruns and
75 RBI make the Twins young prospect a middle round steal in this year’s draft.
Redraft owners shouldn’t make the mistake of using an early round pick on a
third baseman this year, third base is deep enough to supply owners with
mid-round selections of Cuddyer, Aaron Boone, Juan Uribe, Cory Koskie and
others.
Shortstop
Russ Adams SS
TOR
AL-only
shortstop rank (14th)
Adams hasn’t wowed the Jays organization with his glove, but the
left-handed-hitting 24 year-old shortstop has Charlie Lau attributes at the
plate. Adams is unproven, but then isn’t that the case for many so called
‘sleepers’ each year. He has good speed and could be the Toronto lead off
hitter to start the 2005 season. Without Carlos Delgado batting clean-up due to
his free-agent departure this Toronto team is going to have to produce more
runs by advancing runners and stealing bases. If Adams can find consistent
success at the major league level he could provide his fantasy faithful with a
solid batting average (.285 -.295), runs (70-80) and stolen base (20-25)
support this season.
Outfield
Nick Swisher
OF OAK
AL-only
outfield rank (55th)
Swisher
has the ability to help fantasy owners in all five or six categories, depending
on the league format. The A’s philosophy doesn’t offer Swisher the freedom to
run, but he is the epitome of what ‘Billy Ball’ represents, and he gets an
opportunity to flash his potential with the departure of Jermaine Dye to the
south side of Chicago. Swisher is a terrific AL-only late round gamble, and if
he succeeds at the major league level this spring he could be a solid
contributor for many owners before summer heats up. My scouting charts say take
a chance on the young Athletics stick.
Craig Monroe
OF DET
AL-only outfield rank (36th)
PFSi sources from the Detroit Free Press report that Craig Monroe will get more
playing time this season under third-year manager Alan Trammell. Monroe continues to show improved discipline
at the plate. As a 26 year-old rookie in 2003 Monroe hit a paltry .240 with 23
homeruns in 128 games. Last season he raised his average to .293 with 18 homeruns
in 128 games. If Monroe can find a happy medium and garner 550 at bats this
year he could be a force in AL-only leagues, but only if the Tigers fail to
sign free-agent Magglio Ordonez. Keep him on your short list when filling out
your redraft roster or cutting down your keeper list this spring.
Luis Terrero
OF ARI
NL-only
outfield rank (56th)
Arizona still hasn’t signed a veteran option for their starting outfield, and
will have little choice but to start the 24 year-old prospect to begin the 2005
season. Terrero has a huge upside with
more than enough talent to succeed at the major league level. How quickly that
happens depends on his mental makeup. Consider Terrero a late round option in
NL-only leagues. Keep your eye on this
kid; he has the ability to be a five-tool talent.
Starting Pitching
David Bush SP
TB
AL-only starting pitcher rank (32nd)
The
Blue Jays will need solid pitching to stay out of the AL East cellar this year,
and they will count on David Bush to help them in this 2005 quest. Bush was
(5-4, 3.69 ERA, 1.23 WHIP) last year closing out the season with an October 1st
complete game shutout of the Yankees. In his fifth win of the 2004 campaign
Bush allowed two hits and struck out 11 leaving a lasting impression on fantasy
owners that were still paying attention in October.
Scott Kazmir
SP TB
AL-only
starting pitcher rank (34th)
In
a move that mystifies me the New York Mets traded Scott Kazmir to the Tampa Bay
Devil Rays last season for starting pitcher Victor Zambrano. Kazmir was the best prospect in the Mets
organization and in time should be a quality pitcher for ‘Sweet Lou’ and the
Rays, possibly as early as this season. He has more value in deep benched
Keeper leagues, but if he can improve his strike-out to walk ratio this spring
he could have an impact in mixed formats.
Kyle Davies SP
ATL
NL-only
starting pitcher rank (74th)
If Horacio Ramirez's can‘t shake his 2004 shoulder problems, the 21-year-old
Davies could find himself in the Braves starting rotation to begin the
season.
Ricardo
Rodriguez SP TEX
AL-only
starting pitcher rank (58th)
PFSi
sources in the Rangers organization report that Rodriguez will be ready for
spring training after having his elbow shattered by a line drive last
season. AL-only owners should find
Rodriguez available in the late rounds of their league selection process. Take
a chance on the right arm of Rodriguez, there is a good chance you won’t be
sorry.
Jose Capellan
SP MIL
NL-only starting pitcher rank (52nd)
One
of the few pitchers in the league capable of reaching 100 mph.
Relief Pitching
Jesus Colome
RP TB
AL-only relief
pitcher rank (28th)
For
now the Devil Rays will continue to use Danys Baez as their primary closer, but
Colome can hit close to 100 mph with his fastball and offers fantasy owners in
AL-only formats a solid option for their rotisserie rotation. Colome can’t be
depended on to help carry owners to a league championship, but he could
contribute with a handful of cheap saves and a solid ERA and WHIP.
Mike Adams RP MIL
NL-only relief
pitcher rank (14th)
Adams
is the PFSi favorite to replace Dan Kolb as the closer in Milwaukee. He isn’t
much of a secret to the experienced roto-freak, but if he slips in mixed
formats he could help fantasy owners in most pitching categories, especially
early in the season. His durability to hold up for 162 game season is the
biggest question mark surrounding this tall lanky right-hander.
Additional
under valued players
Joey Mauer C
MIN
AL-only
catcher rank (7th)
Needs
only to stay healthy; a master swordsman with the bat.
Juan Uribe
2B/SS/3B CHW
AL-only second base rank (4th)
His
value is measured by qualifying at second base.
Chase Utley
1B/2B PHI
NL-only second
base rank (8th)
Should
get the fulltime gig at second base. Utley doesn’t have the glove that Polonco
has, but his bat and power offer a bigger upside.
Alex Cintron
2B/3B/SS ARI
NL-only
shortstop rank (16th)
Cintron
is having a stellar campaign in the Puerto Rican Winter League. He will be an
afterthought this March, even in NL-only formats.
Raul Mondesi
OF ATL
NL-only outfield rank (50th)
Gets
yet another chance to straighten out his act and his swing.
Kelvim Escobar
SP LAA
AL-only starting pitcher rank (15th)
His
overall 11-12 record in 2004 doesn’t represent his true value. His sub 4.00 ERA
and 191 strikeouts do however.
A.J. Burnett SP FLA
NL-only starting pitcher rank (21st)
Burnett
is in a contract season. Expect his best yet in 2005.
Guillermo Mota
RP FLA
NL-only relief
pitcher rank (9th)
Mota finally gets his opportunity to close with the departure of Benitez to the
Giants. He has the stuff to be one of the best, especially with a team that is
expected to contend for the NL West crown.