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Fantasy baseball owners are no different than anyone else. Whether you are looking to buy a car, invest in a stock, pick up a CD of your favorite band or draft a player for your fantasy roster, everyone is searching for a deal. In fantasy sports, deals come in the form of players who are under-valued by your fellow fantasy owners at the draft table. These players are called fantasy baseball sleepers and can help you get the edge and possibly win your league. Most of these players have a good reason to be under-valued: they may be coming off an injury-riddled season; perhaps they have experienced a recent downturn in statistical production; maybe they have switched teams and have an undefined role with a new club. Whatever the reason, your competition at the fantasy draft may let these players slip down in their respective rankings. It’s your job to grab these fantasy sleepers at a place in the draft where they can produce better numbers than the players they will be drafted alongside.

Here is a list of fantasy baseball sleepers, one at every position, who may be expected to provide a value to your roster and who may exceed the expectations of your fellow fantasy opponents.

MUGSHOT: Shin-Soo Choo's 2011 season was a disaster that included a DUI.

Catcher – Nick Hundley (SD)

Sure, he plays in a terrible hitter’s park and has struggled mightily with injuries the past 4 seasons. However, if the definition of a fantasy baseball sleeper is a player who will slip down the list to a position where he can be drafted for value, then Hundley fits the bill. Nobody knows this guy and if he stays healthy he could challenge the 20 HR plateau.

First Base – Adam Lind (TOR)

After putting up a monster season in 2009, Lind was suddenly on everyone’s radar. However, back-to-back years of mediocre overall numbers have caused many fantasy baseball owners to shy away from the Blue Jays’ DH/1B. If the Jays land a big free agent bat in the off season, Lind may have some of the pressure taken off of him and he may respond. He had an amazing first half in 2011. He could easily do it again over a full season.

Second Base – Aaron Hill (ARI)

Talk about a fall from grace. After setting franchise records for HR at second base, Hill went from hero to goat to finding himself traded to the National League West within a 2 season span. His BABIP in 2010 was.196 and.268 in 2011. You have to believe that number simply has to increase. Coupled with his invigorated approach at the plate in Arizona, Hill may just pay dividends in 2012.

Third Base – Mark Reynolds (BAL)

Everyone’s favourite whipping boy switched positions in 2011 and saw an improvement in his offensive statistics as a result. Perhaps the pressure of playing the hot corner affected his play at the plate. His slash line as a third baseman:.210/.315/.451. After the move to first base:.250/.345/.566. The Orioles expect to play him at 1B in 2012 but fear not, he will still qualify at 3B in fantasy leagues.

Short Stop – Dee Gordon (LAD)

A frightening lack of patience at the plate is the only thing holding Gordon back from stealing 80 bases. He walked a mere 7 times in 233 plate appearances in 2011. If he can find a way to add walks to his.305 batting average, he may steal his way into fantasy conversations next season. In the meantime, consider him sleeper material.

Outfield – Shin-Shoo Choo (CLE)

Injuries and a DUI led to a horrific season for Choo. A bona fide top 50 fantasy pick heading into 2011, he may have fallen off the radar for many not willing to overlook last year’s fiasco. A return to the 20/20,.300 average seasons of 2009-2010 is very likely. He shouldn’t fall too far in most drafts but he may be a deal.

Designated Hitter – Adam Dunn (CHW)

The most consistent offensive player in major league baseball fell flat on his face in a historic way last season. Players of this consistency and talent level don’t come along very often. What did we learn in 2011? That Dun is a human being, not a robot. That’s all. Expect him to regroup and return to form with 35+ HR and 100 RBI.

Starting Pitcher – Adam Wainwright (STL)

Pitchers can not only return from Tommy John surgery, they can thrive afterward. See Tim Hudson, Billy Wagner and Josh Johnson for recent proof of this. Heading into 2011, Wainwright was a top 5 pitcher. Entering 2012, he won’t be on many top 30 lists. Let him slip and grab him just after the middle tier hurlers start to go (think Doug Fister and Max Scherzer for comparisons).

Relief Pitcher – Sergio Santos (TOR)

No one expected Santos to land the closer’s role in Chicago. However, in 2011 he did exactly that. With less competition in Toronto’s bullpen and playing for a team that may very well contend in 2012, Santos could be a draft day steal.

There are no sure things in baseball. This is especially true in fantasy baseball. However, if you take a chance or two on a few sleepers in your draft, you may just get the edge on your opponents. After all, having the edge is what it takes to win in fantasy baseball. Good luck in 2012!

Emilio Bonifacio with not Emilio Bonifacio's girlfriend.

Ever draft a great fantasy baseball team, only to see it go down the tubes quickly due to unanticipated injuries to your new fantasy baseball studs?  We’ve all been there.

But, how do you avoid the injury bug in fantasy baseball?  Well, the first way is to avoid those injury prone players.  Injuries are not about bad luck, at least not always.  Some player are just more prone to injury than others (Grady Sizemore anyone?) so try to avoid them.  (Shameless plug to see pictures of Grady Sizemore’s girlfriend here.   Heck, we could have chosen a lot of other guys that are injury prone too.)

The second way is through drafting multi-position players and guys who will be moving to other positions for the new season.  On our radio show this morning, we targeted Trevor Plouffe, Emilio Bonifacio, and Kyle Seager as three such players who qualify with the often used 10 game minimum at shortstop, but also qualify at other positions.  In these cases, you are getting DH, outfield, and third base production respectively at the shortstop position.

We were going to give you a list of players who qualify at multiple positions, but the guys over at Fantasy Baseball Tools had already done it for us, so here’s a link to their list of multi-position players.

Here are our 2012 fantasy baseball sleepers at the shortstop position.

UPSIDE: The trade of Jesus Montero and retirement of Jorge Posada means that A-Rod and Jeter will be spending more time as DH, thus giving Eduardo Nunez more playing time in the Yankees infield.

1.  Dee Gordon, Los Angeles Dodgers — Stolen bases are over-rated in the fantasy game when compared to the real game of baseball.  And, Dee Gordon, son of ex-Major League reliever Flash Gordon, will light up the stolen base charts in 2012.  In just 224 at bats and 56 games last year, Gordon swiped 24 bases and was caught on 7 occasions.  If he plays in 156 games instead of 56 in 2012, that projects to 67 stolen bases and a possible league lead.  Coupled with a .304 average last year, Gordon, 23, offers exciting fantasy baseball potential for 2012.

2.  Zack Cozart, Cincinnati Reds — The 26-year-old Zack Cozart got the call to the Majors last year, but suffered two injuries.  He had Tommy John surgery on his non-throwing arm in August and had an ankle operation in September.  Since ’06, the Reds have paired 21 different shortstops with Brandon Phillips, but Dusty Baker thinks Cozart may be the keeper and he won’t get pushed a lot as Wilson Valdez and Paul Janish are behind him.  In the minors: 2010, 17 homers and 30 steals in 610 plate appearances; in 2011, 7 homers, 9 steals and a .310 average in only 350 plate appearances.  Cozart hit 2 dingers in just 37 at bats last year for the Reds so he can bring some power to your lineup.  We project Cozart at 15 homers, 20 stolen bases, and a .260 average for 2012.

3.  Eduardo Nunez, New York Yankees — It isn’t often that we have a guy on the sleeper list who is definitely going to be a back-up, but when you are the primary substitute for Cano, Jeter, and A-Rod, you have to think that you’ll get some time on the field.  Nunez did just that last year with the Yankees as he appeared in 112 games with a .265 average, 5 homers, 30 RBI, and an eye opening 22 stolen bases.  The trade of Jesus Montero means that A-Rod and Jeter will spend more time in the DH role, thus opening up an infield spot for Nunez.  Nunez in the infield with A-Rod as DH is a better option than Andruw Jones at DH.  If you think these aging superstars will spend some down time in 2012, Nunez is a solid sleeper pick.

TAYLOR MADE: Pastornicky goes right into the fire this year as the Braves starting shortstop.

4.  Taylor Pastornicky, Atlanta Braves — The Braves are not afraid to throw a young player with no experience into the fire and Taylor Pastornicky seems to be the Freddie Freeman of 2012 in Atlanta.  Pastornicky hit .314 with seven home runs and a .773 OPS in 117 combined games with Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett last year. He struck out just 45 times in 512 plate appearances so he’s going to put the ball in play.  At age 22, and with just 27 games at Triple-A, it would be logical that the Braves would rather see somebody else at SS in 2012 and keep Pastornicky down for another season, but at this point, Atlanta has not made any moves other than to pick up Jack Wilson to mentor Pastornicky.  This is one to watch in Spring Training.  If Pastornicky wins the job, anticipate a .250 season with 5 homeruns and 15 stolen bases.

5.  Mike Aviles, Boston Red Sox — Mike Aviles has been on our sleeper list before with the Royals.  He’s never racked up the kind of AB’s, however, that he will in Boston this season.  Aviles line last year in just 91 games and 286 AB’s, was .255/7/39/14.  Rookie Jose Iglesias, who hit just .235 at Pawtucket last year, is behind him.  If Aviles can put up 500 AB’s, he can have a line of .290/10/60/25 in 2012.

6.  Trevor Plouffe, Minnesota Twins — With the acquisition of Jamey Carroll to play shortstop, Trevor Plouffe is penciled in as the Twins primary DH for 2012, but having played 45 games at shortstop last year, he will qualify in all leagues as a shortstop.  We like the idea of a guy with DH power being listed as a shortstop.  Plouffe hit 8 homers in limited time last season (286 AB’s), but he added 15 homers in just 220 AB’s at Rochester.  Plouffe will likely be the primary DH in Minnesota and can end up with 15+ homeruns.  Get his pronunciation right at your draft:  “Ploof.”

7.  Jed Lowrie, Houston  Astros — Jed Lowrie moves to the Astros in the deal that sent Mark Melancon to Boston.  Lowrie doesn’t do anything really well fantasy baseball-wise, but he’s going to get a chance to play every day in Houston and that will up his 309 at bats he received in 2011.  Lowrie won’t hurt your team batting average at .260 and can pop 10 homers for you, but don’t expect him to help your stolen base totals.

8.  Emilio Bonifacio, Miami Marlins — Coming off of a 40 stolen base season, Bonifacio is not going to be a surprise to anybody.  But, if all you do to prepare for your draft is read those out of date magazines on the newstand, you may miss the fact that Bonifacio spent 67 games at shortstop.  He’s also eligible at third base and in the outfield, thus making Bonifacio a speed demon with speed for 2012.  Plus, its fun to say his name.

9.  Kyle Seager, Seattle Mariners — If 10 is your league’s magic number for position eligibility, Kyle Seager will be eligible as a shortstop this year for you.  That’s good, because the Brendan Ryan will be the Mariners’ starting shortstop with Seager moving to third base.  Seager hit .333 at Double-A and Triple-A last year and popped 7 homers while swiping 11.  In 53 games in the Bigs, he hit .258 with 3 homers and 3 steals.  Seager doesn’t have the power to pop many out of Safeco, but he has gap power and will hit doubles and help your team batting average.  He’s a solid late round pick in most leagues for 2012.

MILE HIGH POTENTIAL: Michael Cuddyer's eligibility at second base and his move to Colorado make the veteran a 2012 sleeper at second base.

Second base, along with catcher, is the position many managers look for when it comes to position scarcity, meaning that there’s less good ones available.  Hence, players like Ian Kinsler and Robinson Cano have increased value in your fantasy baseball draft.  But, if you have to draft a second baseman deep in the rounds, here are some guys they just may turn out to be keystone gems.

1.  Michael Cuddyer, Colorado Rockies — When most baseball fans think of Michael Cuddyer, they don’t think about a second baseman, but Cuddyer, depending on your league’s rules, may be just that.  Hence, his value in moving to hitter friendly Coors Field is increased even more.  In 2011, Cuddyer played first base and right field for the Twins, but he also appeared in 17 games at second base, not to mention pitching one inning.  That qualifies him as a keystoner in most leagues.  Cuddyer, 32, hit 32 homeruns for Minnesota in 2009.  He can match that total in Colorado this year.

2.  Jason Kipnis, Cleveland Indians — Kipnis was slowed by an oblique and a hamstring injury in his rookie season last year.  Kipnis, however, showed considerable promise last year in his time in Cleveland and is likely the overall most talked about second base sleeper for 2012.  The rookie second baseman hit .272 with 7 homers, 19 RBIs, 24 runs scored and five steals in just 36 games in his inaugural season.

3.  Jose Altuve, Houston  Astros — Jose Altuve was hitting .389 in the Minors when the Astros gave him the call to the show last year after Houston had abandoned all hopes.  Altuve hit .276 with a pair of homers, seven steals, 12 RBIs and 26 runs scored in 221 at-bats during his inaugural season.  We like the 7 stolen bases and think he’ll get his chances to steal on an Astros team that will struggle to score runs.  At 5′ 7″, Altuve doesn’t have the power to ever be considered an elite second baseman, but as a MIF guy, he won’t hurt your batting average and can give you 20 stolen bases.

4.  Alexi Casilla, Minnesota Twins — Alexi Casilla was on his way to his best season ever before a hamstring pull sidelined him in  August.  That was a big injury for Casilla in that his biggest contribution to your fantasy baseball team is his stolen base totals.  Casilla hit .260 with 15 stolen bases and just 2 homers in 323 AB’s last year.  Australian Luke Hughes, who has considerably more pop, will push Casilla for starting time at second base.

5.  Daniel Murphy, New York Mets — Daniel Murphy was on his way to a career year before a torn MCL ended his season in early August.  Murphy ended up hitting .320 with six homers, five steals, 49 RBIs and 49 runs scored in 391 at-bats.  Murphy missed the entire 2010 season so he remains an injury risk and while we don’t think he’ll be able to duplicate another .300 season, it’s nice to have a second baseman on your team who will actually help your team batting average.  Moving the fences in at Citi Field will also help Murphy exceed the 12 homers he hit in 2009.

ROYALTY: The future is bright for Johnny Giavotella

6.  Johnny Giovotella, Kansas City Royals — Johnny Giovatello, the Royal’s minor league hitter of the year, batted .338 in the minors with 34 doubles, nine homers and 72 RBIs. He blazed his way to Kansas City on Aug. 5 by hitting .391 in June and July and was named a Topps Triple-A all-star. For the Royals, in 178 at bats, he hit .247 while enduring some growing pains at the Big League level.  Giovotella projects to be a .270 hitter with 10 homers this year for the Royals.  He had 5 stolen bases in his short stint in the Bigs, but he’s not projected to be much more than a 10 stolen base guy while playing the entire season.

7.  Jemile Weeks, Oakland Athletics — Weeks put up big numbers in his rookie season, but given that he had only 406 AB’s, we listed him as a sleeper.  Weeks hit .303 with a pair of homers, 22 steals, 36 RBIs and 50 runs scored.  With his ability to get on base, the speedy youngster could exceed 30 steals next season.  He’s a fun player to watch.

8.  Dustin Ackley, Seattle Mariners — He came up with a lot of hype and proved that he belonged in the Majors in 2011.  Dustin Ackley hit .273 with six homers, six swipes, 36 RBIs and 29 runs scored in 333 at bats in his inaugural Major League season.  At age 23, fantasy owners can expect him to improve in both areas in the coming seasons.

9.  Omar Infante, Miami Marlins — Rather than test the free agent market, Omar Infante decided to stay in Miami.  Infante got off to a slow start in his first season with the Marlins but turned it on in the second half, hitting .314 with six long balls.  He won’t do much for your stolen base or power numbers, but if your league counts runs scored, the singles he hits and an improved Marlins lineup, could give you a lift.

10.  Brian Roberts, Baltimore Orioles — The veteran Brian Roberts, husband of 2011 Baseball’s Hottest Wife Diana Roberts (see photo gallery here), has been hampered by back and head injuries each of the past two seasons and appeared in just 39 games in 2011, never returning after sliding headfirst into the first-base bag at Boston in mid-May. If the O’s don’t have Roberts healthy at the start of next season, utility man Robert Andino and new acquisition Matt Antonelli figure to be the two top candidates to step in at second, but since the Orioles didn’t shop for a new keystoner in the off-season, we think Roberts will be back.  That being said, this is one to watch closely in Spring Training for Roberts has been a solid contributor, especially in the stolen base category in years past.

BallparkBob reviews the fantasy baseball projections for Yu Darvish and posts him as the 15th best starting pitcher in your fantasy baseball draft in 2012. Bob also reviews his projections for 2012 fantasy baseball sleepers at the first base position.

SAFE: Paul Goldschmidt barely exceeded the at bats to be considered a Rookie of the Year candidate in 2012, but he's a safe sleeper bet to have a big year for the Diamondbacks.

1.  Ike Davis, New York Mets – Mets first baseman Ike Davis finished an injury plagued 2011 season with seven homers, 25 RBIs, 20 runs scored and .302 batting average in just 149 at bats.  That’s coming off of a rookie season in 2010 where he smacked 19 homers and 71 RBI.  Davis didn’t play after May 10 last year due to an ankle injury and then a series of unfortunate medical mistakes by his doctors.  The Mets are moving in the fences at Citi Field.  That can only help a 6′ 4″, 230 pound power hitter like Davis.

2.  Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks — Paul Goldschmidt was mashing in the minors with 30 homers in 108 games so the Diamondbacks brought him up earlier than anticipated.  Goldschmidt hit .250 in his inaugural season, with eight homers, four steals, 26 RBIs and 28 runs scored in 156 at-bats.  He’s a big strikeout guy, but can add some pop to your lineup.  He’ll be pushed by newly acquired Lyle Overbay.  Goldschmidt is projected by Bill James at .266/32/99/9.

3.  Mat Gamel, Milwaukee Brewers — Mat Gamel has been stuck behind Prince Fielder for 4 seasons and is tired of being labeled as a prospect.  His 2011 season in the minors should turn heads: .310/28/96/2.  The only rap against Gamel is himself.  He reported to camp last year 30 pounds overweight and his Triple-A manager Don Money said: ”He’s hard-headed. He doesn’t carry himself well. You have to carry yourself like a professional, and he doesn’t do it and I’ve said it to him.”

4.  Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs — Anthony Rizzo got in 93 games last year at Triple-A before getting the call to the Padres.  His minor league numbers were .331/26/101/7.  Rizzo really struggled in the Bigs, however, as he barely hit half his weight at .141 in 153 plate appearances.  It’s hard to imagine that the Padres would give up on him so quickly given his minor league numbers.  He’ll battle Brian LaHair for the first base job unless the Cubs decided to pick up a veteran like Pena or Trumbo.

5.  Mike Carp, Seattle Mariners — No, Carp is not going to start in front of Justin Smoak, but he does qualify at first base.  Carp finished the 2011 season with 12 homers, 46 RBIs, 27 runs scored and a .276 batting average in just 290 at-bats.  On a team that is desperate for offense, expect Carp to be a regular outfielder in 2012.

FISHING: Carp's 2012 statistics won't need exaggerating.

6.  Kendrys Morales, Los Angeles Angels — It’s hard to imagine a more freak injury than the one that Kendrys Morales suffered on May 29, 2010 when he suffered an injury while jumping on home plate after a walk off grand slam.  Morales finished fifth in the MVP voting in 2009 and would be the ideal hitter to offer protection for Albert Pujols if he can prove that he can play.  This is a must watch fantasy baseball situation for Spring Training as the Angels are loaded at the corner infield positions and at DH.  Morales, 28, was just signed to a one year deal that may pave the way for the Angels to trade Mark Trumbo or Bobby Abreu.

7.  Yonder Alonso, San Diego Padres — Jesus Guzman brings a .312 average in from last season so he’s the #1 guy to start the season, but we think Alonso will earn the starting role by mid-season given his bigger power potential.  Alonso hit 5 home runs in just 88 at bats last year.  He was acquired from the Reds in the Mat Latos deal and should pick up 60% of the first base at bats in 2012.  That should put the Havana-born big man at a .275 average and 15 homers, even in spacious Petco.

8.  Adam LaRoche, Washington Nationals — Adam LaRoche suffered both a torn labrum and a torn rotator cuff in 2011 that limited him to just 151 at bats.  This is a guy, however, who is only 32 and hit exactly 25 homers for three consecutive seasons with the Diamondbacks and Pirates from 2008-2010.  And, with backup Chris Marrero on the shelf with an injury suffered while playing winter ball, the job is all LaRoche’s.  Manager Davey Johnson said that LaRoche is “100% now.”

9.  Adam Dunn, Chicago White Sox — I can’t recall a regular player who had a higher strike out total than batting average.  Dunn had 177 strikeouts while hitting .159 with 11 homers, 42 RBIs and 36 runs scored.  He can’t possibly be that bad again in 2012, can he?

10.  Brandon Belt, San Francisco Giants — Yes, Belt was on our sleeper list as well last year, but things didn’t quite work out for Belt who started the season as the starter, then got demoted.  His replacement, Aubrey Huff, was not able to duplicate his 2010 season, however, thus opening the door again for Belt.  Belt struggled to hit for average throughout the season but flashed some power, hitting seven homers after August 1.  Perhaps that’s an indication of his 2012 potential.

11.  Brandon Allen, Oakland Athletics — The Athletics got frustrated with Daric Barton’s lack of power last year (0 homers) and sent him to the minors.  Brandon Allen has home run power capable of 20 in 2012, but the big man will likely punish your team batting average; he’s a lifetime .210 hitter.

12.  Lucas Duda, New York Mets — Lucas Duda will be an outfielder this year for the Mets, but he’s qualified at first base as well.  Duda hit .292 with 10 homers, one base swipe, 50 RBIs and 38 runs scored in 301 at-bats during the 2011 season and is another one that should benefit from moving the outfield fences in at Citi Field.

13.  Brett Wallace, Houston Astros — I’m guessing that 35-year-old Carlos Lee doesn’t fit with the Astros youth movement.  That could open the door for Brett Wallace to earn the starting job in Houston.  The big problem is that Wallace is not a good fielder, but if you play in a keeper league, Wallace is a strong consideration since he can move to DH in 2013.

MOORE VALUE: Matt Moore struck out 11 Yankees in 5 innings in his rookie debut.

Many fantasy baseball managers enter a draft thinking that pitching is an after-thought.  Rarely, does a manager spend more than 50% of his budget on his pitching staff.  That’s because pitchers tend to be a bit more inconsistent than every day players.  They get injured more and, except for the elite stars, they have more off years.

Yet, when it comes to fantasy baseball pitching, especially starting pitching, if you do your research, you will find the most value in this position than in all of the fantasy baseball positions.

So, here are our hot stove Top 15 Starting Pitchers Sleepers for 2012.

1.  Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers — Yu Darvish is the most exciting pitcher to come to the USA since Dice-K.  And, he’s a lot better.  Darvish was the MVP of the World Baseball Classic and his stuff is nothing short of nasty.  The Rangers have until January 18 to sign him or he’ll end up pitching in Japan again in 2012.  According to this story in the Kyodo News, the Rangers bid will end in 3411.  That’s 34 for Nolan Ryan and Darvish’s number 11.  The Rangers bid for the negotiating rights to Darvish was reported to be $51.7 million.  Darvish’s 18-6 record and 1.44 ERA were attractive enough for the Rangers to let ace C. J. Wilson walk to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

2.  Matt Moore, Tampa Bay Rays — If you want to get some attention quickly, do what Matt Moore did last year when called up late in the year.  Moore pitched 5 innings in a start against the Yankees and struck out 11.  Against the Rangers in the ALDS, Moore gave up just one run in 10 innings of work.  Moore went 12-3 with a 1.92 ERA in 27 starts for Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham this season, striking out 210 batters and walking only 46 in 155 innings. ESPN Baseball Insider Keith Law ranked Moore as the No. 2 prospect in the game.  The Rays agreed.  They have locked up Moore for 5 more seasons with 3 additional seasons as an option.

3.  Julio Teheran, Atlanta Braves — Teheran is a Rookie of the Year candidate for the pitching rich Braves.  Teheran received a late call up last year for Atlanta, but he’ll be slotted into the starting rotation this year.  At Gwinnett, Teheran was 15-3 with a 2.55 ERA.  The Braves have 7 solid starting pitchers for 2012 and may deal Jair Jurrjens for a hitter.  Teheran will battle Randall Delgado for the # 5 starting role, but we see Delgado spending most of the season at Triple-A again.

PITCHERS PET: Pitching at Petco helps make Luebke a top sleeper for the 2012 fantasy baseball season.

4.  Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox — In two years with the White Sox, Chris Sale has held opposing hitters to a .203 average as a reliever.  For 2012, Sale makes a move into the Chicago starting rotation.  With Sale’s ability to strike out batters (10.6/9IP), he will have success with the White Sox despite pitching in a homer friendly field for  half of the games.

5.  Brandon Beachy, Atlanta Braves — Beachy notched only 7 wins in 25 starts last season for Atlanta in his rookie year, but he deserved better.  His 3.68 ERA and 1.21 WHIP should improve for his second season in the Bigs.  We especially like his strikeout ratio (10.7/9 IP).  Beachy is a 15 win guy in 2012.

6.  Drew Pomeranz, Colorado Rockies — Pomeranz’s numbers last year in the minors included 20 starts and an ERA of 1.78.  The 6′ 5″ lefty held opponents to a .189 batting average.  We’d have him slotted even higher, but he has to pitch in home run happy Coors Field.  The fastball of Drew Pomeranz tops out at 95 and he has a nice knuckle curve.

7.  Cory Luebke, San Diego Padres –  Ohio-born Cory Luebke went 6-10 with a 3.29 ERA last year.  He appeared in 46 games, but was promoted to the starting rotation just before the all-star break and made 17 starts the rest of the way where he sported a 3.76 ERA.  Luebke has a strikeout ratio over 1 (10.0/9IP) and we like the idea of his pitching in Petco as a starter for the entire season.

8.  Guillermo Moscoso, Oakland Athletics — The A’s discovered a jewel last year in the 27-year-old rookie Moscoso.  The right-hander made 21 starts in 2011, going 8-10 with a 3.38 ERA, 1.09 WHIP.  He won’t get you a lot of strikeouts, but he pitches in a pitcher friendly park in Oakland.  With so many prospects coming to Oakland in the Gonzalez deal, he’ll have to fight for a starting spot, but we think his role is secure after his strong 2011 outing.

9.  Brad Peacock, Oakland Athletics –  Peacock was the Nationals’ top pitching prospect, but heads to Oakland as one of the prospects in the deal that sent Gio Gonzalez to Washington.  Pitching for Harrisburg and Syracuse last year, Peacock was a combined 15-3 and had a 2.01 ERA at Double-A Harrisburg and a 3.19 ERA at Triple-A Syracuse.  His strikeout ratio was an impressive 10.9 per 9 IP.  Peacock is a converted shortstop whose performance last year was a surprise to everybody.  Picking Peacock could make you proud in 2012.

10.  Brandon Morrow, Toronto Blue Jays — Morrow has spent two years as a regular starter for Toronto and his numbers are not impressive.  He was 11-11 with a 4.72/1.29 last year.  But, we see Morrow having a break out season thanks in part to his strikeout total of 203 last year.  In fact, Bill James has Morrow projected to be a 3.68 ERA guy in 2012.

11.  Michael Pineda, Seattle Mariners — Pineda was a big story last year as he sprinted to an all-star game appearance in his rookie season.  Pineda seemed to tire in the second half of the year, however, as he pitched at just a 5.12 ERA over the season’s second half.  Despite the second half swoon, Pineda was fifth in AL Rookie of the Year voting.  With added strength and endurance in 2012, Pineda can top his overall 9-10 with a 3.74 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 173 strikeouts in 171 innings.

12.  Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals — It’s a bit strange to call Adam Wainwright a sleeper when he was slotted in as the Cardinals’ ace last year.  But, when you consider that he was out for the entire 2011 season, we’ll loosely use the sleeper label on Wainwright.  Wainwright’s ERA sunk lower in each of the past 4 seasons prior to last year’s elbow injury and his 39 wins over 2009 and 2010 make him one of pitching’s elite.  If your managers are asleep at the wheel, you may be able to get Wainwright at a real value in 2012.

13.  Zach Britton, Baltimore Orioles — For the first two months of his rookie campaign last year, Britton held a sub 3.00 ERA.  He tailed off considerably, however, and even earned a demotion to the minors in September.  Britton finished his rookie season at 11-11 with 97 punchouts, a 4.61 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in 154 1/3 innings.  We think he’ll look a lot more like the Britton we saw early in the 2011 season in 2012.

14.  Bud Norris, Houston Astros — Bud Norris deserved more than six wins in 2011, but it’s hard to come by wins in Houston today. The 26-year-old lowered his WHIP by 0.15 and his ERA by 1.15 and finished 2011 at 6-11 with a 3.77 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 176 strikeouts in 186 innings.  Occasional wildness gets Norris in trouble, but he’s a solid starter for a bad team.

15.  Gio Gonzalez, Washington Nationals — The Nationals picked up the lefty starter that they needed in the ex-Oakland ace Gonzalez.  Gonzalez should have a smooth transition to the NL, where he could strike out even more batters and could even lower his WHIP.  He was 16-12/3.12/1.32 in 2011.  The addition of Gonzalez and a healthy Stephen Strasburg can make the Nationals into a contender in 2012.

Some other guys we liked but just didn’t quite make our Top 15 fantasy baseball pitcher sleepers for 2012 are:  Jarrod Parker (Athletics); Wandy Rodriguez (Astros); Jonathan Sanchez (Royals) Jonathan Niese (Mets); Jeff Niemann (Rays); Edinson Volquez (Padres); Brett Myers (Astros); Joe  Blanton (Phillies).

SOX SWAP: Jed Lowrie and Mark Melancon swap laundry.

The Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox made a trade last week that sent Astros’ closer Mark Melancon to the Red Sox in exchange for infielder Jed Lowrie and Kyle Weiland.

Who Will Nab Red Sox Closer Role?

Mark Melancon had 20 saves for Houston this year, going 8-4 with a 2.78 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 71 relief outings during his first full major league season.  He was the Astros closer for the final five months of the season.  Melancon is not your typical high heat closer as his best pitch is his curve ball.

It remains to be seen as to where Melancon fits in the Boston plans.  He could be a setup man or he could be an insurance policy if the Sox don’t pick up the A’s Andrew Bailey in a trade or sign free agent Ryan Madson from the Phillies.  If Madson signs with the Red Sox, it will simply be a closer swap between Philadelphia and Boston as Jonathan Papelbon is now in that role with the Phillies.  Depending on what happens with the closer role, the Red Sox may choose to move Daniel Bard into a starting role.

If Melancon is going to be the closer, Red Sox GM Ben Cherrington is certainly not letting on.  “We believe he’s definitely capable of closing and capable of pitching in the ninth inning for us,” Cherington said. “But those are questions for Bobby [Valentine], with help from his pitching coach, during spring training to answer and figure out the right roles for everyone.”

Fantasy Baseball Projection 2012: Mark Melancon — Obviously, Melancon’s value depends on whether he is indeed going to be the closer in Boston or not.  Set up guys get no respect in fantasy baseball so we’ll wait and see what Melancon’s ultimate value is.

Jed Lowrie – Sleeper Pick for 2012

HIGH FIVE: Jed Lowrie is our first fantasy baseball sleeper for 2012.

Lowrie, 27, has been plagued with a series of injuries that have put him on the DL at least once over each of the last three seasons.  A healthy Lowrie that is given the chance to play every day in 2012 would make him a solid infield sleeper product, especially since Lowrie played all four infield positions last year.

He’s a switch hitter, but does not hit well from the left side.  Over the past three years, he’s at .209 versus righties and .322 versus lefties.  Makes you wonder if he should be going both ways at all.

“For me it’s about playing, and that’s always what I’ve wanted,” Lowrie said. “Hopefully, I get that opportunity in Houston.”

On a team that is struggling for veteran leadership, the career .252 hitter Lowrie will likely get that chance.

Fantasy Baseball Projection 2012: Jed Lowrie — Jed Lowrie could have a breakout year in 2012.  For a young guy, he’s had his share of injuries already.  He’ll be given the chance to play every day in Houston for the first time in his career and will be tutored on how to hit better from the port side.  Lowrie is our first sleeper named for the 2012 season.  With less pressure to produce in Houston, we think Lowrie will be a .265 hitter with 12 home runs.  He’s not much a base stealing threat at all, but his ability to play all four infield positions make him a late round pick in deep mixed leagues or National League only leagues.

Kyle Weiland Role with Astros

Kyle Weiland appears to be the throw-in to the deal.  Weiland spent most of last year in the minors, but did get called up and got shelled to the tune of a 03 record and 7.66 ERA.  He will be given a chance to earn a spot in the Astros’ starting rotation for 2012.

Fantasy Baseball Projection 2012: Kyle Weiland — Kyle Weiland is currently a long shot to participate on any fantasy baseball roster for 2012.

Astros Closer Role

With Melancon gone, the Astros do not have a clear cut closer for the 2012 season.  Brandon Lyon was their guy, but lost the job in May after an injury and struggling mightily.  Lyon has experience as a closer, but he’ll be in the last year of his contract in 2012 so it would likely follow the formula that any coveted experienced player would be traded for stockpiling two young players in return as the Astros did in this deal.

The closer role for Houston last year was nothing short of a disaster.  The Astros had 25 blown saves, third largest in the MLB, in 50 games!

If Lyon is not the guy or he is dealt for prospects, Wilton Lopez is a guy who could step into that role for 2012.  Another possibility is converted catcher, David Carpenter who can hit 95 MPH.

Another possibility is right-hander Juan Abreu, acquired from the Braves in last summer’s Michael Bourn trade.  He struck out 12 batters in 6 2/3 innings in his Major League debut last season and has been clocked at 99 MPH.

A final possibility is hard-throwing Rhiner Cruz who was acquired in the Rule 5 Draft earlier this month. He hit 98 mph last spring, but has struggled to control his pitches. He walked 39 batters and struck out 51 in 58 2/3 innings last year at Double-A Binghamton for the Mets.

Fantasy Baseball Projection 2012:  Brandon Lyon — It’s a wait and see game for Brandon Lyon as the Astros’ closer.  It is likely that Lyon will open the season as the Astros closer, but be dealt by June.