Yesterday, my series on 2010 fantasy baseball sleeper picks was introduced here on MSF. I provided my methodology and a couple of high value picks at the catcher position: Geovany Soto and Ryan Doumit.
Today, we take a trip around the infield and highlight a few more players who could provide you with significantly more value than their current average draft position suggests.
Among the Midwesterners highlighted in today’s edition: Alberto Callaspo of the Kansas City Royals and Asdrubal Cabrera of the Cleveland Indians, both of whom could be primed to surprise at the middle infield spots this season.
Also included is the answer to a trivia question that will interest the Colts fans out there: who was the QB at the University of Tennessee before Peyton Manning took over midway through his freshman season? Hint: he’s a potentially strong value play at 1B this season and plays his home games in Coors Field.
Fantasy Baseball Sleeper Pick: 1B Todd Helton, Colorado Rockies
- #19th Drafted First Baseman ADP – 221 (High 140 / ND)
- Category: Forget Me Not
Todd Helton was a great Bounce Back pick last year after an injury plagued 2008. Gone are the days of 30-35 HRs / 120-140 RBIs / .350/1.000 OPS, but Helton still has value in fantasy baseball when you look at his ADP. Helton is the perfect player for your Utility slot. He saved me last year when Justin Morneau went down with back issues.
The key for you drafting Helton is your league MUST count OBP (On Base Percentage) as a category. Other players being drafted ahead of Helton are Russell Branyan (unsigned), Jorge Cantu, Carlos Delgado, and Chris Davis. If Helton is able to put up his typical 500 at bats he should outperform them and come in with around 160 ADP value.
Fantasy Baseball Sleeper Pick: 2B Kelly Johnson, Arizona Diamondbacks
- #22nd Drafted 2nd Baseman – ADP 325 (High 209 / Low ND)
- Category: Bounce Back Candidate
When Johnson was DFA by the Braves, he had a few choices of where to land. Going to Arizona is a great change of scenary as the ballpark is more hitter friendly. Johnson’s struggles in 2008 were part injury and the sudden dropoff on his batting average from .275-.285 down to .224. His BABIP went from .344 in 2008 to .249 in 2009. Johnson should bounce back and get 500 AB / 12 HR / 65-70 RBI / 8-10 SB in 2010.
Other 2B being drafted ahead of him are: Freddy Sanchez, Felipe Lopez, Alexi Casilla, Clint Barmes, and Jeff Baker putting him at 275 ADP value; 50 picks higher than his current ADP. Johnson is a nice MI option in a 12 team Mixed League.
Fantasy Baseball Sleeper Pick: 2B Alberto Callaspo, Kansas City Royals
- #27th Drafted 2nd Baseman – ADP 330 (High 199 / Low ND)
- Category: Primed for PrimeTime
I’ve had my eye on Callaspo since he put up monster numbers in AAA for the Diamondbacks in 2006. He didn’t get much playing time with them in 2006; went back down to AAA in 2007 hit again, and still didn’t get much of a shot. He was then dealt to the Royals for SP Billy Buckner. Finally in 2009, Callaspo got the 500-600 AB needed and he put up monster numbers for his position.
Callaspo must now be asking “What do I have to do?” as the Royals dealt for Chris Getz. I don’t think Getz will steal many AB from Callaspo, but the one thing Getz does do is steal bases and usually you want that from your MI players.
I’m very surprised that Callaspo is not being drafted higher. True, the power numbers really jumped due to GB/FB going from 1.69 to 0.98 and they might slide a tad in 2010. But 2B who hit .300 plus with double digit HRs and 80 RBIs don’t grow on trees. Again looking at the 2B being drafted ahead of Callaspo (see above) I see no reason why he doesn’t out perform them and give you a 275 ADP value.
Fantasy Baseball Sleeper Pick: Asdrubal Cabrera, Cleveland Indians
- #12th Drafted Shortstop ADP – 156 (High 87 / Low 201)
- Category: Primed for PrimeTime
Cabrera was a Bounce Back guy for me last year so much that I was able to package him before the season started in a deal to land Mark Teixeira in my AL only league. It helped push me over the top and win the league.
Cabrera came up in 2007, when he was only 21 years old and held his own hitting .283. 2008 saw him only hit .259. People forgot about the talent that got him to the Bigs so quickly. He was on a lot of sleeper lists last year and if you owned him then it paid off nicely. Another plus for Cabrera in 2010 is that he keeps the 2B/SS eligibility intact. Also, his post All Star game line of .315/.362/.463 showed an even more improved bat in 2009.
Comparables being drafted ahead of Cabrera: Yunel Escobar, Miguel Tejada, Rafael Furcal. I don’t see any reason why he shouldn’t outperform this trio and give 120 ADP value. If all goes right, he could push to be a top 5 SS by the end of 2010.
Follow the links to view the other posts in MSF’s 2010 fantasy baseball sleeper series:
- Fantasy baseball sleepers: catcher
- Fantasy baseball sleepers: outfielders
- Fantasy baseball sleepers: starting pitchers
- Fantasy baseball sleepers: closers
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* – Todd Helton football photo credit: Bleacher Report
* – Alberto Callaspo photo credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images North America via Zimbio.com
