2013 NL Fantasy Baseball Deep Sleeper Picks
With late round fantasy baseball draft picks you are basically buying lottery tickets with the hope that one or two will pay off during the season. This is the list of solid lottery ticket choices for the 2013 fantasy baseball season. In the later rounds of fantasy baseball drafts your goal is to accumulate as many high potential lottery tickets lottery tickets as possible. The more obscure fantasy baseball lottery tickets are also known as deep sleepers. For your consideration, here is a list of several deep sleeper candidates for the 2013 fantasy baseball season.
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A list of over 100 funny, clever, and sometimes outrageous fantasy baseball team names for the 2013 season.
Billy Hamilton, SS, Cincinnati Reds
The 22 year old phenom has put up double-take numbers in the minors. In 2011 he stole 103 bases and he followed this up in 2012 with a mind-boggling 155 steals in only 132 games between A and AA stops. If that wasn't enough, he also had a .410 OBP in 2012. The Reds have been dying for a true lead-off hitter for the past several seasons and Hamilton may arrive to fill the void as early as 2013, especially if he has a hot spring or if Zack Cozart falters. Pay close attention to the tea leaves in spring training. There is talk coming out of the Reds that he may start the season playing centerfield. Stay tuned.
Trevor Rosenthal, RP, St. Louis Cardinals
The 22 year old Rosenthal pitched sparingly during the regular season. He played only 19 games coming out of the Cardinals bullpen and pitched only 22 2/3 innings. However, in the post season he really made head turns with his 100 mph fast ball and 15 strike outs in only 8 2/3 innings to go along with a 0.00 ERA and .563 WHIP. Look for him to be one of the primary set-up men coming out of the pen next season and with more experience you are most likely looking at the Cardinals next closer.
Kevin Frandsen, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies
The 30 year old Frandsen has been around and has already logged time with both the Giants and Angels in his career, but he seems to have found a home with the Phillies. An injury to Placido Polanco opened the door for him in 2012 and he stuck his foot firmly in it by hitting .338 with 2 homers and 14 RBI in 55 games down the stretch. He won't hit for much power, maybe 10 homers, but he does have a .310 lifetime batting average in the minors in over 2,200 at bats so he has demonstrated he can handle the bat. The third base job should be his in spring training. If he manages to hold onto it he could provide a nice source for batting average help in the later rounds. With the acquisition of Michael Young it appears Fransden may not get much playing time this season.
Rob Brantly, C, Miami Marlins
Brantly came over from the Tigers in the Anibal Sanchez trade and during September showed a sweet swing that should make him the starter on opening day. In 31 games for the Marlins he batted .290 with 3 homers and a .832 OPS. He has a .280 lifetime average in the minors in over 980 at bats and with a full season he should put up some nice numbers and will make a solid late round catcher if you miss out on the big names. Expect him to hit .280 with 12 homers and 50 RBI in 2013.
Logan Forsythe, 2B-3B, San Diego Padres
Forsythe took over the starting job at second for the Padres late in the season and ended the year on a productive high note that puts him in the running for the job in 2013. Overall for the season he batted .273 with 6 homers and 8 steals in only 315 at bats. With more playing time he could contribute in all categories with a possible 15-15 season. He will only be 26 at the start of the season. The Padres have the potential to surprise people offensively in 2013 with a lineup that will consist of Chase Headley, Carlos Quentin, Yonder Alsonso, Cameron Maybin, and Everth Cabrera. If Forsythe wins the starting job he could find himself batting second in this potent lineup.
- 2013 NL Fantasy Baseball Sleeper Picks
A list of National League fantasy baseball sleeper picks for the 2013 season. - Best NL Fantasy Baseball Second Basemen for 2013
A list of the best National League fantasy baseball second basemen for the 2013 season. - Best NL Fantasy Baseball Catchers for 2013
A list of the ten best National League fantasy baseball catchers for the 2013 season. - Best NL Fantasy Baseball Third Basemen for 2013
A list of the best National League fantasy baseball third basemen for the 2013 season. - Best NL Fantasy Baseball Outfielders for 2013
List of the top National League fantasy baseball outfielders for the 2013 season. - Best NL Fantasy Baseball First Baseman for 2013
A list of the best National League fantasy baseball first basemen for the 2013 season. - Best NL Fantasy Baseball Shortstops for 2013
A list of the best National League fantasy baseball shortstops for the 2013 season.
Nate Schierholtz, OF Chicago Cubs
Schierholtz was never really given a chance in San Francisco to play consistently. However, with his recent signing with the Cubs he could be the starting RF come opening day. He has a reputation for being great defensively and has one of the better arms in the game. The most playing time he has had in one season occurred in 2011 when he had 335 at bats and batted .278 with 9 homers, 22 doubles, 7 stolen bases, and 41 RBI. He is a career .270 hitter in the majors but holds a .306 mark in the minor league over more than 2,400 at bats, so he has the ability to hit. He is still relatively young at 28 and if he has the starting job out of spring training he could hit 15-20 homers with 10 steals.
Chris Nelson, 2B-3B, Colorado Rockies
The 27 year old from Stone Mountain, Georgia ended up playing quite a bit in the second half due to various injuries and ended up having a solid 2012 season. He played 111 games and batted .301 with 9 homers, 21 doubles, 3 triples, 53 RBI, and an .810 OPS. I'm excited about the new Rockies' manager, Walt Weiss, because the last two have been horrible in regards to fantasy reliability. The news just came out that the Rockies acquired Ryan Wheeler from the Diamondbacks, so this may cut into Nelson's playing time next season. However, with his ability to play third, second, and short, he may still end up with close to 400 at bats due covering injuries and backing up others on days off. If given the chance he could hit 20 homers in 2013. Stayed tuned in spring training to see if he wins the starting job at either third or short.
Donovan Solano, 2B-3B-OF, Miami Marlins
Meet the new Marlins, same as the old Marlins. With the fire sale of bloated salaries complete, Salono now appears to be one of the core players for 2013. He was a rookie in 2012 and played pretty well for the moribund Marlins. In 285 at bats he batted .295 with 7 stolen bases and played 2B, 3B, outfield, and even five games at shortstop. The 24 year old hit only .260 for his minor league career with little power, so there isn't much upside, but he could help out occasional if he gets consistent playing time.
Andrew Cashner, SP-RP, San Diego Padres
The 26 year old Cashner was one of the key pieces for the Padres in the trade that sent Anthony Rizzo to the Cubs prior to the 2012 season. With his 100 mph fastball he has a bright future, but he struggled with injuries last season, primarily an oblique that caused him to miss 6 weeks. He started the year in the bullpen but ended up in the rotation by the end of the season. Overall he pitched in 46 1/3 innings and struck out 52 with a 4.27 ERA and 1.317 WHIP. He should be in the starting rotation come spring training and if he can stay healthy will make a nice selection in the later rounds. However, we just got a bit of bad news regarding Cashner. It appears he injured a ligament in his finger during a hunting trip and will likely begin the 2013 campaign on the disabled list. The right-hander needed surgery after he suffered a cut to his thumb and will need a three-month recovery from the injury before he can start a throwing program.
Brett Jackson, OF, Chicago Cubs
Jackson was called up last season, but never really got going and struggled for much of his time in the majors. In 44 games and 120 at bats he hit only .175 with 4 homers, 9 RBI, and an astounding 59 strike outs. With the Cubs still in rebuilding mode they will give their 24 year old outfielder every chance to make the the team and start in 2013. He demonstrated he can hit in the minors with a .282 career average while hitting as many as 20 homers and stealing as many as 30 bases in a season. Look for him to contribute more in 2013.