2011 Fantasy Baseball: Top Five AL Sleeper Draft Selections

Any fantasy baseball owner knows that the success of their team comes in the later rounds of the draft rather then the top few.

They spend spend countless hours doing research on players most casual fans have never heard before with the hope of finding those few keys to fuel their championships.

These are five sleeper selections from the American league who will be on the winning team at the end of the season.

Adam Jones (BAL)

The outfielder from the Orioles is going to benefit greatly from the bats upper management brought in during the off-season. Even more important will be the play of Brian Roberts at the top of the order. While his average of .280 may be nothing to write home about, Jones should see increases in his offensive production across the board.

Edwin Jackson (CWS)

When it comes to pitchers, it is sometimes more lucky than the skill of the fantasy baseball owners. It does not take luck to see the potential in Jackson with his 172 strikeouts he threw in 2010. Jackson will continue to improve with an offense behind him.

J.P. Arencibia (TOR)

If you are like most fantasy owners, you normally wait until the later rounds once Mauer is off the boards. Arencibia is one of those catchers who gives you the option to wait until the final rounds. A lackluster average can be outweighed by the 20 homeruns he should hit in 2011.

Ryan Raburn (DET)

Raburn came on strong during the second half of 2010 with .315 batting average with 13 homeruns and 46 runs driven in. As a result, he has earned himself a starting role for 2011. There is no reason why a owner should pass on him as their fourth outfielder because he is going to pay huge dividends.

Chone Figgins (SEA)

Yes, he almost dropped off the face of the baseball world in 2010 with a disastrous first season in Seattle. While he may not return to the same level of his 2009 production, there is no reason not to expect him to hit around .290 with 100 runs and another 40 plus stolen bases.