2012 Fantasy Baseball: Relief Pitcher (RP) Sleepers

2012 Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher (RP) Sleepers are based on a standard single season redraft mixed AL/NL fantasy baseball league for the 2012 season. Scoring settings include: wins, losses, saves, strikeouts, ERA, and WHIP - (W, L, SV, K, ERA, WHIP). ( ) = players age

Relief Pitcher (RP) Sleepers are based on players who have the potential to make a significant statistical impact during the 2012 season, and are typically ranked and drafted lower in fantasy baseball leagues than what their potential stats warrant for the 2012 season.

2012 Sleepers: C -- 1B -- 2B -- 3B -- SS -- OF -- SP -- RP -- Printable Cheat Sheet

2012 Deep Sleepers: C -- 1B -- 2B -- 3B -- SS -- OF -- SP -- RP

2012 Relief Pitcher (RP) Sleepers

Jordan Walden - LAA - RP (24)

Entering the 2011 season having just 15 innings pitched of major league experience under his belt, Walden took over as the Angels closer to begin the 2011 season and never looked back. As a rookie, Walden notched 32 saves to go along with a very respectable 2.98 ERA. With the addition of Albert Pujols to the Angels lineup, there is plenty of reason to believe that Walden could be looking at a 40 plus save season in 2012.

2011 Major League Stats: 60 IP, 5 W, 5 L, 32 SV, 67 K, 2.98 ERA, 1.24 WHIP

2012 Stat Projections: 65 IP, 5 W, 3 L, 40 SV, 70 K, 2.80 ERA, 1.20 WHIP

Sergio Santos - Tor - RP (28)

Taking over as the Chicago White Sox closer for the 2011 season, Santos broke out as one of the best strikeout relief pitchers in all of baseball last season. Posting an exceptional 92 strikeouts over just 63 innings pitched, Santos who is entering the prime of his career at age 28, is poised to become a top 10 closer in fantasy baseball leagues in 2012.

2011 Major League Stats: 63 IP, 4 W, 2 L, 30 SV, 92 K, 3.55 ERA, 1.11 WHIP

2012 Stat Projections: 65 IP, 3 W, 3 L, 32 SV, 90 K, 2.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP

Jason Motte - StL - RP (29)

After a breakthrough 2011 season that culminated in tremendous postseason success, Motte enters the 2012 season as the Cardinals undisputed closer. Offering solid strikeout potential, Motte has all the tools needed to be a successful major league closer. One the downside, the loss of Albert Pujols in the Cardinals lineup may result in less save opportunities, but even at that, Motte has a realistic chance at tallying 30 saves during the 2012 season.

2011 Major League Stats: 68 IP, 5 W, 2 L, 9 SV, 63 K, 2.25 ERA, 0.96 WHIP

2012 Stat Projections: 65 IP, 5 W, 3 L, 30 SV, 65 K, 2.25 ERA, 1.05 WHIP

Others to Keep an Eye on

Vinnie Pestano - Cle - RP (27)

David Hernandez - Ari - RP (26)

Mike Adams - Tex - RP (33)

Fernando Salas - StL - RP (26)

Mark Melancon - Bos - RP (27)

Jesse Crain - CWS - RP

.