The Top Ten 2010 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers

One key to any successful fantasy baseball team is being able to find a star player in the later rounds of your draft. Here is a look at the top ten sleepers to look at in your 2010 Fantasy Baseball draft.

Geovany Soto (Catcher)

After a breakout performance in 2008, Soto took a step back in 2009 as he saw a decrease in every major batting category. This may scare off some fantasy baseball owners, but remember he is only 27 years old and just reaching his prime. Soto has already lost some weight before spring training and appears to be on the right track for 2010.

Sleeper Projections .270 average 21 homeruns 60 runs 75 RBI's

Billy Butler (First base)

What is not to like about this 23 year old, who appeared to come into his own during the second half of the 2009 season. The Kansas City Royals offense will be directed by Butler's success at the plate in 2010. Fantasy baseball owners should expect to see an increase in all of the major offensive categories for Butler during 2010.

Sleeper Projections .305 average 25 homeruns 45 doubles 80 runs 95 RBI's

Matt Garza (Pitcher)

Last year was a big year for Garza who broke the 200 inning mark for the first time in his professional career. A better sign for Garza was the 189 strikeouts he recorded during the season. Garza was the model of consistency during the season, something a fantasy baseball owner must have. With a revamped bullpen for the Tampa Bay Rays, expect better overall numbers in 2010.

Sleeper Projections 200 innings 14 wins 3.70 ERA 190 strikeouts

Josh Willingham (Outfielder)

In 2009, Willingham had a solid first year debut with the Washington Nationals while avoiding any significant time on the disabled list. He is going to benefit from the presence of Adam Dunn and Ryan Zimmerman in the lineup. Willingham will have all the playing time he wants since he was named the starter for left field after the Nationals moved some of their surplus.

Sleeper Projections .270 average 28 homeruns 70 runs 75 RBI's

Chris Davis (First Base)

Many fantasy baseball owners expected big things from Davis after his breakout second half of the 2008 season. But after a disappointing start to 2009, Davis needed a two month stint in the minor leagues to fix the hole in his swing. When he returned, Davis maintained a .308 average with 26 RBI's in 36 games.

Sleeper Projections /279 average 28 homeruns 85 runs 94 RBI's

Kelly Johnson (Second Base)

The Atlanta Braves second baseman saw a drop off in production in 2009 along with missing a third of the season after a stint on the disabled list. Johnson is fully recovered and primed to ready to return to the field to help provide the extra pop to the Braves offense

Sleeper Projections .275 average 15 homeruns 70 runs 60 RBI's 10 stolen bases

Cole Hamels (Pitcher)

Despite having a decent season in 2009, Hamels performance was viewed by many fantasy baseball owners as being a bust. As a result, his value has dropped for the 2010 draft. The presence of Roy Halladay and a potent Philadelphia Phillies offense will be enough to take some of the pressure off of Hamels and help him return to his 2007-2008 form.

Sleeper Projections 215 innings 16 wins 3.50 ERA 194 strikeouts

Jonathan Sanchez (Pitcher)

Mostly remembered for his no-hitter from 2009, Sanchez flew under the radar thanks to the dominating performance of Tim Lincecum. While he was only able to post an 8-12 record with the San Francisco Giants, Sanchez was able to reduce his ERA for the third straight year and recorded 177 strikeouts.

Sleeper Projections 185 innings 13 wins 3.78 ERA 187 strikeouts

Carlos Quentin (Outfielder)

When it comes to production, Quentin has the ability to deliver, especially in the revamped Chicago White Sox lineup. The fact that he missed time due to injury last year may scare off some fantasy baseball owners. Do not let this fear override the fact that Quentin is one of the more feared hitters in the game and is capable of a MVP season.

Sleeper Projections .280 average 36 homeruns 95 runs 105 RBI's

Mike Aviles (Shortstop)

The Kansas City Royals and Aviles would like to forget a dreadful 2009 season that was topped off when Aviles had season ending surgery. This shortstop can be a bargain for fantasy baseball owners, especially if he is able to return to his 2008 form that showed promise.

Sleeper Projections .285 average 11 homeruns 70 runs 50 RBI's 13 stolen bases

Resources

www.mlb.com

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb