Top 5 Sleeper Relief Pitchers - Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide 2009

I've never been big on drafting relievers in fantasy baseball. I know you want to win saves but that's the only category they contribute a lot in. So it's important to know some sleeper relief pitchers and get relievers late in the draft instead of wasting early rounds on them. These are five relievers that are fantasy baseball sleepers.

#1 Sleeper Relief Pitcher - Fantasy Baseball 2009: Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals

2008 Stats: 2 - 3, 1.60 ERA, 42 saves, 66 K's, 0.86 WHIP.

2009 Projection: 1 - 1, 1.80 ERA, 37 saves, 70 K's, 0.98 WHIP

I always refer to the elite group of closers as Papelbon, Rivera, Nathan and K-Rod. Joakim Soria had more saves than three of them, a lower ERA than two of them, and a lower WHIP than three of them.

#2 Sleeper Relief Pitcher - Fantasy Baseball 2009: Brandon Morrow, Seattle Mariners

2008 Stats: 3 - 4, 3.34 ERA, 10 saves, 75 K's, 1.14 WHIP

2009 Projection: 11 - 9, 3.30 ERA, 10 saves, 165 K's, 1.27 WHIP

Brandon Morrow is a great option as a closer to start the season. Just keep in mind that if a spot in the starting rotation comes available then Brandon Morrow might be the guy to take the spot.

#3 Sleeper Relief Pitcher - Fantasy Baseball 2009: Jose Arredondo, Los Angeles Angels

2008 Stats: 10 - 2, 1.62 ERA, 0 saves, 55 K's, 1.05 WHIP

2009 Projection: 5 - 1, 2.20 ERA, 10 saves, 75 K's, 1.08 WHIP

If Brian Fuentes falters or gets injured, both of which have happened before, then then Jose Arredondo will probably become the closer. Even if he doesn't become the closer Jose Arredondo is one of the few middle relievers dominant enough to make a difference in ERA in WHIP and last year he also notched 10 wins.

#4 Sleeper Relief Pitcher - Fantasy Baseball 2009: Chris Perez, St. Louis Cardinals

2008 Stats: 3 - 3, 3.46 ERA, 7 saves, 42 K's, 1.34 WHIP

2009 Projection: 0 - 1, 3.28 ERA, 24 saves, 66 K's, 1.38 WHIP

Chris Perez could win the closer role in spring training but it's more likely he doesn't win the job until sometime during the season.

#5 Sleeper Relief Pitcher - Fantasy Baseball 2009: Brad Ziegler, Oakland A's

2008 Stats: 3 - 0, 1.06 ERA, 11 saves, 30 K's, 1.15 WHIP

2009 Projection: 6 - 2, 1.38 ERA, 22 saves, 38 K's, 1.38 WHIP

With Huston Street gone Brad Ziegler will get a chance to be the closer in Oakland but he'll get some competition from Joey Devine.

Sources: All 2008 baseball stats were found at www.baseball-reference.com.

Other player information was found at www.mlb.com.