Top 5 Sleeper Right Fielders - 2009 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide

It is every fantasy baseball enthusiast's dream to pick up that "diamond in the ruff" player in the later rounds of your draft. Although there are these types of players at every position, I am only going to focus on some sleeper right fielders, and give you their 2008 statistics, as well as their 2009 projections.

#1 Sleeper Right Fielder - Hunter Pence - Fantasy Baseball 2009

Although his average was down from 2007, Hunter Pence had a very quiet, but solid, 2008 season. In 157 games, he hit 25 home runs, drove in 83, and accumulated a total of 160 hits. Despite his size, Pence can run the bases, as he legged out 4 triples and managed to steal 11 bases. He is just waiting to have that breakthrough year that every young player has, and 2009 might be the season for that to happen.

#2 Sleeper Right Fielder - Denard Span - Fantasy Baseball 2009

Span only appeared in 93 games in 2008, but he is going to be the starting right fielder for the Twins in 2009. Despite the lack of playing time, Span collected 102 hits, 7 triples, and 47 RBI's, to go along with his 18 stolen bases. If that is what he did in only 93 games, add about 70 more to that and then do the math. More playing time equals more hits and more opportunities to use his legs to his advantage.

#3 Sleeper Right Fielder - Nelson Cruz - Fantasy Baseball 2009

Like Span, Nelson Cruz saw limited playing time as well last season, but he is also projected to be the starting right fielder for the Texas Rangers. In only 32 games, he accumulated 38 hits in which 7 of them were home runs, and he finished with a .330 batting average and a .609 slugging percentage. The 2009 season can be the opening Cruz needs to really show off his talent, and with him being a projected starter, he is going to have the opportunity to produce.

#4 Sleeper Right Fielder - Elijah Dukes - Fantasy Baseball 2009

In 2008, Dukes hit 13 home runs and drove in 44, while also walking a total of 50 times in 81 games. He also legged out 16 doubles and 13 stolen bases, which means that he cannot only hit, but he can run to. His batting average was slightly low at .264, but he did improve in from the 2007 season when he only hit .190. He is seeing more and more playing time with each season that passes, and in 2009, he could see the most he has ever seen before for the Washington Nationals.

#5 Sleeper Right Fielder - Ryan Church - Fantasy Baseball 2009

Nagging injuries during the 2008 season bothered Church, but after some much needed rest, he should be rearing to go in 2009. He hit 12 home runs and drove in 49 in 90 games last season, but those numbers could have been better if he played on a more regular basis. In 2009, he is going to have to step up, as he is projected as the top right fielder on the Mets depth chart as of now. He is a good player to steal in the later rounds, but just be aware that he is a strikeout victim, accumulating a total of 83 last season.

Source: www.mlb.com