Sandman’s Sleepers: Thirty Three & A Third

March 25, 2009

The third installment of the renowned feature Sandman’s Sleepers will cover another four players who may slip under the fantasy radar:

1. Khalil Greene

Now a St. Louis Cardinal, Greene is coming off of a career-worst season.  Having batted a mere .213 with 10 homers in 389 at bats, KG took as big a step backward as he had taken a step forward after 2007’s breakthrough. Leaving PETCO Park should help Greene.  Batting in the same lineup as Albert Pujols and Ryan Ludwick should ensure that Greene sees hittable pitches, so for those reasons and more, consider a healthy Khalil Greene a big time  sleeper for 2009!

2. Ian Stewart

Let’s face it – there are not too many power hitting second basemen.  Now considered the weakest infield position (other than catcher) due to the dearth of talent, a second baseman with largely overlooked 20 home run potential is a diamond of the diamond.  Consider Stewart that guy.  Colorado is going to give their long time uber-prospect an extended look in 2009, and if Todd Helton is healthy it will be at second base.  Stewart will probably see time at third too, but either way his 10 homers in just 266 at bats in 2008 and a lengthy pedigree of pop suggest a sleeper at 2B!

3. Orlando Hudson

Be wary of those who consider Hudson done, washed up, finished.  Those fantasy GM’s are forgetting the phenomenon known as the “one-year deal.”  In other words, Orlando Hudson inked a one year deal with LA prior to the ‘09 season and posted decent numbers amid injury in 2008.  Yes he’s 31 years of age, but if Jeff Kent was capable of playing well into his 80’s, why not give Hudson another shot at redemption in 2009? I will.

4. Kenji Johjima

In spite of the emergence of Jeff Clement, Johjima downward spiraled faster than the US financial market.  In his three seasons in the Bigs as a Seattle Mariner, JoJo has posted solid numbers two seasons, and up until 2009, was widely considered a top AL backstop.  After posting 7 homers to go with a .227 average in 2008, fantasy GM’s have seemingly abandoned all hope for a return to form.  I have not.  The better defensive option behind the plate, Johjima will probably see the majority of at-bats unless he repeats 2008’s disappointment. If he returns to 2006 and 2007 form, Kenji Johjima will be available at major discount!

Comments are welcome. Feel free to add names to our growing list and help fantasy GM’s stay informed!

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Written by Russell Sandman · Filed Under Blog, Draft Strategy  | 6 Comments »

Comments

6 Responses to “Sandman’s Sleepers: Thirty Three & A Third”

  1. Dan King on March 25th, 2009 7:58 am

    2. Russell, you always seem to find the nice sleepers hiding out.
    I’ve got to comment on your “lengthy pedigree of pop” phrase… I thought you were talking about the Jackson family….

  2. Evan on March 25th, 2009 1:31 pm

    3. Johjima’s an interesting one. The Mariners are high on Clement and want him to succeed. If Clement continues to develop, he will get more at-bats and diminish Johjima’s role even further. But there are so few good catching options – particularly in leagues that require two catchers – that Johjima is well worth the risk. He was one of the top catcher’s in the league before last season, so you’re right, he could be a sleeper.

  3. Russ on March 25th, 2009 9:13 pm

    4. Of course the presence of Clement was a consideration, but if the defense isn’t up to snuff (he DH’ed almost as much as he caught last season and Johjima was awful last season), or if management prefers to give the veteran another look before passing the reins, then Kenji Johjima would be a logical sleeper pick. Great point by the way, and Clement was 2007’s Wieters…the jury is still out on both as of yet. At least JoJo is a known quantity – and we know how far that goes in fantasyball.

  4. How to Identify Sleepers | Fantasy Baseball 101 on March 25th, 2009 10:02 pm

    5. [...] of fantasy baseball websites, including http://www.fantasybaseball101.com, list sleepers for you to consider on draft day.  Indeed, this time next year some will gloat about their [...]

  5. Mike on March 25th, 2009 11:00 pm

    6. Thanks for the sleepers info Sandman!. I’ve got my draft this weekend and I’m going in with a few sleepers, plus others I’ve dug up. Hey do most of you guys do your drafts online or @ like a bar or something? Mine is @ a bar near my place this weekend. I ask because I saw this interesting contest they’re having @ CBSSports.com. Looks pretty cool…you can win a big trip to South Florida to host your Fantasy Baseball Draft. Here’s a link in case anyone’s interested: http://www.cbssports.com/contests/trivia/5637

  6. Albert Lang on March 26th, 2009 5:04 pm

    7. I do my drafts mostly online, given my league mates live in several countries. I prefer in person — so much more fun!

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