In an attempt to explain how get build my draft lists each year, I am walking through the process I use to generate player rankings.  If you would like to follow this process from the start, read my previous articles:

• Step 1 – Set projections of players based upon their expected playing time for 2010 using a linear estimation method. 
• Step 2  – Adjust projections for players who had performances that were not in line with their past performances.
• Step 3 - Testing out your initial fantasy baseball rankings in a mock draft.  
• Step 4 - Incorporate Average Draft Pick (ADP) information into your fantasy baseball rankings.

Step 5 is a complete review of projected starting rosters for each major league baseball team to determine which players may have increased fantasy baseball value in 2010.  During this process, the top 100 players do not change; however, several younger players make their way up the fantasy baseball rankings that many draft guides could not have predicted in early January.

Once projections are updated for players based on their projected playing time, you can see how it can impact fantasy baseball draft rankings.  Once the fantasy baseball rankings have been generated, then you can compare those rankings to ADP lists to determine which players may be the sleepers for 2010. 

NOTE: RotoRank recently adjusted the way it displays ADP on its reports.  Previously, RotoRank would rank players 1 to 600 based upon the Average Draft Picks for each player.  This looked great for publishing the Top 100 players on the ADP list, but it affected how certain late round players ranked.  Going forward, RotoRank will display the raw ADP score for each player, so it is possible that several players have the same ADP score, foe example: Hanley Ramirez has an ADP of 2.01 and Alex Rodriguez has an ADP of 2.5, but the ADP for these players on RotoRank reports will be “2”.  This gives owners a better sense of when certain players may come of their fantasy baseball draft board, especially in the late rounds of the draft where 20 to 30 different players could all be getting selected around picks 150, 200, 250, and 300 on Average.  

Projected Top 10 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers for 2010

Some fantasy baseball pundits would not classify Phil Hughes as a sleeper; however, any player drafted outside of draft pick 250 that has the potential to put up Top 150 value needs to be considered a fantasy baseball sleeper.  If Phil Hughes wins the 5^th starting pitcher slot in the New York Yankee rotation this spring, then Phil Hughes will definitely be drafted before pick 200; however, if he starts in the bullpen, he could still post Top 200 value, since he had 8 wins in the middle relief role last year. 

Madison Bumgarner is another talented starting pitcher than has a shot to win the 5^th slot in a deep San Francisco Giant rotation.  He is likely to start the season in the bullpen, much like JA Happ did for the Phillies last year.  If you draft him around pick 280 and are patient enough to keep him on your reserve until he gets his shot to pitch in the starting rotation.

At 27, Will Venable is at his prime age and has a shot to have a career year.  With San Diego in a rebuilding mode, he should get 500 at-bats.  It looks like Venable will go undrafted in many 10-team fantasy baseball leagues.  If you get to the last few rounds in your draft and you need a Reserve OF, take a look at Venable.

Tim Stauffer is going to be a key component of the San Diego Padres rotation if he can stay healthy, and even bad teams have 10-game winners.  Stauffer has the skills to post solid number, so an owner drafting in deeper fantasy baseball leagues will have a shot to earn great value with this selection.  The think I like most about taking a flyer on Stauffer is that Petco Field is definitely pitcher friendly ballpark!

Pedro Alvarez is expected to be a big-time power hitter as he matures, and 2010 could definitely be his debut season.  He will likely be kept in the minor leagues until June, so that the Pirates can keep him under control for an extra year, but even in a shortened season, he could post 20+ homeruns in the hitter friendly PNC Park.

Another young pitcher on a team that has low expectations for the 2010 season.  Norris has excellent power numbers, so he could definitely be a low cost alternative for racking up strikeouts for your fantasy baseball rotisserie league.

The oldest player on this list of projected sleepers, Belliard has often been a free agent pickup in many leagues during his career.  Belliard is not flashy, but he is consistent and he is now in a more potent LA Dodger lineup.  If you need a reserve middle infielder that can post solid numbers, consider drafting Ronnie Belliard in the late rounds of your fantasy baseball draft.

Kyle McClellan is the type of late round flyer I like to select during fantasy baseball drafts.  He is currently go undrafted in almost every league to date; therefore, you could get him in the last round of your draft.  The benefit to selecting McClellan is that he could get extra run support while pitching for a playoff contender.  If he has great spring training, I am sure he will be getting more attention in the fantasy baseball drafts that occur in late March.  If he gets off to a slow start, he is someone that could remain a sleeper that could become a key free agent pickup in June, after injuries take their toll on the Saint Louis Cardinals starting rotation.

One of the crown jewels that Cleveland acquired as part of the Victor Martinez trade to Boston last year, Masterson has some great upside.  Since Justin Masterson has good power numbers and a virtual lock on a starting rotation spot throughout the 2010 season, he will be a good sleeper pick for any 2010 fantasy baseball team.

Anibal Sanchez has shown flashes of greatness in the past, but he always seems to be injured.  If he is able to stay healthy, he could post good numbers.

Blake DeWitt is only 24 years old, so he may not be able to win a starting job out of spring training; however, with 34 year-old Ronnie Belliard playing 2B and 36 year-old Casey Blake playing 3B, Blake DeWitt could see a lot of playing time in a platoon role, and could eventually be given a shot to own a regular lineup spot if he starts off well.

They are numerous other sleepers that you might want to keep an eye on during the early months of the season, because some of these younger players are an injury away from getting a real opportunity to shine and contribute to your fantasy basbeall team. 

This list may change slighty as spring training progresses and each MLB team decides who will make their starting lineup to start the 2010.  Step 6 of the RotoRank fantasy baseball ranking process is to review spring training statistics to see which players win a job in the starting lineup and see which players may be early season replacements for injured players.

If you want an up-to-date fantasy baseball draft guide that utilizes unique player grading reports to highlight clusters of talent at each position for any type of fantasy baseball scoring format, consider a subscription to RotoRank.

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