Top 2012 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers

By KEN W PACZAS

In 2012, There are 7 key guys poised for big years. You will be able to draft them four or 5 rounds after where they should be drafted. Take advantage, and you can win your league.

Wilson Ramos C, Washington – Ramos is best known as the guy who got kidnapped in Venezuela this off season before a daring rescue saved him. However, now that Pudge is gone, 2012 he will become a household name. He is 24 and his ability to hit for power and average makes him an exciting prospect as a catcher. He hit .267 with 15 home runs and 52 RBI with just 389 at bats. He is now the full time catcher and should hit 20 home runs and bat for 80 RBI in this improved National line up.

Dee Gordon, SS, Dodgers – Gordon is the man you want to target if you want to own the stolen base category. In just 56 games last year, Gordan swiped 24 bases. If he plays in 156 games in 2012, that projects him at 67 stolen bases and possible league lead. Unlike other players who steal bases, he also hits for average. Last year he batted .304, and is only 23.

Cameron Maybin, OF, Padres – In Maybin’s first season with the Padres, he hit .264, with 9 HRs, 40 RBI, and 40 steals, 26 came after the break. In 2012, he is cemented as an every day player, and those numbers should increase in every category.

Shin-Soo Choo, OF, Indians – Choo struggled with injuries and a much publicized DUI in 2011, but Choo has been nothing but consistent, hitting .300 or better in three full seasons. At age 28, he is in the prime of his career, and with an improved team around him, his numbers should bounce back nicely.

Matt Moore, P, Rays – Moore might not make the rotation, but if he does, watch out. Moore pitched 5 innings against the Yankees in September and struck out 11. Against the Rangers in the ALDS, Moore gave up one run in 10 innings of work. Moore was lights out dominant in AA and AAA, striking out 210 and walking just 46 in 155 innings. The Rays might want to start him in AAA till June, but if they don’t, he will be their second best starter. PERIOD.

Jason Heyward, OF, Braves – Heyward was TERRIBLE in 2011, hitting just .227 with 14 home runs. He even lost playing time down the stretch. However, he is just 22. He has lost 20 pounds and refocused on what made him a deadly hitter in 2010. He was banged up and pressed too much. Heyward still has 30 HR, 20 Steal ability and though he might not hit it this year, he will be more 2010, then 2011.

Carl Crawford, OF, Red Sox – I know, Crawford is not a sleeper. Yet, if you look at where people are rating him, he should be. In 2011, he was the #3 overall player, #1 OF heading into the season in the fantasy world. Now Espn has him at 92, the 28^th best OF behind the likes of Jason Werth, Adam Jones and BJ Upton. Are you kidding me? Don’t give me the pressure of Boston. Newsflash, they love hustlers and nobody hustles more than Crawford. His terrible year came at 29, so you can’t make the argument his skills are in decline due to age. Truth of the matter is, he was hurt, and pressed too much trying to live up to the contract. However, with 6 years left, Boston is going to do everything they can to fix him and get him out of this rut. I truly believe in 2013, when they make their list, Crawford will once again be a top 12 player. I fully expect him to bat .306, 19 HR, 42 SB, and 88 RBI. 

Congrats Detroit!!!! with an Asterisk

By Kenneth W Paczas

The Motor City Red Wings just did something we haven't seen in NHL history but twice before. They won their 20th consecutive home game. They did so knocking off the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday night.

Ironically enough, the 20-game streak ties the Flyers for longest all time. The Bruins are the other holder of the record from way back in the 1920’s. What a great accomplishment, and in today’s NHL, this is a remarkable feat. However, anyone know doesn’t wear Red Wing tinted glasses, knows that this streak deserves an asterisk.

The Flyers won all of theirs in regulation. No shootouts, just 20 straight victories in regulation. The Wings have won three times during this streak because of the shootout.

The Red Wings had a benefit the other two teams didn't. They have the shootout to help them settle ties. In the pre-shootout era, this streak would be described as a 20-game unbeaten streak. Again, that's exceptional and very noteworthy. It's just not the same.

This reminds me a lot of Roger Maris surpassing Babe Ruth's record with 61 home runs in 1961. He had the benefit of playing eight extra games. Maris was still honored as the record holder for years, but there was always that little asterisk.

Different eras hold different advantages. When the Bruins won, they had full overtimes. The Flyers didn’t have free agency or a salary cap. However, you can’t deny that the Flyers winning 20 in a row is more impressive than the Wings.

The Wings can shut everyone up by winning 3-5 more games. Then at that point, everyone, including me, can stick that in our pipes and smoke it. However, I don’t think they care much to get to 25. They have one goal in mind and that is Lord Stanley.

The one positive this has done for the Wings, is put them in position for the Presidents Trophy. If they were to get home ice for the entire playoffs, they would have to be one of the favorites to win their first cup since 2008.

If history follows suit, the Wings won’t win it. In 1929-30, and 1975-76, when the Bruins and Flyers won 20 in a row, the Montreal Canadians won the cup both years. So the smart money is to bet the Habs right?

However, the last two times the Patriots lost in the Superbowl, in 1997, and 2008, the Wings won the cup. Can the third time be a charm? Either way, this season has been amazing to watch.