Can’t get enough sleepers? Yeah, neither can we. And from our experience, the more names you can see, the better job you can do evaluating all the choices on draft day. We’ve already done a little sleeper roundtable, but our next move is to roll out the 2010 All-Sleeper Team, which consists of players we feel will greatly out-perform their current draft stock.

That’s the essence of a sleeper anyway, right? It’s not just about using a valuable draft choice on some player no other manager has ever heard of. It’s about getting the most bang for your buck, from the start of your draft all the way until the end.

For this exercise, we’re starting with the five infield positions, including catcher, then adding separate posts for outfielders, starting pitchers and relievers over the course of the next week. Read more »

Along with the corner outfield positions, first base is a premium run-producing position. Significant home run, RBIs, runs scored and walk numbers accompany the first few tiers of first basemen.

Unlike most other positions, there isn’t a huge drop off between the first two tiers. Most teams put their big, strong defensive liability at first, making it a predominantly offensive position. Read more »

We will be rolling out plenty of 2010 fantasy baseball coverage in the coming days, weeks and months, but let’s start right here with player-by-player profiles of our rough top 100 preseason rankings. Stay tuned to the site for more player profiles, draft kit information, rankings, sleepers, busts, etc. as Spring Training approaches.

Billy Butler, 1B, Kansas City Royals
Overview: Young slugger who turned a corner last season … made strides as a solid, professional hitter, but still has to prove himself as a home run hitter … signs for improved power are there, in the forms of extra-base hits and an upward power trend in the second half last season … at just 23 years old, is widely expected to take a leap forward in 2010.
2009 numbers: .301 avg., 21 HRs, 93 RBIs, 78 runs, 1 SB in 159 games
Key splits and trends: Showed increased power as the season went on, highlighted by a season-best 6 HRs in September … was a .362 hitter at home and just a .240 hitter on the road, a split that could use some improving … ranked second in the majors with 51 doubles, which helped his slugging percentage rise from .400 to a career-best .492.
Strengths: Is a good contact hitter for a big man … is also a 100-RBI candidate whose size and strength, when combined with better leverage in his swing, could lead to 30 HRs as well.
Weaknesses: Road performances are disconcerting … is a base clogger, not a run scorer, and is still unproven as a power hitter.
Bold prediction for 2010: Takes a step, not a leap, forward in HR production and has a .300-25-100 season.

Billy Butler, 1B/DH, Kansas City Royals
Status: Finally reaching power potential
Basics: .302 AVG, 13 HRs, 57 RBIs, 50 runs in 109 games
Key Stats: Has multiple hits in 6 straight games
What to Watch For: Power to keep improving
Other Notes: Aggregate numbers won’t blow you away, but is trending up in a big way … is hitting .441 (15-for-34) with a 1.241 OPS in August … Royals have needed more power, and he has delivered … already has 49 extra-base hits, 16 more than he had all of last season … continued improvement in power game could lead to 30-HR, 100-RBI season in very near future, likely 2010
Verdict: Add in all formats; could be a star in the making

One interesting item to note each season is how teams handle their underperforming young players, especially those who have garnered top prospect status. Confidence is key, so clubs must be cautious in their decision to bench a rookie, demote him, or let him play through his struggles. Demotions make for interesting storylines because a player can, and often does, come back to the majors more prepared than ever for sustained success.

Four players come to mind as going that route in ‘08. The most heralded of the group was Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano, who was called up for an early test in his first major league action since 2006 Tommy John surgery. Liriano crashed and burned in the earlyaudition and was sent to Triple-A Rochester, where he went 10-0 in his final 11 starts and hit the ground running upon his recall to Minnesota. Read more »

Billy Butler  hit his sixth home run of the year and added four RBIs in Sunday’s win over the Tigers and is now hitting .385 with 2 home runs and 5 RBIs during a meager 4 game hit streak. Butler is highly regarded around Major League Baseball and fantasy circles as a potential star, but still has more strikeouts than RBIs and only 25 walks in 268 at-bats.

Butler has the swing, mannerisms and power of former Royal Mike Sweeney, but inconsistency has prevented the 22-year-old from becoming an elite first baseman or fantasy option. As it is, Butler still represents one of the better free agent power hitters, in spite of the peaks and valleys in his production. Read more »

Power makes a fantasy offense tick, so when a team doesn’t have it, competing for a league championship becomes doubly hard. Beyond the traditional big bats in fantasy - Pujols, A-Rod, Holliday, etc. - power can be scarce along the way. The Dirty Half Dozen is here to help, with six power hitting prospects available in at least 90 percent of ESPN.com leagues.

The centerpieces of this list all have a common tale to tell, having bounced back and forth between the majors and minors. But, none of those three players - Colorado’s Ian Stewart, Kansas City’s Billy Butler and Toronto’s Adam Lind - have lost their top prospect status. And each of them will be better for their experiences in the minors. Read more »