Anybody can draft the best players in the league during the first couple of rounds, but it is the guys you draft in the middle rounds who will play like first round picks that will allow you to win your fantasy baseball league and gain bragging rights over your friends.
The boys from The Cruddy Show discussed who they thought would be good sleepers in fantasy baseball in 2013. Here are four players poised to have breakout seasons in 2013 and who you should eye in your fantasy baseball draft's in the middle rounds.
Kendrys Morales - 1b: Morales was traded to Seattle this off-season and looks to be 100 percent healthy as the season begins. On the surface, a move to Seattle is usually not a good thing for a hitter. But, the Mariners moved the fences in at Safeco Field, which can only benefit Morales, who also has incentive to have a huge year considering he is a free agent after the season. Morales should be a good source of power in the seventh or eighth rounds.
Manny Machado - 3b: Machado is a natural shortstop, but will be manning the hot corner for the "Fighting Showalters" in 2013 and should be poised to have a breakout season. Machado hit .262 with seven home runs in 51 games with the Orioles last season and will certainly expand upon that performance during his first full year in the Big Leagues. If you can grab Machado around Round 12-14, you could have a breakout performer at a very low price.
Wil Myers - OF: Myers was traded to Tampa this off-season from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for James Shields and Wade Miller. Tampa gave up a lot for this prospect who hit .314 with 37 homers and 109 RBIs in the minors in 2012. Myers will start the season in the minors once again in 2013, but should join Tampa at some point at mid-season and could have an impact similar to the one Mike Trout had with the Angels in 2012.
Desmond Jennings - OF: Jennings becomes the second outfielder from the Tampa Bay Rays on this list, but likely the one with the least amount of risk. Jennings will be moving to center field now that B.J. Upton is not longer around and should flourish at the top of the Rays' lineup. His combination of speed and power makes him a very interesting player to look at in Round 4.
There you have it. Take a look at some of these guys a little bit earlier than you may originally would have thought as all four of these players are poised to outperform their expectations.
The Cruddy Show is a St. Louis sports talk show and podcast. Listen to The Cruddy Show every Tuesday and Friday night live at 9:30 pm CT on BlogTalkRadio.com to hear the latest in St. Louis sports. You can download each podcast on iTunes and follow (@CruddyShow) on Twitter!
