Fantasy Baseball Pickup Potential-Sleeper Central-June 16

As the summer starts to heat up, we’re entering into the last few weeks pre-All-Star break. Just in time for your pre-halftime adjustments  I’m back with the daily Sleeper Central after a week in the north woods of Maine. For almost every day the rest of the season you can find a lineup of sleepers that have the potential to offer your team the boost it needs from a certain position or in a certain category.

You can check our archive for an idea of what to expect and set a bookmark so you’ll get our new lineup each day. Our spot starter selections will return looking ahead to Sunday’s game later today so make sure you stay locked in as FantasyCPR resumes it’s complete game fantasy baseball coverage.

Sleeper Starting Lineup

C– Martin Maldonado – Mil: (0.6% owned in ESPN leagues) Last night, Maldonado hit his third home run in his last seven games bringing his total for the year to four with 12 RBI and a .262 batting average. Maldonado has been seeing more time behind the dish with George Kottaras missing time and has short-term value as a result. His long-term value is limited since he’s expected to be sent back down when Jonathan Lucroy returns from his hand injury.

1B– Brandon Moss – Oak: (8.6%) Where did this come from? Moss has five home runs in his last four games as he becomes the latest in a parade of 1B to play for the A’s this season. Oakland has been on the hunt for any offense from the position so expect Moss to get plenty of time after a red-hot .300 start in his first nine games with six home runs, 11 RBI, two doubles, and nine runs scored.

2B– Chris Nelson – Col: (0.0%) Nelson has filled in at 2B while Troy Tulowitzki has been sidelined and Marco Scutaro slides from 2B to SS. Last night, he went 2-3 with three runs scored, three home runs, a triple, and a home run. On the year, he’s hitting .250 with three home runs, 10 runs scored, and 13 RBI in his first 100 at-bats.

3B– Jordan Pacheco – Col: (4.1%) In his last four games, Pacheco has three multi-hit efforts. His average is up to .301 with a home run, 14 RBI, and 14 runs scored while playing everday at 3B for the Rockies. He’s worth a look if you have a need at the position and can use average, RBI, and runs. He won’t contribute greatly in stolen bases or home run as his line for the year indicates.

SS– Andrelton Simmons – Atl: (2.1%) While his long-term offensive productivity is still questionable, Simmons has started off his MLB career hot since taking over for the demoted Tyler Pastornicky. Simmons is batting .333 in his first 2 games with six RBI and four runs scored. He went 3-4 last night with his second home run of the year last night against the Orioles. He’s an option for as long has he keeps this stroke up, but his minor league reputation was as a good glove not a solid bat like this.

OF– Elian Herrera – LAD: (2.4%) Herrera continues to hit in the second spot in Don Mattingly’s Dodger lineup. He went 2-5 yesterday with a pair of doubles and three RBI. He’s up to 14 RBI now in his first 29 games while batting .296 and scoring 17 runs. He has nine doubles on the year with three steals and 16 walks while playing 2B, 3B, and the OF.

OF– Scott Hairston – NYM: (4.9%) Hairston’s playing time has been sporadic but his production has been fairly consistent with nine home runs, 26 RBI, 21 runs, and three steals in his first 120 at-bats on the year. He may be in line for some extra playing time if Jason Bay is out with a concussion.

OF– Scott Podsednik – Bos: (2.0%) The Red Sox outfield is a crowded and changing place, but Podsednik has been consistently batting leadoff and contributing lately. He had a pair of hits and a pair of steals yesterday bringing his total to six steals in seven attempts with a .382 batting average in his first 17 games for Boston.

AL Starting Pitcher– Phil Hughes – NYY: (35%) The Yankees starter got his seventh win of the year pitching a solid six innings allowing a run on six hits and two walks while striking out nine. In his last three starts, he’s allowed just four runs in 21.1 innings. He’s allowed two earned runs of fewer in six of his last seven starts lowering his ERA to 4.50 with a 1.34 WHIP.

NL Starting Pitcher– Trevor Cahill – Ari: (25.5%) In his last three starts, Cahill has been excellent pitching 16 shutout innings on the road and allowing just two runs against his former teammates the Athletics. He shut out the Angels for seven innings yesterday on three hits and two walks with eight strikeouts. He’s 5-5 now with a 3.08 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. He’s a solid spot starter at least and is worth a look in deep leagues.

Relief Pitcher– Vinnie Pestano – Cle: (3.4%) Pestano has allowed a run in just one of his last 10 appearances limiting opponents to just four hits in 10 innings while picking up his 16th hold and improving his record to 3-0. On the season he’s pitching in 28 games while picking up 3 strikeouts with a 2.10 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. He’s been one of the best setup men in the game and has been a big part of the Tribe’s successful bullpen.