NBA Draft Review

Alex Rios, OF, Toronto Blue Jays

In his second season as an everyday player for the Jays, Rios has had an all-star season so far.

Jonathan Papelbon, CP, Boston Red Sox

Papelbon was labeled as the next star of the Red Sox starting rotation while he was in the minors. After a brief stint with the big club in 2005, Papelbon began the season with the Red Sox in 2006 likely in a long or middle relief role. However, after injuries and poor success, Papelbon was called to close and he has been absolutley unhittable. In 35.2 IP, Papelbon has given up 1 earned run. Yes, 1. His ERA is a cool 0.25 and he averages a strikeout per inning, all the makings for the biggest fantasy sleeper among rookies.

Bronson Arroyo, SP, Cincinnati Reds

Right before the season started, Arroyo was dealt from the Red Sox to the Reds for Wily Mo Pena. Both teams were unloading players they were not sure what to do with. Pena struggled to find playing time in Boston and is now injured, Arroyo has become the ace of the Reds staff and is a leading candidate for the Cy Young award with his gaudy numbers: 9 wins, 2.47 ERA, 80 K, 1.12 WHIP. Arroyo has been a great fantasy sleeper.

Gary Matthews Jr, OF, Texas Rangers

Matthews has always shown he has had the skills in bits and pieces. He had power, he had speed, he could hit for average, he could be a table-setter. He just never put it all together, now in his 7^th year, Matthews looks like he has done it. So far in 2006, Matthews has been a fantasy sleeper and is hitting .339, 7 HR, 37 RBI, and 39 R while leading-off for a potent Rangers offense.

Freddy Sanchez, IF, Pittsburgh Pirates

Sanchez has come out of nowhere to be in top 5 in hitting in the National League. In just his second full season with the Pirates, Sanchez is hitting .355 and has 37 RBI and has scored 38 runs. After falling out of favor at the end of last season and starting this season on the bench, Sanchez has made the most of his 2^nd chance and has become a nice fantasy sleeper.

Jermaine Dye, OF, Chicago White Sox

It's hard to call Dye a fantasy sleeper because he has shown superior talent in years past but no one could have expected his production this season. He has always had power but this season he has proved to be more clutch, getting more base hits, showing more patience and discipline at the plate, and driving in more runs. After starting very slowly this year, Dye has been unconsciuos the last few months, he has 20 HR, 57 RBI to go along with his .313 average.

Corey Patterson, OF, Baltimore Orioles

The theory that change is good in life and in baseball as well could not be more true than in Patterson's case. After struggling mightily with the Cubs for 6 seasons, Patterson has become one of the finest leadoff hitters in baseball as well as a nice fantasy sleeper and has sparked the Orioles offense by hitting .286 with 8 HR and 28 steals.

Brandon Phillips, 2B, Cincinnati Reds

For years, Phillips was one of the top prospects in baseball and everyone thought he would be the next great infielder in Cleveland. Unfortunately, Phillips wasn't ready and the Indians grew impatient and dealt him to the Reds for next to nothing in return. Phillips has made Cleveland regret that decision very much. Phillips is partly responsible for the Reds success so far because he is hitting .313 with 7 HR and 40 RBI to go along with 34 R and 14 SB. Phillips is doing it all for the Reds and no one could have expected it.

Nate Robertson, SP, Detroit Tigers

It is only June and Robertson has equaled his win total from 2005 with 7 wins. 2005 was a year Robertson would love to forget as he won just 7 baseball games and lost 16 and had an ERA of 4.48. The best way to make people forget about 2005 is to have an incredible 2006 and that is what he is doing. With 7 wins already and a 3.43 ERA, Robertson is a big part of the Tigers huge first half and has shown to be a quality fantasy sleeper.

Ty Wigginton, Utility, Tampa Bay Devil Rays

In his 5^th season, Wigginton has started to break out and show the world that he can hit a baseball. After just filling in for injured players to start the season, he has worked his way into the everyday lineup and has not slowed down. With 13 home runs and 44 RBI, Wigginton is well on pace to set new career marks in about every offensive category and hes been a great fantasy sleeper.