On 31 March the baseball season 2011 will have its season opening with 6 games. Millions all over the globe are anticipating this date with excitement as it also kicks off another fantasy baseball season. Fantasy baseball managers will often win a league because they can evaluate talent better than others, just like in real life. Lower-ranked players who outperform their draft date value are called "sleepers”. Those sleepers can make a difference and give you the unexpected little extra production needed to stay ahead of the competition. Below is a list of players, in no particular order, that I consider sleepers for the 2011 season.

2B Gordon Beckham, Chicago White Sox

Gordon Beckham had his ups and downs last season and certainly did not only frustrate outspoken skipper Ozzie Guillen at times. After the All-Star break Beckham batted .310 and had 6 homers, 27 RBI and 23 runs, batting mainly 9^th in the lineup. If he can continue where he’s left off in 2010 he could hit close to 20 home runs and score 80/80 in runs and RBI, as well as moving up in the batting order.

3B Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants

The third baseman had a superb season in 2009. The opposite was the case in San Francisco’s World Series winning season in 2010. Truth is, Pablo Sandoval’s potential is probably somewhere in between. He will bounce back in 2011 and has the support of a pretty good offense. 20 home runs, a batting average of around .300 and 80/80 runs/RBI can be expected from him.

2B/3B Jose Lopez, Colorado Rockies

He could turn out to become THE steal of the draft if he manages to beat out Jonathan Herrera for the starting job at second base. He had a bad year in Seattle last season but the Mariners didn’t exactly have a good offense anyway. He moves from one of the hitter-unfriendliest ballpark to one of the hitter-friendliest and that should give his numbers a boost. Needless to say, the Colorado Rockies have a much better offense than the Mariners had. I would not be surprised if he hit over 20 dingers and 90+ RBI. His batting average should be in the .280 at least.

C Mike Napoli, Texas Rangers

Mike Napoli is an unappreciated catcher who will almost certainly give you 20+ home runs, especially at Rangers Ballpark. He had an off-year in 2010 in terms of batting average with .238, but he should be capable of batting .270 or better. He will be part of a very talented and high scoring team this season.

2B Kelly Johnson, Arizona Diamondbacks

Johnson was one of the bright spots on an otherwise pretty disappointing Diamondbacks team. He can hit and Chase Field helps to go the distance. At the top of the lineup he can produce 90+ runs and steals the occasional base.

SP Dan Haren, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

He’s not a sleeper per se but, after an un-Haren-like 2010 with the Arizona Diamondbacks, he returned to being the Dan Haren we’ve always known, once he got traded to the Angels. He provides low ERA and WHIP. An ERA below 3 and a 1.15 WHIP are not impossible.

C Jorge Posada, New York Yankees

Posada could turn out to be the sleeper in this year’s draft. Despite being listed as a catcher, the Yankees will mainly use him as designated hitter and start newly acquired Russell Martin behind the plate. Posada may have to share at-bats with Andruw Jones but frankly, I think Jones’ days are numbered. Going more rested to the plate, expect 20+ home runs and 70/70 runs/RBI from him next season. His batting average should go up towards his lifetime BA of .275.

SP Aaron Harang, San Diego Padres

Cincinnati’s former ace is somewhat of a borderline sleeper. In recent years he became home-run-prone and failed to record an ERA below 4. Part of this could have to do with Great American Ballpark. This should be less of an issue at PETCO Park, a pitcher’s heaven, where he has a lifetime ERA of 3.49. Only problem though, it’s doubtful that he will get a lot of run support, which should make 10 or more wins a challenge. At the very least Harang should top the list of pitch-or-ditch candidates.

SP Brian Matusz, Baltimore Orioles

I gave this a lot of thought but I’m afraid I have to jump on the bandwagon. Matusz had a 3.63 ERA after the All Star break last season and opponents were only batting .228 against him. He pitched especially well against the Boston Red Sox (2.43 ERA in 5 games) and New York Yankees (2.92 ERA in 4 games.). The southpaw could be a steal in the later rounds of the draft if he picks up where he’s left off in 2010.  

RP J.J. Putz, Arizona Diamondbacks

Once an outstanding closer with the Seattle Mariners J.J. Putz returns to closing games after setting up the previous two seasons. People may still hold his unsuccessful stint with the New York Mets against him but last year with the Chicago White Sox he showed that he’s still got it. Putz in my opinion is a closer and belongs in the 9^th inning.  

3B Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers

Finally out of Seattle Beltre showed what he is capable of when he batted .321 with 28 home runs and 102 RBI for the Boston Red Sox last season. This season he is on an equally good team in an even more favourable ballpark.