Draft Day Steals #3

Here is the third and final edition of my Draft Day Steals for 2008. I've got a couple of mid to late round sleepers as well as a few of my deep sleepers. These are the guys that add depth to your squads and can help you win your league.

J.J. Hardy-SS-MIL- I love the power potential of Hardy. I know he was on a torrid pace early last year and tapered off in the second half. However, I think he is going to be more consistent this season and should give you solid production from a weak SS position. If I don't get a SS in the first four rounds, I will wait and try and get Hardy later. He usually comes off the board in rounds 12-14. I love him as a cheap source of power here late in these rounds. In roto leagues, if you already have your SS locked up, Hardy would make a great MI for you. I'm prediction another 25 HR for him this year. That's a solid pick in the 13th round.

Manny Corpas-RP-COL- I don't think he was a fluke last year and neither do the Rockies having just signed him to a big contract extension. Having already gotten a top 10 closer, I love getting Corpas as my no. 2. Last year he had 19 Saves with a 2.07 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. If he can get to 35 Saves and keep the ERA and WHIP low he is a steal in rounds 12-15.

Zach Greinke-SP-KC- I love Greinke's potential and last year he started to show us what kind of pitcher he could be. He was supposed to be the Royals' ace two years ago but it just didn't happen. This is the year he could do it. In rounds 18-21 when there isn't much pitching left available, Greinke could be the best option out there. Grienke could win 13-15 games this year while keeping his ERA under 4.00 and his WHIP around 1.25.

Joakim Soria-RP-KC- I have Soria ranked just under Corpas this year and you can usually get him a couple of rounds later. If you already have a no.1 closer then Soria would make a viable no. 2 option. If he's your no. 3 closer, you're in great shape in that department. He usually goes in rounds 15-17 and if you get him there you're getting great value.

Franklin Morales-SP-COL- The young lefty is one of the best pitching prospects in the majors and has a legitimate shot to earn Rookie of the Year honors this season. He was able to get 3 Wins with an ERA of 3.43 and a 1.22 WHIP in almost 40 innings pitched. I love getting this guy in rounds 20-23 of the draft. I've also seen him go undrafted in several leagues and if he's available in your league, go get him now. I think Morales will win about 13 games this year and have an ERA around 3.50 and a WHIP around 1.20. Not bad in the 23rd round.

Ryan Theriot-SS-CHC- Theriot is a streaky hitter but I think he can be a .290-.300 hitter in this league. He tends to go in long slumps where he swings at bad pitches early in the count. If he can gain some consistency this year he could be a top 12 SS. You won't get any power numbers from him but he can drive in 60 for you. His value is his SB potential. He got 28 SB last year and if he can get on base a little more this year he could get 35. I love having him as my MI and you're not totally screwed if he is your starting SS. I love his value in rounds 20-23.

Shaun Marcum-SP-TOR- I have been a proponent of getting Dustin McGowan late in drafts. Now he is almost going to early in drafts and is gaining popularity while losing his sleeper status. Another guy on the Blue Jays who goes unheralded is Marcum. He had pretty respectable numbers in his first full season as a starter for the Jays. He doesn't strikeout as many as McGowan but the ERA and WHIP are nearly the same. I like Marcum to improve on his respectable '07 numbers and become a solid no. 5 or 6 starter for owners this year. I've seen him go in rounds 20-23 but closer to around round 20. I love this potential for value here late in the draft when not many pitching options are available.