2013 Shortstop Sleepers: National League

Shortstop Week at Fake Teams comes to an end today, but not before we provide you with some American League and National League Sleepers for 2013. I will address the National League shortstop sleepers here, while new Fake Teams writer David Morris Jr. will tackle the American League at noon.

The three shortstop sleepers I will discuss today are all late round speed options who could put up anywhere from 20-50 stolen bases if things go well for each of them in 2013. Two of them were highly sought after shortstops at the Winter Meetings that just ended yesterday, and the third was involved in a midseason trade last July.

Let's take a look at the three National League shortstop sleepers for 2013:

Andrelton Simmons, ATL

Simmons has been discussed in several trade rumors this offseason, with the Diamondbacks liking him so much that they are willing to deal Justin Upton for him. Simmons made his major league debut in 2012, hitting .289-.335-.416 with 3 HRs, 17 runs, 19 RBI and a stolen base in 47 games. Simmons will be the Braves starting shortstop this season, probably batting in the bottom third of their lineup on a regular basis, but he should still be able to hit for a solid batting average and steal double digit bags in 2013. I see him hitting .270 with 4 HRs, 60 runs, 50 RBI and 23 stolen bases in 2013.

Dee Gordon, LAD

Gordon is another shortstop who is on the trade block this offseason, as he is currently blocked by Hanley Ramirez. Gordon struggled in his first full season in the big leagues before a hand injury put him on the DL for a good part of the season. in 87 games, he hit just .228-.280-.281 with a HR, 38 runs, 17 RBI and 32 stolen bases. He reached first base 80 times last season and attempted 42 stolen bases. Imagine if he could hit .250? He could steal 70 in a full season, and the steals, and his horrible 2012 season, are what makes Gordon a fantasy sleeper in 2013. I see him hitting .240 with 65 runs, 30 RBI and 50+ stolen bases in 2013, but that could be in a different uniform.

Jean Segura, MIL

Segura was one of the players the Brewers received in the trade that sent ace starter Zack Greinke to the Angels last season. After the trade, Segura took over at shortstop for the Brew Crew hitting .258-.315-.325 with 19 runs, 14 RBI and 7 stolen bases in 151 at bats over 45 games last season. Prior to joining the Brewers, he hit .294-.346-.404 with 7 HRs, 50 runs, 40 RBI and 33 stolen bases in 94 games for AA Arkansas. He is two years removed from stealing 50 bases in Low A, so we know he has speed, but he also owns a solid eye at the plate. Segura doesn't strike out much, as he struck out at a 13.9% rate last season, but he also walked at just under 8% of his plate appearances. Segura is not a power hitter, so he will have to use his speed once he gets on base to be a fantasy asset in 2013. I see him hitting .270 with 5 HRs, 65 runs, 40 RBI an 25+ stolen bases next season.