The Oakland Athletics may not have many early-round options as far as Fantasy Baseball goes, but championships are won with picks later in the draft that emerge as the season progresses. None of the current A's players are projected for the top-10 rounds, but there are a few intriguing names down the list to consider on draft day.
Jemile Weeks is among the more interesting second base options. He will be around during the final rounds and he can provide your team with runs, stolen bases and a decent batting average or on-base percentage. The speedy second baseman stole 22 bases in just 94 games last season, and while he needs to improve his walk-to-strikeout ratio, he could become a true pest on the base paths in 2012.
There is a lot of uncertainty in the pitching staff, but Grant Balfour has emerged as the closer. Fantasy Baseball folks know that closers are a dime a dozen and Balfour could be primed for a big year despite not being selected until the later rounds. There is a chance that Brian Fuentes and/or closer-of-the-future Fautino De Los Santos start to pick up a few save opportunities down the road, but Balfour is definitely one to target.
Looking for a potential keeper player? Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and pitchers Brad Peacock and Jarrod Parker are names to keep an eye on.