During the 2008 season, 29 major league players batted .300 or better, 39 hit 25 or more HRs and 47 pitchers had an ERA under 4.00. Baseball is game of averages and, over the course of a season, there's a pretty large group of players that average-out to be solid performers.

Translate that into the sport's fantasy counterpart, and your looking at very large pool of viable talent to select from on draft day. And, unlike fantasy football or basketball, after three or four rounds of the draft have passed, everybody is sporting a solid roster. It's the draft's final rounds that can make or break teams.

Here's a handful of players to keep in mind during your draft's later rounds:

1. Ryan Theriot, SS, ChC

Yahoo! Rank: 186 | ESPN Rank: 183
A guy that's likely to steal 20+ bases and score 80+ runs, Theriot is the prototype of a late-round gem. With all the names up-and-down the Cubbies' roster and the big-name 'stops throughout the NL, this youngster out of LSU is often overlooked. Consider Theriot if you've neglected your middle infield during the early rounds or grab him as trade-bait or a back-up to your top-tier SS.

2. Billy Butler, 1B/DH, KC

Yahoo! Rank: 194 | ESPN Rank: 240
This 23-year-old slugger was solid during the latter-half of '08, though nobody seemed to notice because he was playing in lowly Kansas City. While there's far better 1B/DH options out there, Butler will be worth a roster spot as a back-up/spot play (he kills LHPs). Expect around 20 HRs and 75+ RBIs, with a BA up over .265.

3. Mark DeRosa, 2B/3B/OF, Cle

Yahoo! Rank: 145 | ESPN Rank: 180
After posting noteworthy numbers as the Cubs' utility man in '08, DeRosa figures to be the Tribe's everyday thirdbaseman in '09. While I doubt he'll match his numbers from last season, expect DeRosa to score and drive-in 80+ while batting over .270. Plus, his eligibility at multiple positions makes him a valuable fantasy utility man.

4. Chris Iannetta, C, Col

Yahoo! Rank: 138 | ESPN Rank: 150
Iannetta quietly posted an OBP of .390 last season, hitting 18 homers and driving in 65 in limited duty with the Rockies. While he may still end-up splitting time with Yorvit Torrealba, expect Iannetta's numbers to improve. I wouldn't recommend him as a starting catcher, but he's certainly worth considering as your draft wears on.

5. John Danks, SP, CWS

Yahoo! Rank: 163 | ESPN Rank: 188
The young lefty was a bright-spot in the Sox rotation last season, striking-out 159 on his way to 12 wins behind very little run-support. While his run-support may not see drastic improvement in '09, Danks should register a healthy number of Ks and deliever a ERA in the low 3.00's.

6. Mike Gonzalez, RP, Atl

Yahoo! Rank: 177 | ESPN Rank: 218
Gonzalez returned from elbow surgery mid-way through 2008 and registered 14 saves for the Bravos. With a re-tooled rotation and healthy core of middle-relievers (including the former-closer Rafael Soriano), expect Gonzalez to be handed more 9th-inning-leads. With a good chance to convert 30+ saves, he'd make a great value as a later-round pick.

Extra-point: Adam Lind, OF, Tor

Yahoo! Rank: 192 | ESPN Rank: 214
Once a top-prospect in the Jays organization, Lind is slowing meeting his potential. Between '07 and '08, he increased is average by 44 points and his OBP by 77, playing in roughly the same number of games each season. While he still may be a bit of gamble, the big-bodied Lind has the potential to hit 20+ HRs and drive-in 80+, all while maintaining his career .309 average. If he's still on the board when your last pick rolls around, take a shot.

What's your draft-strategy look like? Who are your sleeper picks? Post Game below.