O.K. fantasy baseball players, admit it. How many times have you laughed at an owner in your league for using a draft pick on a guy you’ve never heard of, only to have that “no-name‿ turn into a stud by year’s end and be ranked in the top-50 the following year? If that’s happened, shame on you for not doing your homework, but fear not. I’m here to help.

I’ve long held the theory that in fantasy sports, it’s better to draft a guy a year early than a year late. So while some owners use mid and late round picks on the Kenny Rogers, Steve Finleys , Tori Hunters, and Jermaine Dyes of the world (steady if unspectacular performers on the career downside), I’ve used rounds 15-25 of my draft to gamble on future studs like Eric Gagne, Johan Santana, Miguel Cabrera, and Chase Utley.

Now I’m not saying you won’t end up with your share of stiffs using this strategy. But if you show some patience, the value of using a late-round pick on a stud while building a strong roster earlier in the draft is unmistakable. The other key, or course, is to know exactly when to give up on a promising youngster or exhibit patience. (I’m still kicking myself for dropping Santana because the Twins wasted him in middle relief the early part of 2003, the year before he won the Cy Young!)

With that in mind, here are five youngsters (listed alphabetically) worth serious consideration in the final rounds of your fantasy draft (those of you in my league, consider this a favor!):

Matt Cain (SF)-Starting Pitcher
Edwin Encarnacion (CIN)-Third Baseman
Jeremy Hermida (FLA)-Outfielder
Ian Kinsler (TEX)-Second Baseman
Chris Ray (BAL)-Relief Pitcher

There are a few other sleepers still hibernating on my list, but you don’t expect me to give away all my secrets, do you?

What do you guys and gals think of this strategy? What are some of the great steals of your past drafts? Are there any other young studs out there worth taking a late-round flyer on?