MARYVALE, Ariz. -- Neither expected starter in the Milwaukee Brewers' middle infield is getting a whole lot of love in fantasy these days, as second baseman Scooter Gennett is a 23rd-round selection, on average, in ESPN live drafts, while shortstop Jean Segura, a breakout star in 2013, has fallen outside the top 10 at his position. On Saturday afternoon, Gennett and Segura batted first and second in the lineup, respectively, which is a harbinger of what we're likely to see come April. Each had a hit in a 5-4 loss to the Texas Rangers.

Fantasy owners should view them as potential sleepers because the conditions that held them back last season have indeed changed for the better.

For Gennett, the obvious difference in his situation is that platoon partner Rickie Weeks has left to handle similar duties in left field for the Seattle Mariners. Gennett hit .289 last season with nine home runs and six stolen bases over 474 plate appearances. This year he's expected to play more, and based on his minor league numbers, more power and speed are quite possible. Gennett told me he's looking forward to leading off and getting a chance to play more, and he expects the numbers to follow.