One of the most important things in fantasy baseball is identifying sleepers and drafting them in an appropriate round. When you properly identify a sleeper and that player lives up to his projections he be the difference between making or missing the playoffs. Last season I was able to draft both Kole Calhoun and Adam Eaton, and during a stretch with multiple injuries they single handedly carried my team for a couple of weeks. With that being said lets take an early look at some players that could surprise us all in 2015 with a big season.
Yasmani Grandal, Catcher, Los Angeles Dodgers
Grandal has always had potential but has never been able to string together both power and a good batting average in the same season. Part of the problem was that he had to play is the spacious Petco Park which can sap power from even the most powerful batter. Grandal also suffered from a bit of bad luck as his BABIP was .277 last year but he only batted .225. Now Grandal is playing for the Dodgers in a smaller ballpark with a much better lineup than what the Padres trotted out while Grandal was on the team. The Dodgers should be able to provide Grandal with tons of RBI opportunities that he missed out on in previous seasons. If you are looking for a catcher that should be a late round pick with tons of power upside this is your guy.
Kolten Wong, Second Base, St. Louis Cardinals
Wong was projected by many last season to a breakout candidate but it just never came to fruition. Wong had some injury issues coupled with a slow start made it a difficult season for the When Wong was going right at the plate he batted in the two hole which can be a very fruitful position in the Cardinals lineup. Wong will be only be 24 next year but has plus speed for a second baseman which is a very weak fantasy position. Wong also managed to hit 12 homeruns which is not a ton but outside of the top four or five second baseman he right there in terms of power. Wong is a decent on base guy and if he is able to get that batting average up he has potential to be a late round gem.
Jedd Gyorko, Second Base, Padres
Gyorko has only been in the league for two seasons, and has been able to display above average power but at the cost of batting average. Even on a bad Padres team he drove in 51 runs last season and 63 the year before in what were injury shortened seasons. Entering his prime at the age of 26 if Gyorko is primed for his anticipated breakout season this would be that year.
Khris Davis, Outfield, Brewers
Outfield is a very deep fantasy position so this player can be had very late in your drafts unless someone is willing to overpay for the power potential. Much like the players already named Davis has struggled to hit for a high batting average but he has been a productive player when on the field. Last season he hit 22 homeruns with 70 runs and 69 RBI. Davis is entering his prime and the Brewers are looking for him to be a key piece in their lineup next season. Don’t draft this player too early as there are safer options in the outfield but be aware that the power threat is real if he develops into the player the Brewers imagine him to be.
Kris Medlen, Starting Pitcher, Kansas City Royals
Before suffering from his second career Tommy John surgery Medlen had established himself as one of the better pitcher in the National League. Unfortunately last March Medlen needed another Tommy John surgery that cost him all of the 2014 season. He is now signed with the Royals for the next two seasons but they aren’t expecting him back until the all star break. However there is a chance that he comes back sooner as recovery time is typically a year, but it is understandable why the Royals would want to be cautious with him. Medlen should fall to you at the very end of your draft or possibly go undrafted at which point you can stash him on your DL spot. Medlen knows what it takes to recover from the surgery so as long as the elbow heals properly he could be just the piece your team needs to make a playoff push on the road to a championship.